Anthony Mandler is an American music video director who has frequently collaborated with Rihanna, directing 16 of her music videos. He is known for directing narrative-driven videos that incorporate different colored filters and lighting effects to emphasize themes in the song. His video for Rihanna's "Diamonds" is shot in black and white and uses quick cuts between close-ups of Rihanna and scenes symbolizing negative aspects of diamonds to portray the complex emotions in the song.

1. RESEARCH INTO A MUSIC
VIDEO DIRECTOR
By Geeta Gohil

2. ANTHONY MANDLER
Anthony Mandler is an American film, music, television director and
photographer.
As a music director his most notable and frequent collaborator is Rihanna.
The two have worked on sixteen music videos together throughout her
career, beginning with Unfaithful in 2006 and most recently Diamonds in
2012.
He has also written and directed music videos for many other prominent
artists including big stars like; Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Eminem, Usher, Shakira,
Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj,
Cheryl Cole, Mary J Blige, fun. and Lana Del Rey.
The videos he directs have one thing in common and that is the there is an
element of performance of the artist and an element of narrative. With artists
like Rihanna, Beyonce and Selena Gomez a lot of different coloured filters are
used in which emphasises the scene, e.g. In the video ‘Only Girl In The
World’ – a warm, pink filter is used to emphasis the song of ‘only girl’.
Geeta Gohil

3. Geeta Gohil ANALYSIS OF A MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY
ANTHONY MANDLER
RIHANNA - DIAMONDS
The video immediately starts with a scene of diamonds
which was expected due to the song title called
‘Diamonds’. The whole music video is shot in Black and
White, a good inspiration as I want to do something
similar. A tilt is used showing the diamonds being
touched, probably by Rihanna. With only the scene lasting
3 seconds, another shot of diamonds are shown however
this time it’s a close up.
A wide range of different scenes are then showed which only last for 1-2 seconds. Quick editing is used in order to build an effect of
something serious. The Fire scene connotes something dangerous happening, a low angle hand held shot of a road to emphasis of
running away, and then a close up of diamonds being rolled in a manner suggestive of making a joint are intercut – a scene reminiscent
of the single's artwork.. This is portraying the diamonds being used in a negative and unhealthy way, rather than considering it as a
luxury.
A wide range of shots from close ups to mid-shots are used of the
performer. The light used in the background only focuses on her. The black
and white filter/effect gives the video more of a vintage feel or gives a sense
of emotion. The camera zooms into the artist while she is singing the song
and making eye contact
with the camera.
CAMERA SHOTS

4. CAMERA SHOTS (CONTINUED)
The close up of Rihanna is shown again while she is singing. This time there is
some sort of shadow on her face as the lights are positioned on her face. The
shadow looks like a fence or some sort of caged window, portraying she stuck
inside this dark room.
There is a jump cut to two hand held onto each other while the lyrics over the
scene is ‘You and I’, therefore portraying the relationship Rihanna is having and,
gradually throughout the video, the hands are let go of each other.
Another shot is a low angle slanted shot used on Rihanna, portraying her
dominance when she is performing, while the light are flashing in the background.
A zoom in is used (on the 5th picture), Rihanna looks up with her hands together
while singing ‘You’re a shooting star I see’ hence the body language. The shadow
of a fence or some sort of window is shown again but this time very clearly, maybe
illustrating that her confidence grows which is represented through the lighting.
The Slow motion shots of the two hands separately slowly and at the end
eventually they are let go.
Geeta Gohil
Rihanna is shown again on the highway,
running away from what appears to be the
headlights of a chasing car this is through
hand-held camera shot.

5. MISE-EN-SCENE
A reverse shot of flowers in a vase is being dropping. The
flowers represent love, romance and happiness however if the
objects are falling and vases are breaking it could may mean
something negative.
Another scene is consisted of shattered glass being shown to
the audience, shattered glass signifies
There is also many outfit changes throughout the videos,
from a black corset to jumpers, to outdoor cardigans and
shorts with simple makeup.
Reverse of objects going back together –
Glass shattered going back to normal.
There is also a scene of a rose burning in flames, which
signifies something about Love and how it has been
destroyed.
Geeta Gohil

6. MISE-EN-SCENE
Objects around Rihanna are going back to it’s
position. Reverse editing has been used to give
emphasis on the situation that everything is
sorted. While the objects are going back to it’s
place, Rihanna’s body language proves that
she is upset about something.
The next scene moves onto the two hands
which eventually are let go, probably linking
into the mixed emotions Rihanna is portraying
through her body language.
Location is changed halfway through the music
video, the outside signifies that Rihanna needs to
move with the situation and get out of the dark
room.
There is a black horse running free while there Is
another black horse on the floor. There is a low
angle shot of the horse stepping on it’s hooves
and standing up signifying the freedom.
Geeta Gohil

7. EDITING
Editing is used to reverse a shot. The shot of the
fabric/curtains reverses into their original place,
signifying that probably the situation is going back
to normal.
A lot of quick cuts are used in order to show the
tension in the music video. A lot of editing also
includes green screen effect to get the aurora
lights halfway through the music video.
There is also an effect of fire used to portray the
bouquet of roses being burnt.
Geeta Gohil