Planning Lighting & Colour

Lighting and colour is very important within music videos as it creates an atmosphere which will show certain emotions and feelings. Lighting is a vital element that needs to be considered with great care in order to create an effective visual production. Without different colours and effects the music video will seem somewhat bland and will not entice an audience as much. Colour is equally as important due to the way in which we connect colours to certain emotions.

 For example a red light within a music video could portray anger, betrayal perhaps danger. For example in Paloma Faith's music video 30 minute love affair their is a red light which suggests that she feels by betrayed by her love interest as he has decided not to carry on with their relationship. The lighting is a dark red which may represent blood which connotes pain and suffering from on Paloma's part. There is also a hint of blue light which can depict a cold and icy atmosphere which suggests that she is feeling numb because the situation has made her feel so low. The lighting and colour from this music video will aid us in our own seeing as the artist is also experiencing these kinds of feeling with her current boyfriend. Therefore the use of red and blue light would be very effective when our artist is seen reminiscing by herself.

For majority of our music video we will be using natural light as it is conventional of an indie music video as the central focus is the sound of music rather the mise en scene.
In a certain scene we have chosen to locate in a forest at sunset therefore the light will be natural and therefore will portray a calm and relaxing atmosphere which we want as this scene will be where our artist has her thinking time about the situation with her boyfriend. The lighting will be warm in order to show how that when the artist is in her thinking place she feels safe and stable compared to when she is with her boyfriend at the moment.

Typically Indie music videos have little effects and natural light as they are known for their low-budget and simple videos as they are mainly focused on the music and the sound.
For one of our scenes where the two characters are playing with sparklers and watching fireworks at night time we will need a flash light in order to be able to see our characters against the natural night time light. We hope that the small light of the sparklers will connote the small hope they have for their relationship to get back on track.
We intend to also break the conventions of an Indie music genre by contrasting lighting with the use of fireworks which will connote the chaotic and overwhelming relationship the couple have. Also the lighter which he will use which will show how he is rebellious and enjoys an unpredictable lifestyle.
We aim to create a relationship between the artist and the audience as we hope that the lighting and colours will symbolise the hidden meaning of the song which for our target audience of young girls will entice them. As our audience are young women they will be able to connect with the feelings of being confused about a love interest and will be able to empathise with the artist consequently building a relationship also.

We are going to use the colour red continuously throughout our music video. The colour red will show how the running theme throughout the music video is love and danger which is a juxtaposition. We intend to have a red flare which will enable red smoke which connotes mystery and danger. Furthermore we will also have fireworks and sparklers that will show a red flicker of light. The fireworks will also show the chaotic element of the unstable relationship that they have. The relationship is seen to be a loving but argumentative and poisonous relationship. This is due to the artist's love interest to be influenced by alcohol and drugs. The artist will also wear red lipstick which will show that she is central to the events and she is involved within the danger.

The lighting and colours are extremely important in our music video in terms of assisting to build a relationship with our target audience. This is because the viewers are given the opportunity to understand the narrative of the music video in such depth that it feels realistic to them. Therefore any feelings that they evoke whilst watching the music video will allow them to build a deeper relationship with the artist, as they begin to sympathise with her due to the unstable relationship she is faced with. The lighting and colours we will include will also give the viewers the opportunity to depict meanings behind the red colour that is substantially present, to individually enhance their viewing experiences.

Styles of lighting 
Back lighting- this lighting is the main source of light that comes from behind the character which may create a silhouette of the character making shadows which will be effective lighting for the love interest within the music video to show he is mysterious.

Key and fill lighting- this lighting is the main light source in a particular scene which is usually directed onto the main character. This can soften shadows for example we will use this technique when the artist is performing in the forest to show a laid back attitude.

Under-lighting- this lighting is the main light source from below the characters which may shadow some of the face which we intend to use when the two characters are kissing as some mystery needs to be created in order to create a sense of romance.

These styles of lighting will be conventional to the indie genre as they are mostly naturalistic and do not seem over the top as lighting would be used in pop or dance music videos. Indie music videos are generally quite basic due to their low budgets therefore these basic lighting styles show how the video is laid back and natural rather than filled with special effects and techniques.

By planning lighting and colour I have gained knowledge in how these certain elements can change the atmosphere of a video creating different feelings and emotions. I now know that any action within the video needs the help of lighting and colour in order to create the intended atmosphere.