New music video - finished

Yay! Enjoy

Evaluation Question 1

Evaluation Question 2

http://popplet.com/app/#/2479153

Evaluation Question 3

Creating The Advert

In order to make the complete advert, we went through a number of stages before it was finalised. After taking a selection of photos at Southbank, it was decided as a group that we all really liked this picture. The side profile compliments Alex's features, a front view may be too harsh.

For the advert, we wanted to achieve a vibrant look. 

 

This is was the first attempt which came out well, however it was too simplistic and we wanted to achieve a more lively image. There was too much empty space Alex, so I cropped the image.

As a group we decided that we should stick to the comic book effect which would add to the visual appeal. 

However, the whole process was not easy as we went through two possible adverts before the finalised one.

We felt that this picture wasn't what we were looking for - she looked washed out and plain. Ultimately, we decided to try another approach. Finding a tutorial with helpful step by step procedures.

After finding the perfect tutorial and obtaining the desired look, we went through a series of processes on choosing the artist's brand identity. We then played around with different looks by altering the colour and intensifying the colour of her lips, eye-liner and eyebrows.

Exploring the fonts allowed us to find the perfect comic book effect we were looking for.

Finally, we added a review and music idents like "spotify" and "itunes" which were places the consumer could listen to their music. This idea worked better as it is eye-catching and all the colours compliment each other well. The unique look would encourage the consumer to look the artist up, which is any artist's goal besides purchasing the music.

Evaluation Question 4

https://app.emaze.com/@ALLROCTQ/evaluation-question-4

Album Art Exercise

Mysterious Galaxy - Recreate the world (my own front cover)

I randomly generated the image, the title, and found a section of a random quote. This created a whole digipak cover through editing on photoshop.

The title is blurred to induce the idea of mystery and lucidity. The clouds represent that the sky's the limit, and nothing is impossible. The water illustrates natural elements and how nature is boundless, therefore you can "recreate the world." I chose that quote because it allows the audience to feel as if they can recreate themselves, and transcend into the album's music.

Constructing The Digipak

After a having a look  at a range of different photos, the decision was made to choose this picture. The side profile complements Alex's feature's and would look quite like a typical comic book angle.

Cropping the mixture to Digipak size was important also, as this is essential when constructing a typical Digipak frame.

Adding a speech bubble contributed to the pop-art/comic theme our music video was going for.

 The "Spotify" and "intunes" images makes the overall look seem more realsitic and professional. By cutting out the image retrieved from Google, I managed to place them on top of the final image. However, as seen below, the icons was made smaller as it looked as if it was apart of the "Cool Kids" image - they're separate icons which are associated with the music industry.




The photoshop experience was new, however it was a learning process. Downloading the desired font which fit perfectly with our theme was worthwhile, although Photoshop has a number of fonts, we couldn't quite agree on what looked entirely right.

Adding a spotty filter, and using positurise the desired effect was created. Also, altering the colours achieve a not so overly bright look was important. We didn't want our Digipak to very pop as the genre is indie-pop - so a baby blue was the perfect mixture.

The background further emphasised the comical character Alex is trying to represent - she is an animated and enthusiastic character so the whole idea came together well.

Advert Feedback

Created with Padlet

Finished Digipak

New Audience Feedback

Advert

Editing The Music Video

The editing process was quite intimidating at first as I was not that advanced with how to edit well. However, before I began to experiment on how to advance my music video, I focused on timing. Making sure that Alex was on time with the singer is important. The shot changes at the beginning were the same, and quite long. After editing the whole verse, I went back and cut some shots and included faster paced shots, and jump cuts. This made the video more exciting, rather than staying on one level. 

Furthermore, I decided that creating four boxes will also add more interest into our music video. Therefore, I made each shot of the box small, and placed them into four squares. In addition, following a YouTube tutorial I created a cartoon effect which will contribute to the style of our digipak. Using flash transitions, and fire burns increased the overall visual appeal.

Rough Cut: Audience Feedback

Created with Padlet

Rough Cut

New Girl: Day 4

The fourth day brought forth the typical brick wall. Although it is simple, it was an effective look which exaggerates her solo career. It involved Alex singing into the mic, and filming mainly in medium shot. A woman comes along and she sees Alex singing and offers her a card, for a photo shoot session in London. 

New Girl: Day 5 of Filming, Last and Final day

The last and final day, was my favourite day of all. We visited Southbank and spotted a beautiful, artistic wall. Southbank is famous for their “BFI” cinema and bar. The artistic place was a perfect way to end our video. Many pictures and photoshoot like pictures were taken, and we all enjoyed ourselves. We learned that to create a good music video, starts from creativity, spontaneity along with planning. Enjoying ourselves and what we do was key to bring the best out of our female lead.

New Girl: Day 3

For the third day, the decision was made to film in the band room. Again, the day went smoothly as it was carefully planned that shots of Alex playing the instrument was key. She begins experimenting with instruments, seeing where she fits in. At the beginning, it was difficult and discouraging, but she soon gets the basic flow of things. After failing to recruit members of her band, she decides to become a one woman band, she doesn’t need others to prove that she is “cool.” 

New Girl: Day 2

The second day went slightly smoother as it was more carefully planned; we were more familiar with the types of shots and angles we wanted to use according to our story line. Alex is waiting for people to audition to be in a “cool,” band. Her enthusiasm soon becomes exhausted as she is disheartened that nobody shows up. After we filmed this, we were more confident in the direction the music video was going. My camera work, planning and organisation skills certainly were strengthened. Using the dolly was the highlight of the day.

New Girl: Day 1 of Filming

The first day of filming went rather well, much better than our previous first attempts with another star. Although we were not completely certain on the direction we were heading, we let our spontaneity lead us. As soon as the camera started recording, we knew that our audience would be thrilled about our charismatic female. The only problem that held us back a little bit is that Alex didn't seem like she knew the lyrics that well, but we knew as soon as she does, she will be a great performer. 

Animatic

Storyboard

Spice Girls/Brand Identity/Marketing an image

Bands are created ultimately to reach out to an audience, whether it was to gain money and success or pure recognition and appreciation for their music. However, when creating a band, there needs to be a number of areas which need to be discussed:

Advertising

Advertising is key, synergy ensures a partnership that would benefit two parties. For example, someone who likes The Spice Girls will most likely pick these bag of crisps simply because one/or more of their faces are on them. The society we live in relies on the visual aspect when making decisions. 

Creating an album/singles

The music is important to an extent. If a band already has an established fan base, they could release mediocre music and the fan base will buy it regardless. However, as an artist or group of artist, it is vital to not just sustain your current fan base but encourage it to grow. 

The visual appeal/marketing an image

The image is probably one of the most crucial part of the mainstream industry. The way the consumers decide whether they like something, is through observation. Therefore the girls are going to be attractive, and wear clothes which 

Expression of ideas/emotions

This relates to image, their lyrics should represent their image and what they stand for. There needs to be a correlation that the audience can connect and familiarise themselves with. This becomes difficult when the second or third album is due as there needs to be something different, but at the same time, keep the vibe the fanbase fell for.

In the 1990s Bob Herbert, Chris Herbert and Lindsey Casbon created a girl band which would compete with mainstream boy bands. They recognized the industry had a market for a girl band. There was an advertisement in “The Stage trade magazine” asking whether if any 18-23 year old had the talent to sing and dance. Moreover, the boy bands were popular amongst not just girls, but boys also. Boys imitated the members’ style, such as hair clothes, sometimes the slang words they would pick up for them. If this influence was available for boys, so would a girl band.

The Spice Girls clothes were chosen for them, to represent their chosen character type.

Victoria embraced the sophisticated slim and slender style, whereas Mel B was the feisty one, wearing leopard print clothing. Geri would adopt the style of red pants, and often a bra. Mel C represented the more “tomboy,” sport-related look.

...

Marketing an image 

The peculiar costumes appeal to a wide ranges of audiences. Many consider her work "art." Some saw her Gaga’s video as a liberation for one in a capitalist society. The imagery in the music video are extremely provocative – the costume, props, the shots and pace of editing. She shows the industry reducing her to a sexual object, the men in the video surrounding her as she poses and moves sexually. The Mise-en-scene is rather decorative, especially with the floating diamonds. It could illustrate purity, but it is frozen, showing the glamorisation of the 21^st century sex appeal in the industry. Additionally, the high camera angle of Lady Gaga looking more natural shows the vulnerability of women. The manufactured figures also look like the shaping of women, and the “plastic” image the industry promotes.

History of the Pop Video

Bing Crosby 

Bing Crosby was one of the biggest stars in the world in the 1940s. Harry Lillis Crosby became when of American’s most popular entertainers of all time. He was shown all over radio, movies and television; he was definitely well known during his time. Throughout his music career, he dominated the music charts with almost 300 hundred hit singles. He launched a radio show as well as winning Academy Award for “Going My Way” in 1994.

Crosby’s laid back personality and smooth vocal style won over his fans. He was born into a working class family (fourth of seven children) which appealed to a wide range audience, admiring his humbleness.

He managed to tackle the “Big Screen,” by the early 1930s, signing a contract with Paramount Pictures. He had a slim frame and protruding ears, but his smoothness and charm quickly attracted the film audience. Crosby starred in comedies such as “Here is my Heart,” alongside Kittie Carlisle, and “Anything Goes,” with Ethel Merman. He and his company utilised synergy by starring in “Pennies from Heaven,” which in turn gave him a hit single with the title. Not only was he good with his fans, but also with the business aspect.

The career of the young Harry Lillis Crosby continued to flourish. His peak was during the 1940s. He co-starred with the comedian Bob Hope in “Road Pictures.” The two were a dynamic pair and formed a genuine connection off screen which his fans admired. They remained friends throughout their lives and appeared in a number of films together. Dorothy Lamour became their female lead, making “Road,” movies together.

Later on, he won his one and only Academy Award win for his dramatic role in “The Bells of St Mary.” Crosby was the top box office star from 1944-1957. He still remains one of the top grossing film performers. Continuing his career, he appeared in musicals such as the 1954’s “White Christmas,” with Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. In the same year, he played an alcoholic character in “The Country Girl,” showcasing his acting abilities. Grace Kelly played his wife. Two years later, both of them performed for a musical comedy “High Society,” along with fellow crooner Frank Sinatra.

 

During his final years, he began to focus more on the small screen. He attempted to start his own comedy, the “Bing Crosby Show,” however, it was short-lived. In the 1970s he performed with David Bowie, he also enjoyed making guest appearances in programs like “The Tonight Show.”

Harry Lillis Crosby passed away on October 14, 1977 – suffering from a heart attack. His family, fans and long term friend Bob Hope were devastated. Hope said that “if friends could have been made to order, I would have asked for one like Bing.”

Frank Sinatra

Sinatra is one of the most popular entertainers to date. He rose to fame by singing in big band numbers. During the 1940s and 50s he had an array of hit songs and albums. They managed to appear on a number of films. His Oscar for “From Here to Eternity,” proves his success. Sinatra had numerous iconic singles like “Love and Marriage,” and “New York, New York.” 

His influence and decision to sing comes from watching Bing Crosby perform. He also nurtured his vocal abilities by being a member of the glee club, and regularly sang at night clubs. Through Radio exposure, bandleader Harry James brought his attention to the young Sinatra. He made his first recordings with him, releasing “All or Nothing at All.” In the 1940s, Tommy Dorsey welcomed Sinatra to join his band. After two years, he decided he want to pursue a career solo.

Between the years of 1943 and 1946, Sinatra’s solo career began to blossom as he managed to chart 17 different top 10 singles. His charisma encouraged his fans to give him nicknames such as “The Voice,” and “The Sultan of Swoon.”

“Higher and Higher,” was Sinatra’s movie acting debut. He won a Academy Award for “The House I Live In.” It is a shot 10 minute film made to promote racial and religious tolerance. The popularity of Sinatra began to slide in the post-war days, unfortunately he lost his recording and film contracts in the early 1950s. However, 3 years later he made a comeback, winning an Oscar fro his character;; an Italian American soldier “Maggio,” in “From Here to Eternity.” Even though this was his first role without singing, he received a recording contract with Capitol Records.

After regaining his success, he received critical acclaim from “The Manchurian Candidate,” and an Academy nomination for “The Man with the Golden Arm.” Despite his ability to quickly regain success, he left Capitol to establish his own record label, “Reprise (in association with Warner Bros.). Additionally, he set up his own independent film company, “Artanis.” 

In the mid-1960s, Sinatra received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and headlined the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival. He was the main attraction at Caesar’s Palace. Sinatra was the founding member of the “Rat Pack,” with Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. He epitomized the womanizing, drinking and swinger image.

Becoming more politically active allowed him to create the album “Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back.” Sinatra visited the White House, campaigning for Franklin D. Roosevelt. He worked for John F. Kennedy’s election and later supervised his inaugural gala in Washington. However, by the 1970s, Sinatra abandoned his Democratic loyalties and embraced the republican Party, supporting Richard Nixon. Nixon presented Sinatra with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian award.)

Sinatra was accused f relying on mob ties by author Kitty Kelley, which to some extent diminished his career. He last performed in 1995 at the Palm Desert Marriot Ballroom in California.

Elvis Presley

Presley endured a vast amount of fame during the 1950s, all on the radio, TV and the silver screen. He is arguably one of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll. He was raised in a working class environment, which appeals to the working class audience. Presley received his first guitar from his mother when he turned 11. Presley had a taste of success through winning a talent show at Humes High School in Memphis. After he graduated, he worked a number of jobs alongside pursuing a career in music. Sam Phillips decided to take him. He started touring and recording, and brought out his first single “That’s All Right Mama.”

His first album, “Love Me Tender,” which was a box office hit. Presley served the Army, in Germany for a year and a half. After he left Europe, his mother died and he was granted a leave and returned for her funeral. Although he was deeply saddened, he returned to his duty. During his time in the army, he met Priscilla Beaulieu.

In the 1960s, the career of Elvis Presley was resumed; he was back on the charts with the soundtrack for his film “GI Blues.” He continued to act in films sich as “Blue Hawaii,” “Girls! Girls! Girls!” and “Viva Las Vegas.” The films and soundtracks made a good profit despite them being a “hit or miss.”  By the end of the 60s, he began losing his appeal. But he still was the “King of rock ‘n’ roll.” He named his comeback, the “68 comeback.”

However, his career started to deteriorate once his marriage with Priscilla started falling apart. He began wrestling his addiction to prescription drugs and was hospitalised. Despite his problems, he remained touring in Las Vegas on tour. His last performance was on June 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Beatles

The Beatles took the world by storm. It wasn’t just their pop vocals, it was their clothes and hairstyles which changed a generation. They released their first single in 1962, and their album the following year. They started playing in Liverpool, their home town and were previously called “The Quarrymen.” John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison were guitarists. After successfully impressing the pop legend Elvis Presley, he invited McCartney to join “Heartbreak Hotel,” Then the rest followed, alongside John’s fiend from Art College, Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best.

They toured Germany, Hamburg and a number of places in Europe. Stuart met his girlfriend in Germany Astrid Kirchherr. She had influenced the Beatles “mop” hairstyles and collarless suits. Sadly, Stuart died from a brain haemorrhage in 1962. Pete Best was kicked out of the band, and Ringo Starr replaced him. That same year, they signed a recording contract wit producer George Martin and made “Love Me Do.”

They toured all over England, and released their first number one “Please Please Me.” They played for the royal family at the Prince of Wales Theatre on November 4^th, 1963. The Beatles not only dominated England, but America too. As soon as they touched America, they mad television History. 73 million people watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Sho. Their first movie was “A Hard Day’s Night.” Many people bought their merchandise, whether it was records, clothes, posters etc.

The Beatles craze was referred to as “Beatlemania.”