Album Back Cover

Reflection on working as a group

During this piece of coursework we had to work in a group since the workload would be far to much for just one person, however, this is very different to what I have done previously since I consider myself a one man wolfpack...

After considering everything I feel we worked relatively well as a group since we all had set roles that we were assigned too. The real issue we had was timing, since we all had outstanding commitments so that we could only really meet up when we would all definitely be together - during school time mainly.

The other issue we had was that our storyboard in the end had very little relevance to what we decided to shoot, mainly with the POV shots so we had no idea what we needed to film before each session. This lead to alot of tension and countless arguments within the group but fortunately we have managed to finish the project and in general we're satisfied with our final piece.

B Money - Money Over Everyone

CD Cover Analysis

I feel that the CD cover I created cleverly complimented the other media products I have created for our artist, B Money, since it continues the theme of comedy value with pennies in the eyes as opposed to the hude ammounts of money that would usually be found on a front cover.

However I still try to hold back over doing it by using the urban background and font to keep some of the conventions found in hip hop continuous with our artist. Another convention used is making the front cover in all black and white and using one element of the picture in colour, in this case the pennies in the eyes so the focus of the audience is drawn to this point.

Evaluation Preperation

When our video is finished we will come together as a group and evaluate every aspect of our music video and coursework. We will discuss both the pros and cons off the video, and the methods we took to get to the final video. There are many was to evaluate our work but we as a group believe the best way for us to evaluate is by using a PowerPoint presentation with our work on and we will hold a discussion were we answer pre set questions. 

 

We will record the evaluation with all of our group members answer question and discussing aspect of the video, the question will cover every aspect of our final video and how we got to this point .

The evaluation side of the coursework allows us to show the audience how we feel the video went and give them more of an insight into the videos background.

Final Filming Session

We came together as group for the last time to film the final piece of footage needed for us to complete our video. We only needed a small amount of shots to fill in the gaps that are in our music video, filming took place at a member of the groups house and overall we as a group fill that the filming went well and all the shots needed we got.

Filming went smoothly and i believe we got all the shots that we needed to a high quality and hopefully these shots will help us finish the Music Video .

Showcase

Before completely finishing our videos we as students came together to show our videos, in a showcase. The showcase was put in place so our music video could be shown to fellow students and teachers to give us feedback. We hoped to gather feedback on the positive and negative sides of , editing, costume, lighting performance and overall feel of the video, not only this but also to see if the narrative of our video is easily understandable. Each person was handed a sheet to revive our video and write comments of what they though.

The sheet handed out consisted of questions such as, what was especially good about the music video. Would you watch it again? If yes why? If no, why not? And did you notice any errors within the video?, the sheet also asked the class to rate certain areas of our video out of 10 , were ten is the highest.
The class were asked to rate the, editing, sound, camerawork, synchronising of sound, did it seem like a real MV and would you watch it all ?

Once showing our video to the class, we then discussed the pros and cons. The first positive of our video was the editing as many people said and wrote that the editing was between a nine and a ten on the sheet. However our teacher pointed out to us that the editing was off on one point, so this has to be fixed. Another positive point that the class informed us was good that the opening sequence to our video is entertaining and engaged the audience from the off.

Were as a negative aspect of our video is the narrative, many people were confused with where it was going so, no we will have to come together as a group and discuss the ways in which we can make the narrative easily understandable to our audience. Also the fact that there is a section of shots that are the same so we need to change this aspect to engage the audience through out.

B Money - MySpace

This is the MySpace page that I have created to help empahisize the image of our artist B Money. I chose to use a CD cover as the main image of the artist for promotional purposes and also an urban background to show the idea of him being a hip hop artist.

I feel MySpace was the best choice compared to the alternatives since it is such a highly used website because of how user friendly it is to all ages.

http://www.myspace.com/565683592

Planning 'B Money' Image

To try to create an image for our artist I am going to create both a design for a CD cover, in addition to a web page where the artist can promote himself and offer music downloads.

The theme of these will have a far more serious, 'gangster' tone to them that has been lacking in the preperation since some feedback to our artist has been that at times our artist, B Money, is to much of a comical character to be a believable rap artist so therefore this is an issue we need to address, although we don't want to ompletely erase the comical side of our work.

B Money Name

Our entire project up to this point has neccessarily been a parody of the conventional rap artist, however, we have chosen to model our artist as someone that no one would expect to be a rap artist. I feel although some may feel that this means we are not being serious it does infact meet the conventions of a lot of pop artists that are currently out there since everyone needs to have such a unique branding and image to be sucesful in the current market.

As a group we chose the name B Money making fun of a rap artist called P Money. This could actully be considered a massive advertising move since alot of the rap world is about 'cussing' each other and this would be a way of attracting attention of people in the rap industry.

Filming 2

At this point we still feel that we are preogressing at a solid rate and have managed to record around another 30 seconds of footage using a mix of POV shots, flashbacks to the earlier scene and some shots that establish the narrative of auditions in the viewers mind.

Although we feel to a ceratin extent the narrative of auditions isn't a blatantly obvious one we don't neccessarily want the video fixed to a set narrative since the song isn't a very rigid song, instead we want the video to be a bit jumbled up and messy abd I feel up to this stage we have achieved this appearance.

Influences in filming

I feel at this point in the project it is important to point out what our influence has been when filming the rest of the video.



Although we had already filmed the early POV shot after seeing this video it inspired us to continue this method of filming throughout the majority of the cideo and tried to stick to this perspective as much as possible throughout.

The reason we felt this was such an effective method was because it allowed the camera to constantly be moving, preventing the viewer becoming bored with what is happening in the video, yet at the same time allows the artist to have a lot of face time.

Editing [Following Filming Part 1]

In general this session of editing was extremely successful and currently I don't think we could have picked a better song since it has such an obvious beat it is incredibly simple to keep the cutting in time with the music.

Up to this point we have about 50 seconds of editted footage and this will most likely be the most simple of the sections we will have to edit since up to this point there has been no lip syncing since the filming has essentially been introducing the viewer to the narrative etc.

Already at this point in time I feel like my editing skills have improved alot since our prelim task since I am far more comfortable with using the software and confident when testing effects to be used in our video. Overall up to this stage in the project everything is looking positive.

Filming 1

This was the first session of filming I was able to attend, there was one other session before hand where I wasn't present, just incase there are inconsistencies.

This session turned out to be incredibly productive since although we kept the same basis from the storyboard, with someone waking up with a hangover after a party but decided to use a point of view shot instead. This turned out to be a massive turning point in our video since from this point onwards a large part of the narrtive came from someone following the main character with the point of view shot.

Another feature that became key fro this session was that we realised how important it was to keep the camera moing and recording from all different anagles rather than from static ones, since they did not match the song at all due to the lifelessness of these shots.

Filming Schedule

Due to outstanding commitments it was impossible to make a solid recording schedule that we would stick to through the entire filming of the video so instead we all agreed that the best time for us to be filming wold be during lesson time, unless it was essential that it was recorded at night time or something along those lines...

During the same discussion we spoke about how it would be impossible to fulfil the plan that had begun in the storyboard since we would not be able to get enough people to be in some of the shots we had planned. Although the overall idea has remained the same, the shots where large ammounts of people would be required we have changed so that less people would have to be relied upon. This should benefit the video moving forward since we can record without fial in lesson, since we will all be there.

Lumby Producky Storyboard

Lumby Producky Storyboard

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From our discussions as a group we have decided that the best way to progress would be to make a storyboard that plans out everything that we need to shoot, including locations, actors and timings. [Above]

Final Song Choice Is...

Following extensive discussions within our group we have decided that the best choice of song to use in our final music video is the B.o.B - Magic. The main reasons for this decision is that out of the three songs we would choose between this was the most upbeat. Furthermore it is a track where we can go in any direction since there is no set narrative to what it should be unlike AAR - Gives you Hell.

The other reason that we felt this would be the best choice is that it has a very rigid beat, like most modern pop songs, so therefore the editing should be easier to make look effective since there is such an obvious beat. The one issue that we did have with choosing this song was the verses since the member of our grou that will be the equivalent of B.o.B in our video [Ben] is unsure whether he will be able to learn the entire rap.

However at this point the general feeling from the whole group is positive that this is the best way for our group to go.

Choosing a final track

After discussing which song we would do as our final music video we have narrowed our choices down to three songs. We feel all of them would be a good option as they are lively and upbeat in terms of the track itself, not neccessarily the lyrics.

Prelim Analysis

For our prelim exercise we chose to do a parody of the song, 'Look what the cat dragged in', by Giggs. As a group we felt it would be beneficial to do a parody as our first task so we could keep light hearted instead of diving in straight into the deep end.

Overall as a group I think that, despite there could be several improvements made to it, the general feeling was that our prelim went well since it gave us all some much needed expeirience in using editing software for the first time.

The software we used was called, 'Final Express', and as I have already said it was my first time using this software. On the whole it was a software that was relatively easy to learn the basics and it was only when trying to use more complex functions that we ran into any difficuilties, however, in this piece there were no major effects used.

The most time consuming section was getting all four or five video tracks to be lip synced correctly as it took us some time to become familiar enough with the software, since this was essential to making the video look realistic.

One of the things we quickly learned we would have to take into account that we had not previously was the lighting, since we didn't realise how much impact it would have on the shot as whole. In the prelim we ensured that everything was kept dark to fit in with the gangster image, but we will have to pay a lot of attention when filming our real music video since there will be alot of change in location that we didn't have to consider in this exercise.

Giggs - Look What the Cat Dragged In Parody [Prelim Lip Sync]

The Killers Image Analysis

I feel this image represents how The Killers have changed and matured as a band, and that this is a reflection of how the genre of alternative rock has changed over the last decade, although at the core their are massive similarities.

I believe that one of the biggest changes in their image from their first album, Hot Fuss, to now is that when trying to make an album that aims to become successful with both rock and pop fans you have to have the image that really distinguishes you from the rest of the bands that are currently around. When looking at their songs in more recent times you can see how Brandon Flowers is wearing far more distinguished clothing in tracks such as Human and Spaceman, whereas in their earlier tracks some would argue that the empahsis would argue that their was more of an emphasis on the music rather than the image. This portrays how the music industry is now equally obsessed with the image of musicians as much as, if not more than the music itself and an artist cannot become truely successful based purely on talent.

When looking at their live stage shows you can also see how they have tried to adapt to fit in with a more mainstream audience than early on. When you see Brandon in the earlier performances, particularly his version of Mr Brightside on VH1 acoustic you can see how they are all very uptight and look no different to any other band whereas now The Killers are not just a band they are an image in themselves.

The Killers and Brandon Flowers Album Art

Eminem - Recovery Album Art Analysis

This is the cover of Eminems seventh studio album, entitled Recovery.

Like the other album covers I have analysed up to this point the main point of the cover is reflecting how the artist wants themselves to be viewed. In this you can see Eminem walking down an open road alone.

This could be interpretted as him feeling that everyone in his life has abandoned him and he is now left by himself walking down lifes 'highway' by himself.

The album was entitled Recovery due to him being so displeased with the previous album that he had released, and the title uses a red cross to reflect how he is thrying to recover from the previous album. Although to be fair his previous album was still number one in the U.S charts...

Burial Album Cover

This is the cover of Burials self-entitled album, Burial. This cover was specifically made to reflect how Burial wants to be seen as an artist, he wants it to be about the music as opposed to the image of himself, contrasting with the general stereotype for musicians within todays industry.

I chose to look at this album art for this reason as it gives me another perspective on how some musicians wish to be viewed.

This album art also reflects the entire genre of Dubstep as a whole since it is still very much considered an underground music type, there is nothing to make the cover particularly stand out, it is something that you would need to be looking for specifically to find it, it isn't something that instatly draws attention to itself.

Despite all of these points that contrast with your average pop cover it still matches the main conventions; artist title, album title and record label [HyperDub, top right].

Example - Won't Go Quietly

 

Examples album titled, 'Won't Go Quietly,' uses an album cover that perfectly reflects what the majority of the albums tracks are about. The songs are based on an ex girlfriend that as he says, Won't go quietly, and keeps coming back into his life, hence the pictures used are mainly off him and the girl posed as his 'girlfriend'. 

There is a red tint laid over the pictures which could be interpreted as showing the passion that has existed within his relationship with her whether it be love or hate.

The text is monochromatic so it contrasts with the rest of the cover, making it more eye catching to potential buyers. The font has also become synonymous with the Example label which keeps a certain level of continuity within his work.

How the internet has changed the music industry

These internet has completely shook the music industry in almost every way possible, whether it be the reduced revenue because of illegal downloads or the way a band can be completely self sufficient with no binding contract.

This is a massive benefit to the consumer since it means people can listen to, and download, all of the songs they wish to from their own home. Furthermore due to the internet and services such as iTunes it has completely changed the way people will purchase music, whereas previously people would pay for CD's or tapes everything is now done electronically.

This has also helped artists that wish to begin selling their music, since it is relatively easy to get your songs onto iTunes as opposed to a shop selling CD's.

In many ways since the arrival of YouTube it has shifted a larger proportion of the power onto the artist as opposed to the music companies since bands can achieve so much success alone, without having to pay such a large proportion of money to the label.

In many ways it hasn't just changed it for the artists, but entire genres that were previously unknown have exploded since YouTube, two obvious examples are D'n'B and Dubstep since these were previously so hard to hear.

Boyce Avenue

The internet has without a doubt complete changed the way in which the entire music industry functions, and I believe no band shows this off more than, 'Boyce Avenue'.

Boyce Avenue is a band of three that started several years ago and self promoted themselves purely through the use of YouTube, 2007. Despite only getting signed recently they have become the most viewed band on YouTube with 256 million upload views and 500 thousand subscribers.

Boyce Avenue marketed themselves in a vary similar way to the majority of YouTube bands.

One of the things they done very intelligently was to, for the most part, cover mainstream songs, while uploading there own song every so often. By doing this anyone that searches for song, The Killers - Mr Brightside for example, will bring up a link to Boyce Avenue's cover so this should lead to a higher ammount of views, than doing all of their own songs.

Another way they have become successful through YouTube is by consistently turning out videos promoting an upcoming tour or gig encouraging their fans to show up. By doing this it can make people feel as if they're becoming close to the band since they have so much face time with the band.

Furthermore they are very attentive towards their fans, since they have been signed they have continued to regularly update their original YouTube page with similar content to before, which is something that has earned the alot of repect from their fans.

All American Rejects - Gives You Hell Video Analysis

Gives You Hell is a song which describes the feelings of a man who was hurt in a relationship and now he feels nothing for her but instead loathes. She left him because she did not believe he was able to provide what she was looking for in a long term relationship, and she wanted to be able to find someone that could. Since then he has reached a new high in his life and he can see how it was her loss since he could have provided everything she desired.

The video, however, takes a more light hearted take on what was meant to be a very meaningful song. The video shows two couples living next to eachother, where both the boyfriends are extremely different people and are quite clearly having some sort of feud.

As the video progresses both boyfriends begin to centre more and more of their life around destroying the other while they neglect their girlfriends. Eventually the two couples snap and confront eachother. The two girlfriends make a gesture as if two swap boyfriends since they have become fed up with them not providing what they had hoped for, tying into the lyrics and backstory of the song.

The video ends with both couples being shown as happy together, reflecting how the writer of the song believed he did have what it takes to make someone happy. This video epitomises how a songs video should emphasize all of the lyrics and meaning within the song, the video should add to the meaning of the song rather than drawing attention away from it.

Chase and Status - Let you go

The video for the Chase and Status song, 'Let you go' is based around the Jeremy Kyle chat show. Jeremy Kyle is represented in the video as a presenter called 'Patrick Chase', and displays the hypocrisy of Jeremy Kyle as although he advises people on how to live their lives, he suffers from many of their shortcomings.

The genre of music, Dubstep, matches this hard hitting video, on of Andrew Goodwins forms and conventions. The video also follows other conventions, such as the video being synced with the audio etc.

The video shows the contrast between the hosts level of control while on television, where he essentially controls the audience, and lack of it in his private life. This is shown through the enviroments he spends his time after work, they are all very dark bars, where he is shown as being very alone and isolated, yet on his show everyone is shown to idolise him.

The entire video follows a set narrative, the story is shown not neccesarily through Patrick Chases eyes but from his point of view, for example when he is being sick due to drugs and alcohol, the screen is blurred to show the intoxication.

Eminem and Rihanna - Love the way you lie video