What is setting?Setting in media is the place where something is positioned or where an event takes place. It also contains sub-settings of where the time, place and circumstances within a narrative all take place. Setting can very in a vast area, such as a field or a beach or from minimal space such as a single room/door. Props are also classed within the setting bracket. Setting is primarily used within a music video and films to establish a place alongside a based meaning throughout. For example, in many films they use a sunset to portray the ending is near in a movie.

What are the conventional settings we expect to see used in the music video sequences?

Music videos normally all have a similar aspect of setting that is linked together. Normally the music video will compromise of two or more main settings that significantly contrast each other. For example, one location would be a dark room inside, whereas the other would include bright sunlight and green fields. These all aim to reflect the emotions and act as a clue towards the character, thus allowing them to blend in with the setting. Other conventional scenes we will normally see is the contrast between an urban city lifestyle (normally lower class associated with gangs), to a higher class, more sparse setting such as a beach. Once again, the weather will be used in the setting to reflect the mood.

How much is genre an important factor in the setting?

Genre has to be to considered as an extremely important factor within the choice of settings within a music video for its suitability. For example, a dark sombre place would not suit the target audience to a cheerful indie song. As a result of this, the genre allows the setting to be fully adaptable and suitable to the specified target audience  and enables a flowing link between the song and the audience. Overall, genre would be able to narrow down not only song choice, but also the location choice that is needed in music videos as well. We will take this into significant account when making our music video based around a particular genre.

How important is setting in the construction of mise-en-scene and creating an understanding for the viewer?

As reiterated above, setting is once again crucial for the construction of mise-en-scene and for creating an understanding for the viewer/target audience. Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of performers, props on stage, lighting etc. As a result of this, setting is vastly used, examples could be: natural lighting used for a mood effect, the placement of specified props such as a chair and the use of either minimal or a vast amount of performers. As stated previously, the setting can create a mood construction for the viewer, leading to an understanding via the genre of the song once again. In addition to this, the setting can be used as a natural or manual construction for the mise en scene once again. Without the aspect of setting, no mise en scene can be constructed; promoting the causal link between video and viewer. Without these pivotal aspects, a successful music video cannot be created- even with a band performance- as no meanings and connotations cannot be established to the viewers, leaving it as merely nothing but confusion.