Magazine Advert First Draft

Before creating my magazine advert I made an initial draft in order to give guidance when I am making the final product. I used the sketches for my digipak draft and added in text by using PowerPoint, in order to show the idea. I will look at this when making the final one so I know what it should look like.

Digipak Draft

Here are the finished images of my digipaks draft, I have created four pages, Front, Inside, Inside CD and Back.

Front

Inside

Inside CD

Back

Digipak Ideas

Before I had my final front cover finished I tried out a series of techniques and effects in oder to find out which looked the best as my digipak cover.

Digipak Ideas

Planning for Digipak

After researching into what a Digipak is and looking at professional Digipaks I have started to draft some ideas.

 

 

The album name that I chose to use is 'Origins of symmetry' this was the name of Muse's album. I wanted to keep the digipak quite simple but still make it eye catchy that's why I designed it to have symmetrical images on it so it ties in with the album title. 

Moodboard

Here I have created my moodbaord on prezi. I did this in order to show key videos that inspire me also I made a separate moodboard just with key images to represent my ideas more clearly.

Initial Idea

Here I have written up my initial idea for my music video, this is important as now I can plan for how I will create it and research into what I will need.

My initial idea is based around the Muse cover of Feeling good, after researching into this band and the genre. I feel that this song is good for my idea because the song builds up to the chorus which is loud and rocky. My idea I believe is simple but effective. The video will be shot in black and white and will use slow motion and rewind effects. It will start by fading into a girl standing in front of a plain background. Then the audience will be able to see droplets of water falling from above her onto her. This will be in slow motion as it builds up to the chorus. Once the chorus starts the water will be reaching the girl and the viewer will be able to see her gradually getting soaked by the water. Then once the song progresses into the second verse the clip we just saw will be rewound and play backwards whilst still being shown in slow-motion. As the second verse starts there will be a series of closes ups of the girl with water droplets running down her skin, and then rewind this so it appears that the water is running up her skin. Then as the second and last chorus starts we will see the girl standing with water falling on top of the girl and also coming from the sides. The audience will be able to see the water from the sides and from the top in slow motion, this enabling the audience to see the water in a different way making the video interesting. This will then be shown again but rewound as well as showing different close-ups and shots of the girl from low angles and shooting in soft focus. After this as the song is coming to an end and becoming slower and calmer there will be a long shot of the girl enabling the viewer to see all of her, then as she is covered in water and soaked she will stand to the side and flip her hair back so the audience can see her hair and the water coming off it, the video will then fade out once it is finished.

Analysis of Previous A2 Work - Music video, Digipak and Magazine advert

Before creating my music video I wanted to analyse a previous students music video therefore I chose to look at Amy Bartlett's and analyse it.

The video and the digipak artwork work together as they both follow similar themes of nostalgia, Alice in Wonderland and childhood. The video portrays these themes through the use of camera, editing and mise en scene. Firstly the audience can see the Alice in Wonderland themes such as the idea of the tea party in the woods as well as dressing the artist as Alice with the dress, knee high socks and headband, this also emphasising the naive and innocent tones of the video as what the artist is wearing is similar to things a young girl wood wear. However contradicting the innocence of the video is the low key lighting and sepia green/brown it is shot in to add a dark element to the video this then relating to the lyrics as they are dark yet have innocent and naive tones to them.  The Childhood themes are highlighted through the tea party as the artist looks young and naive, she is also seen painting a rose signifying the innocence yet darkness as she is destroying something pure and natural emphasising the lyrics. The audience are also able to see the footage of the artist in the woods behind the artist whilst she is performing the lyrics suggesting that although she appears young and naive she is not because she understands the lyrics. 

 

I also looked at the magazine advert and digipak she created I analysed this as well. 

 

 

Analysis of Previous A2 Work

Audience Research

The Psychographics and Demographics of my audience include things such as  they usually identify with rock/indie music and would describe their style as indie, they are interested in alternative rock things that are not mainstream so will have their own style which usually consits of black. They would come under the class of B-C2, this means that are generally middle/working class from an age range between 16-25. It is a mix between male and female but is predominantly female. They are interested in rock/indie music and use it as a form of escapism and diversion, as well as listening to the music they usually attend festivals such as Reading and Donwload festival, and attend gigs.
Here is a mood board that I created in order to represent the Psychographics and Demographics of my audience.

Analysis of band/artist Magazine adverts

Analysis of band/artist Magazine adverts

Music and Music Video Theory

Music Theory is the language of music it explains what music is. It looks into how compositions are built and tries to identify questions such as why some pieces are liked and disliked and what makes it memorable? Active and passive listening are the two ways people listen to music, passive is when music is playing in the background and we do not give it our full attention where as active listening is when we are concentrating on the music.
Music video theory emphasises the common factors that make a music video. The video can usually is an illustration of the lyrics however it can also amplify or even contradict the video this usually depending on the genre/style.Music videos always feature a close-up this can be either of the artist of even an important element to the video. Most artists will include their star iconography within the video in order for the audience to recognise the star easily, it can also emphasise the artists style and genre they represent. Most music videos feature the use of voyeurism, usually of females as females are commonly objectified and sexualised from the use of camera work and styling.

Codes and Conventions of Music Videos

Analysis of existing digipaks

On this Post I have researched into  two existing digipaks, I have done this so I can gain knowledge on how the digipaks are designed and created in order to represent a particular band or genre of music.

The First digipak that I looked at is Lianne La Havas ' Is your love big enough? '. This is Lianne's first album which was released on the 9th of July 2012. She is categorised as a folk/soul singer as well as appealing to an indie audience. We can tell this because of the design of the digipak. For example the clothes that she is wearing is similar to the style that an indie audience would wear. Additionally we can tell that the artist is trying to appeal and connect with the audience from the inside of the digipak, which includes photos of her making a heart with her hands and looking directly into the camera this allowing the audience to connect with her as they understand her personality and because the photos are out of focus except for the part where her eye is.

Inside the digipak there are four things, in the first sleeve is a lyrics book which also includes images of her performing and her backstage. The lyrics are presented in a hand written font as if these are the original lyrics to the songs on her album. It also has song information such as who wrote and performed on each song and also a thank you section. The middle section includes two folded posters that on once said feature a full bleed image of the artist which emphasise her personality, then on the other sides are a variety of shots which have been presented in black and white. The use of the black and white images gives the album of a vintage and indie feel. Lastly in the third sleeve is the CD, the CD is black but has the name of the artist and album on it as well as the record labels information and copyright information.

On the back of this album there is another image of the artist but it is in colour and we can see Lianne sitting next to her guitar which highlights that she is not just a singer but the guitar is apart of her sets. Furthermore the back of the album includes the names of all 16 tracks which is presented against a plain background emphasising that the artist goes for more simplistic displays as she is more concerned about the music. Underneath the track listings is the artists website and the record labels website. As well as copyright information and a bar code.

The Second Digipak that I analysed is The Beatles 'The White Album'. This album as a cover which is completely white and has 'The Beatles' Stamped into it, when this is taken off it reveals the cover which is white and has 'The Beatles' Presented in a grey font. This emphasises how well known and famous The Beatles are as a group, as they can be recognised by the plainest of album cover, this also emphasising how they have such a loyal fan base they do not have to have a vibrant and eye catchy cover because they will still be successful with this plain cover. As well as this it is also considered controversial as it is an unusual front cover this in turn making it a well known cover.

By opening up the cover we are presented with four sides that each feature one of the band members faces in a close-up shot. The member are all looking directly into the camera so they are making eye contact with the buyer,  this is so the buyer can know what the band look like and possibly be able to identify with the band members and their music a lot better. The background of the inside is white in order to go with the theme of the album.  

The contents of the album includes in the first sleeve an advert for other Beatles  merchandise, like their other albums and games. Also a lyric book which includes information such as the lyrics to every song on the album as well as who wrote each song as well as historical and recording notes and images of the band. In the second sleeve is the first disc. The image on this is a green apple because of the record company, Apple, which they owned. This disc also includes the song tracks which feature on it and copyright and production information. The third sleeve includes the second disc which similar to disc one has all the same information but has an image of an apple which has been cut in half, showing the inside of the apple. Then in the fourth and final sleeve there is an A4 sheet which on one side includes of montage of images of The Beatles. Then on the other side it shows the songs and their lyrics.

On the back of the digipak it is still all white, however on the first side the same images on the inside are presented but smaller and in black and white. The next side, being the back of the album includes the track listing which is presented in a small font, which stick to the simplistic theme of the album as well as company logos and copyright information. Then the third side is the front cover and the fourth side is just blank which emphasises the simplistic album.

What is a Digipak?

A Digipak is a style in which CD's, DVD's and Blu-ray discs can be presented and sold in. They usually consist of gatefold paperboard outing. Some have plastic trays to hold the discs, where as others keep them in sleeves. As Digipaks are prone to abrasion manufacturers have given a protective UV coating in order for them to last longer. Digipaks started to replace CD covers as digipaks are considered to be more environmentally friendly as they use less plastic. Manufactures have wanted to make them even more environmentally friendly by using recycled materials such as Bottles to make the trays.
A Digipak is patented and IMPAC owned the Digipak trademark. Then IMPAC was owned by MWV, this then going on to the Digipak name being licensed to manufacturers around the world.

Research into Muse

Here I have researched in my chosen artist, Muse. I found out about how they formed and have developed as well as looking into their albums.

Muse Research

Research into relevant music genre and Influences of music style 'Rock and Roll'

Here in this Prezi I have looked into the influences on Rock and Roll music, as well as influences that have inspired the band who performed the song that I have chosen for my video.

Tracking an artist throughout their career

Here I have researched into The XX, finding out information about their formation and their success as a band. Tracking an artist throughout their career

Music Channels

On this Scribd Document I have researched into four differnt Music channels, I have found out how they appeal to their target market by playing a particular genre of music and also how these channels started. Music Channels

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance analysis

This is an analysis of Lady Gagas Bad Romance

Niva – Boy from the sun analysis.

 I like this music video and find it inspiring. I think that this video uses a simple idea but makes it look very effective. This is due to the simple idea, yet the effects such as slow motion or rewinding have been used in order for the viewers experience to become more interesting and exciting.  I think that as the girl in the video is jumping her hair is moving around, and by viewing this in slow motion and rewinding it, it is interesting as the audience are able to see things how they would not normally be seen. 

The video also includes close ups and shallow focus so it draws the audience in more as they feel more involved as they are seeing different views and angles of the girl. As well as this the shallow focus emphasises that the girl is the main part of the video and requires the audience’s full attention. 

The medium close-up of the shoes and the balls highlights the binary opposites between the bright colours of the balls and the dreary day outside. This suggesting as well as the trampoline and that the girl is wearing a baseball outfit that the video is highlighting the joys of being young and free. This engaging the audience and fitting with the song to create an overall successful music video.

Furthermore the video could be seen as celebrating life and expressing the girls’ freedom as the colourful paper is like confetti suggesting there is a celebration. This is presented in slow motion to emphasise the confetti and to let the audience know that she is celebrating.

 The editing is in time with the beat of the music in order for the video to feel more like a music video as it is bringing the music and video together. Also by matching the beat and the edit the music video runs smoothly.

Music Dirctor - Francis Lawrence

Existing Music Labels

History of Music Videos

Resource Audit

This is my resource audit, listing the resources that are available for me to use to create my final piece.

• Local Woods
• Local Parks
• Instruments
• Greenscreens
• Cameras
• London e.g. Camden, Soho, Brick Lane, Covent garden
• My Aunts House (Holdfast Manor) including swimming pool, fields and woods.
• Couture Clothing e.g. costumes, materials
• Church Hall
• Bows and arrows.