Download - PofC Deconstruction
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The music video Princess of China by Coldplay ft. Rihanna is very much based around the
theme of a movie. For example, the opening scene resembles a film. This can then be
supported by a credit like sequence following to introduce
the characters (the artists). The fact that the credits are
written in Chinese connects to the title and lyrics of the songPrincess of China, relating the visuals to the song, which is
part of Andrew Goodwins music video theory.
During this opening, the camera slowly tilts up from a long
shot towards our male singer, striding across a desert. The
audience knows that this character is most probably the protagonist, especially as the
camera is angled up, demonstrating his power. Although, the ripped clothes and rough
appearance suggest that he has been through hardship, mid-shots are used here. He stays
in plain grey/black costumes throughout the video.
When we first see Rihanna, her appearance and status contrasts dramatically to the lead
singer of Coldplay (the male character). She is made to look
very traditional and orient, but also very rich and powerful by
using colours such as dark reds, purples and gold. Throughout
the video, her character is always seen in traditional Chinese
dress which supports the orient Chinese theme, therefore,
relating back to the title. The one time we see her out of
formal Chinese attire is when she is with the male character;
she wears a flowing, white robe which reflects her
vulnerability and innocence when she is with him. There are also many close-up shots of
Rihanna, which are used to focus on her princess beauty compared to the other plain
female characters.
Technical aspects such as special effects are used regularly in the video. Due to the scale of
the locations that are present, it would have been extremely
difficult and time consuming to have not used special effects.
The locations make the video a lot more like a movie, which is
the desired theme. The size and scale make it much grander.
Throughout the music video, there are short clips of
traditional Chinese culture to draw attention to the fact that
the video/song is strongly based around China. These shots
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are often match-on-action of drums being hit to the rhythm
of the beat in the song, rather than using a modern
instrument to re-enact the sound. The visuals relate very
strongly to the music video.
As well as technical aspects just being used to create the
vivid backgrounds, wires are used several times to make
characters seem like they are floating, and another time
during a martial arts later on. In the screen shot to the right,
here we can see Rihanna in the white dress mentioned in the third paragraph. Wire is used
to give her the appearance that she is floating, wind machines would have also been used
to cause her dress to wave in the wind. The fact that she is floating amongst the clouds in
white gives the impression that she is angelic, as well as God-like. Tracking cameras follow
her movements using a long shot so the audience is able to view her against the vast
background. The white also contrasts effectively with the dark, night sky.
Reds and oranges are used repetitively in the video as they
are seen as orient colours. The video never loses its orient
theme. A mid shot creates a very effective scene during the
video. Rihanna has several dancers behind her, with just
their arms on show, and therefore, it gives the illusion that
she is a god. The location is rich and vibrant, representing
money and tradition, unlike the desert of which the male
comes from. The two locations vastly contrast, like the
characters.
Many of the scenes have a slow-motion effects placed on
them so the whole scene is slowed down to create a more
fairytale effect. An extreme long shot is used in the image to
the right. Both characters are kneeling in a desert. The fact
that the sun is rising behind them supports the fairytale
theme throughout the video, as it brings new hope. Sunrises
are normally used to indicate a new day, new start.
During the martial arts fight scene, the editing is quickened
as the shots change to represent a more violent setting than the tranquil sun set. Thisrelates to the lyrics in the way that both characters are always fighting each other. The
shots are match-on-action of swords and aerial images of the two ninja characters.
The end of the video reminds the audience that its similar to
a film, another set of credits appear. The audience leaves as
if they have watched a short film rather than a music video,
leaving them up to decide on how they perceive the story
(another Goodwin theory). Again, reds are used to indicate
orient tradition.