Website Research

I researched various different websites to discover some codes and conventions to use as a base when creating our own website. I looked at various different websites from different genres to get an accurate idea of what should be included in a website. For my website, I plan to use some of the ideas from various different types of website to create a website that will suit our artist. It is important to stick to some of the conventions of these websites but also have creativity that will attract and appeal to, our target audience.

Beyonce's is a mainstream artist and her website reflected this. There were various pages including news, events, photos, videos, history and community. There was also a subscribe feature that allowed fans to receive email updates from the website. The use of the 'community' feature also shows Beyonce is a main stream artist as there are various forums for fans to communicate with each other. The use of social networking sites such as 'Facebook' and 'Twitter' also allows a direct link with the artist. I liked the use of the behind the scenes images as this had a more personal touch for the fans. The use of the banner image of the star is also effective as it has the date to her show on the 'Super Bowl half time show'.

This website was very different to most of the other websites I looked at as this was run by the record label 'Roc Nation'. This website features many pages dedicated to various artists. This means the information on this website is very limited. It has background information and a main image of the star as well as news about videos and awards. Although you cannot specifically subscribe to news about one artist you can subscribe to a newsletter from the record label.

Lady Gaga's website is also very mainstream however there is an artistic touch to it. Tour dates are featured on the main page as well as a live twitter feed. This allows her fans to have a direct link with her and follow her on social network sites. There is also a page that features the latest news and videos allows Lady Gaga's 'Little Monsters' to keep up with the latest Gaga news. A page featuring tour dates and a link to buy tickets to her shows. I particularly liked the use of having all the lyrics to all of her songs. This allows her fans to have a stronger link to her songs as they can sing along. The unique idea of having chat rooms set up online for fans to communicate with each other is also very effective. This allows 'Little Monsters' to chat to other people who have similar interests and something in common.

Digipack Research

Digipack Research

Shooting Day 6

Shooting Day 6: Today we shot the piano shots. This only took us about 15 minutes. We looked up on the proper keys on the internet so that it would look more realistic. First, we tried to shoot it from directly above but this made my hands look like an alien. We then finally got a good angle and had to use the torch on Sophie’s phone as lighting. The piano shot was decided because we needed to have some instruments in the music video and this was the best place to put it in the sequence. 

Shooting Day 5

Shooting Day 5: Today we shot our narrative sequences. We had previously planned to use a cafe however they said we could not use it. We then went in search of another location. We then asked in KFC and they said yes. Although it wasn’t exactly as we had planned, we hoped it would still look good. We attempted to film it in the window seats like we had drawn in our storyboard however when it came to filming the inside shots, it was not light enough. This meant we had to change tables; this was not an issue as it still looked good. We then filmed these shots while the others bought some food. We then went back to the car to go to the second location when we decided we could film an argument scene here. We used the car to make it more dramatic. It was difficult to place the camera in the car however eventually we managed to balance it. At first we didn’t know what to argue about but Zainab then created a situation and we had an argument in the street. Luckily there was no one around to see it. Once we had finished filming the argument we went to my house to film the bedroom scene. We spent time doing my hair and makeup differently and setting up all the lights. We then filmed what we had storyboarded. Sophie then had the idea of filming a birds eye shot moving across the view of the bed. We agreed to try it and were surprised by how good it looked. After this we drove to the pub to shoot the last few shots. By now we were all starving so while we waited for the others we ordered some food. When they finally got there we filmed the pub scenes. We were worried that it looked too dark but it was quite a small space so we couldn’t set up the lights. We still did what we could with the light we had. After this we decided we needed a bus stop scene to make it look more urban and ‘down to earth’. Originally this scene was supposed to be shot in the gym however we couldn’t get permissions for the gym. We managed to get what we wanted in just two takes. I was surprised at how light it looked on camera due to the light at the bus stop. After a long day filming we had finally finished! We were all tired on the way home and Luke even fell asleep in the car.

Chase and Status- Let You Go

There is clear intertextuality in the Chase and Status music video for ‘Let You Go’. The references are made to the TV chat show, ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’. This video presents a spin off show called the ‘Patrick Chase Show’. We do not see the identity of the main character until he is revealed as the chat show host. This is a narrative based music video with no performance scenes. At times the sounds there are sound bridges from the narrative heard over the music.  The camerawork and framing used is very cinematic throughout.The artist isn’t seen throughout the music video. This is common for Chase and Status but it also means that their star image is not affected.

As the tension on stage builds so does the music until a fight finally breaks out on stage. This supports Vernallis’ theory of the video matching the music. The lyrics are also amplified by the visuals as they add a new meaning to them.  

Throughout the video the use of drugs is implied which is also hypocritical of the characters morals as he despises these on his show. The use of the canted angle and jolty movements is use to signify that the character is drunk or disorientated. The various disorientated shots also help to portray the lack of control over his body and actions. As the music builds the edits become quicker to match the beat..  The use of contrasting colours is very obvious. The bright colours on the show contrasts with the dull colours in the flat, car and club which signifies that these actions are wrong.  The use of the red lighting also signifies that these actions are immoral or forbidden. Once the character has carried out these actions he then shows up to the studio has his makeup done then goes back on stage. This could signify that we never really know what happens behind the scenes of these shows and after the camera stops rolling.

Beyonce- Naughty Girl

Beyonce’s music video for ‘Naughty Girl’ supports the ideas of Vernallis. The use of the cuts on the beat and the fragmented actions are shown throughout the music video. The actions are often disjointed which drives the video forward. This is a performance based music video with very little narrative. The dated style with a modern twist on the 1920’s style.

The use of voyeurism is also very clear. This is shown by the dance moves, with the use of mirrors and silhouettes and also by the use of slow motion. The lighting is also placed very carefully to accentuate certain features adding to her sexual appeal. The camera and framing also adds to the voyeuristic nature. The use of fragmented shots of body parts combined with the flirty and seductive actions gives Beyonce the sex appeal. Her slow exaggerated actions as she removes the coat also help to illustrate the lyrics. Although there is voyeurism it appears Beyonce still remains in control. Throughout the video everyone is focused on her and they are all situated below her. This has symbolises that she is more important. The use of the red dress and coat also stands out from the dull colours of all the other characters clothes. This also adds to Beyonce being the centre of attention throughout the video. . Beyonce is always seen as being very glamorous in all her music videos. This music video is no exception to this. Even when she is seen in soapy water she still looks very glamorous.

From the very beginning of the music video Beyonce has the male attention focused of her. During the dance routine she then takes control. When the men try to ‘show off’ on stage they manage to fail and fall over. This is all working together to create a powerful representation of women and a weak representation of men.  The men in the music video also appear as accessories to the star. An example of this is when a man lifts her off the piano.

Throughout the music video Beyonce makes direct eye contact with the audience. This creates a direct link with the audience. I also noticed that no other characters look directly into the camera; they all look slightly off stage. This means that there is no link between them and the audience. Their attention is then fully engaged by the artist. 

Shooting Day 4

Shooting Day 4: We filmed our green screen shots today. We tried the birds eye view again however we decided this was not very flattering so we tried other shots instead.  I did not feel very well when we were filming this as I had a headache and the lights did not help. We still carried on and filmed it all to get it done. We tried lots of shots including sitting, standing and lying down. We plan to use various different moving backgrounds on these shots to make it more interesting. We had a few problems with the lights firstly working out how to set them up, and then we had to get rid of any shadows. We found that in some shots there were still small shadows but we will see how it looks when it comes to editing it.

Inspiration Music Video's- Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse’s music video for ‘You Know I’m no Good’ is similar to the narrative we have used for our music video. The use of the attitude towards the bad boyfriend is similar to our stars attitude. Although the style of music and the star image is very different to ours the themes are similar. The themes throughout this music video are a lot more adult than our music video which would be aimed at a younger audience. I particularly like the use of the moving images in the Polaroid pictures and the film reel. The use of colour is also very different to our video. Ours incorporates a lot of bright colours and Amy Winehouse’s video uses lots of blue and darker tones throughout. 

Shooting Day 3

Shooting Day 3: We had not properly organised the shoot today we just wanted to see if we could find any suitable locations. We were wandering round school trying to find somewhere when we walked past the brick wall and the sun was shining on it. Sophie suggested that we should try a few shots in front of the wall just to see how it looked. We all agreed and so we shot some of the chorus in the sun. This was filmed in January so it was still very cold so we had to be quick. We were surprised at just how good this shot looked and we decided we liked the light so much to try another few shots. We then saw the stairs and thought they could work well and contrast with the costume. The colours of the costume and the wall looked amazing with the sun shining on them as well as it making my skin look flawless.  After we finished this shot we decided to film some shots in the common room. This was just a spontaneous idea so we could have some extra shots should we need them. We weren’t sure how these would turn out however we thought it was worth a try. It was hard to coordinate everyone to not look at the camera and still look natural. Eventually we managed to get one or two good shots we were pleased with. 

Shooting Day 2

Shooting Day 2: Today we shot the street shots with the artist dressed in the American print leggings. For this shoot I had to be dressed in this outfit in the street and on a zebra crossing while lip singing to the song. Needless to say, I got a few funny looks. We filmed this in December and so it was freezing! Due to the fact it was -1°C we had to film it quickly. While on camera, I could not wear my coat however as soon as the camera was off, I was finally able to warm up a little.  Due to the cold weather we tried to film this sequence as quick as possible. As it was our first proper shooting experience, it did not always go to plan. An example of this was the walking shot we attempted, we liked it but it looked too shaky and unprofessional. It soon started to rain and we could no longer shoot. 

Record Label

                                     

After researching various different record labels I have decided our artist could be signed to Polydor. I chose this record label as our artist would be seen as an up and coming and a new breakthrough act. This record label seemed like a perfect choice as they have already signed indie and pop artists such as Snow Patrol and Duffy. Polydor is also based in the UK which makes it more likely to sign our down to earth British artist.

Institutional Research

Def Jam Recordings:

Island Def Jam Music Group was formed in 1999 when Universal Music Group merged Island Records and Def Jam Recordings. Def Jam Recordings is an American record which is focused primarily on hip hop and urban music. Def Jam was created by Rick Rubin and its first release was a single by his punk-rock group ‘Hose’. The first few singles released did well, leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records (this later became Sony Music Entertainment). Def Jam signed its first and only heavy metal band ‘Slayer’ in 1986. Soon after the label signed ‘Public Enemy’, whose controversial lyrics earned the label a reputation. In 1988 Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam and Rub left to form Def American Recordings (now known as American Recordings). Def Jam Recordings currently signs artists such as; Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and Gorillaz.

Polydor:

Polydor is owned by Universal Music Group and has its headquarters based in the UK. Polydor first became a pop music label in 1946. During the 1970’s Polydor became a major rock label but also had many disco artists. They had platinum-selling disco acts such as the Bee Gees and Gloria Gaynor. In the early 1980’s the label signed The Who and  The Jam. Although the American branch did not do well, in the UK, Polydor is still one of the strongest labels in the country.  Polydor has signed artists such as, Cheryl Cole, Duffy, Ellie Goulding as well as indie artist such as Snow Patrol and The Maccabees. In Spring 2006 Polydor launched Fascination Records. Both Girls Aloud and Sophie Ellis-Bextor transferred to the new label as well as new artists such as The Saturdays and Girls Can’t Catch. Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato are some of the newest artists to transfer from the US label Hollywood Records, to Fascination.

Roc Nation:

Roc Nation was established in April 2008 when Live Nation partnered with Jay-Z. Roc Nation also has an entertainment company named Takeover Roc Nation, located in the UK. Records are released with Sony Music Entertainment and partners with Live Nation. Since it was first established Roc Nation has signed artists such as, Rita Ora, Alexis Jordan and Sugababes. Roc Nation also manages artists such as Shakira, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna. As well as managing and signing artists, Chase and Status and Timbaland are just a few producers as well as DJ’s such as Solange Knowles.