Evaluation Question 4- How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluating stages?

In order to carry out our research and produce our media product, we used many different media technologies and platforms. Without these, it would have been hard to carry out research, meaning we wouldn't have been able to carry out as much market research prior to making our product resulting in a poor product. Equally, we wouldn't have been able to produce any of the music video or the ancillary texts as in order to produce these the need for media technologies was adamant.

 

The first media technology that I used was Google Blogger. This is quite a new technology, being released on August 23^rd 1999. This was used during all of the various stages, both post and prior to the construction of our music video. I used Google Blogger to display all of my research that I initially carried out, which helped me to understand my genre which in turn gave me a better understanding of my target market. Once I had carried out all of the initial research, I then used Blogger to show my journey, from research to planning. In the planning stage, I mainly used the Group blog, as the planning was a group task. We used the group blog to make posts on things such as location scouting, prop information and auditions. Without Blogger, this part of things would have been very difficult, finding a platform that everyone in the group could access at the same time, enabling everyone within the group to see what work has been done and what work still needs to be done. This was also true for the construction phase, as we had to upload rough cuts of the music video showing how we were moving forward and showing a transition from our initial cut to our final product.

During the physical construction of our music video, we used a Canon HD CMOS pro camera. This allowed us to produce top quality music video as filming in HD gave it the professional look. To work alongside this, we also used a Dolly and Tripod which allowed us to get stable moving shots. We then uploaded the footage from the camera onto Apple Macs which we then also uploaded our music to, which enabled us to overlay the images we filmed in sync with the music, allowing us to produce the music video.

In order to produce the music video, we had to edit using the Apple Macs as specified above. We used iMovie to produce our music video. This was good because it allowed us to do most of the things we required in order to produce our music video. We did play around with Final Cut Express, however due to limited time and inexperience, despite trying to learn how to use the software, we decided against it because it was very advanced and technical, and we didn't have the time to learn how to use it. This would have been beneficial to us however, as it would have allowed us to do certain things that iMovie didn't, for example the colouring of the clips. This being said, in order for us to get this colouration for the final cut of the music video, we did use Final Cut Express, however didn't use it for the majority of the editing due to the reasons specified above.

 

YouTube was an important technology too in the all of the stages of our music video, in order for us to analyse pre-existing music videos in the research stage we used this platform as it allows us to access a wide range of music videos, from all different genres. When planning, we also used the platform as we looked at other student music videos, as we could analyse them and get an idea of the sort of common trends, what is good and bad and how we can stand out from the rest of the students producing music videos. YouTube therefore allowed us to think outside the box and come up with creative ideas unique from any other. During the construction and evaluating stage we used YouTube as we could upload our music video rough cuts and final product to it, before finally putting the final cut up. This therefore could help us to get feedback on our product, before concluding things we need to change and positives in our music video. Therefor YouTube was a very important platform and enabled us to do a lot of things that without it would not have been possible.

 

Evaluation Question 3- What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Evaluation Question 2- How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Evaluation Question 1- In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products

Final Music Video: Trials of the Past

Digipack: Final Version

This is our final version of the digipack. We have included various different images that we took when on set. We have included both characters in our digipack which connotes to the audience before even listening to the song that there is two main characters. We also include location shots, which enhances the audiences understanding of the music video. We have added in effects to add colouration in making it look purple, adding to the overall theme of our music video. We have also kept a house style across both digipack and magazine advert, as the text in the top left image is the same as on the magazine advert. By doing this it makes it consistent and helps link all the products together.

Magazine Advert: Final Version

This is the final version of our magazine advert. We used images that we took when filming our music video. The image shows the forest along with our main character. We have also included text on the advert which is very important to ensure that the audience is aware what the magazine advert is promoting. We based our magazine advert (text wise) on existing magazine adverts which I took inspiration from during the research and planning stages. Also, based on research we included website addresses where people can go to find out more about the artist, along with ratings, logos and release dates. We have also included twitter and facebook signs at the bottom to make audiences view our music elsewhere.

Magazine Advert 2

This is my second magazine advert. As you can see it is quite different to the last magazine advert that I produced. The reason for this is because from looking at previous magazine adverts that I analysed, sometimes in order to appeal to audiences and attract them to look at a magazine advert, it needs to be simple and to the point. Therefore that is why I have created this particular magazine advert.

I have used red to make the key parts of the text stand out, the trials of the past and artists name is therefore the most obvious thing on the advert, also the font size for this is larger. In the bottom right hand corner and top (centre) I have used smaller black font, which fits in nicely with the background making it seem eary and creepy, which matches the genre and the generic conventions that will be seen in our music video.

Finally I have added a rating to the advert, this is because I noticed that a lot of magazine adverts include these sort of things on them. Also this links in with the uses and gratifications model as they would read and hear about the album being good, and so in order to be entertained they would then want to listen to this single. Also it could tie in with the idea that the two step flow model presents to an audience suggesting that we are influenced by what other people who we admire like. Therefore if someone says it's good, it could persuade an audience to then listen to the single.

Overall this magazine advert was designed in mind of other successful magazine adverts. By doing this, I hope that this magazine advert could be published in music magazines and other types of magazine and inform people of the new single and hopefully persuade them to come and buy the single or watch the music video. Therefore, the magazine advert is important as it is a media product that sells other media products such as the music video, the single, the album and even concerts.

Magazine Advert 1

This was the original version, however after I had posted it on here, I had an idea that I could fade the writing slightly to make it fit in with the image as the image is also slightly faded/blurred. Below is the second version once I had done this.

This is the second version of my music magazine advert is with faded writing similar to background, this therefore helps it fit the specific genre. I also felt that it made the writing in the bottom right hand corner stand out more, meaning the audience would immediately notice this, which would be beneficial as it is telling them that SBTRKT have a new single out. In the bottom left hand corner is the music record labels sign, I included this as it makes the piece look professional and from previous research, have found most posters include the artists music record label sign.

I chose to design it in the way I did because I felt that it made sense and linked back to how I pictured our music video to look. The location of the music video is going to be in a woods and one of the shots shows our artist running out onto a dark lonely road, which links back to my magazine advert as there are forests on either side of the road. This therefore is intertextuality between my two media products, as there is an obvious link between the different media products (magazine advert, digipack and music video). The colours used are also carefully thought about and link back to the music video. The dark and gloomy looking woods and road link in with the music video as the location we filmed our music video in is very dark and gloomy too. Also the red text stands out against the background, meaning it catches the attention of the audiences and therefore makes them read it. The colour red also has connotations to blood and passion, this links in with the eary and strange vibe that we are trying to give off in our music video.

Magazine Advertisment 1- Wretch 32

This is a magazine advertisment from the Music Magazine 'NME'. The idea of it is to try and promote and advertise an artists, in this case it is to promote Wretch 32. This particular advert uses an image of the artist himself. This is known as celebrity endorsment. It is a technique used to help sell an artists. In this case, it is also a good idea to use an image of the artist as it allows people to instantly know exaclty what the magazine advertisment is promoting.

Also the use of iconography with his chains hanging from his pocket and baggy clothing helps target the advert towards his target market. By doing this it helps him to ensure he is branching out to his target market, helping him sell more albums.

Typography is used in this magazine advert effedctively too, it fits in with the common theme of the advert whilst being clear and consice, making it easy to read. it also tell skey information, making it very important. In the top right we can see the artists name, along with the new album name directly in the middle of the advert. This is effective as the readers eyes are immidietly sent to this first, also due to it being in slightly bigger font than the rest of the writing. In smaller text we can also see key dates of the release and othe rartist names, which help persuade people to want to go and buy the album and buy tour tickets, another example of artist endorsment.

The use of colour in this piece is fairly limited, the colours are all very bland. The main colours used are dark, such as blacks and grey. This however alongside the white writing means it does stand out very well to the audience. At the top we can find some blue, this helps as it is some colour, meaning the advert doesnt look boring, however not enough to distract the viewers attention from the main aspects of the advert.

Overall, this magazine advert is very simple yet effective. However I do think it coul dbe improved as it isn't clear whether it is advertising and promoting Wretch 32's new album or whether he is releasing tour ticket dates. Therefore this could od with being clarrified to make it a better magazine ad. Also it will ensure that the audience doesnt get confused.

Magazine Advertisment 2- Drake

Unlike the previous advert, this immediately shows what the advert is promoting. It is promoting the release of Drake's new song, 'Nothing was the Same'. By doing this, it allows audiences to immediately understand what the advert is promoting. Also it allows for audiences who are just quickly scanning through the magazine to notice the advert and take in the key bits of information, without paying to much attention. Also it may grab there attention, and make them stop and take there time to read it. By keeping the advert simple, it allows people who are in a rush or even people who maybe aren't Drake's biggest fan to still take an interest as it is quick and easy to read and understand.

Also the large font size shows the release date of the song. This is in white text colour, which is a complete contrast to the background making it stand out and become very obvious to the audience. By doing this it ensures that the audience does notice the release date. In turn, the artist will then hope the audience will remember the date, and upon release date, go out and buy the track. This will then make money for the artists, being the overall aim of this advert.

The image used is a side photo of Drake and another image of a younger looking Drake. They are facing each other, making it look as though they are looking at each other. The background is blue and white, made to look like the sky. The image of Drake and the other image are put in front of this and make it stand out. There isn't much to this magazine advert, but it is very to the point and direct in trying to promote the new single of Drake's.

The advert is very simple and to the point. This means that to an audience it is straight away very obvious what the advert is about. It is effective because it means it doesn't take much to understand it, meaning the audience will engage straight away without giving to much thought about it.

It is interesting to see how different artists promote there new singles or albums. By looking at different advertising campaigns it helps me build up a good idea of key things to include on advertisement for my artist and techniques that will ensure the best possible chance of people watching the music video that will be the main end product and aim of the advertisement. Also it allows me to understand things I should avoid using. From this magazine advert, the main thing I have noticed is the simplicity, and is something that I will consider when producing a magazine advert for the music video I am creating. By doing this, it makes the advert very easy to interpret, ensuring my target audience notices and reads it.

Analysis of Magazine Advertisement: SBTRKT

This is a magazine advertisement I found of our particular artists called 'SBTRKT'. The idea of this magazine ad is to make people aware of the artist. This magazine ad was released when this artist first started, therefore is in a very niche magazine, called Fact. The idea of this would to have been to target a specific market, which would of allowed for the artists music to be heard, by people who have an interest in this particular music. Over time, the artist has became well known and developed his image, now we can find magazine advertisements in larger, more well known music magazines such as NME, Q and MOJO.

The image in this advert is of SBTRKT's trademark mask. The mask has various colour on it and also has what looks like straw coming off the bottom of the mask, and is made to look like a beard. Also we can see the shadow cast from STBTRKT's figure, leasing to the words 'The Small Disea' , which is a refrence to an album of his. By having the shadow leading to the first word, it means it makes the attention of the audiences eye go to these words. Also the contrasting red colour stands out against the dark coloured background, again making the words stand out to the  audience.

We can also see alcoholic beverages in the background, it looks like vodka and lime, which could suggest the album may be related to alcohol or just be a stereotype of SBTRKT.

The advert in general is very simple, and leaves a lot to the imagination of the audience. This therefore means the audience can interpret the advert as they like, meaning that when they listen to the album, it may lead to varying degrees of satisfaction, as it may not have been what the audience expected, or equally could be more than they expected, leaving the audience happy. Overall, I think that this advert could be improved, however I can take some ideas from the advert.

The Positives:

• It is simple meaning that it is easy to follow and understand, this connotes that the music on the album may also be quite simple and relaxed.
• It uses artist endorsement, this is something that me and my group could consider doing on our magazine adverts.
• The shadow leading to the album name is a clever idea, and something we could use in our magazine advert.

The Negatives:

• Very basic, could maybe do with a little more detail to make it clearer to the audience exactly what it is that the magazine advert is advertising.
• The album name isn't the clearest, could do with being in a larger font as after all, this is the main purpose of the advert to make people aware of the new album so that they are aware of it and in turn go and buy it.
• There isn't any other important information, regarding the release date of the album or where it can be purchased.

Digipack by Our Chosen Artist: SBTRKT

The Digipack once it has been unfolded. The CD sits inside the two covers.

Another image of SBTRKT's Digipack.

This is an example of a pre existing digipack that the artist produced and used when they released the SBTRKT album. It is very simple and uses SBTRKT's trademark mask image, along with a dark background that makes the image stand out. On the back of the digipack, we can see white writing on a black background, again a very simple process, however it stands out and makes it easy for the target market to read and understand. The CD itself is unique and is the reverse of the colour scheme, instead of the writing being white, it is black on the CD and the CD is white. This stands out and makes it unique to the digipack. Overall, it is a very simple digipack, but an example of how simple ideas can be used to good effect.

The font used is very basic and simple to read, yet effective. It matches the genre of the music and connotes how the music is going to sound. It looks as though it has been very carefully thought about, and therefore helps the way people initially interpret the album and in turn I feel it helps them know what to expect from the album. Therefore, this shows me that when creating my digipack it is important I carefully think about the font type that I use on both digipack and magazine advert, as these are what people will look at and get an initial idea and base the sort of  music they can expect to hear on. 

The visual imagery that we can see on the digipack is effective as it gives a sense of creativity to the audience. This in turn has a knock on effect and makes the audience consider what it is and what it might be connoting, helping engage the audience with the music they will later here and the digipack itself. The colors used on the digipack are also effective, as the bright yellow and blue stands out against the black background, again helping catch the eye of the audience and get them interested. Overall, the visual imagery is very effective and very unique to anything I've ever seen before on a digipack, therefore I feel it works well and I feel this could be something I could do on my digipack to help it stand out among the crowd so people pick my digipack up before other digipacks. 

By analysing this it allows me to look at some of the generic conventions used which will allow me to get a better understanding on the genre, and therefore what I will need to include on my digipack. Also by looking at previous digipack's from my chosen artist, it can help give me ideas and help influence the sort of product that I produce. Overall it will allow me the best chances to produce an industry standard digipack which will make the product look realistic and give a sense of realism.  I feel like I will take away some good things from this digipack, for example I will ensure the use of bright colors on my digipack, or ones that stand out from the background as I feel this works well in catching they eye of the audience and getting them initially engaged with the digipack. To then keep there attention, I think a unique and creative design is key to ensuring they don't instantly put it back down after the initial excitement. 

Plan for Digipack 1

This is my first design for our digipack. In order to make it I used Photoshop, Word and Paint. The design is very similar to the actual setting of our music video. I did this because I felt it would give the audience an initial feel of the song and music video from just looking at the digipack.

The front cover (bottom right) is of  multiple trees of which sun light is protruding through. This gives it a tense feel, and gives the target audience an idea of what they can expect straight away. At the bottom I have the song title in a dark writing to fit in with the general feel of the image and overall digipack. This is in a large font however in order to catch the eye of the audience straight away. In comparison to this, I then have the artists name 'SBTRKT' going down the right hand side in red colour and large font. I used the colour red as it connotes blood, which again adds to the tense feeling that I am trying to connote to the audience. Overall, I have considered how colour will effect the audience and how I can use it to my advantage to enhance my digipack.

The back cover (bottom middle) is very simple. It is a black background, which looks faded by incorporating white and grey pixels on it. This gives the feel that its old, making it seem creepy and tense. To the left hand side of the screen is a human like figure, this fits the bill as it is similar to what we are going to try and make the music video look like, with our main character always being slightly more illuminated than the background, in order for it to be easy to see what's going on, while still giving the scary and tense feel to the piece. In the top right of the back cover is the specific single/song name 'Trials of the Past'. When  I wrote this on Photoshop, I then smudged it using the smudge tool, which makes it look faded into the background, this is also a general house style that I would then use across both digipack, posters and magazine adverts. In the bottom right is the bar code which every digipack has.

The other two images (bottom left and top right) are the inside of the digipack, which both have the song name and artist name on it. This is because it is simple, basic and means that it is obvious to the audience when looking at the digipack what song it is and who the artist is. The general images are again very dark, and both have forest links to them, which is where our music video is going to be set. Therefore the common house style throughout of the images links back to the music video itself, which is an example of convergence between two of my products.