My Creative Journey

CD Case:
Firstly, i used the website 'discmakers.com' to find a template for my digipak. I decided to use a template that contained 6 panels

Evaluation Question 4

Evaluation Question 3

http://prezi.com/4kzz7pn-muy7/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Evaluation Question 2

When creating my digipak, I first researched existing products from the artist who's song I was using. By doing this, It gave me some idea of what her previous albums looked like and what the dimensions were. I measured the CD 'Lemonade' and 'I AM Sasha Fierce' album and found that each case was 13.8cm x 13.8cm; not including the spine of the CD. I then used these dimensions to create my own CD case, however I used a website called discmakers.com to create a 6 panel CD case with one centre tray for my CD which was 13.95 x 12.55 x 7.5xm. This meant that I would be able to include more images of the main character in my music video, allowing me to gather more complex shots that I would be able to edit. I also decided to do this so that my print product was not similar to the existing one, but that it was clear that I had researched and analysed it.


When researching existing products by Beyoncé, I found that she stuck to colour schemes in each of her albums. For example, on her album - 'lemonade', the colours were fairly dull and included dark blues, greens, black, grey and white. I decided to take this into account when designing my CD case and edited my images so that they were all warm tones such as pinks and floral greens and oranges. I created a juxtaposition between this and my music video as towards the end of my production my video clips are tinted the same colour, not only to relate to my print products, but to also represent the happiness and warmth that she is feeling at the end of the narrative.


When designing my magazine advertisement, I decided to use the same colour scheme and I have included images from my CD case into my other print product to ensure that it is clear that they are part of the same theme. The colour used in this advertisement poster also matched the colours used in my production. Again, this was to ensure that the same scheme was used throughout my ancillary porducts and main product.


Two of the panels on my digipak contain images of my main character running through a wooded area. I used these images on my CD case to show the relationship between this and my main production as i have also used clips of her in the same place in my music video. Not only have I used these images because of this, but I have used them due to her being surrounded by the colour green. This colour is used towards the end of the music video in certain clips as it is often associated with growth and safety. It is therefore used to represent the female's growth as a person throughout the production and to hint to the buyer that this is what will happen in the video.


When designing the back cover of my digipak i decided to include the official production logo from 'Columbia Records' which not only made my album look more professional, but also created a company that both my main production and ancillary texts were part of.
Throughout filming my main production and taking images for my ancillary texts, I ensured that the my main character was wearing the same clothes. For example, at the start of the music video she is wearing a plain white long sleeve t-shirt, i chose this as the colour white is often used to symbolize purity and innocence. I then used the same colour clothing for my CD case and poster advertisement to create a relationship between both and show that the character is the same in my ancillary products and this point in the music video, i also did this to create a high level of continuity throughout.


The font that I used in my music video was the same font used in my ancillary products. Again, this is to ensure that there is consistency between my themes and each of my products. The font i used was simple yet sophisticated looking; i chose this because when i was researching existing products, i found that on all of beyonce's albums, a font like this is used. I used this font on the front cover, back cover and inside sleeves of my CD case and also on my advertisement poster in a faded dusty pink colour so that there was contrast between the font and the background, and that it could clearly be seen.

To ensure that the combination of my main production and ancillary texts were effective, I made sure that my video clips and images were all filmed at the same time of day to ensure that the lighting was the same as much as possible. This was not only to create relationships between my products and ensure constancy, but was also to assure the quality was of a high standard and the same throughout. I also used a Canon eos 1200 DSLR camera to get the high quality shots that i needed to make my main production and ancillary texts look professional and like a real music video.

Evaluation Question 1

Question 4 planning

How did you use media technologies in the construction, and research, planning and evaluation questions?



Interviewer: How did you use media technologies in the construction of your media product?
[


Me: During construction of my music video, I used a Canon eos 1200. The use of a higher quality camera allowed me to film in darker conditions which was useful as I wanted to get the effect of having a darker picture without losing video quality. It was also better than using a Sony HDR CX model because it allowed me to focus when zooming into an image or video. This helped me as it allowed me to see any flaws such as scars or marks that would not have been captured if I was using a Sony camera. This was helpful for me as my music video is about being able to accept your imperfections and flaws. The camera that I used also had different setting which enabled me to take action shots for my print product. For example, on my poster advertisement I have used images of the main character running which the camera allowed me to capture without them being blurred. I used adobe premiere to edit my music video which allowed me to import video clips to form a sequence which I began to edit. Using adobe premiere allowed me to edit each clip individually to make my music video look as professional as possible. For example, I used the 'colour correcting tool' on premiere to create a coloured tint to the clips. At the beginning of the music video the video clips are tinted blue to represent the mood or feelings of the character, whereas towards the end of the video the clips are tinted a warmer colour to represent the happiness of the character. I have done this to show the progression of the character's feelings throughout the music video.
]




Interviewer: How did you use media technologies in the Research of your music video?
]


Me: To research existing media products to give me inspiration for mine, I used online search engines such as YouTube. This allowed me to watch previous music videos so that I could analyse them and identify what makes a music video successful today. These included videos such as 'Formation' and 'hold up' by Beyonce as she is a global artist who has had a lot of success from most of her music videos. I also used search engines to research existing print products such as CD cases. I used a website called 'discmakers.com' to choose a template for my CD case which already had the dimensions of a CD case on. I also created several written textual analysis of existing media products and music videos which allowed me to see what makes a music video successful and look professional. When researching CD magazine advertisements I used websites such as media magazine to find examples of other advertisements and I then broke them down and analysed them to find what may make this type of print product successful in promoting an album.
]


Interviewer: How did you use media technologies in the planning of your music video?
]



Me: To plan my music video I used 'Blogger' to track where I was in terms of my music video. I used this to firstly create a semiotic analysis of a music video so that I was able to see what made it successful and therefore I could see what I needed to make mine the same. I also used microsoft powerpoint to create a production schedule for when and where i was going to film. I then embedded it into a blog post as a video. I did the same thing with my proposal which i used to plan my music video, where it was going to be filmed, who it was going to be filmed with and what i was going to film. Not only did i use Blogger in the planning of my music video, I also used an online source called .storyboard.me to create a timeline of events for my music video, however I also created a hand-drawn storyboard as i found that the online version did not allow me to incorporate specific details of my music video such as specific shots, but it did however allow me to create a template for my music video.
]


Interviewer: How did you use media technologies in the evaluation of your music video?
]



Me: For question 1, I filmed myself talking about how my media product uses, develops and challenges forms and conventions of a real media product to a Sony HDR CX model camera against a green screen. I then used adobe premiere to edit the video so that my music video was playing over the top of me talking. I did this by removing colour from my green screen video and inserting my muisc video over the top, using 'ultra key' option under video effects. This allowed me to further my skills in premiere as when editing my music video i did not have to use a green screen, nor did i video an evaluation question. When doing evaluation question 2, I used microsoft powerpoint to create a video of images including my ancillary products and some screenshots from my muysic video. With this, i then created a script and recorded a voice over of me discussing how effective the combination of my ancillary texts and production were. I then added the sound onto the powerpoint and edited the timing of each slide so that it fit the voiceiover. For my 3rd evaluation question I used an online website called 'Prezi' where i inserted images and screenshots of my audience feedback to create a video. I then embedded this into my question 3 blogpost. For this question, I recorded an interview using two different anlges and i then used adobe premiere to insert both clips and used the crop tool to make them the correct length. I then added video effects such as dissolves and dip to black to make it look like a real interview. To embedd some of my questions into my blog, I had to export them and then use the youtube page 'TV Tamworth' to publish them on so that i could put the link for the video into a blog post.

Evaluation Question 1 planning

How have you used, developed and challenged conventions of real media products?


SCRIPT:



USED
I have applied Goodwin's theory of music videos in my A2 production by creating a relationship between the visuals and the music. In doing this, i have created a storyline for the audience to follow and have amplified the images in my video by repeating and manipulating them to make the storyline more understandable for viewers.
I have also used an actor in my music video to create a narrative rather than creating one through dance. Although some artists such as Ed Sheeran and Sia do use dancers to create narrative, i chose to use actors as it allows me to create a storyline that is more developed as the lyrics to the song i chose could be interpeted differently to how i want them to be.
By watching and analysing existing media products i have been able to edit my music video so that certain clips are timed to the music. For example, at the beginning of my music videos i have chose to add short clips of extreme close up shots to the intro of the music. This gives the audience an idea of what the video will be about.
The genre of my music video is the same as the original as i didn't think that changing the music video would allow me to change the genre, therefore it is of the 'pop' genre. As this is a very popular genre and is widely listened to, it would mostly be shown on channels such as MTV and VEVO which are popular with a widespread audience.




DEVELOPED
I have also looked at the original video for pretty hurts and have used ideas from this to develop my music video. The original video is mainly based on the artists childhood of beauty pageants. I have developed this to reach a wider audeince by making it relatable to the target audience - young teenage girls.
I have also developed my media product by using polysemic videos and Ferdinand de Saussure's theory of the sign. I have created several signifiers or connotations that result in 'the sign' which is the overall meaning of the video.




CHALLENGED
I have challenged codes and conventions of existing media products in my music video by challenging the typical stereotypes of gender. usually in music videos, female characters are protrayed to be weak and powerless, however i have used my video to portray them as strong characters who are able to conquer their weaknesses.
I have also challeneged typical conventions of existing media products as although my video has a beginning a middle and an end, it does not follow typical editing techniques as the end of my film is played backwards to end the video.
I have also challenged representations of age in my music video as i have used a young characters which typically, if used in music videos are again, protrayed as victims that are underestimated by the media rather than strong characters.

POSTER ADVERTISEMENT

CD CASE

Beyonce - Pretty hurts music video (final edit)

Storyboard & Planning for Pretty Hurts music video.

Analysing existing products - CD CASE.

The album 'Starboy' by The Weeknd, contains an image of the artist who performed on the front cover of the album. This is quite frequently used in the music industry as it creates an image that people will recognize which would raise awareness of the artist, increasing their listeners. The colours used on the front cover of the album are all bright, block images such as a deep pink, a deep blue and a bright mustard yellow cover for the name of the album. The colours used are intended to be simple as they are the three primary colours, however the use of them together creates a visually pleasing image for the audience as each of the colours clash. It also creates very simple imagery as it only shows a background, an image of the artist and the album name. This allows viewers to easily break up and analyse the images and colours shown. The album cover follows most of the codes and conventions of a typical CD cover as it contains an album name, and a main image that can become recognizable to an audience. However, this album does not show who the artist is in words, it is just assumed that the audience will know who they are, which suggests that this album/artist has a wide audience.

The back cover contains the same conventions as the front cover as it uses the same colour scheme. Most albums will have between 12-18 songs on. This particular album has 18 songs on it and does not have a 'deluxe' version of the CD which allows the buyers to get the most out of their music. The back cover of this album shows the name of the artist rather than having it on the front so that if a viewer does not know who the album is by, they will find the information on the back where there is also a list of songs on the album. This may encourage a person to purchase the album as they are likely to have a popular song or 'hit' as one of the first songs on the album.

Analysing existing products - ADVERTISEMENT (POSTER)

The Vaccines: 'What did you expect from the vaccines?' album.

The small image in the bottom right corner is of the vaccines album cover. Typically, in CD advertisement posters, an image of the album is embedded onto the poster so that the CD can be regognised when it is released. It is also used to create a 'hype' for the fanbase as they will be wanting to buy the CD and therefore will be looking around for it.


The font that is used on the poster is also used on the album cover. This allows them to create their own brand and expand their awareness as people will associate that text with the band.



The main focus of the poster is the name of the album which is shown in large white print against a pink background on the poster. This is done purposely to make it easier for the audience to recognise the name of the album. This particular band used a rhetorical question as the title to allow the audience to imagine what the music would be like.


The poster also has reviews from popular magazines at the bottom. As this band is of the alternative/indie rock genre, the magazines that have reviewed it are also of that genre. This is done to reach the target audience as they are likely to read this magazine. It also makes more people want to buy the album as it is given good reviews.


The people who produced the album have also printed their logo into the top left corner of the poster to increase awareness of their company. This also creates competition between production companies to see how many artists they manage/ how many of their albums are purchased.

Print Artefact research - Poster Advertisement.

My poster will be A4 sized (210mm x 297mm). This is an ideal size as it is not too small so that it does not catch an audiences eye but it is also not too big so that I would not be able to place it in appropriate places.

Most album advertisements use an actual photo or copy of the album cover in order for viewers to be able to visualise and remember the album. This makes it recognisable for people so that when the album is released, they are more likely to purchase it.

Album advertisement postyers also usually contain an image of the artist on them so that the audience knows the face of the artist. This allows them to built their 'celebrity status' as more and more people are recognising them.

They also often include a website in which the viewer is able to purchase the product from. This sometimes includes a deal in which the buyer is able to gain something by purchasing the product such as a signed copy of the album if they are one of the first 500 buyers or something similar to this.

They may also include a review from a popular magazine/music company such as 'NME' or 'MTV'. This is to give people an insight into what kind of album it is, and people are more likely to purchase the album if it has good reviews. 

MY ALBUM POSTER

For my print product, I will ensure that I include all of the above to create my print product to the best of my ability and to a high standard.

Print Artefact Research - CD Case

CD cover:

When creating my CD cover, i need to take into consideration the measurements of the case to create an accurate and realistic sized cover. I have researched appropriate sizes on the internet and found that the most popular CD case is the 'CD Jewel Case'. The front of the case will be 12 x 12 cm and the back cover will be 12 cm x 15cm to allow room for the case to open and close easily.

ALBUM DISPLAYS:
- Usually displays a photo of the artist/band themselves.
- Who the music is produced by.
- Any Bonus tracks or features.
- A tracklist
- A Barcode
- Record Label
-Smallprint of copyright information.

FRONT OF CD:
The front cover of the CD is usually used to instantly attract an appropriate audience and usually shows the artist or band that the album features. Example: A CD for an artist of the rock genre would tend to use fairly dark colours such as blacks, browns and reds to attract the appropriate audience whereas the front of a CD for an aritst of the pop genre is more likely to use right colours such as blues, pinks and yellows as they attract a younger audience.

FRONT INSIDE:

Depending on whether there are multiple CDs in the case, the front page will often include either an informative booklet with messages from the artist and information about their creative journey or if the case contains more than one CD, it is likely that CD 1 would be on the inside of the front page.

BACK OF CD:
The back of the CD usually includes a tracklist of the songs that will be included in the album to show the buyer what to expect from the CD before the purchase it. It also includes a barcode to identify the object. It also allows the buyer to see who produced the album and the record label that sponsers it.

BACK INSIDE:
This page is what usually holds the CD. There is usually an image that links to the meaning/brand of the CD underneath the plastic that holds the actual CD.


                                                     
                                             
                                           12cm x 12cm

Production schedule.