Analysis of Mise-en-scene

LO: - To explore and analyse how mise-en-scene is used to create meaning in the video for If I Were A Boy.

Explore:

• Identify the 7 elements of mise-en-scene in the music video.

Enhance:

• Analyse the connotations of the mise-en-scene and how it creates meaning for the audience.

Exel:

• Begin to make links and comparisons between the mise-en-scene for this video and Uptown Funk.

Lighting

• Low key lighting
• High key lighting
• Spotlight
• High contrast lighting
• Back lighting
• Top lighting
• Under lighting

Colour

• Colour palate
• Monochrome
• Saturated
• Unsaturated
• Natural tones

Lighting and Connotations

Low key lighting is used on Beyoncé's character when in close-up.

By using low key lighting here, Beyoncé's face is half covered with shadows.

The lighting could suggest to the audience that her character is sad.

In this part of the video Beyoncé is shown in close-up.

Here the lighting style has been changed from low key lighting to hight key lighting.

In my opinion this part of the video is lit this way because she is realising something.

Costume

She is wearing a police uniform.

This makes her seem official and important and makes her seem in control

She is dressed like this at this point in the video because it shows that its her job.

1. How and why do the two music videos you have studied offer contrasting styles of lighting and colour? (4)

The music videos for Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk and Beyoncé's If I Were A Boy have a very contrasting use of lighting and colour.
For example, in Uptown Funk, high key lighting and bright, vibrant colours are used. Whereas, in If I Were A Boy, low key lighting and monochrome colours are used.
The styles contrast because high key lighting is used to create an upbeat, lively mood, suiting the video style, which has choreographed dancing and bright colours. Low key lighting is used to convey an emotional and dark tone, which suits the video style, which is done in monochrome and is a narrative.