I choose Rihanna diamonds to analyse as lyrically the words could possibly inspire my own idea's for the music video I'm doing. With Rihanna being one of the biggest superstar's in the current world today and getting 221,806,653 views on one video alone (we found love) she is no stranger to the success through her music videos. Also again I will brake the clip into the main scene's in order to show more detail as well as breaking it down over all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWA2pjMjpBs
Lyrics - http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107859441261/
I believe the main meaning behind the music video and its lyrics represent the recurring theme of an unhealthy relationship, as Rihanna croons of a bright love. "Find light in the beautiful sea. I choose to be happy. You and I, you and I. We're like diamonds in the sky," she sings.Its a pretty obvious interpretation of course about love and how someone felt when they met someone they felt an attraction too. And how that special someone can shine like a star is the message she is trying to achieve both through visuals and lyrics.
SCENE 1
Mis-en-scene:
The first scene is of a random selection of clips which are created before the actual song starts. This technique is used a lot of this current day as artists such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Lady GaGa have all done this. As of this we see a variation of locations such as a clip of diamonds, a clip of fire, water and a clip of a road. I believe having these random clips at the start although don't make any sense from the beginning allow the viewer to get a sneak preview of what they can expect in the music video. As well as this could be leaked as a teaser trailer for the video.
From what we can see in this scene the lighting is varied. We can tell already that a lot of experimentation has been made through the teaser trailer at the start of this video. The main lighting portrayal's are a negative and gloomy atmosphere which I adore, this atmosphere is not only created through artificial lighting but natural as well. These lighting portrayal's don't just mean its black and white and boring, there are a variation of mixed colours, for example Rihanna herself in the royal blue waters which portray a sad and meaningful atmosphere. Although the lighting itself is actually quite bright, it has been edited to look not so. I love the bright reflections from the artificial lighting of the diamonds and the light reflecting of the water, it really highlights the different shades and tones which draws the viewers attention in.
We actually see minimal clothing and costume in the clip so all we can rely on is facial expressions, make up and unusual shots. The make-up itself is very simplistic and minimal which is another successful aspect as it is enough to make Rihanna look classy and elegant, but little enough to make sure all attention is on the video itself
Camera Shots/Angles and Movement:
With the variation of different shots in the teaser clip I can compare them to see what was successful and not. We see a lot of extreme close-ups upon the diamonds themselves and parts of Rihanna's body which is something I believe is successful. It is giving scenes away, but still keeps an element of tension and build up because we can't see the whole scene and we want to - therefore viewers carry on watching! We also see a few tracking shots of the model running away, this follows her and draws you in as it contrast against the music as this is very active and busy. Another aspect I love is the use of focus panning to put in focus one part of the scene then focus onto another part without moving the camera. This is used to show the smoke coming from the lips.
Sound:
There isn't much to talk about the sound in this scene of 40 seconds really except the variation of noises which are diffused sound as if they are an edited and stripped version of the tides coming in on a beach. And each 'swooosh' sound actually fits in with the edited visuals e.g. the hand moving over the diamonds fits with the sound, alike the hand moving in the water (which fits in with the idea of waves through visuals).
Editing:
The use of slow motion has been used thoroughly throughout the first scene as we see it being used in every single individual clip. I like the use of this especially at the start within the teaser as it allows the viewer to really understand what is happening in each scene and take it all in. This is all but one clip of Rihanna running away in the tracking shot of her on the road. This has been fast forwarded and as of it, it is an extremely short clip compared to the others in this scene which contrast against each other. I like this affect and it is something I wish to pursue upon my own work. However I think the use of slow motion has been overused in this particular scene.
SCENE 2
Mis-en-scene:
In the second scene we see some of the clips from the first scene but lengthened out more. I like the use of a black background used in the particular shot seen in the picture below. It shows an unusual approach to the scene with using the lighting behind the model. The black indicated darkness and evil which we see a lot of being used in this particular scene, which actually contrasts against the idea of the lyrics and song title 'Diamonds' which we associate with being bright and sparkly.
Lighting in this scene has been used to its best as we see two particular techniques which stand out amongst the others, one being the silhouette used to really outline the model (as we see in the picture below). This technique consists of using a light source behind the model and doing it against a black background really means more attention is drawn to the model. Another lighting technique is the use of lens flare which is used to make the scene brighter - also considered a editing technique however it is used outside in the ocean therefore its natural and considered under lighting. The use of flashing lights as well act as 'diamonds' which link in with the lyrics and title. The lighting upon Rihanna's face shadows half of it within a extreme close up which could interpret that there are two sides to Rihanna, a dark and nice one?
(Below shows the lighting technique of lens flare and silhouette combined)
Camera Shots/Angles and Movement:
Only a small amount of different shots are used in this scene as the main shot is the tracking shot of Rihanna swimming along with the 360 shot around Rihanna against the black background. As well as the normal mid and long shots with a few extreme close ups to show detail within the scene.
Sound:
Again with the sound there is nothing really that outstanding except the few lyrics which go with the visuals. Although we see when the beat picks up a fast forwarded approach style of editing to emphasise the faster rhythm and higher pitch. Along with when the chorus kicking in a lighter atmosphere created through lighting as the word 'Diamonds' was repeated - this really contrast against the negative persona we got from the verses.
Editing:
Slow motion rewind of things falling on the floor is something which has become increasingly common to this day. This is something I love and would consider using it in my video somehow, the use of slow motion to really see the detail on all the glass smashing and items falling on the floor really contrasts against the fast rhythm of the song. Along with rewinding and playing it normally these two methods again contrast and plays this massive effect on the editing within the scene.
SCENE 3
Mis-en-scene:
The location within this scene is absolutely amazing and from the picture below you can see the horse within the amazing views. Although the horse has no relevance to the actual lyrics I love the idea of using something random within the song. But in this shot particularly we see colour being used the same as the shot of Rihanna in the ocean swimming which shows thought and consideration as well as good editing.
The use of props has been considered extremely well as well as timings of the day, we see this within this particular shot as the use of smoke has been used which in my eyes is something which works extremely well and would want to take from that and use it somehow in my own work. Along with the lighting being on point which would have been filmed at dawn as you can tell from both the sun and colours in the shot.
Camera Shots/Angles and Movement:
Throughout the last scene we see two particular shots being used multiple times. The long shot which we see in the picture below shows Rihanna from far away as well as being the bulls eye composition mean all attention is on her which is what is needed in a music video. Along with the mountains in the background they act as pathways and draw more attention upon her. The other shot which is used is mid-shots to show more detail but acts as a closing as you start to loose all closeness to the video as you see more shots from far away. Also the cutting of each shots are the same time as the beat of the song which is successful.
Sound:
The sound is the same within scene 2 however at the actual end of the song we see a diegetic sound of the sea's waves crashing gently which acts as the closing of the song with a long shot of Rihanna floating around.
Editing:
The main editing technique used within the final main scene is the use of slow motion. Although already used before we see a lot more of it used in the final scene but maybe used to much. Slow motion is used to edit the horses moving, Rihanna in the sea and the fire burning. Although previously a fan of slow motion this has actually put me off from using it as in the individual clips it does look good, together it just looks really silly. But then again it has to slow the song down as it is coming to an end although not matching the rhythm of the song. Finally the last editing effect which I can take away from this music video being good is the use of Bokeh effect which acts as big light particles in blobs which really make the shot more mystical.
In my own work I would like to incorporate the idea of using random clips at the start as this was inspired from the music video. Also the ending of the music video has inspired me to carry the visuals on even though the music has finished as really emphasises the song and brings it to an end rather than just leaving it. I adore the lighting used in the clip - its something I believe I should consider using upon my own work (bright yet gloomy atmosphere). Focus panning is something that I have learnt from this video as well as it is something I aim to include upon my own work. I like the use of editing, however I believe there could be more experimentation needed. In my own work I wish to pursue the use of slow motion and fast forwarding to contrasting against each other which was inspired by this video. Also the first scene being 40 seconds long just for the teaser section at the start I believe this is too long and could have been shortened which is something myself will have to consider. In the second scene we see the use of lighting used extremely well and once lighting technique I really admired was the use of silhouettes and lens flares, I would like to include this upon my own work.
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