HANNAH LUX DAVISDIRECTOR'S STUDY

HANNAH LUX DAVISHannah Lux Davis is an American music video director renown for working with artists such as; Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Fifth Harmony, Cher Lloyd, Jessie J, Tinashe and Little Wayne.She is a woman in a typically male centric field.

She has said that her primary inspiration is visual and that she likes to draw on pictures to inspire the look that she hopes to achieve in her videos. One of her biggest projects so sar is Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.

VIDEO 1-  MEGHAN TRAINOR – ME TOO

CAMERAWORKThe video opens with a long shot of the artist waking up in her room. This allows the audience to see how her room is decorated.

Another example of camerawork used in this video is a close up of the artist. This is very conventional of music videos as it features them lip synching and can show their emotions and feelings.

This is another example of camerawork, it is a mirror shot. The camera has been put at an angle so it does not show up in the mirror, it gives the effect that we are standing there behind her as if we are the camera. 

Another example is a POV shot. It shows Meghan looking at her phone, aligning us with her character so we see things and witness things from her perspective.

This is a mid shot of them in the car, this shot only shows the characters from the waist up which allows the audience to focus on their body language as well as their faces to see how they are feeling. They are seen dancing and singing along which shows they are happy and excited. 

This is a mid shot of them in the car, this shot only shows the characters from the waist up which allows the audience to focus on their body language as well as their faces to see how they are feeling. They are seen dancing and singing along which shows they are happy and excited. 

A whip pan is used as the artist walks out of the room, this helps

to transition smoothly between rooms.

A long shot is used as the artist and her backing dancers are dancing. This allows the audience to see their entire outfits as well as the

blue room that they are dancing in.

MISE – EN – SCENE

One location used is a bright blue room where there are several shots of them dancing.Another location used is the car when they are seen driving and dancing on the way to the trailers.Another location used is the room where Meghan wakes up and begins to get ready.It is a typical convention of music videos to have more than location which it cuts between, it is also common to have the artist change costume when the location changes.

Costumes are also apart of mise en scene, one outfit that she wears is the pajamas that she wakes up in, in the first scene. The second outfit she is seen wearing is the blue dress which she dances in when in the blue room, she is also seen wearing a giraffe onsie as she leaves the house and when she is driving to her trailer. It is typical of music videos to have the artists wearing more than one outfit, usually as the camera cuts between the different

scenes.

Another example of mise en scene is lighting, chiascuro lighting is used in one scene which creates a silhouette of the dancers. In

another scene high key lighting is used when they are again dancing, this is typically used in pop songs to reflect the upbeat and happy

atmosphere in the song.

EDITING

One example of editing is slow motion, it occurs when the artist is seen dancing in

the mirror. It could be argued that it has been used to

emphasize the energetic and fun feel.

Another example of editing is jump cutting, this when they

dancing as they are making their way towards the trailer, it constantly cuts between

different scenes of them having fun to again emphasize the fun

they are having. 

VIDEO 2 – MKTO – BAD GIRLS

CAMERWORK

Close ups are an example of camerawork which are used in this

video. One is of one of the artist's hands which are tied with rope, this is to show the audience that he is trapped and has

been captured. Another example of a close up is of the girl's face as she

stares at the camera. It therefore allows the audience to see how she is feeling and shows her looking confident as she

is a part of capturing the boys.

Mid shots are another example, one shows both of them blindfolded and tied up and another shows them trying to

escape. Like a close up it allows the audience to see their facial expressions however it also allows them to see their body

language.

An establishing shot is another example of

camerawork. This is the first shot we see

therefore it introduces the location to the audience.

A long shot is used when the girls are gathered together, it shows the teamwork as well and how they are

all looking out for one another.

MISE – EN - SCENE

Locations are an example of mise en scene, it is typical of music videos to use more than one location however it is different for this video as only one location is used however we

see different parts of it. For example, there is a shot of the camp of where all the girls hang out together and sleep, there is a shot of the boys being thrown into a dark room where they are kept after being captured. The establishing shot shows the main area of

where they are staying which seems to be some sort of desert that is isolated and apporpriate for kidnapping. 

Costumes are another example of mise en scene, again it is typical of music videos to feature the artists wearing more than one

costume which usually changes as the location changes. As the location doesn't change

neither does their costume. The boys are seen wearing stereotypical jeans and t-shirts as well

as leather jackets. They are also covered in sweat and dirt, which suggests they have been

wearing them for quite a while. The girls are seen wearing black clothing such as jeans and

crop tops, as well as helmets and studded boots which emphasises their power and

shows they are in charge.

Lighting is another example of mise en scene, outside bright high key lighting is used as the girls are shown together having fun whereas inside the lighting is low key and dark which reflects the mood of

the boys and how they are feeling as they are alone and suffering.

EDITING

An example of editing is cross cutting, the camera cuts between the boys staring out of the window and

the girl outside who sees them and reacts, it then cuts back to the boys reacting once again. It has been

used to show the link between the different scenes.

Another example is slow motion, it used when the boys are seen escaping this is to make the scene

more action and thriller based and make the audience wonder if they are going to make or if

they are going to be captured once again.

Another example of editing is fast motion, the camera cuts between different scenes quickly and to the beat 

VIDEO 3 – JESSIE J – BURNING UP

Long shots are an example of camerawork, the video opens with

a long shot of Jessie J and her backing dancers, it therefore

introduces the audience to the location as well as the costumes

they are wearing. Another example of a long shot is when she is

standing by the pool side in a white bikini, which shows a new location

and new costumes.

Close ups are another example of camerawork. Several close ups of Jessie J as she stares at the camera, she appears as sexy and confident which is a part of her star

persona.

Another example of camerawork is an aerial shot. She is

seen lying on a lawn chair with a crystal blue background

wearing a gold bikini, which contrasts. It

allows the audience to see her full frame

as well as her confident body poses.

MISE – EN – SCENE 

The video conforms to typical music video conventions as Jessie J is featured wearing several costumes, one is a white bikini, another is a black jumpsuit, another is a burgundy jumper and

another is a gold bikini. 

Another reason why it conforms to typical music video conventions is because a number of locations are also featured. For example, she is seen dancing with a guy with a pale blue background, she is seen standing at a sort of beach resort and seen lying on a blue crystal background and she is again seen dancing with a sunset background.

The main lighting used is high key which creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere as well as a energetic feel.

EDITING

A fade out is an example of editing, it used at the start when it smoothly transitions between the two scenes;

the first being her standing with a confident stance and the second is of a close up of her.

Another example of editing is fast cutting which is edited to the beat, it creates a chaotic and energetic

feel which reflects the beat of the song.

Superimposition is another example of editing, it shows two shots of Jessie J on top of each other which implies a connection and can also be used to

smoothly transition.

Short takes are another example of editing, the editing in this video is therefore fast and to the beat and

therefore emphasises energetic feel.