EG4: Coldplay- Paradise

ACT: Coldplay
TRACK: Paradise
YEAR:  September 2011

DIRECTOR: Mat Whitecross

GENRE: Electronic Rock

MAIN AUDIENCE: M/F 15-24

Music Video:

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS:

Relationship formed

There's no direct lip syncing in this video to distinguish a relationship between the lyrics and visuals, however the lead singer is dressed up as the elephant character who delivers links with the visuals and lyrics, for example when he's busking on the street instead of lip syncing he's holding cardboard signs with the lyrics on. This is a good use of props for the mise-en-scene aspect because busking relates to songs and the lyrics on the boards form the relationship between the visuals and lyrics.


GENRE CHARACTERISTICS:
This video actually uses a countertype in a way for the genre because of the cuddly costumes that the band wear, seen as the genre is a rock style it's not what you'd expect to see.

LINEAR, CLOSED NARRATIVE?:

Extreme long shot

They use narrative enigma with the elephant costumes for the band so the audience is left to question who's in the elephant costumes whether it's the band or some actors, then the exposition is provided when the band is shown performing at an arena in the elephant costumes.The narrative is a peculiar one, which is common for some music videos so that the audience needs more than 1 viewing to understand it, as it tells the story of an elephant escaping from a zoo to be reunited with his companions.

LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE:

Location shot

The locations and mise-en-scene for this music video were vital so that it would result in the quirkiness that they've achieved, for example the cuddly elephant costumes and the african landscapes both worked well together to structure this unique narrative. But also the locations provide the audience with a lot of exposition for the audience to follow and understand, and they don't just use a couple of locations they have a wide variety of locations which contribute to making this music video more appealing to the audience as it's more interesting.

PACE + ANY VARIATION OF PACE:

Close-up, chaos scene

There are points in this music video where there's fast paced editing which contribute to achieving verisimilitude at the start amongst the chaos when the elephant escapes from the zoo. However there are also parts where there's long takes which allow discontinuity to appear slightly, and it also cuts to the beat at parts.