Rihanna & Director Anthony Mandler

Director Anthony Mandler has directed three of RnB singer Rihanna's videos, and the stylistic elements of the videos have influenced how we want our own video to look. Rihanna's recent change of style to a more edgy, gothic and rough look are reflected in her clothing, hair and make-up, and also in the content, style and direction of her music videos. We as a group are inspired by this new image.

Rihanna - Wait Your Turn
The overlaying technique is something we liked, where two or more pieces of footage are placed over eachother, creating a dynamic, ghostly effect, which could convey our subjects confusion, despair and disorientation. We also like the way Rihanna smokes in the video in one of her close ups. There are also lots of unconventional angles in this video, something Mandler employs often in his work. Lower angles are used to make Rihanna seem confident and in control, which links with the music, lyrics and attitude of the song. We could also use some unusual angles, but to convey regret or anger instead of confidence. The cityscape in the background of part of 'Wait Your Turn' is aesthetically interesting, and could portray our subjects feelings of insignificance and loneliness in our video. Lastly, the grainy effect on the video is a potential effect we could use.


Rihanna - Russian Roulette
This video also contains some interesting lighting and colours; we aim to use dramatic colour in our video, such as red lighting to insinuate passion or anger. More overlaying and unconventional angles are used to convey Rihanna's emotions throughout the song, and represent her as vulnerable or anguished. The use of a spotlight in the jail footage links to the single window shape of light in Evanesence's video for Everybody's Fool.

Rihanna - Disturbia
There are more examples in this video of overlaying and interesting colours and angles, which have helped inspire our own music video. The overlays in this video create a eerie effect, which links to the theme of the lyrics, which are about going mad.