SIX STILLS

PETALS – Basenji

The composition that is used has a deep space where in the background the main things are seen still which are the leaves and plants which emphasizes the wildness and the deepness of the forest. The objects within this scene is very random and unpredictable. For the first scene however we can see that there is more space especially in the middle – the intention could possibly be to create the image of the viewer having “ a peek” into the set and which is enforced by the next scene which is connected to each other of the leaves whereas this time with no space – suggesting the viewer got inside the jungle.

This 90 degrees close up of leaves is a interesting shot because It is visually linked to the sound that is playing as the scenes changes everytime the beat drops which gives the viewer the feeling of the “ Rainbow after a storm” or “ After the rain” as the sound portrays the water droplets as well as the fog and mist in the setting that enforced the whole image giving these scenes a story.

Mise en scene are used effectively as in this music video the low key lighting creates an ominious and mysterious atmosphere as the low dimming of light makes the scene look haunting and a dark feel. However, it is juxtaposed by the colour effects that are used which are pink/ white and orange/white which are warm colours. The colour pink suggests love, romance and childishness giving the feeling of innocence ; the colour white suggests purity, life and holiness and the orange colour symbolizes cheerfulness, energy and excitement which has a positive connotation. This binary opposites is a powerful tool in evoking the audience’s emotions as it makes the viewer feel discomfort and uneased and gives the feeling of menace.

The setting creates a sense of place and a mood and it may also reflect the singer’s emotional state of mind. For instance, the place is in the forest and the mood is calm and tranquil and in this she wants to convey her despair and sadness while she waits for her love to come back to her ( she waited for him in the forest?).

This 90 degree long shot side ways of the band facing each other strikes me.

The composition is very appealing as they used the rule of thirds in this scene which makes the viewer attracted to the image. Also, how the actors/actress are symmetrical to each other like a mirror makes it look good and even as it is comfortable to see. It is very powerful since it seems more like a painting and a sculpture than normal humans as normally we don’t stand or position ourselves like that.  This gives the viewer the feeling of discomfort as the characters seem like a military soldier with now flexibility at all. The characters are made dominant by the position they’re in which is in the middle and they are seen as the main characters in the music video ; the girl and the boy. How the leaves where along the sides for each left and right part of the composition makes it feel like the path in the past of these characters are filled with wildness and it seems like they are about to create a new story or is waiting ofr something or the path stopped ( the empty space in front of them with no plants or trees – suggestive of being damaged or the lost of connection between the 2 lovers – lost of continuity)

This 90 degree close up shot of the woman looking down is very dramatic.

The colour effects that are used somehow looks quite menacing because of the contrasting colours of red and blue-ish white.  The white colour makes the lady looks as if shes not a human but rather a sculpture made of stone. This use of colour effect is very powerful as it creates a baleful and threatening feeling for the viewer when the background is red because red could possibly suggest danger or threat. ( somehow it is not romantic on this scene)The blueish white colour makes the woman looks like a ghost and looks abit haunting.
The setting now is not in the forest the plain red colour somehow makes the scene looks abit more modern and like a piece of art rather than a story e.g. in the jungle.This is a performance type?* where the actress acts showing their emotions to tell the viewer what’s going on.

This 90 degree close up / long shot of a feet sets an atmosphere to this scene. The redness of the water emphasizes on “love” and “romance” but however at the same time the water looks like blood. This portrays the pain and despair the girl feels when shes waiting for her love. The black reflection as below her feet makes the scene looks abit eerie as it makes it look like shes has a dobbleganger  which could be her second self.

90 degrees mid shot of a girl behind the curtain.

For the composition they use the rule of third to capture the viewer’s interest.

The setting

This scene of the girl looking sideways further emphasise on the lyrics, how she is waiting for her lover. This gives the viewer a vivide idea of the plot or the storyline. This scene is not like other scenes because the shape of the girl changes throughout each scene because of the motion of the curtain that distort her figure. This is a very interesting idea that can be used in my project. The low key lighting sets a menacing tone to the scene as it makes the girl seem like shes hidden. 

90 degrees close up of a man

I think it is very interesting how the colour effects changes throughout the music video , starting from red to blue-ish white.

The mise en scene that is used is the medicine dropper which gives the impression of the characters being high. This is reinforced by the facial expression of the character as he looks like he is not himself. The bubbles as the background is suggestive of a rare moment of magic and unrealistic expectations. I think the reason for this part to be on the music video is that the music video editor wants to emphasize on the lyrics “ When the feeling take over, You’ve got nothing else to lose” ; emphasizing on how love takes over the character’s mind where they lose their own conscious. Also to emphasize  on the lyrics :

“Every color

Mixed together will make another reality

In my galaxy

I know that every color

Mixed together will make another reality

When you're with me”

Where the characters are stuck on their other world. Also the colour white which is used as the effect is suggestive of  reflective, awakening openness, growth and creativity. This scene fits with the track playing therefore this tells a story to the viewer so it is easier to understand.