Analysis of digipack covers

Analysis of Christina Aguilera digipack cover

These pictures are taken from the Christina Aguilera album 'stripped'. This artist would be described in the genre 'pop' which is the same as 'Lily Allen'. In researching this album we hope to achieve an idea of how a cover should look like in this genre. This cover is effective because it is plainly bold. It doesn't seem to try and grab your attention as much as some others in the genre with bunting colours but seems already established.

The black and white photography used make a more artistic image and suggest creativity. In fact the colours used in pop are normally so vibrant that a greytone actually stands out yet still connecting with the older more adult audience.

The Cd is a plain black with the tittle and artist name written on the top in a relitivly small font. This image ties in with the idea of the album of being 'stripped' to the bear essentials and works well.

The back cover uses a small font again with a large image. The contrast makes it seem plainer aswell as the greytone which is found throughout. The picture quality is good though so it reflects the artists ambitions

Analysis of Britney Spears digipack cover

This cover is taken from Britney spears' 'Circus' album. It is evident that she has used the theme of a circus in her image here. The typography is typical of this theme with the red and yellow colours we associate with a circus tent. There is also stars around the edge which emphisise this all american circus theme. The curtain used for a background is also a prop used in the circus although it is gold here which adds some femininity to the image. Aswell as the feminine pink dress which is found commonly in female pop artists. The artists pose is playful yet suggestive and somewhat reminicent of Maralyn Monroe to possibly introduce more glamour into the image. This is a contrasting cover to the Christina Aguielera cover which shows that there is some degree of variance between artists images/look.

Simerly the two artists both use themeselves in the covers of the digipacks. This makes the cd more identifiable and is a technique i may use in my own design.

Video Presentation

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B84xdRWtIy7kNmYzYzI1N2ItOGI1Yi00NWIxLWI3YzAtYWYxMWY5NGMxOTcx&hl=en

This is a link to the presentation we used to pitch our ideas over to the producers.

Music video analysis

Another Music video i will analyse is The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony.

Aspects of performance/ Mode of Analysis

No performance was used as it was a narrative.

Narrative


How does the video create an image for the Band?

The image shown of the main character and the brief encounter with the rest of the band is of real rock and roll. They don't care about anything or anyone and have a lack of respect for anyone but themselves. Seen to others as dislikable, aggressive and un-civilized. The video sums up the whole bands image seemingly effortlessly and comands respect.

How do the visuals relate to the song?

The two link together really well. He talks about walking down the only road you've eveer known. He strides down the road and appears to own it. When he say ' your a slave to money'. His uncut scruffy hair, plain black clothes and skinny appearence contrast with this statement about popular culture.

Mise-en-scene

Set on a busy street where a scruffy looking charater in all black clothes strides down it. We see many Regular people walking up and down and some workers too. A car is used which he walks across. The sreet also looks pretty dirty and untidy suggesting a deprived are in which the band come from.

Use of Camera

Mainly tracking shots are used with a slight low angled shot to empower the character. Some close ups are used and a point of view. This shows continuity and keeps the chaos he is creating free flowing and reguarly.

Editing

Cutting to and from whats in front and behind the character showing what happens when the two meet. Some out of focus in point of view to illustrate the point he is not even looking or aware of the subject in front of him. Mostly slow cuts.

Representation

The character is represented as an underdog in life but takes it literally all in his stride.

Genre

The genre is alternative rock/pop.

Audience

Young male/female adults.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx3m4e45bTo

Visual representation

First of all we are looking to change the visual representation of the artist for a number of reasons. The select audience Lily Allen is currently Advertising to and was affiliated with a few years ago have started growing up and so in order not to lose those crucial contributors we must evolve with them and incorporate a more mature visual nature of portraying the artist.
In order to reach out to a wider audience and gain some credibility as an artist an image must be created that reflects this new step in her career. It is important to remember that creativity within the video production is important in branching out to people and stating this. We must show something that is both original and different.

Summary of Key ideas:

Location:

We will be filming in and around Brighton town with some filming done in on and around the pier and beach. We will also be using the T.V room for some scenes.

Costumes:

The actors will be wearing modern street wear. To contrast the main character will be wearing some brightly coloured dresses ect in some scenes.

Mise-en-scene

We will use props such as drinks and cigarettes and personel items. We will also use anything around in the location to connect with the environment as much as possible.

Narrative

The narrative follows a character going through a period in her life she isn't comfortable with. This is displayed in an abstract conjuction of visualy expressed thoughts and emotions as she makes her journey through the streets of Brighton.

Lily Allen Video analysis

To get a bit of background information on how music videos are shot and to gather some inspiration we shall see how Lilly Allen shoots her videos. The Lilly Allen video i will analyse is 'Smile'.

Aspects of performance/ Mode of analysis

Lily sings to the camera at various points in the video which is direct. It becomes indirect when she is seen getting revenge on her ex boyfriend and starts to act and show performance. The artist herself plays the main role in this music video.

Narrative

The narrative is non-linear at the beginning as she is seen sat on her bed upset and there is a flash back of her and her ex boyfriend when they were happy and cuddled up in bed. The rest of the video follows a linear narrative as the beginning is clear from when she is upset. Onto the middle when she is getting revenge and finally the end where she has broken her ex down and he is relying on her.

How Does The Video Create An Image For The Artist/Band

It makes us see her as someone to relate to and not a celebrity world apart. As if she was down to earth. She comes across as powerful and independent in the video. The story emphisises the modern power female role she undertakes as an image. It also puts her across as being a bit spiteful and shows weakness people can relate to.

How Do The Visuals Relate To The Song

The visuals amplify the song as the song is about her being cheated on, breaking up with her boyfriend and taking revenge. In the video we see exactly this.

Mise-En-Scene

It is first set in her house as she is sat on her bed eating a chocolate bar singing to the camera. She then meets a man on a worn down street corner where she gives him money. The man talks to some hooded youths who beat up the characters boyfriend which she takes pleasure in. The couple meet in a cafe while a scene of the boyfriends flat being trashed is played. Lilys charater then puts laxatives in the boyfriends before he returns to his trashed flat. He then tries to go to work at a club dj'ing but finds all his records are cut. She also has her trademark dress with trainers combo and gold earrings.

Use Of Camera

In the bedroom different angles are used including lots of closeups to show her face when she is singing. Also mid-shots are used to see her sitting on the bed and pannings around her room. Flashes of quick camera angles changes are used when the hooded youths are trashing the flat. A long tracking shot is used to show her walking at the end down a street.

Editing

Shot reverse shot is used when her and her ex boyfriend are in the cafe having a conversation and also when she is in the street talking to the man on the corner. The editing is fast paced as it changes camera regularly and changes back and forth to different scenes to pick up pace.

Representation

Lily is seen as a regular person going through a break up. When she seeks revenge on her ex she seems as spiteful but also powerful as she is doing something to get back at him for hurting her.

Genre

The genre for this music is pop.

Audience

Young teenager (predominantly girls).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI

Mise-en-scene

The location of our video will be in and around Brighton but we aim to use the Beach and pier to film our main scenes. We hope to have a bright colour contrast between surroundings and the characters. This contrast is supposed to emphisise the difference between the harsh environment and the characters opposing spirit. A contradiction of character and environment.
A combination of low and a high key lighting will be used to convey different messages throughout the production.

This is the blog for my A2 course work. Me and my group have been assigned to produce a music video as part of our A2 coursework. In this task, my team of four will create a promo pack which contains a CD cover and a promotional leaflet/flyer.
The song we have chosen for this task is Lilly Allen's 'everyones at it'. This song was chosen because it was felt it had a clear storyline for the video to be based on. The Lyrics are as follows;

I don't know much,
But I know this for certain,
That is the sun,
Poking its head round the curtain.

Now please can we leave,
I'd like to go to bed now.
It's not just the sun,
That is hurting my head now.

I'm not trying to say,
That I'm smelling of roses,
But when will we tire,
Of putting shit up our noses.

I don't like staying up,
Staying up past the sunlight.
It's meant to be fun,
And this just doesn't feel right.

Why can't we all,
All just be honest,
Admit to ourselves,
That everyone's on it.

From grown politicians,
To young adolescents,
Prescribing themselves,
Anti-depressants.

How can we start to tackle the problem,
If you don't put your hands up,
And admit that you're on them.

The kids are in danger,
They're all getting habits,
Because from what I can see,
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.

I get involved,
But I'm not advocating.
Got an opinion,
Yeah, you're well up for slating.

So you've got a prescription,
And that makes it legal.
I find the excuses,
Overwhelmingly feeble.

You go to the doctor,
You need pills to sleep in.
Well if you can convince him,
Then I guess that's not cheating.

So your daughter's depressed,
We'll get her straight on the prozac.
But little do you know,
She already takes crack.

Why can't we all,
All just be honest,
Admit to ourselves,
That everyone's on it.

From grown politicians,
To young adolescents,
Prescribing themselves,
Anti-depressants.

How can we start to tackle the problem,
If you don't put your hands up,
And admit that you're on them.

The kids are in danger,
They're all getting habits,
Because from what I can see,
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.

Why can't we all,
All just be honest,
Admit to ourselves,
That everyone's on it.

From grown politicians,
To young adolescents,
Prescribing themselves,
Anti-depressants.

How can we start to tackle the problem,
If you don't put your hands up,
And admit that you're on them.

The kids are in danger,
They're all getting habits,
Because from what I can see,
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.
Everyone's at it.