The Scientist - Coldplay - This song includes lyrics which tell a story of a man's desire to love and his apology. The first lines of the song relate to this - 'Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry.' The video consists of a reverse edit, in order for Chris Martin to still appear to be mouthing the lyrics, he had to learn all the song backwards.
Cinematography - The music video includes many types of camera shots, angles and movement. However, the main shot being a medium/medium - close up during the shots where the artist is walking with the camera back tracking in front. Coldplay have used typical codes and conventions of music videos similar to their style of music- one being the use of the medium close up to see the artist. This constant view of the artist gives voyeuristic pleasure to the audience. (in the case of this song - teenagers - 30's).
At one point in the video -1.28 - 1.39, the camera moves to a low angle, with a quickened pace of shot cuts and focuses on men playing basketball in what some would say looks like a rough location - next to a bridge, graffiti on the walls. We see the artist through the use of a long shot walk by yet the camera intentionally does not focus the camera upon him and leaves him in the background. This adds to the idea of how he passes through the middle of a basketball game and goes unnoticed - an idea which seems to be pursued throughout the whole video.
Mise en Scene - The location of the music video is set in an urban environment. The artist is walking down what looks like a fairly busy high street, (however, view of the background is only limited to what the camera wants the audience to see as the artist takes up a lot of the frame with close ups and medium shots) although throughout, he is in his own world - at some times keeping eye contact with the camera, and sometimes not for emotional effect in relation to the lyrics. The artist wears simple colours, a white top and black jeans therefore the audience cannot form a personality or character for the artist judged on his appearance. The video develops to a secluded location, the audience can only focus upon the artist alone at this point.
Editing - The video mainly consists of a reverse narrative. This particular aspect of the video relates to a repeated line in the lyrics which says 'Oh, take me back to the start' and also makes it stand out from the typical alternative style music video that other artists produce. With the rewind edit, the video also uses a slow motion. This edit enables the audience to focus upon a particular point in the video which may have a meaning especially wanted to put across to the audience. The video uses fades transitions for a cut to a different location, adding a smoother appearance to the usual abrupt cut suiting the style and genre of the song.
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