Breaking Down the Cinematography in Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean' Music Video
The day has finally come, as I assumed it would, that we, your trusty arbiters of indie film, are going to write an article centered on none other than -- Justin Bieber.
Okay, okay -- this post isn't necessarily centered on him, but rather the cinematography used in his music video for "What Do You Mean", directed by Brad Furman and shot by Joshua Reis. Matt Workman of Cinematography Database breaks down two different setups from the music video, highlighting some of the innovative techniques used by Reis that gave the video its distinct look. Check it out below:
And here's the original music video:
Matt focuses on the lighting and camerawork in two different setups: the exterior hotel scene at the beginning of the video and the interior hotel scene.
Cinematographer Joshua Reis uses some traditional high end lighting techniques to light a night exterior and some new innovative techniques using LEDs to light a small practical Motel room. Both scenes are visually tied together by a designed color theme.
Reis does some beautifully intriguing things with light and color in the music video -- the harsh shadows and the neon greens and reds create what Matt describes as a "modern film noir" look. But not only does it look good, it serves the story by connecting the subjects within the shot, as well as each scene to form a well-integrated piece.
Matt also mentions that Reis shot in an actual hotel room, which means that the look he created within that 12'x12' room was done practically. In other words, it wasn't shot in a studio where he could have complete control of the space, but in a pre-existing location with lighting limitations and obstacles he had to overcome. (Sound familiar?)
To get an idea of the lighting setup and the camerawork, check out this BTS featurette of the shoot:
Matt was actually able to chat with Joshua Reis about shooting the music video, as well as a feature he shot with Furman, so if you're interested in learning more, Matt will have him on his Modern Cinematographer podcast later on this year.
The first time I saw Wicked was in Boston with my roommate after her boyfriend dumped her, and I got to take his ticket. So, I will forever be grateful to that dummy because I had an amazing time.
The Wicked movie seems like it has been delayed forever, but when John Chu stepped in to direct, dates were set, the cast was announced, and we had full steam ahead.
Now, the movie is here, and I was so excited to be in a packed theater watching.
The movie is split into two parts, with the second coming out next year.
So today, I want to go over the ending for part one and explain it to you.
Sound good? Let's defy gravity together.
'Wicked' Movie Synopsis
The movie begins in the wonderful land of Oz, right after Dorothy has kileld the Wicked Witch of the West. All of Oz celebrates her defeat.
But then, Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, begins to tell us a much different story, the story of Elphaba Thropp, known to us as the Wicked Witch.
Elphaba was born with emerald-green skin, faces prejudice and misunderstanding due to her pigmentation. Her Mom cheated on her Dad with an unseen man, and that man gave her mom a green potion that messed with her skin color.
As she grows up, she has no friends and is as cast out. Her Dad favors her wheelchair bound sister, Nessa, and is mean to Elphaba.
When it's time for Nessa go to Shiz University, Elphaba tags along to help her, but when she displays her magical powers, she's invited to stay by the Madame Morrible, who is a bit of a mystery to us. But who wants to give Elphaba witch lessons to harness her powers.
At Shiz, Elphaba starts out bullied by everyone, including her roommate, Galinda, who only lets her stay in her room because she wants to be a witch too, and thinks Madame Morrible will teach her how to be one if she's nice to Elphaba.
Eventually, both women become friends after bonding at the Ozdust ballroom.
Despite their differences, they navigate the challenges of school, social pressures, and even find themselves drawn to the same charming man, Fiyero. He's handsome and seems perfect.
Morrible sees a lot of potential in Elphaba, and begins to tutor her in order to help her release her magical powers.
But as Elphaba and Galinda get deeper into school, they discover all is not well in Oz. Elphaba learns from Dr. Dillamond, a talking Goat history professor, that Animals across Oz are being stripped of their rights and voices.
Dr. Dillamond is forced to retire, replaced by a professor who cruelly experiments on animals.
In a fake form of homage, Galinda changes her name to 'Glinda' to honor the way Dr. Dillamond said her name.
Elphaba and Fiyero, disgusted, free a lion cub from the professor's clutches.They bond and we see that they actually have a crush on each other, and that Fiyero maybe doesn't have as strong feelings for Glinda anymore.
Elphaba is summoned to the Emerald City by the Wizard, and Glinda tags along with her as her best friend.
But after meeting the Wizard, whos is charming, they learn of a book called the grimoire, which can only be read by the most powerful magical people. Morrible shows up to encourage Elphaba to read the book, and Glinda concurs.
But Elphaba is tricked into casting a spell that gives the Wizard's monkey guards wings, revealing his true tyrannical nature. We learn that neither Morrible nor the Wizard can read the grimoire.
And they now want to use these winged monkeys as spies to help them stop the talking animals from existing in Oz.
Horrified, Elphaba rejects their offer to help them rule Oz, and tries to escape with Glina. But Glinda is not ready to be part of a rebellion, she thinks it might be better to just be on the Wizards side.
Glinda tries to convince Elphaba to surrender, but Elphaba chooses to fight for the oppressed. Bidding a tearful farewell to her friend, Elphaba uses her magic to escape the city, soaring into the unknown on a broomstick.
As Elphaba embraces her newfound identity and her extraordinary powers, she sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the fate of Oz.
'Wicked' Ending Explained
That was a pretty crazy turn for part one of the story, but it was also such an emotional and entertaining journey.
At the end of Wicked Part One, Elphaba is tricked into casting a spell that gives the Wizard's monkey guards wings. This proves to her that the people in power are wrong and trying to use her powers.
It sets the story up for Part II, as Elphaba rejects the Wizard's offer and vow to fight against him, solidifying her position as an enemy of the state and showing the audience why she was called the "Wicked Witch."
Elphaba has to embrace her new identity and become a symbol of the resistance against the Wizard and Morrible.
In choosing to do what's right, Elphaba has also created a rift between herself and her best friend Glinda, who is not sure she can support her.
We also see that Morrible hugs Glinda, and you can infer she will finally get the magical tutelage she always wanted by being on their side.
In a tearful goodbye, Elphaba and Glinda acknowledge their diverging paths.
There is no certain future of friendship, as it appears they're going into battle.
This was a crazy ending that set us up for so much to come in the next part.
