Ideas Behind Digipak And Magazine Advert.

The main idea behind the digipak and magazine advert is the theme of music and how people turn to it for comfort and relaxation. With theories showing most people feel more themselves listening to certain genres of music, such as people within my target audience would listen to heavier music, with relatable lyrics. I have also shown this throughout with an drawn image of a girl, listening to music, through headphones. This suggests that she's trying to 'ignore the world', which is shown through how the girl is treated in my music video.

Final Magazine Advert.

For my final idea for my magazine advert, I decided to use the same layout as my digipak, with the key information at the bottom of the page. The same colour scheme and title fonts are used throughout the advert, making the brand identity clear towards the digipak. I feel that my magazine advert would be placed in magazines such as Kerrang and RockSound, which most of my target audience would read (as they are alternative rock magazine.)

Final Magazine Advert - Editing Process.

When scanning the drawing, I erased the background of the drawing, leaving the white background from the layer underneath. Using the text tool, I created the title of the album and artist, (which created the front cover to my digipak).

 

 

 

 

 

Also, using the text tool, I created the website, date etc. using the same font styles as my album and artist name.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 To create the logos for Play.com, iTunes, Virgin Records and the Kerrang ratings, I copyed and pasted them onto the image I was creating, using the scale tool, I got them to the right size needed.

 

 

 

 

Magazine Advertisment Designs And Feedback.

After I designed 3magazine adverts for the promotion of my music video, I gained feedback from the rest of the class on which ideas to use.
 

 

Design One.

 

 

By taking the original digipak design, this idea for a magazine advert creates brand identity with the album art and the title image and fonts used. I also included basic conventions of an advert such as where and when it can be purchased and the website, along side ratings from a magazine, matching the genre of the music. So, for example, You Me At Six adverts would usually be found in Kerrang or Rocksound because they are made for Alternative Rock music. As a class, they decided that this was the best idea, however I should bring the image to the centre of the page to make it more noticeable to the viewer.

 

Design Two.

 

 

By taking the title image and fonts used this idea for a magazine advert creates brand identity. I also included basic conventions of an advert such as where and when it can be purchased and the website. The image used is from the inside leaflet that I made for my digipak. As a class, they liked the idea of keeping the same font and title image, but felt that the image promoted the video more than it did the digipak.

 

Design Three.

 

 

By taking the title image and fonts used this idea for a magazine advert creates brand identity. I also included basic conventions of an advert such as where and when it can be purchased and the website. The images used are from the inside leaflet that I made for my digipak as well as the main digipak image seen in the centre. As a class, they liked the idea of keeping the same font and title image, but felt that the images used made the page look too busy.

 

 

Overall, I decided to go with my first design as I and the rest of the class felt that it was the better idea. I think that keeping it simple, alike the digipak would be better than to over complicate things like my last design did. Therefore, I have stuck with the design of my digipak, creating straight forward brand identity.

Student Ancillary Analysis.

Analysis One.

 

The conventions used are the name of the artist and album, date of release, record label logo, websites, explicit content logo and brand identity.

 

What is good?

The uses brand identity through the use of font styles and colours and the style of images. By using the artist on the front cover of both the advert and digipak, it has created a clear link between the two. The use of bright red, bold text creates a high contrast against the black and white images of the artist that are used. The digipak and advert show clear conventions of Rap music through the use of pose, posture and facial expression that the artist shows. For example, many artists within the Rap genre are seen to point towards the camera, directing the audience, which is conveyed through these images. The white background creates a good base layer for contrasting which is always a good and simple way to attract the viewer. The singers have been dressed in the stereotypical way, which people associate with Rap, wearing hoodies, smart but casual shirt and jumper, the singer on the right has got his untucked stopping the clothing, still showing the laid back themes that come with Rap as a genre.

What is bad?
By using a studio and not creating shadows behind the artists, it had made the images look heavily photo shopped and quite "fake" therefore, I feel that to improve, they should of left the natural shadows in the background of the photo.

Personally, this type of magazine advert and digipak is not to my taste because I do not like this genre of music and the way the artists are represented, however, I think that this work shows the conventions of Rap music very well, matching stereotypes and what we would expect to see within an advert ad digipak.

Analysis Two.

 

The conventions used are the name of the artist and album, date of release, record label logo, websites, quotes, ratings and brand identity.

 

What is good?

The use of the same image, font and colour scheme on both the digipak and advert creates strong brand identity for the promotion. Their main colour scheme is red and black which is shown over both ancillaries. It also implies that she is targeting an alternative audience because these are the colours that we usually associate with the genre. The use of the cross, above the artist crates a bright contrast to the darker colours used, catching the eye.  The use of framing the artist on the wood makes the audience feel that she is being restricted. The use of ratings and quotes allow people from with the target audience to be drawn into the quality of the product. 

 

What is bad?

The idea of the key information is being pushed out by the image, making it seem less important within the advert compared the concept of the digipak (which would be needed on the digipak, however for the advert the additional information is more important). Therefore, to improve I think they could shape the image around the key information needed, instead of the other way around.

Overall, I like how they used contrasting images with the title of the digipak "My Happy Ending" making enigma to what the song is really about. The brand identity is clear and I feel that it is an effective way to promote the product, fitting the generic conventions of alternative music.

Generic Conventions Of Magazine Adverts.

Conventions Of Magazine Adverts For Digipaks.

The Brief.

To create a magazine advertisement for the digipak.

Final Digipak.

 
 Within my final digipak, I have decided to combine the idea of a music sheet a drawing of a girl, listening to music. I have also decided to use the text styles of Arial and SWScrpc for the title of the album and artist.

The front cover shows these elements, with the theme running through to the back cover, inside panel and CD.








In addition to the digipak needed, I also created a small leaflet, which most CD digipaks contain. This follows the same themes as the digipak as well as photos taken of the actors, posing as the band featured in the video, as well as an image from the video, of the couple.

 

Final Digipak - Editing Process.

 When scanning the drawing, I erased the background of the drawing, leaving the white background from the layer underneath. Using the text tool, I created the title of the album and artist, which, when completing created the front cover to my digipak. I also used an area of an image found on google (none copyrighted) to create the appearance of a music sheet.

To create the back cover, I used the same text fonts as on the front cover and used an image (none copyrighted) from Google to create the appearance of a music sheet, linking to the front cover. I then added the copyright information such as the barcode, record label and their logos to make the digipak look realistic.

When creating the CD for my digipak, I used the same design for my front cover, by using the drawing and same text styles, to link the areas of the digipak together. I used a CD template online which allowed me to do this.




Also, In addition to the digipak, I created a leaflet which would go inside the CD case, which many CD digipaks have. I included the lyrics from the song I had chosen and images of the band. To make this, I found a template online and created the separate pages in the same way as I created the digipak, using the same themes of black, which and red, music sheets and the two text fonts.

Digipak Designs, Final Choice And Feedback.

After I designed 3 digipaks for the promotion of my music video, I gained feedback from the rest of the class on which ideas to use.

Design One.

Within design one, I chose to draw a girl listening to music, using the headphone wire as a theme throughout. I continued the generic convention on different text styles and sizes for the name of the artist and album. In the inside of this design, I chose to use lyrics and photos of the band.

As a class, they decided that they most preferred the outside design of this digipak and the use of the fonts.

Design Two.

Within design two, I chose to use the theme of music sheets and notes throughout. I continued the generic convention on different text styles and sizes for the name of the artist and album. In the inside of this design, I chose to use lyrics in the same text style as the name of the album with a music sheet in the background.

As a class, they decided that they liked the idea of music sheets and considered adding this to design one and the font design.

 Design Three.

Within design three, I chose to draw a boy with wings as an angel figure with the theme of rain throghout. I continued the generic convention on different text styles and sizes for the name of the artist and album. In the inside of this design, I chose to use an image of rain with the lyrics over the top, in the same text style as the album name.

As a class, they decided that they liked elements of this such as the font used and the theme of an angel figure.

Overall, the class thought that I should combined elements of design two with one, as they were favorited out of the three. Some class members liked the idea of a winged boy on the back panel holding an IPod, while on the front cover, the girl listening to the music.

Final Design.

Within my final design, I have taken the class' advice by combining the idea of a music sheet with the drawing of the girl listening to music. I also kept my original font and size idea that i used in every design. Inside, I have decided to use the idea of the lyrics in the font of the album name, with a music sheet in the background and the use of photos of the band.

Photos Of The Band.

Before making my digipak, I used a studio to take pictures of my actors, as a band. This was in the style of Alternative artists seen on CD digipaks and in magazines. These picture are to be included within my final digipak.

Generic Conventions Of A Digipak.

Conventions Of A Digipak.

Brand Identity.

A brand is the identity of a specific product, service or business. A brand can take many forms including a name, sign, logo, colour or slogan. The brand shows the identity of certain artists, for example, Ed Sheeran's album +, with the use of orange, linking to the artist's hair colour, which he is known for.

 

 The album cover and the magazine advert for + by Ed Sheeran link together well because they both show an image of the artist and the colour orange. The album cover and advertisement are both the same because this gives the artist an iconic image for their fans to remember and gives the artist their own brand identity. 

The album cover and advertisement for Olly Murs are both the same because this gives the artist their own brand identity. Both images show the same font style, colour scheme and image, linking the items together, representing an artist to an audience.

 

The Album cover and magazine advert for Nothing Personal by All Time low link together well because they both show an image of the album art. The album cover and advertisement are both the same because this gives the artist an iconic image for their fans and gives the artist their own brand identity. This is done using the same font styles and colour scheme of both the advert and digipak.

The Brief.

A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music video, together with two of the following three options.

- A website homepage for the band.
- A cover for its release as a part of a digipak (CD/DVD package).
- A magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package).

Editing Update 5.

When editing the final parts of my video, I only had to add in the new footage of the argument, creating match on action. I also needed to tidy up the syncing and some little details. Overall, editing this video went well as i found it quite simple cutting the clips and creating a video. I also found it quite easy to add filters using Magic Bullet and to render the final product, ready for my final feedback session.

Music Video Feedback.

 When the class watched my music video, they liked the main idea of the narrative and the use of filters throughout. They also liked the use of the cross between the narrative and performance. However, as I was already aweare of what I have to change, they all agreed that I needed to refilm the argument scene between the girl and her dad. They also agreed, as I did too, that some scenes are clear that there is no drummer (as she had to leave filming early)

From having this feedback, I have refilmed the argument scene and edited the clips that needed improving, taking their advice on board. I also tightened the lip syncing and instruments within the performance. I also added another clip of the girl checking her phone, receiving a text from her dad asking her to come home, to help the viewers understand why he is so angry towards her within the video.

Filming Update 4.

I decided to refilm the argument scene during Alex and her dad. The things that worked well withing this was the idea of a slow motion  hit that can look realistic and can be edited to be quicker. Also, the idea of a shaky close up of each character shouting works well as a point of view shot within the argument. What I feel that did not work well was the fact that Andrew was wearing a different t-shirt, however this was resolved by doing two fades before and at the start of the argument to show a passing of time, so there is no continuity errors within the video.

Editing Update 3.

 

 

When almost completing the editing stage of my music video, I added two filters using Magic Bullet Quicklook.

 

 

I used the filters called 'Sharpen' for the performance footage and 'Crush Blue Edge' for the narrative.

 

I found this quite simple to do, however, within the performance, it would select both filters making some clips appear brighter than others depending on the lighting, so to resolve this, I used the brightness tool to balance this out.

Editing Update 2.

 

When continuing editing, I discovered that half of the footage didn't work, which meant I only had half of the footage that was shot. (clips circled with red did not work, with blue did)

 

 

Therefore, when editing the argument scene between the girl and her father, I found that the only clips that worked were the ones of them laughing. So, I am having to refilm this scene at a later date.

Editing Update 1.

 

When beginning to edit I captured the footage off the camera through Movie Studio platinum and uploaded the song onto the software.

 

 

By dragging the clips down to the bar towards the bottom of the screen, I cut the clips to fit the video and placed the song within the bar.

 

When creating the match on action, I found it difficult for the separate clips to fit together, however I think that the start of the video worked well because it fits in with the genre with the use of the longboard in the opening. 

 

Filming update 3.

Over the last day of filming, we shot the whole performance scene needed. jack however, could not play the drums so Danielle ended up playing. This fits into the gere of Alternative becasue some bands like Paramore and Tonight Alive have one female in the band. I used the stage lights and stage in the hall, along side amps which were not plugged in.
We had some issues when we began, Dan did not know the lyrics, but picked them up quickly, so we could film. There were no speakers to play the music through, sowe played it off my phone, having Danielle pretend to hit the drums until she was in shot of the camera, so everyone could keep in time.

Filming update 2.

When filming today, we shot the scenes showing Alex's relationship with her father. Using fake blood and flour to create a wound to her face, I was able to film Andrew, playing the father, hitting Rebecca, playing Alex.
Filming the argument between Alex and her father was slow to start, as the actors felt like they did not know what they were doing. however, once se started it got easier to film.
I felt like the lighting whist filming Rebecca running down the street was too dark, therefore I filmed her running under street lamps, which made it easier to do.

The Band - Final Casting.

In my music video, I will be creating a performance to show contrast towards the narrative throughout. In the performance scene, I have chosen-

Main Singer- Dan Carter. This is because his appearance suites the voice of the original singer of the track. He also suites the genre of music with both his appearance, interests and his personality.
 

 

Base Guitar- Callum Codd. This is because he plays base guitar in his spare time. He also finds the base line of the song I have chosen, very simple.

 

 

Guitar- James Hunter. This is because he plays guitar regularly and can learn songs quickly and easily, making it easier to film.
 

 

Drums- Danielle Blanch. This is because she plays the drums in his spare time and also shows the trend in the Alternative Rock genre of having a female in the group, like Tonight Alive and Paramore.

 



The Band 2.

Each actor remains the same, apart from Jack, who is being replaced by Danielle Blanch, who also knows how to play the drums, as he cannot make filming days. Also, the guitarist I am using is James Hunter as he plays guitar regularly.

Filming Update 1.

 

Within the first day of filming we managed to film the first 30 seconds of the narritive, focusing on the singer and Alex's relationship also using product placement of 'Monster' energy drinks. The photos above show Rebecca and Dan on 'set' whilst I was filming. The scenes that I filmed are purely based on the two characters as a couple. 

Early Ideas 3.

During the holidays, I have realised how difficult it would be to film the character Alex being hit by a vintage car, as there are many problems with real damage to the actor and the car. Therefore i have decided to change that scene to an argument with Alex's father, who does not agree with her relationship with the singer. They get into a fight, leading Alex to go to the singers house upset, showing that she needs him more than anything.

Props.

In my music video, I have chosen to use 'Monster' energy drinks within the fist half of the video. This is also a form of product placement as the logo/ name of the drink will be shown. I have chosen this prop because it would be a good technique to show how the relationship of the two characters at the beginning of the video instead of showing a form of romance through their actions as I feel it might make the actors feels too uncomfortable. However, as the video progresses they become closer, to show their "journey" together.

I have also chosen to use a Santa Cruz Land Shark longboard within the opening of my video because it fits in with the genre i have chosen of Alternative Rock. By using the longboard, I was able to create a scene involving a can of 'Monster' as the singer passes it to Alex as he skates past.

 

 

 

During the performance shown in my music video, I will be using simple musical instruments including a set of drums, guitar, bass guitar and a couple of microphones to create a scene where the band that I am promoting, is performing the song I have chosen.

 

In the video, I will be using a basic drum kit, alike the one above.

I will be using the BC Rich Mocking Bird Pro X Floyd Rose in my music video as it fits in with the genre of Alternative Rock, with the use of electric guitars.

 

I will also be using an electric bass, similar to this.

 

To complete the presentation of a performance, I will be using basic microphones.