Black Quote by Russell Mulcahy
“We wanted to not necessarily tell the story of the video or the song, but create an ambience. And I think now, I think that's gone now. There's nothing wrong with that. But I think we were all trying to make mini feature films. I remember when we were making the Duran videos, I would crop the top and bottom of the screen with black. So that it looked more like cinema.”
About This Quote
The quote reflects on an artistic intention to create an atmospheric ambience rather than a literal narrative, using cinematic techniques like black bars to give music videos a film-like quality, and notes that this approach has faded.
In simple terms: It describes using film style to give music videos a cinematic feel, now less common.
Explore how visual style shapes storytelling.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- music video production
- creative direction
- visual aesthetics
- media trends
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does visual framing affect audience perception?
- Will cinematic techniques return?
Modern platforms prioritize quick cuts over cinematic ambience.