Evaluation

Firstly I would like to begin by saying how disappointed I am with the way my video and blog turned out. I made several huge errors in the process of the task and like to think I have learnt from them. Unfortunately I changed my ideas several times and managed my time very poorly leading to unfinished and poorly produced work. Over the course of the evaluation I will look to identify the reasons for this and pin point what I would do differently where I to undertake the task again.

The ancillary texts I selected were the poster advertisement for the album and the digipak, the reason I chose to do these rather than a website design was because I had created posters and advertisements in previous tasks and I had no familiarity with website design.
From studying narrative theories, Kate Domaille (2001) suggests that there are only 8narrative types which can be applied to different genres.
However, I wanted to keep my music video quite subtle but effective due to the song being emotive and romantic.
I attempted to construct an animated style video as I did not believe the actors I had at my disposal, nor the locations considered were of a high enough standard to pull off what I originally wanted.
Eventually I hastily filmed a shot of the sky to go over (connoting with the lyrics) an acoustic performance of mime by an actor on location in his living room. Using mis-en-scene such as a television and furniture aided in giving this impression. In addition to props such as guitar, and clothing which would be conventionally expected in this genre.
As well as the mime performance I wrote a script for my actor. He was instrucetd to walk across the camera before sitting and uttering the words "I'm Geoff Lamp and this is d'yer wanna be a spaceman' - this intended meaning showing that the already established of Kempton are using post-modern self reflexivity and humour in a pastiche of a youtube video which would be expected of an amaetur musician.
Dance routines are also popular in pop music videos but it depends on the mood of the song, as my song is fairly slow and passionate I felt that a dance routine would be irrelevant.
Costume, hair and makeup are also very important in pop music videos as it shows off the performer’s style and character – and again I did not feel at all comfortable with instructing or directing my actors as to what would be suitable.
I wanted my digipak to relate to my video by being simple but effective. I chose a simple design theme which ran throughout. The ‘night sky/space’ theme connoting to the song lyrics and track title.
In addition all fonts were consistent throughout, hopefully leading to a connotation of those fonts with the album and track for the audience.
With regards to improvement – there are many things I would have done differently in all aspects of my tasks.
I felt very uncomfortable with using actors/actresses and mis-en-scene to create the correct imagery. I now realise this takes huge planning and time management – I would use a system of trial and error and begin filming much earlier. I would recommend anyone to have alternative scripts and ideas and experiment greatly early on before settling upon an idea.
When it came to using the editing suite during the editing process, I didn’t feel confident at all. I had used an editing suite once at the beginning of the A2 year and I had very little experience. The first thing I learnt on Adobe Premier was how to upload footage by plugging the camera into the computer; I then had to rename each individual clip by double clicking on the text. I experimented with video effects such as hue and saturation when blending in two differing shots. This effect works to a degree, however with a better understanding of the tool I believe a greater video could have been created.
Throughout the production of my advanced portfolio I did use new media technologies to help research and construct my products. I believe the use of these new technologies which were foreign to me before this coursework piece helped me further my skills and therefore make my work a lot better than its previous level.
Firstly I looked at many music video on YouTube and actual music video channels on the TV to try and find similarities and conventions which I could incorporate or deliberately ignore with regards to my piece. Next, I began to research the history of music videos and how they first originated and I used the internet to find this information which was a great aid as it broadens my idea of music videos and advancing my knowledge of them.
Next I began to analyse the lyrics of my chosen track and see how I could interpret each lyric into the music video in addition to showing the true meaning behind the story of the song for my audience as this was a key aim.
I again used the internet in some parts of the lyrical interpretation which was finding a website on Google, named www.songmeanings.net - which shows other peoples perspectives on what certain lyrics meant as I attempted to find a wide range of opinions.

Audience Feedback

I felt it necessary upon completing my video/ancillaries to individually interview 6 members of my target audience. Instead of a questionnaire and it's stringent answers I preferred upon showing the subjects all ancillaries followed by the music video and starting with asking 'do you feel all aspects of the portfolio you have just seen are convincing?'- this method allowed me to explore the subjects replies and investigate further as to why it was or wasn't convincing rather than just finding out simply if it was was or was not. I made notes as the subjects replied.

I found that as a rule 5 out of 6 interviewee's believed the ancillaries to be effective and 'professional' according to subject 2. However, the video failed to show any verisimilitude - this was in contrast to subject 5 who was of the opinion the video 'deliberately attempted to show it was a parody of an acoustic youtube performance, and in my opinion succeeded'.
I have summarised that the other 5 subjects were all unaware that the video was indeed a parody - thus I failed in attempting to convince that idea.

Finished DVD Cover

Finished Extra Panel

Finished Back Cover

Finished Album Front Cover

Finished Magazine Advert

Draft of DVD Cover

This is a very basic draft of my DVD Cover -

I intend to use the same theme throughout all pieces of the production - this is of a star filled night sky - in an attempt to create synergy between the artwork and video to that of the track title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' - I have attempted to do this in a very basic manner here with the use of a black background and small white dots.

Vital information such as album title and band name are present.

Draft of Extra Panel

This is a very basic draft of my extra panel -

I intend to use the same theme throughout all pieces of the production - this is of a star filled night sky - in an attempt to create synergy between the artwork and video to that of the track title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' - I have attempted to do this in a very basic manner here with the use of a black background and small white dots.

Again I have stuck to the conventions of existing products seen on extra panels. The leading track d'yer wanna be a spaceman's lyrics fill the page.

Draft of Back Cover

This is a very basic draft of my back cover -

I intend to use the same theme throughout all pieces of the production - this is of a star filled night sky - in an attempt to create synergy between the artwork and video to that of the track title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' - I have attempted to do this in a very basic manner here with the use of a black background and small white dots.

Conventionally, back covers have all of the album tracks listed - usually in chronological order and this is what I have done here.

Draft of Album Front Cover

This is a very basic draft of my album cover -

I intend to use the same theme throughout all pieces of the production - this is of a star filled night sky - in an attempt to create synergy between the artwork and video to that of the track title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' - I have attempted to do this in a very basic manner here with the use of a black background and small white dots.

Conventionally I have included the band name and album title - again in the fonts and colour scheme that will be seen as consistent throughout the artwork.

Draft of Magazine Advert

This is a very basic draft of my magazine advert -

I intend to use the same theme throughout all pieces of the production - this is of a star filled night sky - in an attempt to create synergy between the artwork and video to that of the track title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' - I have attempted to do this in a very basic manner here with the use of a black background and small white dots.

The bands name is present as it is vital information, as well as being consistent with the conventions of other successful magazine adverts - for the same reason the album title 'd'yer wanna be a spaceman' (same as track title) is underneath - in a larger sized font to show its the most important piece of information on the poster.

Below is the album's release date and further information in smaller font such as what format the album will be available on - proving I have catered for a post modern audience whom will expect to be able to perhaps download the album rather than physically purchase it.

I have deliberately kept the design very simple, almost childlike. This choice aims to connote with the lyrics of the song which are regarding our dreams as children - and the feeling of forget what it is like to be young.

DigiPak Template

Above is the template of the layout and measurments I shall be using

Ancillary Text Research And Analysis - DigiPak

After conducting research into digipaks - such as the above one of an Oasis acoustic collection I have found that they are a modern form of cd cases in the respect that they do not have have the traditional jewel case packaging and that they are made from card or heavy paper which is easily formed into a book-like case.
This has many advantages as it saves time, effort and money - in addition to being easily mainpulated into differing shapes.
This style has become more popular for artists distribution, the generic term digi-pack is a common term used to describe any soft CD packaging.
Using the digipak format however does have its cons; they can be prone to damage as they are only made out of a thin card - this also affects the safety of the cd it is protecting.
There are varying types of digipak; four, six or eight panels - I have been instructed to produce a six panel digipak for my album.

Ancillary Text Research And Analysis - Album Cover (2)

Another classic album cover is that of 'Fat of the land' by the Prodigy.
The photograph is a comical one, showing a crab almost 'raving' as a follower of this genre of music may do stereotypically.
Moreover the blurring used on the photograph may connote either the fast tempo of the tracks or the drug use associated with the artist and its genre.
In addition the photograph seems to be on a beach, in a warm destiniation - possibly Ibiza - a well known location for lvie performances in this genre of music.
Of course the bands name at the top of the cover is featured and their signature symbol to represent their band - a tarantula(which is also the name of one of their more famous songs) so this will encourage audience recognition. The album title then follows in smaller font underneath 'The fat of the land' generically.

Ancillary Text Research And Analysis - Album Cover (1)

The album cover of the Clash's London Calling has become an iconagrpahic one for its genre of music.
The font is borrowed from that of Elvis Pressley's debut album - and was used to replicate the 'danger' that rock n roll ideology demands.
To synergise with the Elvis style font - the image of The Clash's bassist smashing his guitar onto the floor during a live performacne aims to re-inforce the rock n roll ideology.
Finally, the clothes worn are iconagraphical of the time with tight jeans, sleeveless jackets and leather boots.

Ancillary Texts Research And Anaylsis - Magazine Advert (2)

Secondly I have evaluated the effectiveness of 'The Boy Who Knew Too Much' by Mika (2009).
Mika has a traditionally young audience and the detailed yet bright poster, it could be argued reflect the imaginiation of his audience.
The mis en scene shows us a stereotypical teenagers untidy bedroom - again showing synergy with his audience.
The artist name is in a very large font, simply to draw attention to it - the white font is also highly distuingishable from the heavily coloured background.
Again a website and release date are included - as well as the song titles of two 'hot singles' included to entice the audience further.

Ancillary Texts Research And Analysis - Magazine Advert (1)

Innitially I have decided to analyse the magazine poster for the Basement Jaxx 'Rooty' album (2001).
The poster has two layers - both very contrasting. I believe the juxtaposotion of a space background with what appears to be blue and purple paint splattered on one side could connote the contrasting sounds of the band.
In addition the colours blue and purple (very close to pink) are commonly gender specific - thus placing them both together could indicate that both audiences are being catered for.
The chocie of using a monkey for the image is an interesting one - it is chewing on the root of a plant - which I presume is used to emphasise the album name 'Rooty'.
Moreover the chocie of a monkey rather than a human for example could possibly be due to the fact monkey's are seen as humorous animals - and thus the presence of one creates a lighthearted approach to their music.
In small print is information such as the album's release date, a band website and details of a live performance - while the lettering is small in comparison to the imagery it nevertheless still present proving its importance.

Video

Storyboard

Analysis of Song Lyrics

D'yer wanna be a spaceman - Oasis

I haven't seen your face round
Since I was Kid
Your bringing back those memories
Of the thing that we did
You're hanging round and climbing trees
Pretending to fly
D'yer wanna be a spaceman and live in the sky

You got how many bills to pay
And how many kids
And you forgot
About the things that we did
The town where we're living
Has made you a man
And all of your dreams
Are washed in the sand

Well it's alright
It's alright
Who are you and me to say
What's wrong and what's right
Do you still feel like me
We sit down here
And we shall see
We can talk
And find common ground
And we can just forget
About feeling down
We can just forget
About life in this town.

It's funny how your dreams
Change as you're growing old
You don't wanna be no spaceman
You just want gold
Allthe dream stealers
Are lying in wait
But if you wanna be a spaceman
It's still not too late

Well it's alright
It's alright
Who are you and me to say
What's wrong and what's right
Do you still feel like me
We sit down here
And we shall see
We can talk
And find common ground
And we can just forget
About feeling down
We can just forget
About life in this town.

It's funny how your dreams
Change as you're growing old
You don't wanna be no spaceman
You just want gold Dream stealers
Are lying in wait
But if you wanna be a spaceman
It's still not too late

Well it's alright
It's alright
Who are you and me to say
What's wrong and what's right
Do you still feel like me
We sit down here
And we shall see
We can talk
And find common ground
And we can just forget
About feeling down
We can just forget
About life in this town

The lyrics to 'D'yer wanna be a spaceman' written by Noel Gallagher are according to 'fergal 41' of songmeanings.net

"this very underrated track is, seemingly, about dreams changing as you grow older and mellow, or rather the dreams getting beaten out of you by the humdrum harsheties of everyday life, similar sentiment to "fade away" really but with a slight amount more optimism and lack or caring, for example : if you wanna be a spaceman its still not too late."

Personally I will aim to tap into the spaceman element of the song as much as possible as it could be highly iconographic to use all things connoting space, and its travel to represent my fictional band/the song.