Finished!

ok well the project seems to be over!
overall i'm really pleased with the final product and really enjoy seeing my face on the big screen!
this blog is now officially CLOSED!!
:D

Final Album Cover

Front Cover

I think the front cover is really effective as the direct address, coupled with the monochrome image but with the tattoo in colour brands the artist well and will therefore create public interest.

Back Cover

the shot connotes the power and aggression of the artist through the basbeall bat prop and the low angle shot. The text further connotes the harshness and gritiness of the artist and his music.

Music Video!

Here is mine and Matt's version of the video

In this video we have included
-Effective and striking iconography
-There is a clear progression of emotion from the artist from calm and vunerable to angry and psychotic.
-The editing is quite aggressive and unconventional which reflects the performance style and essence of the track
- An unusual use of Brechtian theory in a music video
However i do think that i would make some changes, for example atempt to increase the pace of the edit as the video progresses, and have a larger range of shots with the male model (Matt)

Myspace!

www.myspace.com/boyinterrupted430
Our myspace page has been designed so that it is easy to access and there are no confusing elements to the layout. By doing this we have ensured that potential audiences will not be put off the page.
There are several features on the page such as the artist's blog, his personal photos and tour dates. There is also a link to the two version of the video on youtube.com and the debut single of the artist plays as soon as you log onto the site. By giving the audience all these opportunites to find out about the artist, as well as the contacting function on the site, we have allowed the audience and the artist to develop a rapport with eachother, allowing the audience to relate to the artist easier and therefore increasing his popularity.

Marketing ideas

Today i brainstormed ideas for how we could market our artist
they include:

- contestant slot on Never Mind The Buzzcocks
- features in the Metro
- attempt to get interviews in NME and Kerrang! (send them the album)
- secure supporting artist slot on The Academy Is...'s tour
- play venues such as Camden Underworld and Brixton Academy
- try and get slots on DJ's radio shows (realting to genre i.e. Mike Davies on radio 1)

Editing

Unfortunately the both myself and matt have very different ideas in terms of the direction of the idea and have therefore decided to part from max and mike and make our own video. We feel that both groups will have much more creative freedom in this way and therefore we will be able to create a more effective video. We will also comment on the progress of eachother's video and use aspects of their video to further our own.

Weekend shoot

I think our final weekend shoot went pretty well. We got quite alot done, the matt body stuff and the performance stuff. We shot the perofrmance atleast 3 times, each time with a different style (ie a calm performance, a cheeky confident one, and an aggressive one). However we still need to shoot the baseball bat footage such as the smahing of the telly which we might do in an alleyway near max's house.

Performance style

A lot of the main character's performance style has been derived from Keith Flint of 'The Prodigy'. The most inspiring performance is probably from the video for their single 'Firestarter' in which we see Flint in a abandoned tube tunnel. His punk dancing and rebellious style really suited the performance style we wished to create and I found it useful to watch this video before performing to visualise the aggression I would be attempting to create.

BLK feedback

some great postings/ideas here liam - well done

writing on screen

I think matt had an idea earlier about the singer in the abnd writing on the screen (as if he were writing on the wall). Whereas he thought it would be better to remove the words each time we go back to this shot, ie having only one word on the screen each time, i thought it would be better if we gradually fill the screen up with writing.

I think the style also works for this video, in which Kanye west writes on the screen aswell as words appearing on the screen when he sings them.
Kanye West - Good Life

Logo

I think that it important for our band to have a recognisable logo, as this could enhance the image and reputation of the band. It could also help marketing as we could create stickers, tshirts and adverts involving the logo, to create word of mouth discussion about the band.

Some band who have had success with logos include:

His Infernal Majesty

Nirvana

Blink-182

Costume + last shot

I think the main character should have a black hoodie on with the band's logo and/or name on the back of it, to be revealed at the end of the video as he walks off. This would be similar to Matt's idea about the last shot (http://latymermusicvideo08matt.blogspot.com/2008/09/last-shot.html).

This style really appeals to me:

I also think that the last shot should fade to black, but the logo should stay on the screen, eventually leaving the band name and or logo on a black screen. I think this would be effective in branding the band and making the audience remember their name. Furthermore, as this is a debut single, i think this would be particularly useful in helpng market the band.

Black & White

I also really like the idea of having the performance aspect of the video in black and white, as it makes it stand out more and gives it a more edgy and stylish feel. The use of monochrome is applied well in The Prodigy's video for Firestarter, as it gives the video an even greater grittier and urban feel.

However, i think that it could also be interesting to have the performance section of the video in monochrome, but have the other shots in colour as these would stand out more as a result of the introduction of colour. By doing this, we can highlight these images and make them seem as if they are more important than the other aspects of the video, therefore creating disjuncture in our video.
A video like this sort of achieves the effect we would hope for

Stuff from Carol Vernallis

The Carol Vernallis article i found very interesting and found quite a few points that i could use in our video:

1. Music video's don't neccessarily have to make sense. Narratives can be only partially shown and does not have to lead anywhere in particular.


2. Themes - light, setting, character, costume, colours, style etc.

Thoughts for video style

I really think the video should have a distorted and grainy feel to it, with this video by The Game giving me lots of inspiration

I really like the "old film" effect that is placed on the shots, aswell as the high saturation and white flash transitions.

Today

Ok so today we basically decided that our final idea would be Cobra Starship - I kissed A Girl

We picked this song as it is very current, it terms of being a 'reply' to the Katy Perry hit "I Kissed A Girl". Furthermore, the controversial nature of the song will create publicity and therefore raise the profile of the band.

Myspace Music Page research

do a research of a band's myspace and how this affects the way they are marketed

the academy is..

http://www.myspace.com/theacademyis

• At the top of the page there is a large banner which takes up about 75% of the screen. The banner displays the name of the band in their signature font, as well as showing the name of the bands new album. In the left hand corner there is a youtube video of their new single, whilst there is also a link to 'TARGET' where you can order the album. At the top of the banner there are links to Friends Mail Music MyspaceTV, something conventional to myspace.com, although the style is not. At the bottom of the banner there are links to band members' personal blogs, iTunes, Youtube, Facebook and Purevolume.com.
  
  blogs
  upcoming shows
  labelmates
  text message service
  taitv
  friends - probably created by the management

Michel Gondry

Michel Gondry was born on the 8th of May 1963, and is a famed French film, screenwriter and music video director. He started out directing videos for French rock band Oui Oui, in which he was also drummer, before his talent was spotted by Icelandic artist Bjork. He was later asked to direct videos for artists such as Massive Attack, Radiohead, The Chemical Brothers and The Rolling Stones, due to his ability to manipulate mise-en-scene.

One of Gondry's most outstanding videos to date is the 1997 video for "Around the World" by French duo Daft Punk".


The video represents the song. We see several dancers, all which represent a different instrument or musical phrase within the song, on a circular platform which represents a vinyl record. For example, the athletes seen depict one section of the song, whilst the mummies represent the drum beat of the song. The depth of choreography and the clear connection between the music and the images is what I really enjoy about this video.

fell in love with a girl white stripes 2002



come into my world kylie minogue 2002



Making of Come Into My World

Move It Move It idea

This idea is is based around the idea of moving, with the video attempting to be very funny and juvenile. The humour used is either absurd or satirical, in the way it 'sends-up' some traditional images or conventions of music video and other everyday images. This is achieved by seeing the traditional image, followed by the absurd alternative. For example, the marathon runner pouring water all over himself is a plausible image, yet the image which follows, another runner this time pouring fried chicken over themselves is not. If the former image had not been presented first then the kfc incident would seem totally abstract, but because the plausible image is seen first, the audience will understand the satirical nature of the humour attempted.
This style of humour is very similar to that seen in the Blink 182 video for "All the Small Things". For example the audience sees Mark playing on the beach with his dog. Both he and the dog look to be enjoying themselves, until the dog starts attacking the band member.

Later on in the video, we see a stock boyband image for a video. Mark is wearing a white top whilst showering. He is looking at the camera seductively, with the shot also appearing in slow motion. However, the next shot is from a further distance, revealing that Mark is actually under the spray of a man cleaning his van. This sends up the original image which creates the humour in the video.
This video is successful as it does not constantly use jokes. There are several shots of the band performing naturally amongst a crowd of people. The interjection of these master / performance shots breaks up the images we have seen before, reminding the viewer that they are watching a music video. Therefore, I think that if we are to move forward with this idea, we should use a song which allows for a strong performance, as this will enhance the idea.

Boy Band Image

I think that can be several types of boyband, and these clear differences between the types of artist reflect hugely on their audience.

For example, there can be the clean-cut, good guys look for a boyband such as Westlife. In the original group there were 5 straight young men with a strong Irish background, with this also giving connotations of a Christian upbringing. Furthermore, they did not swear in their songs and were rarely photographed by the media falling out of nightclubs and starting fights. As a result of their image, the band appealed to the younger generation, often referred to as "teenyboppers". These teenyboppers or pre-teens, were often girls of the age of 11 or younger, who aspired to be like the older teens they knew. The 'clean' image presented by the band also appealed to housewives and women over 50 as their innocent behaviour and lyrical content detracted away from the 'foul mouthed youth of today'. Some parents would also see the members of the boyband as a positive role model for their own children, especially their sons, as their good behaviour and attitudes towards charities for example were seen as very moral and just.


Another example of a type of boyband is the more grungy, laidback punk rockers, for example Busted. Busted consisted of 3 teenagers, with spiky hair, sometimes dyed in rebellious colours, who wore baggy trousers together with ripped and tatty clothes. The chains they wore, as well as the guitars they played created a more unruly image for the band, yet their lyrical content and overall behaviour was still deemed as innocent. This is perhaps most prominent in the video for their single "What I Go To School For"; although the video is set during a sex education class, we see videos from wildlife documentaries, therefore not directly dealing with the more controversial issue. Not only did they attract teenage girls with their looks, teenage boys were also able to idolise their behaviour towards school and positions of authority.

One of the less common types of boy band is the grittier, more 'street' boyband. For example, East-17 were named after their hometown postcode in order to appear more working class and realistic. They used a rapping style in some of their songs which also connotes violence and drugs due to the American Gangster culture seen at the time. Furthermore, one member, Brain Harvey, was involved in a drug controversy when he said it was "cool to take drugs". The 'badboy' image the band had created for themselves allowed more working class males to become fans, as they could relate to members of the band or the style of music more. Furthermore, their total opposition to the conventional clean cut genre meant that it was not embarrassing to like the band, this often being the case with groups like 'Take That'.

I feel that if we are to go ahead with the boyband idea, it is important for us to realise these different types of boyband, and how an audience will respond to them. As we have decided to use "EN3" as a band name, we have gone down a similar route to that of East17. HOwever, we do not want the negative image the band recieved due to their drug problems, so we would have to find a balance between some of the aspects of each type of boyband.

Here's your group work on Marketing!

BLK feedback

some good stuff here Liam, but you need to label your posts a bit more; for example try and explain your inspirations so it's clear in what way they have inspired you.

can you add more music videos of your own choice, and use the framework we have done in class to analyse them.

also update your blog with your own thoughts on the current group idea.

Music Video Analysis

Eminem -Stan

Colour –
very dirty and dark – dark green, greys, blacks, navy blues, browns – reflects the poor standard of living Stan lives in.

Camera –
First shot (through window) – we enter in on the scene – the viewer is helpless to prevent what happens, just like Eminem…..it’s not his fault
Over Head Shot – we are looking in on the scene – nothing we can do to prevent it
Vertical Track Shots – from the bedroom to basement – reflects the two sides to Stan’s life (His girlfriend and his obsession with Eminem). Shots go from top to bottom to reflect that Eminem is more important to him + going down connotes a demise, how his obsession will ultimately lead to his downfall
Movement – lots of circling of Stan – reflect his unstable mental state? Lack of movement for shots of Eminem himself to reflect his sanity
Low angles of Stan – menace + mental state

Mise-en-scene -
Rain – depression, demons
Lightning
Black and White – Memories, in the past, can’t change it.
Photographs – star image, self projection, unattainable fame
Mirrors – trying to find a part of Eminem in himself

Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar
Un-illustrative – there are no words to be shown, but there are some links between the images and the music. For example, when the tempo of the track slows down, so does the movement of the train as we pass through a small village highway. Furthermore, for a specific melody, another train passes, with this image being repeated whenever the melody appears in the music. In addition to this as the different sections of the track come through(intro, ‘chorus’, verse, middle eighth/break) a new setting will be introduced.

The video is predominantly shot in the daytime, although at one point the time shifts to night-time and then back to daylight to reflect the elongated synth.
The video is neither narrative or performance based, although you could argue that it is telling a story of a train journey. The position of the camera, at an angle to the window would also infer that the camera is standing in for a character looking out of the window.

inspiration

Needs some more...

Liam, your reflection on marketing bands/images/ strategies only shows one thing learnt and I asked you to think of ten - can you complete? Thanks. Also, your work on the album art needs a little bit more detail. Remember, this is part of your practical production research and as such has real marks attached ;-)

Misty

Track ideas

Aphex Twin - Windowlicker - - - - -- - Not Mainstream

BLK feedback

Great reflections on marketing Liam, also some interesting album cover stuff research on, but don't forget to get posting on your track choices/ideas

Marketing Reflection

1- What did I miss out?
I missed out on some aspects of marketing such as feuds with artists. This is a vital way in which to gain free publicity for your artist or band. For example when trying to market "the dynobots" we could have them having a feud the idyllic Morissey. Furthermore, i feel we could have used the local band aspect of the band more creativily, creating local interest with the use of flyers and gimmicks, such as a £1 pint for fans with flyers attending gigs. Facebook events and other forms of advertising for gigs on the site are also a useful way to market the band in an inexpensive way.
Album signings!

2- What have you learnt?
Bands don't necessarily need to have a USP to be succesful

Album Covers

Aphex Twin - Drukqs




















Primal Scream - Screamadelica



Metallica St. Anger








































The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland

Typical Features-

Typical features of these front covers include:

The name of the band/artist

The title of the album

The band/artist's logo

A picture of the ban/artist

Categories-

There are however several ways to categorse the above albums, for example the front cover:

Image of band/ artist = Marvin Gaye, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Eminem, Amy Winehouse
Photo of something/someone = Royksopp, Incubus, Alexisonfire - Crisis, Dilated Peoples, Aphex Twin
Cartoon/drawing - Primal Scream, Alexisonfire - Watch Out!, Metallica

Furthermore, these albums could be split up in terms of their genre. For example, both Primal Scream, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience have covers with highly saturated colours on them, refelcting the drug scene associated with their style of music.

The distorted image and blurry text reiterates the crisis-stricken scene of that time. The black and white images displays a sense of clarity with the red-writing depicting blood and again the portrayal of a certain crisis in modern day society. The band are proud of their Canadian roots, and this is shown in the images featured on the back and booklet; pictures of a canadian street snowed in are seen regularly within the album's artwork. The urban and almost unofficial aspects of both the band their label are reflected yet again in the higly distorted images and the monochrome image of the abnormal hands.

The lyrics on the inside of the album are also important, as the three seperate vocalists can be easily distinguished via font and colour. For example, the screamed lyrics are seen in red (George), the harmonies are in italics (Dallas) whilst the other vocals are seen in standard black font (Wade).