Symbolic Techniques + Mis En Scene Research

Symbolic techniques are ways of showing meanings beyond what you can see for example through, facial expressions, gestures, poses and Mis En Scene. The Mis En Scene for music videos focuses on the lighting, props, costume, hair and makeup, location, and colour these elements usually depend on the genre of the music video and the style. These elements are also important in contributing towards the chosen genre. They are used to convey the importance of the people in the music videos. They are also used to represent certain characters in different ways; 
Lighting – how the scene is lit / artificial lights/ side lights Props – performance equipment, band merchandise Costume- certain outfits 
Hair and Makeup – style of the artist 
Location – concert halls venues, streets etc 
Colour - Specific colours representing a mood





Lighting- The Mis en scene creates some of the thoughts and variations associated with a specific social group, for instance; The lighting in a music video can create different views by the way the scene is lit , it allows the audience to recognise the genre and style of the music video. A bright light draws the viewers attention, but a scene can be lit by using – natural lighting i.e. from the sun or existing light sources, or by using artificial lights, Strobe lights and coloured lights you would most likely see in a dance pop/hip hop videos, but be very rare in say country type music videos .

Props- In most music videos sometimes props are used to illustrate the narrative, and when linking the lyrics with visuals, props are commonly used. The props in a music video add to the entertainment side, and can be used in a fun imaginative way. 

Costume- The costume is usually used to represent certain characters in different ways. Different artists would also wear different clothes to represent what there are portraying in the music video. 

Location- The location, and scene of a music video can not only show the audience where the artist is, but also can decide on the genre, for instance locations for instance the beach, or in a car, at a party, these sort of locations you would usually find in a dance pop music video, Due to the happy and lively feel they give. If the music video was say filmed in a street, or modern house, these are the typical locations you might find a gang, and you would relate this to grime/Hip-hop type video. The location influence the genre, but also be chosen purposely to relate to the song.

Hair and Makeup- The way an artists hair is, is done for a purpose, it can also show a character’s personality, or be done as a way of attracting the audience. Depending on the target audience. Hair like makeup is really just about style, and fashion and what’s in. It’s important that the appearance of the actor/ artist is of good quality as they will be looked at by the audience. Hair and make-up can be displayed in many ways for many different reasons. Here are a few examples of how makeup and hair can give an impression. Bold and bright makeup, and big hair can be used to show a person is fun and the artist stand out. ‘Rihanna Red’ is the talk of the public, and you can see that hair can influence the other people, and also advertise products.

Colour- Colours are shown through almost everything in a music video, lighting, costumes, hair, makeup, locations, the way the camera is angled also plays a part in positioning the colours we see in music videos. Colours are used in everyday things and we generally see the use of colours throughout music videos displaying normal day life things. Colour can also be interoperated though to represent a feeling or mood or to signify a certain thing. For example some videos can be in black and white showing no colours, this can be a way of showing a time lapse for example flash backs, and suggest something that happened in the past. It can also be purposely done to show an emotional scenario.