Closing Statement

Over the course of the two years I have learnt a variety of skills, such as managing time effectively to produce efficient results. I also learnt how to apply theories in the construction of our A2 main media text. For instance, Goodwin's Music Video theory on music videos using a number of close-ups of the artist and the inclusion of intertextual references furthered the quality of our media product. I have also had the opportunity to develop technical skills, particularly using the camera e.g. applying the rule of thirds in shot framing. I've also been allowed to be able to be both practical and creative in constructing media texts. Lastly, it has provided with insight on the business side of media and has consequently made me more curious in media and hope to continue learning new media skills and theories, to which I can incorporate in constructing media texts.

Final Digipak and Website Link

http://enidakuffo.wix.com/musicmediawebsite

Final Music Video

Evaluation Question 4 - How did you use media technologies in the construction of research, planning and evaluation stages?

Eval Q 4

Evaluation Question 3 - What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Infographic

(Source A)

What have you learned about audience feedback? | Create Infographics

Screencast-o-matic Website

(Source B)


Screencast-o-matic Music Video

(Source C)

(Source D)

(Source E)

(Source F)

(Source G)

(Source H)

As you can see from the feedback from above, all three media products were successful in representing the same current concept through the colour scheme and other aesthetics, such as visuals of the artist. However, it was commented that the audience wanted to have more promotional images of the artist on the website (Source G). This means that our strategy to bring the minimalist themes were ineffective in helping promoting the artist.

Majority of audiences enjoyed the music video but considered the video to be rushed and even too many visual effects (Source C and H). They believed the narrative was clear and entertaining. However, these comments were in reference to a previous copy of the music video and the final one showed at the top of my blog.

Evaluation Question 2 - How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

All texts use the same intertextual references of the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. This is effective in drawing a common link between the texts and attracting a target audience that is incredibly interested in art and experimentation.

On the website we promoted the song by embedding a soundcloud link. Soundcloud is a site that is usually targeted to fans of alternative music and helps to gain a wide exposure. Also, on the website we posted a link to the music video, which helps to continue to promote the artist.

However, the minimalist form for the website reduces the promotional and marketing potential as it aims to divert from mainstream hip-hop. We aimed to overcome this by posting tour dates of artist's performance. Also the fact there are so few shows heightens the exclusivity of the event, potentially making our artists more popular, like MF DOOM or Lauryn Hill.

The music video helps to cross-promote the website through the mies-en-scene. The use of costume of Brandon, helps to establish the artist as urban and plain. This is effective in attracting an audience who dislike the impression of an constructed artist and like a "real image" as they can identify with cultural ideologies of this artist

Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product?

Music Video

Digipak

We also conformed by having our digipak cover to match our music video to help boost synergy. The way in which we conformed was by shooting our digipak cover in monochrome imitating our music video. The digipak share the same semiotic and symbolic codes as our video. They both share a sense of alienation and surrealism.

Another way we conformed was by using images of the artist on our digipak. However, we developed this convention by not using the artist in the front cover of the image and placing the animal costume on the front cover.

Another way we challenged was by not using illustration art on the cover of our digipak/album as a lot of alternative hip-hop genres do, instead we opted to create a photo shoot that helps to merge the idea of surrealism meeting reality.

(Madvillainy - MF DOOM)

Website

Editing Diary

An editing diary of our music video product that is subject to be changed

Rough Music Video 2

Digipak Draft

This digipak draft conforms to our intention to conform to alternative hip-hop genre conventions. The minimalist style fits in with current artistic trends in the alternative hip-hop genre, particularly in London. The digipak needs finishing but shows a basic layout of how we are going to present our product.

Rough Music Video Edit

Evaluation Question Plans

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product? 

I will create three separate posts for the digipak, website and music video.

I will create two fotobabble projects for both the digipak and the website, as the analysis is not as lengthy as the analysis of the music video. Also, considering the digipak and website are ancillary texts, it would be logical to spend most of the analysis on the primary product.

I have chosen to use the format of prezi to present the conventions of how to compare my media product with the genre conventions of an alternative hip-hop music video. Also, I can makes the point of comparison for the website and digipak, by uploading images that market to the same/similar target audience. It will enable to create a genre shopping list and see how our product has used the products in a visual format that isn't burdened by text and is interactive. 

The benefit of using prezi, means I can collate a variety of different media products in a digestible format, by dividing and organising certain aspects of alternative hip-hop music videos into categories. I can then use collected information to analyse what the benefits of what I concluded in my media product and also what conventions I may have used/challenged to construct a stronger media products.

2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

By using a voki, I can clearly explain what aspects of the media were well constructed technically and how it impacted viewing experience. 

3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?

I will use an infographic to accurately record quantitative analysis, provided by audience feedback. It presents a unique and effective form of visually representing data. 

It also has minimal text but remains high in impact: it piques audience interest by providing essential information and leaves the audience to learn more about the company/product etc. It also prevents them from being bored and scrambling through text to extract important information.

Finally, it can be shared easily which can be advantageous as it can be accessed on various social media platforms, therefore update customers/fans on product progress.

I will also use screencast-o-matic to document qualitative analysis. I will be able to show audience's response to the video visually, and it also allows viewers to pick up on nuances that cannot be conveyed through transcription, such as facial expressions. It will allow us to change and adapt our product to the audience's demands.

In the conclusion, I will write a summative paragraph, detailing important information collected from the screencast-o-matic. I will also state how I would improve the product, had I the opportunity to do the product again. 

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

I will create a slideshow documenting what technologies were used in each stage of product construction and analyse why each technological product was most suitable to present information, be creative ideas/inspiration or socio-economic research.

Photography CD Cover Planning Schedule

Photograph Planning


Above is a table showing a description of the photo's we will be including in our Digipak. I have incorporated the date in which we are aiming to shoot the photo and what props will be required if any, this will aid to improve our time management and preparation.

My Practice CD Cover

Practice Digipak Cover

This is the cd cover I designed in photoshop during the lesson. We were asked to construct a cover for a digipak by selecting a random photograph on flickr and then developing the image on Adobe Photoshop. I believe the randomly generated name, song and image work well in this instance, creating a piece that resembles the conventions of an alternative-rock band.

Representation of females in the music industry

The video collates and summarises all the cultural attitudes and females have been represented in the media, from music videos to political debates. The video exposes the superficial progression of female representation in the media over the last forty years, or so, and the stigmatism that permeates cultural opinions in present day, for instance one reporter trying to justify the rape of a young woman. The focus is aimed on American media, and despite being well-presented video and emotionally evocative, it ridicules renowned controversial television networks, such as FOX News. It can thus, be accused of some form of propaganda as it only attacks the FOX Network and presenting it only in a light of misogyny and bigotry.

in terms of the music industry, it seems 2013 reached a new ceiling of female objectification that near parodies itself, with Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines and Miley Cyrus' twerking scandals. 

Links to scandals here:
http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/06/robin-thicke-blurred-lines-rape-controversy/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2446398/Miley-Cyrus-shocks-Former-teen-star-pokes-fun-government-shut-twerks-Michelle-Bachmann-SNL.html

Image Schedule

Photograph Planning

This is our image schedule for our digipak and website gallery. We think that the shoot will be done very quickly.

Production Logo - Final

This production logo was chosen as it represented the minimalist feel, that is conventionally associated with alternative hip-hop. Also the name of the company reflects the scientific and yet somehow abstract concepts that independent record labels are known for (think Warp Records).

What Is A Digipak?

•  A digipak is a CD box, usually used for special edition or re-released.

• It is usually a folded piece of cardboard with a CD case in the middle.

• It might contain Postcards or a booklet to accompany the CD.

• Digipak-style cases grew in popularity among record labels and recording artists in the early 2000s.

• Digipaks are to promote sales of the artist.

• Digipaks are still popular with Record Companies as they give fans a reason to buy a CD, not just download content.

Digipak Analysis

Production Diaries 3

Colour Scheme

Production Diaries 2