The scientist
The Narrative does match the picture but it doesn't
follow the action word for word showing a chronological story. The visuals
strongly complement the lyrics and run parallel to one another & the camera
movement (EG: tracking as he moves backwards creating a sense of disconcertion,
and confusion, so that the audience can empathies with the emotion of the
song). It creates the story described in
the lyrics in a less obvious way, explaining everything in reverse to create
more tension and a strong connection to the lyrical story. This effect draws in
the audience much more to the raw emotion of a song. They physically travel
from the end of the lyrical story "back to the start" allowing the
viewer to empathies much more - as they have to watch the "happy
ending" to which they now know is impossible (as the clip as started with
the sequential end or future).
The camera movement complements the style of the piece as it tracks then
artist as he journeys back through his experience. This approach again brings
the viewer right into the heart of the emotion as if they are physically
following the artist into this emotion weather they want to or not - it allows
for them to share in this journey. The opening camera movement when it zooms
away from the artists face creates a sense of distance foreshadowing the story and eagerly tempting
the audience to follow. Later as the artist moves through the clearing and you
see the close up shot of his 'lover' with him in the background this further
highlights the sudden distance & when he moves back towards her but walks
past her it creates the impression that he has had no say in the matter. The close up shots of his feet suggest he is
on an unwanted journey, but the constant eye connection that it jumps back to
at intervals reminds us that he is trying to push his product & connect
with his audience directly & also the rule of thirds often applies and the
artist is usually directly in the best possible parts of the shot in order for
him to fully dominate the screen space. The variety of contrasting shots - long
shots, to mid shots, to close up, in a constant circle adds enthuses to the
fact the artist (as the character within the narrative) is on a distorted
journey & again amplifies the lyrical story, as well as making the visual
much more engaging & interesting for the audience the track is selling to.
The tempo of the music works in succession with the speed & camera levels,
creating a smooth emotive effect. The panning swerves of the camera movement
additionally matches the lyrical narration about "running in circles"
The mis en scene :
The
stereotypically desolate graphite & urban back drop, the bright blue bed
matching the sharpness of the artists eyes, the typical inner-city business of
the purposefully ignoring street life -
all paint a picture of misfortune, loneliness and isolation, making the
audience feel automatically close to the artists & the song. The
positioning of the artist at the start as if he is stuck to this single bed
life as well the rigid choreography as he moves back further emphasizes his
unwillingness to move forward with his life (or in this case actually move back
into his memories). The costume choice for the artists throughout is
representative of many of the imbedded themes. The simple white t-shirt, his
emptiness, as if he is now a blank slate, his identity is lost, the location
also connotes this, he is placed on a bed almost watching the world wander by
without him (shown by the revolving camera movement and fade shots). The black
shirted outfit he forces himself into later on is emblematic of death &
darkness, as well as the black car. The video holds the generic characteristics
of a drama. The visual mis en scene helps to enhance this sense of 'drama' and
danger - the ominous train tracks, the urban concrete, the abandoned forest,
the funeral like car & the camera pace - fast and on the beat in comparison
to the artists movements.
The editing
When we are introduced to the female character the
editing is particularly clever. She
physically flies in reverse back into the car, the windscreen of a car clearly
involved in an accent reaffixes itself & the car roll reverses up a hill
& onto a main road, all the time the pace of the camera stays in line with
the pace of the music, mostly the shots of the artist are played in slow motion
or the camera is stuck as the action moves past to reinforce the power &
pain, as well as a variety of more tilted angle shots . The special effects
when his clothes fly onto him or the leaves fly around him add this sense of
abnormality & incongruity in his life. The jutted editing of the artists
movements in a robotic like manner matches lyrical narration about
"science". The artists movement & the edits work well in succession
with one another creating a steady beat & catchy rhythm.
The artist connection
The intensity of his stare creates an inescapable
connection with the audience, and when his eyes aren't connecting with the
audience they are still conveying meaning EG: staring up into space as if
talking to God - or the later revealed deceased lover. His notion of looking
which is often extremely direct & powerful portrays the character/artists
as an emotive, and caring man - he is not being portrayed as a stereotypical
player or pimp, but rather as a mellow and passionate figure - complimented by
the basic black or white clothing - he is very black & white, very easy to
read, very open & trustworthy. The audience only meet the gaze of the vocal
artist and not any of the other characters used within the video - this allows
the audience to fully connect with the singer & also distances the artist
from the rest of the world to express the themes / narrative of the music video
- especially in reference to his now deceased partner - further expressing his
pain and loneliness. Though this song is sang by the band 'Coldplay' the choice
to only view the lead singer again creates a sense of realism or emotion almost
as if its a personal experience. This choice (probably made by the record label)
was made as a tool to draw the viewer into the raw emotion of the piece &
feel more towards the characters.
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