Music Video Analysis: Mise-En-Scene

Mise-En-Scene consists of 5 main aspects, these are:

1. Costume, Hair and Make-Up
2. Lighting and Colour
3. Body Language and Facial Expression
4. Settings and Props
5. Positioning in the Frame

Both Lighting and Colour and Positioning in the frame have been talked about in previous posts, so in this post I'll concentrate on Costume, Hair and Make-Up, Body Language and Facial Expression and Settings and Props.

Costume, Hair and Make-Up

This is a hugely important part of our video. Without costume we would not to use humour in the same way that we did, and it would be very difficult to show that the detective is perhaps out of his depth with what he is doing. This also helps the indie-band image by using interesting colours and fashionable clothing, for example jeans and t shirts, as well as glasses.

Hair seems to be a common theme amongst indie bands. The wilder your hair the more admired you are for making it so seems to be the case. Matt has hair that can be manipulated quite easily, and we picked lee and lewis as they have hair that is stereotypical of an indie-band, long and cuts across the face. My hair, as the detective helps to add to the humour. I didn't cut it so as it stuck out and curled round the sides of the hat in an untidy fashion. If you're going to be laughed at it might as well be for a good reason right :) This all helped us to portray characters and people in the correct light and helped to create the humour we wanted to create.

Our music video used no make-up, none at all, Matt said wearing make-up is where he drew the line and i suppose i had to respect that? what a spoil sport aye! The lack of make up meant that lighting was less likely to be absorbed and be sharper and more drastic in the shots, but this came out fine. In fact, we think we'd prefer it this way :)

Matt Costume, Hair and Make-Up

Me Costume, Hair and Make-Up

I think these pictures are more than embarrassing enough to depict what I've said above, don't you? :D

Body Language and Facial Expression

In my opinion it is body language and facial expression that sells humour. If a funny line is not delivered properly it wont make half of its potential in comical value, so we put huuuuggggee pressure on this aspect of the video seeing as we wanted it to be humorous, maybe even funny!

We decided that we wanted the detective to walk funny, so I put a bit (more) of a bounce in my step in order to exaggerate him being eager and willing. This coupled with a few silly facial expressions when being grabbed makes for some chuckle-worthy moments.

At a few points, such as when he first discovers the wire, the detective is very serious, and this adds comical value to the piece. Knowing that one character is serious about what is occurring makes it funnier for the rest of us. Its a bit satanic but everyone chuckles at someone else getting bruised and bumped for comedy purposes.

Below are some times (seconds) in the our music video for 1984 - Green Eyed Monster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdtFS7Xcos) in which body language and facial expression is used:

Serious Detective: 21

Wire Trip: 28

Funny Walk: 58, 65, 76, 86, 107, 170

Funny Run: 115.

Hey Pretty Lady: 200.

Detective Getting Caught: 226.

The body language of the guitar players, Lee and Lewis, is also very important as i think they make it quite believable that they are actually playing the guitars. Thanks boys!

Settings and Props