Hurtwood Media A2 -Task 2

Preparation for our Presentation

Writing up a script and answering questions

Hurtwood Media A2 - DigiPak complete

 

For the front cover we chose a group photograph of the girls all dressd up in their performance costume, connoting a classy and fashionable appearence. To make the cover look much more professionable and exclusive, we edited the original image in PHOTOSHOP which enabled us to use tools such as spot removal and also create layers to improve the photo in multiple ways. 

The font that we chose for the bands name we used Apple Cherry. For the album name we decided to go for a different font as this is a conventional aspect to which matches our band, therefore giving it a signature font. This font is called Courier New.

To give it a 3D effect we used tools such as bevel and emboss.

 

 

For the back image we decided to put a Black and White filter ontop of the chosen image and then a contrasting pink fabric strip of which was a backing for the song name. We did this to emphasize and capture the attention of the auidence,

drawing their eye to the key elements relating to the songs that are on the album.

 

I challenged the conventions of traditional album covers by making the choice to have the writing on the side bar vertical instead of horizontal. Through doing this it gives our band a slightly less mainstream image and make them more interesting.

 

 

 

Inside the CD case, on the CD holding side I chose to have an image of the Lens of a  Camera, upon this image the CD will be placed. By doing this the CD will be tinsist on the fasion side of our band's image and the further theme of voyeurism.

 I cropped this off a photo of a camera that we took on the day of the shoot of our music video so that you can slightly see the stage reflected in the lens. I placed it on a pink/purple background that I edited using the texture tool on photoshop to make it more fun, vibrant and girly thus reaching to our target audience.

Hurtwood Media A2 - Task 1

Conventions in Our Music Video

A music video is a prime oppportunity to promote an aritst AND each individual member of the band.
To do this we shot a lot of close-up shots of the girls, especially the main singer. This element therfore CONFORMS to the CONVENTIONS of a music video due to the fact that it helps to create a sexualised symbol of the artist. This was influenced by multiple artists as its a key aspect that almost all musicians use.



A key comparison of this could be our influenced band 'Girls Aloud'
Here, one of the main singers has a close-up similar to ours -

 



It is clear that our Music Video is FULL of INTERTECUAL REFERENCES to Robert Palmer's video 'Addicted to Love'

 



 

 

 

The majority of the INTERTEXTUAL REFERENCES envolve the connection to Fashion, for example as shown below we have close-up shots of shoes and the photo shoot. this CONFORMS to the conventions of most music videos due to the common refernence to the fashion elements such as costume and props.

 

Music and fahion are both industries that

work closely together and usually run inline with one another.

 

 



 

 

According to Pete Fraser and Steve Archer:

 

'Not all audiences will necessarily spot a reference and this need not significantly detract from their pleasure in the text itself, but grater pleasure might be delivered by those who recognise the reference and feel flattered by this'.

 

 

Very similar to Robert Palmers theme, we of course, set the idea of voyeurism to be our main objective. The use of MALE GAZE is very prominent as it creates the sexy star image that we orignally envisioned and focussed on emphasizing these elements throughout. 

We did this by shooting close-up's of different ody area's (shown above). This is simliar to a close-up taken from Robert Palmer's video where they have a shot of one of the girls chest.

 

This CONFORMS to the CONVENTIONS of a music video due to it appealing to both female and male audience. The males watch a video like this for obvious reasons, the girls are attractive and sexy. Whereas woman watch a video like this as they aspire to be like the band memebers, they have a visualisation to look like them, attractive and a person of interest to men. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurtwood Media A2 - Task 1

In what way do your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Screen shot of our website page in progress!!! 

Here are two inspirational websites that we've used as a visual reference and template. mainly because they are both girl bands and portray similar interests to our own band 'REPORTAGE'.
I must admit that 'The Saturdays' consist many more qualities then those of 'Stooshe', neither-the-less we are still able to use some of their aspects to improve our own.

• From looking at these similar websites you can see that they all share the same media conventions, for example a group shot of them all - giving the viewer a visual understanding and connection - top banner and of course obvious Band name.

                                            ^

^ This connotes quite a general 'girl band' look.

• An aspect of our whole band throughout the overall production was exploring and portraying the element of 'Voyeurism' and 'Male Gaze' and from looking at these other girl bands it is as if they are doing the same, especially The Saturdays - them being topless and seductive. Like our girls they are working on the females strengths and bringing attention to their looks and emphasizing their body features. By including the inset images the viewers capture them quite close-up, especially with the cheeky wink ;D

This element of Voyeurism plays a large

part in music videos. 

Goodwin argues that: "the female performer is frequently objectified in this fashion often through a combination of camerawork and editing with fragmented body shots emphasising a sexual treatment of the star".

• The use of the colour Purple is also a very important aspect to our website and look as it does indeed have a deeper meaning, some infact reflect our band:

 

Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind.

Purple has been used to symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color.  Purple is the color most favored by artists.

Hurtwood media A2 - Task 1 'In what way do your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?'

In what way do your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Throughout our pre-production design concepts you will see that our initial intention was different to our final, chosen image. Our album cover features the girl band as mid shots , we really like the image and thought it would be a waste if we weren't to use it to a potential.

We have been influenced by many stereotypical band groups due to this particular set-up and style being very conventional.
As you can see our cover design has been greatly influenced by multiple artists.

• The background of our digipak cover we've kept very simple and light; the reason for this is quite obvious. Having this brightness ensures the viewers eye is captured from a distance as well as them being able to clearly see the band members. By doing this there is no distraction from the main focus - this being our band members of course.

• As you can see from above, there are many artists and bands that have influenced our desgin majorly. As I stated before this is because this style is very conventional for bands. Each girl is wearing the red lipstick that we painted on them and is a key concept that we have applied throughout the production of 'Reportage'. The girls look very comfortable and belonging together however I do think it would have been nice if they were dressed in their performance wear. Despite this I really feel like the cover is very strong and portrays the overall feel of the band.
• Like the Saturdays costume on their cover, we've gone for more of a casual and individual look for each of the girls, giving them each an identity that is unique and can be connected to them.
•  It is notice able that 'The Saturdays' cover is more light summery and casual. However we gave our cover a smarter touch to it, with our band in smart/sexy dresses. This also was an impact in enhancing the idea of 'male gaze' to our cover attracting people from the 'sexy' of the cover. We also enhanced some parts of the image on the cover to make it a little more obvious, we made the girl in the centre 'Dayana', wear a low cutting dress and give a smouldering look. This was to also enhanced our use of 'male gaze'.

A link to our complete 'Reportage' website

is below!

http://genevievecorich.wix.com/repotage1