Journal

I continued to research and plan ideas for my digipak, I began my looking at conventional aspects of the Indie genre; this will help me because I am able to understand what my design will need to have which will make it recognisable to my target audience.
I then went onto looking at innovative features to a digipak, and then with my group came up with a unique selling point of a free play dough band member - with 4 to collect it will get the target audience excited and curious.

Audience research - Logo design

We handed out a questionnaire based around our logo design; we aimed at our target audience of 18-25 year olds. We wanted to know if the audience could identify which genre our design was representing, from the feedback we received all of our candidates realised it was representing the Indie genre. We also asked if they would improve any aspect of our design and why? The feedback we received mainly consisted of adding colour to the logo because they felt it was to plain and boring. This feedback has helped us understand what our target audience wants, therefore we will be developing our logo from this feedback.

Mood Board representing the Indie genre

I created a mood board to represent important aspects of the Indie genre; this would help create a visual description of the codes and conventions of my genre.

Common People Video Analysis

I analysed the music video Common People by the band Pulp to help understand and recognize the codes and conventions of the Indie genre, this will help me when creating my music video because I will be able to refer back to it and compare.

Lesson 4 - Quick presentation

In todays lesson we had to create a quick presentation in our groups in order for other class members to understand our ideas; it also enabled them to suggest ideas and problems we may have not thought of. After explain our plan and showing them the song we received positive feedback, many people enjoyed the creativity of the idea and felt it would work well with the genre we have chosen; indie.

1990's Music Video Analysis

1990’s 59 from LouiseTaylor95
I used Goodwin in my analysis to help me understand the theory and how it makes a music video successful, I was also able to see the similarities to my music video idea including the use of stop motion to present the creativity of the band and the genre.

Arcade Fire Analysis

Arcade fire from LouiseTaylor95
I have analysed the music video Black Mirror by the band Arcade Fire because of the similarities within the genre. However I discovered that this video has many comparisons including Arcade Fire's video consisting of dark, frightening visuals and atmosphere, whereas I want my video to have an exciting atmosphere with bright, bold colours.

Lesson 3 - Digipak

What does a Digipak usually include?
-Front cover
-Track list
-CD
-Spine
-Artist image
-Band/ artist name

Digipak Research

I researched into digipak's of the same genre to become aware of the style used, I discovered there is a variety which makes each one different and unique. I feel my digipak will relate to the Blur digipak because of the animated style and the bright, bold colours which represent the creativity of the band, but also how they are more focused on their music than their image.

Codes and Conventions - Indie Genre

Camera: Close ups are common because they introduce the artist to the video, it all creates an image for them therefore making them become recognisable to the audience.

Full length shots are also used to show the style of the artist/band, the setting can also be seen as it gives a clear understanding of the time era and story being told.

Crane shots are used in live performances to capture many angles of of the artist/band; this helps keep the audience focused and engaged. 

Editing: The Indie genre relies on editing to give it an old fashion style, usually a black and white or sepia tone is used., this gives it a rustic and raw feel. Fast and slow cuts between shots contribute to the pace of the overall video. 

Live Performance: In the Indie genre it is very common for live performance to be present in their music video; this is to ensure the audience views the artist/band as performers, focusing on their music and not their image.

Narrative: Is used to convey a story, a sequence of images and videos will relate to the song and will work along side the lyrics. The narrative can also show the creativity of the artist/band.

 

Mis-en-scene: The artist will reflect their style and appearance through the mis-en-scene.

The Brief

You have been asked to devise and make a promotional music video, Digipak and advertising poster for the new band called Tonic; the group consists of 4 band members Rob (25), Sam (24), James (25), Jack (23), they are middle class boys from Portsmouth, Sussex. They started the band when they were in school and after performing in local pubs and clubs for a few years were scouted by a local producer and eventually signed to Rough Trade. As a new act , the record label is keen that this first release appeals to a wide target audience and establishes their image as both unique and recognizable. With this in mind their first release will be a cover version of Bohemian like you by the Dandy Warholes; this will be used as a platform for future original releases.