Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
How does the mise-en-scene of The Killers ‘For Reasons Unknown’ add to the meaning of the video?
For reasons unknown is a concept ad performing video, mainly concept. The lack of make up in the video gives the idea that the band members are natural. This contrast with all other aspects of the video that are so obviously fake and unrealistic, or abnormal, such as wearing sunglasses at night and suits in the desert. The costumes could link with the title and symbolize confusion. The band wearing suits in the desert is an odd thing to do and possibly they don’t know why they’re doing it - ‘for reasons unknown’. The props could relate back to the lyrics. “I’m not who I used to be” (or something along those lines) could relate to the idea of the desert being dead and old – reinforced by the close ups of an animal skull, symbolizing his past/old self.
This contrasts with the video of Nicole Scherzinger and 50cent which appears to have no hidden message or concept. The bland backgrounds contrast with her bright clothes so Nicole is the focus of the video.
For reasons unknown is a concept ad performing video, mainly concept. The lack of make up in the video gives the idea that the band members are natural. This contrast with all other aspects of the video that are so obviously fake and unrealistic, or abnormal, such as wearing sunglasses at night and suits in the desert. The costumes could link with the title and symbolize confusion. The band wearing suits in the desert is an odd thing to do and possibly they don’t know why they’re doing it - ‘for reasons unknown’. The props could relate back to the lyrics. “I’m not who I used to be” (or something along those lines) could relate to the idea of the desert being dead and old – reinforced by the close ups of an animal skull, symbolizing his past/old self.
This contrasts with the video of Nicole Scherzinger and 50cent which appears to have no hidden message or concept. The bland backgrounds contrast with her bright clothes so Nicole is the focus of the video.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Compare the use of mise-en-scene in ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.’ by Noah and the Whale with ‘Famous Last Words’ by My Chemical Romance
In both videos lighting, or lack of, plays a significant role. Neither of the songs are particularly cheery or uplifting and the dark lighting in each mirrors the feeling in the lyrics. The difference between the videos is the fact ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.’ uses very artificial lighting, ceiling lights or tacky fairy lights; all MCR use is a fire in the background. I think the fire in FLWs accurately mirrors the bands insanity. “A life that’s so demanding, I get so weak, a love that’s so demanding I can’t speak”, the lyrics speak of the band finding life difficult, and the front man’s facial expressions and movement hint that this has lead him to go insane, mirrored by the wild, uncontrolled fire in the background. In LGO the lyrics talk about carrying on with life despite being miserable. The dark lighting represents the unhappiness, and the artificial lighting represents them pretending to be happy and putting on a front despite being sad inside.
In ‘Famous Last Words’ the band don’t have any make-up on except the front man Gerard Way, who has quite a lot. The make up continues the idea of him being insane as the pale face and black eyes give the impression of being ill/unhealthy. Noah and the Whale don’t have any make up on which fits with the idea of them being bored. Throughout the video they have a distinct lack of interest in anything and the lyrics hints they find life repetitive. The girl dancing in the video has some make up and a wig on. The wig re-enforces of them being artificial as its particularly deceptive and fake.
Apart from the bands instruments there are no other props in famous last words. In ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.’ one of the few props is a record player. The repetitive turning of the record is almost a direct metaphor for the world continuously spinning as life goes on.
In ‘Famous Last Words’ the band don’t have any make-up on except the front man Gerard Way, who has quite a lot. The make up continues the idea of him being insane as the pale face and black eyes give the impression of being ill/unhealthy. Noah and the Whale don’t have any make up on which fits with the idea of them being bored. Throughout the video they have a distinct lack of interest in anything and the lyrics hints they find life repetitive. The girl dancing in the video has some make up and a wig on. The wig re-enforces of them being artificial as its particularly deceptive and fake.
Apart from the bands instruments there are no other props in famous last words. In ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.’ one of the few props is a record player. The repetitive turning of the record is almost a direct metaphor for the world continuously spinning as life goes on.
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