We composed a questionnaire to gather information from our target audience about the genres of music videos they watch, what they like to have included in a music video and their comments about our music video idea.
Here are the questions:
1. How old are you? (16, 17, 18, 19, other)
2. What is your favourite music genre?
3. How often do you watch music videos? (Often, Rarely, Never, Other)
4. Which music video is your favourite and why?
5. What do you like to watch in a music video? (Dancing, Narrative, Animation, The Band, Other)
6. Our Idea...
What could be changed or improved?
7. Do you think the idea fits with the indie/alternative genre of our song? Why/why not?
8. What would you expect a music video of this genre to include?
9. Do you notice CD print adverts? If so, where do you see them?
10. What do you like about them? What catches your eye? What do you like to see in CD print advert?
11. What is your favourite CD print advert and why?
12. What is your favourite CD cover and why?
We then gave them out to people we thought would have a diverse range of ideas and are creating graphs and charts to show these results.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Textual Analysis - Milow ★
Milow is a singer-songwriter from Belgium who's career started in 2004. He has three albums out, two of which went Gold in Belgium and the third went Platinum in Germany.
This is the advert for his 2009 tour:
From looking at this advert you can tell that it's from the acoustic genre because of the mellow, toned-down colours which are neutral, relaxed and has connotations of being warm and wholesome just like the genre.
Milow is the background of the advert which is a strong representation that he wants to be known, however having his eye diverted from the camera makes him seem vulnerable and humble which could also connote the genre of music behind the advert.
The lowercase font for the name "milow" has a friendly feel to it rather than if it was in capitals and may also have audience gratification and fans may recognise it. It's in white which makes it stand out from the background but is in a complimentary colour which makes the advert thematic and could link with CD covers or music videos. The background is wood which also connotes nature and simplicity which is also what acoustic music is about.
The table of tour dates is in the natural eye line and is clearly structured, the box above and below fit this layout and include the supporting band at the top and the web address and the production company logo at the bottom.
This is the advert for his 2009 tour:
From looking at this advert you can tell that it's from the acoustic genre because of the mellow, toned-down colours which are neutral, relaxed and has connotations of being warm and wholesome just like the genre.
Milow is the background of the advert which is a strong representation that he wants to be known, however having his eye diverted from the camera makes him seem vulnerable and humble which could also connote the genre of music behind the advert.
The lowercase font for the name "milow" has a friendly feel to it rather than if it was in capitals and may also have audience gratification and fans may recognise it. It's in white which makes it stand out from the background but is in a complimentary colour which makes the advert thematic and could link with CD covers or music videos. The background is wood which also connotes nature and simplicity which is also what acoustic music is about.
The table of tour dates is in the natural eye line and is clearly structured, the box above and below fit this layout and include the supporting band at the top and the web address and the production company logo at the bottom.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Textual Analysis - David Ford CD Advert ★
I found a David Ford CD advert whilst looking for a Plain White T's advert which was incredibly hard to find. I had to settle for this one but I'm sure it will have similar conventions to the Plain White T's as it's of the same or very similar genre.
This advert is very simple and sophisticated which is what appeals to me. It shows the name of the artist "David Ford" very clearly in block capitals in a light green which has connotations of nature, cleanliness and i think this fits with the indie/rock music genre that this advert is promoting. The song title is underneath, also in capitals which makes it clear and has more impact than it would if it was in lowercase.
The release date is the first thing on the advert, a central placement in capital letters is clear and precise, however it's in a small font which does make the artist name stand out even more and the date could be seen as a second thought.
The advert includes a quote from The Sun newspaper saying "Mesmerising. Album of the year" and they also gave it 6 stars, more than the usual 5. This is a good sign for people that aren't fans to see as it may encourage them to buy the album or research more about him.
The close-up image of the guitar is a denotation of the genre of music that's on the CD. The checkered shirt, surf-style bracelet, worn guitar and patch grass all give suggestions about the genre of the music as well. They could indicate a hint of country style music on the CD or they could connote the relaxed, naturalistic sound which David Ford's music has. The image is also in a sepia colour which gives the advert a classic look which country/alternative bands often have, unlike genres like "pop" which are much more vibrant and eye catching. This advert is subtly expressive rather than "in your face". The fact that the rest of the advert is black also shows this as it's a neutral, archetypal colour.
The release date is the first thing on the advert, a central placement in capital letters is clear and precise, however it's in a small font which does make the artist name stand out even more and the date could be seen as a second thought.
The advert includes a quote from The Sun newspaper saying "Mesmerising. Album of the year" and they also gave it 6 stars, more than the usual 5. This is a good sign for people that aren't fans to see as it may encourage them to buy the album or research more about him.
The close-up image of the guitar is a denotation of the genre of music that's on the CD. The checkered shirt, surf-style bracelet, worn guitar and patch grass all give suggestions about the genre of the music as well. They could indicate a hint of country style music on the CD or they could connote the relaxed, naturalistic sound which David Ford's music has. The image is also in a sepia colour which gives the advert a classic look which country/alternative bands often have, unlike genres like "pop" which are much more vibrant and eye catching. This advert is subtly expressive rather than "in your face". The fact that the rest of the advert is black also shows this as it's a neutral, archetypal colour.
Textual Analysis - Plain White T's CD Cover ★
This is the single of "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White T's. I chose to analyse this CD cover as it fits the genre of indie/alternative/acoustic and so, our chosen track.
The image shows a stereotypical road in New York City and this is easily identifiable to the audience from the skyscrapers and yellow taxis. It has naturalistic lighting, showing that it's evening in winter which links to the video as it has the same setting. The cover also features a girl, who is also the main character in the video and is presumably "Delilah".
The girl is positioned in the centre of the frame but doesn't stand out as we would expect because of the dark lighting and tall buildings which make her seem small and slightly vulnerable.
The girl is positioned in the centre of the frame but doesn't stand out as we would expect because of the dark lighting and tall buildings which make her seem small and slightly vulnerable.
The weather is hinted at in the image and this gives an idea of the how the song will make the receiver feel. As it's about two people being separated and both of them being alone in different cities it could also denote how "Delilah" is feeling.
The name of the song is in a central placement and in a big, clear font which is eye catching making it the first thing the receiver sees. The name of the band is underneath and much smaller, making it seem less significant than the name of the song. This is in the same clear font as the song title and by having them in colours such as light yellow and light blue which connote peace, relaxation and happiness this also connotes the genre of music at the same time.
The single cover doesn't have any stickers on it which indicate parental supervision as it isn't needed because of the genre of music and the wholesome content of the song. It also doesn't promote any bonus tracks as it's a single rather than an actual CD, but it also doesn't mention a website which could have been a good fan attraction - unless there's a mention of it on the back cover.
The name of the song is in a central placement and in a big, clear font which is eye catching making it the first thing the receiver sees. The name of the band is underneath and much smaller, making it seem less significant than the name of the song. This is in the same clear font as the song title and by having them in colours such as light yellow and light blue which connote peace, relaxation and happiness this also connotes the genre of music at the same time.
The single cover doesn't have any stickers on it which indicate parental supervision as it isn't needed because of the genre of music and the wholesome content of the song. It also doesn't promote any bonus tracks as it's a single rather than an actual CD, but it also doesn't mention a website which could have been a good fan attraction - unless there's a mention of it on the back cover.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Textual Analysis - Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" Music Video ★
PLAIN WHITE T'S - HEY THERE DELILAH
As a group we decided to analyse the song Hey There Delilah by The Plain White T's because it's the same genre as our chosen track by Two in a Boat and the video was also inspiring to us and we want to create a similar effect with our video.
Screen Shots From The Video:
As a group we decided to analyse the song Hey There Delilah by The Plain White T's because it's the same genre as our chosen track by Two in a Boat and the video was also inspiring to us and we want to create a similar effect with our video.
Screen Shots From The Video:
Our group liked the idea of having two narratives during the main section of the video. We thought about having a spilt screen in two or more frames, on focusing on Olly (the singer in Two in a Boat) sat in a room, alone, playing the guitar and singing and the other half/two sections of the screen follow the journey of a girl through the town, hopping on and off buses and trains after receiving a text from her boyfriend saying 'sorry'. The audience won't really know what she's doing until the end when she walks in the room where Olly's playing and sits down by him. When this happens the two/three frames in the video become one.
Mike, Chelsea and I discussed the fact that it's going to be a challenge synchronising Olly's singing in the video to the actual song but this is a factor that we're willing to take time with to get the best result for our video.
Here is the Plain White T's video of Hey There Delilah:
The lyrics of our song are:
The lyrics of our song are:
Verse One:
You seem to go on and on, and it's driving me insane,
I don't want to hate you
You leave me no choice, when i hear your voice
And now, you're out to get me
Chorus (x2):
I don't want to hate you
You leave me no choice, when i hear your voice
And now, you're out to get me
Chorus (x2):
Take whats wrong and make it right,
You've gotta learn some to gain some sometimes,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy, no it ain't that
Verse Two:
If you listen then maybe you will never listen,
Take some time out, make your mind up now,
But only change if you want to change,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy to make this change, to make things change
Chorus (x2):
Take what's wrong and make things right,
You've gotta learn some to gain some sometimes,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy
We thought these lyrics would fit with our story line as it's about a boy who's changing for the better after being a pain to his girlfriend who then journeys to find him whilst he's singing a song about people changing.
You've gotta learn some to gain some sometimes,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy, no it ain't that
Verse Two:
If you listen then maybe you will never listen,
Take some time out, make your mind up now,
But only change if you want to change,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy to make this change, to make things change
Chorus (x2):
Take what's wrong and make things right,
You've gotta learn some to gain some sometimes,
No it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy, no it ain't that easy
We thought these lyrics would fit with our story line as it's about a boy who's changing for the better after being a pain to his girlfriend who then journeys to find him whilst he's singing a song about people changing.
Textual Analysis - The Wanted "All Time Low"
This is an Internet advert for the new single All Time Low from The Wanted. The band's signature font has been used for their name and the fact that it's blue rather than black, grey or white makes it stand out against the rest of the advert.
Also, the fact that the "wanted" is in capital letters and "the" isn't makes it seem like a wanted poster and could make them seem desired or sought after.
The title of the single is also in capital letters which makes it bold and eye catching as well as the phrase "out now" which is slightly smaller but still visible however this is slightly less important information so this could be why. It also doesn't promote the CD; it promotes the single on iTunes which is a much more accessible service to the target audience of this band.
The photo of the band is a quite cliche image of a boy band as they're all wearing jackets or complementing colours and they're all relatively good looking, shown from angles that make them look their best. The city background makes them seem very current and upbeat yet still wanting to be ordinary and fit in with everyone else. I think the photo of the band is stereotypical of the genre of music as well because a male band from the rock genre wouldn't be so posed and fresh faced and fashion conscience so because of this i think it's obviously the pop genre. The grey tone to the advert also makes it look contemporary and modern which i think is what the band wants to connote.
Also, the fact that the "wanted" is in capital letters and "the" isn't makes it seem like a wanted poster and could make them seem desired or sought after.
The title of the single is also in capital letters which makes it bold and eye catching as well as the phrase "out now" which is slightly smaller but still visible however this is slightly less important information so this could be why. It also doesn't promote the CD; it promotes the single on iTunes which is a much more accessible service to the target audience of this band.
The photo of the band is a quite cliche image of a boy band as they're all wearing jackets or complementing colours and they're all relatively good looking, shown from angles that make them look their best. The city background makes them seem very current and upbeat yet still wanting to be ordinary and fit in with everyone else. I think the photo of the band is stereotypical of the genre of music as well because a male band from the rock genre wouldn't be so posed and fresh faced and fashion conscience so because of this i think it's obviously the pop genre. The grey tone to the advert also makes it look contemporary and modern which i think is what the band wants to connote.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Textual Analysis - Shakira "Gypsy" Music Video ★
SHAKIRA - GYPSY MUSIC VIDEO
I chose to analyse Shakira's "Gypsy" music video because i think her video is a real representation of her personality and background. I also think she's a great role model as she's very natural and has good influences her fans such as being involved with charities and being true to who you are.
I chose to analyse Shakira's "Gypsy" music video because i think her video is a real representation of her personality and background. I also think she's a great role model as she's very natural and has good influences her fans such as being involved with charities and being true to who you are.
The setting used in Shakira’s music video gypsy is very rural and looks like a desert as the ground is very dry and there is a low sunset which creates a mood. There is also a backdrop of the sky at the start of the video and clips throughout. The video features Shakira as the “gypsy” and Rafael Nadal as the person she’s singing about.
The costumes is the video are very simple for Nadal as he just wears jeans and a t-shirt which represents him as an ordinary guy where as Shakira is seen in a more floaty and ‘gypsy like’ outfit. Near the end of the video she wears a silver/gold dress as she’s dancing and this catches the light of the sun very effectively.
The camera work seems to be quite simple when first watched but when screenshots are taken it is more complicated. At the start the backdrop is used and Shakira is ‘walking’ but not getting any closer to the camera. There are also some close-ups of her here which are straight cuts. She is also often in the centre of the frame but she is also seen to the right as she plays the harmonica.
The song Gypsy by Shakira has a light Latin vibe to it which includes earthy instruments like the banjo, sitar and mandolin. It’s carefree and organic ambiance is relaxing to listen to and is a more unique genre than what’s around most of the time in the charts today.
The camera work seems to be quite simple when first watched but when screenshots are taken it is more complicated. At the start the backdrop is used and Shakira is ‘walking’ but not getting any closer to the camera. There are also some close-ups of her here which are straight cuts. She is also often in the centre of the frame but she is also seen to the right as she plays the harmonica.
The song Gypsy by Shakira has a light Latin vibe to it which includes earthy instruments like the banjo, sitar and mandolin. It’s carefree and organic ambiance is relaxing to listen to and is a more unique genre than what’s around most of the time in the charts today.
The lyrics of the song represent Shakira’s life as she travelled around a lot as a child and so that’s where the metaphor of ‘gypsy’ comes from. She also said that ‘gypsies are travellers of life always absorbed in different cultures and learning from them’ and this is quite like her as she grew up in Columbia. There is also a Spanish version of the song as there are with most of her music.
She said that she chose Rafael Nadal to be in the video because they can identify with each other as they were both travelling from a young age and working for their life goal.
There are other camera movements that show the relationship between Shakira and Nadal. For example, at the beginning of the music video there is distance between them however as the video and the song progresses they get closer and have close-ups of their faces together.
Before they are seen to be getting along, Nadal is filmed looking through a wire fence which could symbolise him not getting through to her or the words in the song. He is also the minor character because when Shakira is dancing and singing he’s just sat watching her.
She said that she chose Rafael Nadal to be in the video because they can identify with each other as they were both travelling from a young age and working for their life goal.
There are other camera movements that show the relationship between Shakira and Nadal. For example, at the beginning of the music video there is distance between them however as the video and the song progresses they get closer and have close-ups of their faces together.
Before they are seen to be getting along, Nadal is filmed looking through a wire fence which could symbolise him not getting through to her or the words in the song. He is also the minor character because when Shakira is dancing and singing he’s just sat watching her.
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