How do you use new media technologies in the construction, research , planning and evaluation stages ?

What have i learned from my audiences feedback?

How Effective is the combination of your main media product and ancillary task?

Evaluation Question 2 Final by harry on Scribd

In what ways does your media product use, develop and challenge codes and conventions of real media products?

My Music Video Offers Many of the Similar Codes and Conventions Used in the R by harry on Scribd

Music Video. Preliminary task & First draft.

Poster- Misfortune Album

Digipak- Misfortune album

My Poster Draft Analysis

Nelly just a dream analysis

Nelly- Just a dream

The music video for Nelly just a dream is set in a fantasy world with many amazing and non-logical connotations denoted to the demographic. This ideology behind this is the fact the artist is telling a story; he is reminiscing on a previous relationship which he is not completely over.

The music video begins in a state of equilibrium in which many peaceful connotations are explored through the use of extreme close ups of the calm waves of the ocean and the sun rise,

A series of quick jump cuts switch the scene to the artist sitting in a floating car next to a very attractive female, both the male and female gaze theory can be connoted from the opening 15 seconds of the video as both characters including the artist are denoted as being two very attractive people. As the non-dietetic music begins to play the state of equilibrium is officially gone. This happens synergistic to the lyrics “it was only just a dream” signifying to the demographic the artist is still not over the female this song is about. A series of close ups denoted a juxtaposition in emotion as the character’s facial expression do not synergies with the beautiful environment he is currently in. as the character is sitting in the floating car a zoom in is used as the majority of the shot begins to blur. This ideology denotes the confusion the artist is currently feeling. The black and white filter used at this point in the feeling signifies darkness and the possible emptiness the character is feeling internally
.

At the start of the video the majority of the shots used where a low angled shot denoting the character as being top of the world now as this state of equilibrium has been broken the higher angled shots have been used looking down at the artist. On a connotative level the audience can encode the characters drop from being onto of the world to sinking to the bottom. One of the many codes and conventions of the R&b genre is Emotions brought on from the end of a relationship this has already been explored heavily in the early stages of the music video answering many enigmas the audience may have.

The next part of the music video jump cuts back the fantasy world with the floating car. At this point a long shot denotes the floating car in front of a giant rotating wedding ring. The fact that the audience are looking through this wedding ring denotes he wants them to relate to him on an emotional level this links to the uses and gratification theory as almost all the people listening to the song will be able to relate to it in some way or another. Having the car and the ring side by side denotes the two different outcomes he could have possibly had next to each other.

As the music video continues the video enters a much deeper state of disequilibrium in the final stages of the video both the car and the wedding ring are on fire. This ideology switches the dream to a nightmare and denotes the character coming back to reality.

The video ends with an extreme close up of the character crying followed by an extreme close up of the character’s eyes shattering connoting the character’s life has fallen apart.

Loud poster analysis

The following poster for Rhianna's album loud is a very simple yet effective poster following many of the typical codes and conventions of the R&B genre. Due to the element of class denoted though the vague yet strict colour scheme of red white and black. These three colours create a powerful and sophisticated image of the artist. The colour red is used as the colour of the artists hair. As the shot used is a medium shot in which has the artist in a central position this makes the artist stand out over the other colours giving Rhianna her own identity. The uniqueness of this picture is essential in attracting a new and fresh demographic.

The colour red also offers many deeper connotations leaving enigmas for the demographic to explore. Red is the colour of fire and hate and therefore is associated with many negative connotations such as anger, danger , hate and greed. Red however is also the colour of love and can be associated with things such as passion. the colour genuinely stimulates human emotion which could work to Rhianna's favour in ensuring she attracts a large audience to her Album.

As the image suggest the maze gaze theory as the artist who is a very attractive female. The image denotes the character lying in a field of hay with a large amount of cleavage on show. This ideology is a very effective way of attracting a male audience to buying the album.

The remainder of the poster is very plain and dark. The big , bold , white font placed on top of the black background ensures the artists name stands out, after all the artist is one of the main reasons people purchase albums. with Rhianna having such a high popularity it is essential to ensure her name and face are the most obvious things on the poster as people will buy the album just from seeing the name.

Digipak Sketch

Craig David

Craig David by harry on Scribd

Target Audience

The choice of song we decided on is the main component to who our target audience is supposed to be. The choice of Johnny, sang by Craig David means that the video will target RnB enthusiasts as this is a RnB Song known on a world wide scale. The song has a very emotional aspect based on an important relevant issue in society today and therefore it opens the door to people who may not normally listen to this genre of music.

To truly identify with the audience, I decided to do some research into Craig David and his recent liste

ning statistics. After looking at many reliable sources including books purchased from amazon prime we came to the conclusion that The main demographic for Craig David is YOUNG MEN. This is a very interesting statistic as it allows us to produce our video to their requirements.

Craig David is currently touring the Uk and we can confidently believe the majority of ticket purchase will be from the young male demographic.

We are targeting people of a Social grade E in order to ensure the music and video can be fully relatable or engaging for the majority of the target audience.

Focus Group

Focus Group by harry on Scribd

Intertexuality

InterTextUality by harry on Scribd

Editing techniques I developed

Record Label

Record Label by harry on Scribd

Questionnaire Analysis

Analysis of Questionnaire (1) by harry on Scribd

Props and Costume list

Props and Costumes by harry on Scribd

Public Enemy Poster analysis (How RnB Hip hop artists are simialr)

Poster 3

The following poster is from hip hop and R&B duo Public Enemy’s album” it takes a nation of millions to hold us back”. Many of the typical codes and conventions of this genre are both subverted and conformed in the post and these will be explored throughout this essay.

 

The first main speaking point on this poster is the medium close of the two artists behind bars used as the main image. The denotation of the two characters in a cell is a very significant conformation of the codes and conventions of this genre as hip hop  artists are genuinely stereotyped as living a life of crime and being a part of the social class D/E. The ideology of this image could connote that the artists are being unfairly treated and as the title suggests they might be a “public enemy” connoting that everyone is against them for whatever reason. Secondly the two artists are denoted as wearing “Chavy” like clothing which is also a big countertype of this music genre. The inspiration behind the clothing could suggest that the two artists may have in fact been brought up with a rough childhood filled with crime and violence however the synergetic relationship between them and the title could be suggestive of the fact that this is just an image that society has given them. Just because they wear the denoted clothing does not mean they should be signified as criminals and yobs.

The second significant part of the main image is the giant clock in which is placed around one of the characters necks. This clock could be a symbol of the reoccurring issues the two characters face during their life. The clock denotes both a beginning and an end for the two characters but just like a clock, there same beginning and end keeps haunting them. This could connote that the two artists keep making the same mistakes in their life which is why they feel like they need to lock their self away however it could also connote they keep making the same mistakes which will eventually leave them with a life of imprisonment. This ideology has been used as it enables the audience to relate to the artists in all different ways, this links to the uses and gratifications theory as both Criminal or discriminated people will be able to relate to the artists situation and possibly music

Situated down the bottom right hand side of the screen is the title of the album in which reads “it takes a nation of millions to hold us back”. The title is in red writing which connotes many different interpretations to the target demographic. The first being anger and the relationship that this has with blood and fire. This ideology is synergetic with the main image as the red maybe connoting to the audience that the two characters are angry with the way they have been treated throughout their life. However this ideology could also be connoting strength and leadership which completely juxtaposes the main image this is because this ideology could be suggesting that the characters are proud of how far they have become and are proud of the strength they have shown throughout their challenging lives

The final important ideology on this poster is the artist’s names and the deeper connotations within the colours they have chosen to use. The three colours the artists have chosen include green and dark yellow which are common colours used within the military. The logo next to it also connotes military resemblance through the denotation of the sniper scope looking at a disorientated silhouette. The military denotations connote to the audience that the artists may have spent their lives fighting their own private battles which is the possible inspiration behind the music furthermore this could suggest that the ideology behind them being in a cell connotes that they have spent their  whole life locked away fighting a deep internal battle they cannot escape from. This album could be the artists way of sharing all of the deep problems they faced and how they overcome them which seems to be a reoccurring theme within this genre of music conforming many of the stereotypes in which are put upon this genre of music.

 

 

 

 

 

Eminem Poster Analysis

Eminem- Recovery    Poster 1

The Following Poster is from Eminem’s album “Recovery” The first denotation observed by the demographic is the establishing shot of the long road ahead of the artist who is pictured through a long shot by himself in the bottom left of the screen. This ideology can be connoted in numerous ways by the audience however the idea of the artist walking by himself illustrates to the demographic that artist feels alone. The road he is walking on also seems to be never ending, on a connotative level this idea denotes to the audience that artist situated on the screen maybe facing numerous problems in his life alone, problems in which he feels like he is never going to get over. One of the Codes and conventions of the hip hop genre is artists speaking about genuine issues they have experienced in their life. Eminem has conformed these codes and conventions through his use of the image as he is denoting to the audience that he just wants to be alone in his music. The thought of him facing this alone could link to the use and gratifications theory of personal identity as his listeners could sympathise with him. This main image could also be him giving a message to his fans, telling them that he is lonely and only has them to tell his problems to hence the new album. The long shot of the blurry signs in back ground of the poster also give the same representations to the target audience. The idea of the signs being blurry may indicate that the artists thinking is very disorientated and that he doesn’t have a clear idea of what the future may hold for him also compared to the trees surrounding him Eminem looks significantly smaller, This denotation connotes to the audience that the artist feels a lot smaller than the problems he is facing and could also mean he feels he is unable to face his problems other than musically.

The second significant part of the poster is the big, bold heading located on the top right of the image. Firstly the Artists name is in a big and bold font and is the colour black. This is the only black writing on the whole of the poster. The idea having the artists name linked with such a dark colour could be a connotation of the artist’s inner feelings while writing this album. The colour black connotes darkness and emptiness; in this case this could mean that the artist has been left feeling empty and worthless. The dark colour represents the colour of his soul. The name of the album is placed under the name artists although they have synergistic fonts this text is in white with a red cross used instead of the O. The red cross and the title “recovery” denote to the audience that this album may in fact be about the artists recovery from a bad phase in his life. The red hospital cross has been used to symbolize the artists growth from bad to good state, just like a patient in a hospital who is getting better from illness. This thought synergises with the bright blue sky at the top of the screen. The sky’s denotation is blue and clear, this connotes that the artist is on his way to bigger and better things, the long shot denoting the darkness in the sky also connotes that the artist is over the world times and this album is a reflection of that.

 

Through the long shot of the character the target demographic are able to make their own interpretation of the character and the relevance that has to the hip hop genre. The character in the film is seen wearing old, tattered and lower quality clothing allowing the audience to denote he is of a low social class. This conforms the serotype that artist of the hip hop and rap genres are gangsters or lower class. However many of the artists associated with this genre are normally denoted as being rich and of a higher social class.  so this advert also subverts the typical serotypes as Eminem clearly is not at that social level.

Jay-z Poster Analysis

Jay-Z – Blueprint. Poster 2

 



 This poster is from Jay-z’s album blueprint. The denotation of this poster is the artist smoking a large cigarette. The Target demographic can make many different connotations from this image which will be explored in this analysis.

Firstly the main image is a high angled shot looking down at the artist. The audience immediately get the interpretation that the artist is the dominate antagonist in the picture through the intimating look he is using to look at the people in the corner. This ideology is supported as only the shoes of anyone else are shown; the artist is the only person on the screen at a time. The high angled shot denoting this connotes to the audience that the artist has much more significance than anyone in the image hence only their feet are shown. One of the many codes and conventions of this music genre is drugs and money. Jay Z has confirmed this codes and conventions in his album as he is denoted smoking what seems to be some form or self rolled cigarette. This image has been used on a connotative level as these main images could have been used to enlighten the audience of possible issues the artist he may have faced throughout this life thus the drug use. The artist’s pure black attire could also be used to connote the darkness in which lies within the artist,, he who which gets over these issues by writing music about it. Thirdly the artist is seen to be wearing Black sunglasses although the lighting is very desiderated and dark. This ideology could suggest to the demographic that the artist does not want the audience to see the pain and hurt in his eyes. Jay Z is doing his best to express his feelings in this album but does not want to subvert the very common stereotype in this genre which suggests the artists are big and tough and do not feel emotion.

However the images denoted in the bottom right poster offer a very different connotation to the audience. The audience have a bird’s eye view of what seems to be musical equipment situated in the bottom right of the screen. The saturated light shining on this equipment denotes this is something the artist wanted the audience to see. At first jay z is being represented as a drug addict thug however this album poster may be his way of telling his audience to think of him because of the music he makes rather than the drugs he takes. This connotation is explored further through the use of the white font for the artists name and album title, the colour white connotes innocence and purity, Although it is clear from the images jay z is far from that however these colours could suggest that he does not want the audience judging him for his out of music actions.

Chris Brown- Grass aint greener analysis

329331535 Grass Aint Greenr by harry on Scribd

Poster 1

Chris brown is one of the world’s highest selling artists the album covers for his album say goodbye gives many different denotations about the artist. The first denotation in which can be encoded by the target demographic is the medium close up of the artist himself wearing a white and black suit. These two colours give two very different connotations about the artist. Firstly, the colour white connotes purity and cleanliness. These ideologies signify how the artist looks on the outside this is encoded further as on the onside of the artist’s white jacket is a black top which the audience can decode as connoting the artist being empty inside. The two colours juxtapose each other allowing the audience to make their own interpretation of the artist. However, revealed in the image artist is wearing a belt with a very large prominent gold buckle. Gold is a very prestigious metal as very luxury connotations alongside it. The colour many signify a life of luxury the artist is living on the other hand the dark colour centre of the buckle may suggest the long journey It took the artist to reach this high level of fame. The facial expression of the character also offers numerous connotations about the artist. As the image suggests the artist is either giving an unhappy or Angry denotation this is synergistic with the title “Say goodbye” as on a connotative level this album maybe the artist expressing his disappointment at having to let someone he loves go.

In the background two large stereo sets are denoted to the audience. A medium shot denotes the artist standing in front of these stereos with a microphone in his hand these ideologies connote the musical synergy to the artists rise to fame. The prominence of these musical instruments is a clear signification that music is the character’s life and without it he would not have reached the level of success he has reached today.

DigiPak first draft

Narrative theory- My music video

Narrative Theory Johnny by harry on Scribd

Music Video Analyisis 1

Krept and Konans song falling is very different hip hop/rnb song subverting many of the codes and conventions of this genre. Many audience members associate this genre with crime; money and drug use however this song is a love song discussing the artist’s deep love for women. The many connotations in which can be seen through the music video will be analysed in this essay.

Although this is not a specific RnB song. many codes and conventions and hidden connotations shown in this music are very similar to other songs within this genre. The music video opens with a medium shot of a dark room on desaturated light where a hour glass is placed on an old wooden table. Roland Barthes Enigma code theory is connoted during this early of the music video as the audience are unable to connote the true meaning behind this, but on a denotative level this ideology could have huge relevance to how the artists are feeling. For example the hour class could represent the eternal passage of time, it is  a reminder that life is not ever lasting and that all good and bad things come to an end. This is relevant to the music video as this could be a connotation for how the artists are feeling about this song. The hourglass connotes that they feel like the time with a girl is coming to an end.



 A fade to black then switches the scene to a close of up one of the artists with his hands in his lap having deep thoughts. This shot is synergist to the hour glass denotation as it 

connotes the artist thinking about how the relationship is not working out, the following diagetic sound is then said “i know them scars aint healed and they won’t” this line shows the artist is expressing the psychological pain he or her may have faced in a previous relationship. He is saying that this pain is still present and is not healing However the following line “you say you don’t trust men and I’m about to prove you right” connotes that the artist is going to add to the insecurities the girl may already have which juxtaposes the hourglass ideology discussed before. This is because the connotations behind the hour could be connoting how it is only a matter of time before he hurts the girl and although she wants him he is happily confessing his is no different to the guy who hurt her before.

A jump cut then changes to an extreme close up of a tree this connotation is the artists way of describing this girl without saying anything. The tree ideology denotes that the girl is has great beautiful and offers him stability, good fortune and shelter. The male gaze theory is then used to attract the target demographic as an attractive women is placed on the centre of the screen and tilting shot shows her body to the audience.

A montage shot then shows the couple spending quality time together. The words “don’t want to be without you” are then by the artist and jump cut then switches the scene back to the hour glass where this time  the couple are sat at that wooden table holding hands around the same hourglass. This ideology conforms the connotations discussed above as this image signifies that the two of them don’t want this relationship to end but know its only a matter of time before one of them hurts the other. At this point the hour glass is half way through connoting there is not much happy time left in this relationship.

The music video then changes to a close of the artist with a large angry frown on his face preaching the line “Its all good until your dumb friends get involved” in this line the artist is expressing his deeper  feelings for the relationship . This line can be expressed in all different situations as Konan is saying people aren’t the same when they’re around certain people. He feels like her sharing the situation with her friends is doing more harm than good this is synergistic with his facial expression shown through a close up as he is clearly upset and annoyed. The artist thanks “God that he sent” her because she is more than a love she is his friend too. Juxtaposing is anger but conforming to the demographic he cares more than he said before.

The scene then changes to a series of black and white flash backs looking back at the good times within the relationship. Similar connotations are explored throughout the music video however the video ends with a shot denoting the same hour glass from the start of the music video. Although Krept and Konan have expressed how they are feeling and all there intentions to the demographic the hour is glass is still yet to empty.  This gives the final connation to the audience that although everything comes to end if someone wants to make it work then it will last a lot longer.

Questionaire

Please click the link below for my questionnaire


https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YDYJP8L

Copyright request

The following image will show an email i sent to the producers and copyright holders of Craig davids song Jonny. This email was to request use of there song for my A2 media production.