Hurtwood Media A2 - Photoshop work

The other day we spent a lesson on how to work some basic tools on a program called 'Photoshop'. This wasn't the first time that I've used this so it was more of a 'refreshment' for me and i did also become more familiar with many tools and how I can use them to the fullest of their ability.


To begin with we imported a variety of images into the program to work with. The main focus is to manipulate these images and turn them into something of our own work, to create an individual and unique image; but the main focus for todays lesson is just to becom familar with the program as a whole.


An image that I worked with to begin with was taken from the film 'Kane & Lynch - Dead Men'

First of all I used a tool called Polygonal Lasso Tool where I carefully went around and created an outline of the left character’s head. This causes it to separate and become ‘selected’. With this I moved it into another layer so I could multiply it and manipulate it without affecting the rest of the background image.

I then made this separate head a pink colour by selecting the ‘adjustments’ tool. Here you can make any selected area become whatever you want through using the mass of different affects available.

After this I copied it a couple of times, making sure they were all in separate layers to ensure no problems would occur unnecessarily to anything else.

Once I had done this I was able to use the ‘head’ image on other images that I had imported into photoshop and place wherever I wanted to.

In addition to the changing of colour on the chosen objects, I was also able to ‘transform’, ‘rotate’ and ‘crop’. You do this by clicking on your object and clicking on ‘image’ option where you are presented with a variety of different manipulation options.

Hurtwood Media A2 - Dancing in the Distraction factory

'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' is a book written by Andrew Goodwin which consists of his discussion about how the music industry is built and what it consists of.

When speaking about Music Video's he states that there are 3 main area's that video's fall into:

1. Illustration - Video shows what the lyrics say, its like a visual story. For example Madonna's song 'Pappa don't Preach'. This is a very rare type of video for stars to produce as most of the time the audience see's this as being more of a comical video and has a reputation for fans to create a parody which is produce for a humor purpose.

2. Amplification - This DOESN'T go against what the lyrics say, but it brings an additional meaning and puts across different meanings.

3. Disjucture - This is when the visuals have NO relation to the lyrics at all or can even go against the lyrics. A good example of this is Micheal Jacksons infamous 'Man in the Mirror'

Surprisingly, some videos can in fact consist of all the above and this tend to make quite an impact on the public.

An example of ILLUSTRATION would be the lyrics "See the kids on the street, with not enough to eat". When this is sung at 0:39 there is an image showing people suffering exactly this.

The lyrics "I'm standing with the man in the mirror" and also "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change".

Finally AMPLIFICATION would be the one that is slightly harder in this video. Throughout the video there is a wide amount of images showing various religious figures such as Desmond Tutu and Mother Teresa. Interspersed images of religious figures implies that he is suggesting that the transformation involves looking and connecting with God as he is the key of the change. In addition to this he also includes images of various political and goverenment figures as well has videos of missiles and army/goverenment bodies attacking people.

This implies the message that political figures are the problem and religion is the solution during a time like this.

Hurtwood Media A2 - Photoshop work

Hurtwood Media A2 - Music Video Analysis

Music Video Analysis

Artist: Lady Gaga

Song Title: Bad Romance

1. What are the men/women doing?

This music video begins with an obvious set up. There is a group of people, all dressed in neutral coloured clothing but quite ‘busy’, despite this though the centre of attention is obviously Gaga herself. Positioned in the middle of the group causes the viewer’s attention to go immediately to her and this set up continues throughout the majority of the video; being in the middle/centre of whatever is going on. For example this starting image, the dance routines that she is involved in and this is all helped by the way that the camera is set. She is always in the fore-ground and usually centred screen.

2. How are the men/women dressed? How much skin is revealed?

Despite the strange set-up and weird actions that surrounds Lady Gaga, it is obvious that she is the ‘main focus’ of this video and this is helped by the difference of costume she is in, in comparison to the rest of the cast. Throughout, Lady Gaga wears near to nothing most of the time as this is how she portrays her message to the viewers. Although fans of her work will recognise that this is a common element that runs throughout her work as her unique sense of style and fashion is part of what Gaga is known worldwide for.

Here Lady Gaga is fully naked apart from the addition of super high heeled boots.

By shwoing her body like this she also reveals ger spinal bone which is part of the message that she wants to portray within her video/song.

This is Lady Gaga herself out in public in her 'normal' clothing which indeed is particularly revealing in comparison to normal everyday peoples clothing.

3. Are there more, fewer, or the same number of men as women?

There is a similar amount of women as there are men within the video, at the beginning they are mixed together however as the video develops and the audience begins to understand the story line of the video itself it becomes apparent the separation of sexes; due to the message that is being portrayed.

4. Describe the body language of the men/women?

The body language in this video is one of the vital elements that helps to portray the message and meaning of the song and it is obvious the difference between either sex. The men are up right, stern and powerful whereas the women (who are mainly dancing throughout) are shown as being rather vulnerable and an ‘easy target’. Because they are mainly using movement to express their feelings they fit the stereotypical view of women being more emotional; this is then emphasised by the role of the men.

5. Do the men/women have power? How do you know?

The men have the larger dominance within this video due to the position and body language that they perceive. A lot of the video consists of the shot of the women dancing in front of the men as they sit around and watch them making them seem much lower and less important. It’s as if they are being treated as an object to be watched rather than an equal human being to them.

6. What’s the message of the song?
7. What type of music is the song?
8. Describe the products that are highlighted in the video.
9. Are any brand names shown?
10. Focus on camera angles. How do they help tell a story or develop the audience’s relationship with the band/singer?
11. Look at how the shots are edited together, how does this add to the message being told?

Hurtwood Media A2 - Star Image

A star is an image, not the real person themselves, that is constructed out of a range of materials - for example the magazines, music videos advertising etc...

         >The Star is a Construction<

It helps a great deal if their image consists of a unique selling point, which may be copied/mimiced in a positive or negative way. This may be represented within a particular genre, so for a musical artist this genre could be pop or rap due to the type or music they produce and they way they present themselves.

Record companies produce stars for profit purposes only not for an artistic merit, their main goal and priority is to make money out of them. They pick and choose artists who they know are easy to build upon and then sell to the public easily through their costume, public appearences etc....

Some common values or music stars are:

• Originality
• Rebellion
• Youthfulness
• Origininality
• Sexual magnestism
• An anti-authoritarian attitude
• Aggression/anger
• Creativity/talent
• A disregard for social values relating to drugs, sex and polite behaviour
• Conspicuous consumption of sex, drugs and material goods
• Success against the odds

Richard W.Dyer is a English academic specialising in cinema and was born in 1945. He started at the University of Warwick then in 2006 he became a Professor of Film Studies at 'Kings College London'. His work is described as ''Emphasising the aesthetic and historical specificity of cultural texts'.

His theory suggests that a 'stars' construction takes several forms:

    The star is....

1. A Construction
2. A Commodity
3. A Idealogy

 The star image is made up of a range of meanings which are attractive to the target audiences, ultimately the star image is disorded and incoherent  that is incomplete and 'open'.

According to Dyer this is based on Two Paradoxes.

Paradox 1

The 'star' must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer. This is because the 'star' themselves is ordinary so the public and consumer can relate to them. For example the way that they dress, not all artists dress in just expensive designer clothing, they mix it up by wearing high-street clothing as well and so the public can relate to them in this way as not everyone can afford the same luxiouries. A star being 'extra ordinary' enables the consumer something to asipre to being, for example how stars advertise themslves on the front of magezines and also performing in font of millions of people. This of course is extraordinary as the consumers aren't able to do this kind of stuff and live in this kind of way, its unimagible for a 'normal' person.

Paradox 2

The 'star' must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer. Because they are present the consumer can feel closer to the artist. A way that this is done is through the use of youtube and being able to post videos online for the public to use at anytime, also through the access to personal webpages. The 'star' being absent means that the consumers rarely see them in real life but they are able to access information about them and their lifes through modern day technology.

Hurtwood Media A2 - Jessie J Music Video Analysis

Establishing shot enabling the viewer to get an idea of the setting of the video and gain an understanding of the theme/idea behind the short clip.

The shot then moves on into the school itself where the viewer instantly understands the gist of what the story line of this video is. We can see the contrast between the main character (young Jessie) being in black and quite dark, to a cut to the pink group of girls. This colour itself is very girlie and the addition of the particular stance/body language connotes the power and shock of seeing the girl wearing such different, almost masculine clothing. The girls have been dressed in glamorous children’s clothing, they think their ‘the stars’ of the school.

In this shot we can visually see the immediate difference of all the characters through their appearance and dress. In addition to this the lyrics mimic the sarcky and mean jokes that they pull on her and, for example ‘Oh Jessie, you’re so funny, you’ve got teeth just like Bugs Bunny’.

Once she leaves this scene we get a understanding of her feelings and the power that she has been keeping inside of her. We understand this clearly through the adding of ‘Slow motion’ and the close-up up shot of her angry facial expression. This wide shot clearly shows the kid angry from being teased at school, which is a very normal thing for some people to happen to them. This show the gap from when she was a normal kid to her now being a famous star, and how she as a person relates to the ‘normal’ public.

The above shot is one of the main, ending scenes showing them all as a whole and a group, which implies that in the end we are all equal and that we all live as one. Nobody is in-perfect and this message of power and persistence is portrayed throughout not only the actions but mainly through the passionate and powerful lyrics of Jessie J’s young life.

Through talking about this personal experience it helps the listener and viewer to understand Jessie further and what she has been through to get where she is now; therefore making the artist/audience relation much stronger.

Hurtwood Media A2 - Powerpoint on Lana Del Rey

Powerpoint on LANA DEL REY

Video Games


Born To Die

Hurtwood Media A2 - Hopes and Expectations for this year

I have some personal aims for Media that I hope to achieve throughout the course of this year. By setting these I am able to have a clear idea of what it is that I have as a target and then drive towards and grantee having a successful, academic year.

From Media Studies I hope to be capable to achive the following:

1. To get the best grade possible, preferably an A or an A*
2. To continue to enjoy the subject and WANT to attend lessons
3. To understand the concepts and develop knowledge within the business sector

Hopefully I'm right in thinking that I am able to gain all of the above as long as I......

Manage my work Affectively

Come to lessons with a positive attitude

and

Listen well in class and ask any nessacessary questions to insure I understand fully.





Below I made a Pie Chart showing a visual representation of the previous AS year and the up and coming A2 year

There are two Main Sections to this course:

• Advanced Portfolio in Media (100 marks) 

this will involve producing a main artefact, two ancillary and an accompanying

blog containing your research, planning and evaluation materials.

• Critical Perspectives in Media (100 marks)

an exam in which you will need to show your understanding of media theory

as it applies to your own media product and apply it.

Hurtwood Media A2 - An Introduction to A2 course

I enjoyed studying Media Studies for the first time throughout my AS year because it was the first time that I had been taught properly about all aspects of the subject. In the past I had only taught myself minor 'hands-on' skills which, in comparison to what I know now, was painful as it took a lot longer than being told how to do it. Now I feel like I am able to go out and confidently use a camera, equipment or software.

The main area I really learnt about and found surprisingly interesting was the business side of the subject, which involved us learning about the Film Industry. Since this 'discovery' I have decided to explore the business side of other industries within the area of work that I want to pursue later in life.

Throughout my life I have always had a great interest in fashion and the industry that surrounds it, and when I hit my GCSE year I finally solidified this decision and made the big move from my previous school

 (of which I attended since nursery to my current place........Hurtwood House :)

Moving here has brought me that one step closer to reaching my goal of getting my foot into the fashion industry.
Much like the situation I had with Media, I haven't had the specific access to education in the area and as a result have had to attend additional courses in oder to get some teaching and then teach myself; which I didn't mind so much because its what I ultimately enjoy doing.

IJustReallyWantToGetOutAndGetGoing

Of course, I like to explore EVERYTHING to do with fashion as well as taking every opportunity that comes my way - (as with most things). The internet is a great source for hunting through subjects related to this area and I spend hours following through links, images and videos of endless, inspiring information. 




Twitter is a fab, instant website that I have daily access to through using my I-phone https://twitter.com/TillyGuttridge



As well as this I also spend far to much time scrolling through, 
which I admit can be extremely dangerous as I get hooked and tend to lose track of time.
http://tillyg.tumblr.com


At the moment I'm looking at Foundation Courses within the fashion industry itself and I hope to find the perfect, well-rounded year course which give me an insight into all the areas and possible unknown areas to me. Through doing this I hope to further my experience and later career as well as hopefully discovering what it truly is I'd like to do!

FINGERS CROSSED

everything will work out okay and I manage to do something I'd love to do.

I really think that studying Media Studies will really help me to pursue this career choice as I may not have been so inclined to have explored the 'Business' side to creative based subjects. Also part of this A2 year course involves studying 'Media in the online age', and this will overlap with some of the websites above as well as many more. So maybe I'll discover something else new which would be fabbbbbbb:)