YELLOW COLDPLAY

Camera and EditingESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE SEA

TRACKING SHOT IS USED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE VIDEO, WITH CHRIS MARTIN BEING THE MAIN FOCAL POINT. THE VIDEO IS FILMED IN ONE SHOT WHICH IS A MEDIUM CLOSE UP HOWEVER DOES OCCASIONALLY ZOOM IN AND OUT FROM LONGSHOTS

OF THE ENTIRE BEACH DISPLAYING THE ARTIST AS A SILHOUETTE, AND EXTREME CLOSE UPS OF THE SUBJECT. SLOW MOTION IS OCCASIONALLY USED, PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN SHOTS OF THE ARTIST RUNNING

A MAIN ELEMENT OF THE VIDEO IS THE NATURALISTIC LIGHTING USED TO REPLICATE THE PASSING OF TIME. THIS IS UNCONVENTIONAL FOR A MUSIC VIDEO TO PUT SUCH EMPHASIS AND IMPOTANCE

ON THE LIGHTING.

Lighting

RepresentationThe artist, Chris Martin, is not shown in the conventional ‘Hollywood’ light. It is typical for artists to look airbrushed/edited/glamorous in music videos however Chris Martin has tested these conventions and has drawn interest to the quality/meaning of the song and the beach setting rather than himself.

The video also shows no references to stereotypes, the artist gives away no clues from costume or appearance which adds to the alternative/indie genre. There is no narrative except for the sunrise and the journey along the beach.

• The Easthope (1986) theory argues that a variety of media transmit the view that masculinity based on strength, aggression, competition and violence is biologically determined and, therefore, a natural goal for boys to achieve. This video is going against the conventions of this theory, showing a Hollywood music star in a vulnerable, very natural and unedited light. The video is unflattering and completely unposed which is surprising for a stereotypical music video.

• However Gauntlett (2008) supports the conventional aspects of this music video. The theory focuses on the relationship between the mass media and identity and argues that the mass media today challenge traditional definitions of gender and are actually a force of social change. This completely supports the codes and conventions of this particular music video, with Chris Martin failing to look like the stereotypical masculine figure we are expected to see.

Media Theory