In this magazine advert of Rihanna she is represented as carefree but also feisty. I say this because she is hardly wearing any clothing, infact she has a piece of clothing against her body, which indicates that she is untroubled. However the main colour around the whole image is Red who implies fire and bravery. Rihanna is known for her wild outgoing lifestyle and is highly represented in this magazine advert.

The design and layout of this advert is very bold and Loud. This is very common for and R&B/Pop artist. In the media Rihanna is not seen as one to hold back and also stands out from the crowd therefore the layout of this advert represents her in a major way because it stands out from dull colours.

The advert is laid similar to the Digipak in terms of colour and front. However there is one thing that this advert doesn’t have that others do, and that is the front of the Digipak somewhere in the connors to promote the album. This reason for this again may link to Rihanna being different from many people and breaking the rule. The advert gives you information about when the album is being released.

Automatically looking at the advert it is obvious that rihanna is a Pop artist. I say this because the genre ‘pop’ is known for loud outgoing extravagant colours and this is exactly what is portrayed in this advert although its only one colour it has a massive impact on the whole advert.

Although this advert does not have the front cover of Rihanna Digipak it still represents the album because the same colours used in the album are used in the advert, which is a massive link.

Anaysing a didgi pack- Rihanna Loud

The name of the artist on this digi pak is Rihanna, which automatically indicates that the genre of music is R&B and pop since this is her main field in the music industry.
The front cover is simple and understandable. The letters are not too fancy but are casual, the fact that the letters are in white against Rihanna Carmel skin colour makes it straightforward to read and easy to understand, recognizes and value. Her physical appearance in this digi pak is very calm and peaceful. There is a long shot of her smelling the red roses, its almost as if she’s in a place where she can relax and be free such a heaven, she is wearing a cream dress that resembles a wedding dress which will explain why she looks so happy and content. Also there is a close up shot of Rihanna facial expression which indicates that she is shy because her eyes are closed however saying this would be an understatement because Rihanna is seen as confident and outgoing in her concerts, music videos and TV appearances. Although in this shot she looks shy in this shot, her hair and makeup say otherwise. The colour of her hair and makeup were both fiery red which connotes that she is a strong and a passionate about what she does and also even though she is seen as a shy young woman she also has ’some fight ’ in her.
The dominant images within the front cover is Rihanna as she is a solo artists and doesn’t share her success with others which suggests that’s he is and independent woman. The look of Rihanna digi pak is completely different from the name of the digi pack. I say this because the images of her allows the audience to think she’s innocent and dull, however the name of the digi pack which is called ‘loud’ contradicts this is so many ways. Even though the look and name of the digi packa are two different things this could be Rihanna trying to send a message to her fan without us even realizing it. Throughout the whole digi pack the most common colour is ‘red’ which again suggest that she has another side to her which is wild, outgoing and feisty, also it allows us to see that Rihanna doesn’t want to be seen as that little girl that started of at 16 with her childlike song and style image, she wants to be respected and seen as a style ion for young woman out there. The record label is Def Jam Recordings, which suggest that rihanna is successful because this Record label has signed so many big artist out there. On this CD rihanna herself was the executive producer but work with other record producers such as ’Stargate and Alex the kid’ .Rihanna audience would be appeal to the fact that she helped to produce her own album because it shows that she has many talents and actually like to get involved with her own work. The main target audience for this CD cover is teenagers to young adults from the age of 14-30, this cover will appeal specifically to this audience because rihanna has some kind of innocence going on with her camera shots and poses however her physical appearance is mature which will appeal to older women.

Response to my Music Video- Youtube

These are the comments that people made on my music video on the social networking cite youtube.

Youtube -Target Audience

This is a screenshot of my target audience based on the social networking cite youtube. As you can see my music video is popular with female at the ago of 18-24 which is the target audience we predicted in the begining when we was doing our planning and research.

Response to my Music Video

After i finished completing my music video I uploaded it to the social networking site 'Facebook'. I did this because I wanted to see how people felt about my Music video and what there views were on it.

Final Music Video

This is my final music video. After months of planning and research we have finally finished the video, although we had so many comlication such as the weather, lighting and camera we managed the work through these obstacles and have now produced the final video.

1st draft of our music video

Yolanda Stranger- Testshoot

This is our first test shoot with our artist. We was just testing the location and how the artist adapts to music and song lyrics. As you can see one of the potential issues is the lighting however we are planning on getting some light such as a torch to make the scene look brighter and clearer hopefully this will be the missing piece to our puzzle.

Introduction to my Production

This is the start of my production, meaning that my actual music video, Digi pack and advert will come in this section.

filming Schedule

After all the research into the production of our music video we have finally come up with a schedule which we hope to follow if everything goes well.

Evaluating planning

Our music video will conform and break Andrew Goodwin's 5 theories of conventions.

There's a slight connection between the lyrics and the visuals, however we are planning on having symbolic references which means our video will be open for interpretation to any audience. We're also planning on using multiple close-up shots emphasising the artists importance conforming to his theory also creating an intimate relationship between the artist and the viewer. The song has a mystical eerie sound to which relates to the dark forest setting. Our video will have intertextual references to 'Red Riding Hood' & 'The Never Ending Story'. From 'Red Riding Hood' we're using the costume as our artist will be wearing a red cape and from the 'Never Ending Story' we'll be using the low level shot they use when filming the dog following the little boy.

We've planned our video and concluded that our video follow Todorovs narrative theory as our video begins with the Equilibrium where everything seems normal, but then the Dis-equilibrium happens where Yolanda then realises that everything is not okay and she's lost in the forest; metaphorically lack of trust. In relation to the lyrics Yolanda recognises that she must let go of the past, this is the recognition. The reparation is when she leaves her red cape behind and finds flowers and balloons symbolising a new beginning . Finally she finds her way out of the forest this being the New Equilibrium.

Red Riding Hood Movie Trailer 2 Official (HD)

This is an intertextual refrence to our music video. There are some comparison between the both.

Response to Survey

 

This is the responce to the survey I created on my music video using survey monkey. The screenshot shows what kind of things  people prefer in a music video. 

Survey

I have created a survey for my music video. This will enable me to see what kind of things i should include in my music video. Click on the link to take the survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/MySurvey_EditorFull.aspx?sm=L7BDC0L0%2fCTTI%2bY96FftyP3bnW7Z96dXj1AAVTHJmPo%3d

Survey

This is the survey that i have created for my music video.

Nina&Khadija Storyboard

This is a screenshot of me and Nina asking our artist to be apart of our video, which she agreed to.

Recce of locaton/setting

This is a picture of the location were our video shoot will be held. the location is epping forest and the setting is 'the forest' as you can see. Before we actually start shooting our video we made sure that the setting was suitable enough. considering the type of siong we have choosen the forst seems like the best place to do our video because it give it an spooky atmosphere which is the theme of our video.

Recce of locaton/setting

This is a picture of the location were our video shoot will be held. the location is epping forest and the setting is 'the forest' as you can see. Before we actually start shooting our video we made sure that the setting was suitable enough. considering the type of siong we have choosen the forst seems like the best place to do our video because it give it an spooky atmosphere which is the theme of our video.

Moodboard Ideas

This is a moodboard, it has all the ideas that i am planning to include in my video on it.

Anotation of lyrics

Jhene Aikos- stranger lyrics

Verse 1

Yea yea , ah
Similar ways, similar game
starting to feel the similar pain
are you sure we haven't met before?
I know ya face, i know ya name
but I don't know you?
isn't that crazy? isn't that crazy?
i think we may be
In a different book
on a different page
you said you are different
but you're the same
stranger.

[Hook]
i can not tell you,
how many there have been
that were just like you
i do not need you
cause you're just like them.

[Course]
i meet em' everyday..
they...all seem to be the same.
lame. okay?

i meet em' everyday..
[ohhh ohhhh ohhhh ohhhh ohhhh]
they...all seem to be the same.
it's strange.


ah.

[Verse 2]
Familiar time, familiar place
starting to feel the familiar shame
cause i know what you have come here for.
you know my name, you know my face,
but you don't know me? you must be crazy.
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
or i must be crazy. or is it maybe...
Ive been here times before and
ive said yes, meaning no but oh...
alot of shit has changed. lot of shit has changed.
lot of lot of shit has changed.

[Hook]
Didn't I tell you what all the rest have done?
they were just like you, they have all tried to.
you're not the only one.

[Course]
I meet em' everyday..
[meet em' everyday meet em' everyday]
they...
all seem to be the same.
[they are all the same they are all the same]
lame okay?

i meet em' everyday..
[meet em' everyday meet em' everyday]
they...
all seem to be the same.
[they are all the same, they are all the same]
its strange.

[Hook]
I think we may be
In a different book
on a different page
you said you are different
but you're the same
stranger.

Permission Email

This is an email I sent to DefJam records, the owners of the song I am planning to use for my music video. The reason why I sent this email is to not break the copy right regulations.

Final song choice: Jhene Aiko

The song that I have decided to do for my A2 media music video is called ‘Stranger’ by Jhene Akios.

Potential music video idea: Jack penate- Pulling my heart away

The first idea I had for my music video was Jack Pente- pulling my heart away. The reason why this song was one of my ideas is because the song is very calm and peaceful as its genre is indie. Also the song is more based on lyrics rather than performance, which if I had used it for my music video would have been easy to interpret. The fact that the music video is based on lyrics means that I can focus on making a liner narrative which will go in chronological order.

Potential music video idea: Jill Scott- He loves me

The second idea I had was a song called ‘He loved me’, by an artist called Jill Scott. The song is about a woman meeting someone who sweeps her off her feet like price charming which follows Levi- Strauss theory of binary oppositions. The male would be seem as the hero and the female would be seem as the princess which is the hero reward. It’s a very calm and smoothing song as it has a mixture of jazz and R&B, the song is almost like a poem. I love the fact that Jill Scott uses her lyrics to express her feelings. The narrative that I would have used in this video would be a non- liner narrative as I would use flashbacks.

Introduction to Planning

I have now reached the part in my media coursework where i start planning and putting all my idea's together, this will enable me to get a final product.

Star image analysis

Which star are you analysing?

The star that I am going to be analyzing is Christina Aguilera. Christina Maria Aguilera was born December 18, 1980. She is an American recording artist and also and actress. In 1998 Aguilera sent in a demo of her singing a ‘Whitney Houston’ song to Disney who were looking for a Singer to record the song ‘reflection’ for the animated film ‘Mulan’. The demo caught the attention of label executive and prouder Ron fair who mentored her throughout her career and enabled Christina to earn a contract with RCA record, this changed her life. The music genres Christina has worked in is Pop, R&B, Soul and Dance. She has done a variety of genre, which makes her a versatile artist.

How was his/her star image established in the earliest video?

In her early years her star image was very innocent and child-like, she was portrayed as the girl next door. Christina wasn’t really seen as a sex symbol but more of a young girl who just wanted to make something of herself. An example of this is the music video ‘genie in the bottle’ which was one of her first songs as a music artist. In this video she’s got the typical high school look which is her short blond hair and her natural make-up. Her costume is also very innocent as she is wearing and Blue and White tank top which indicates that she is pure and innocent. Her Orange combats and trainers prove that she wasn’t mature because the costume colours do not complement and also this is how most teenagers dress. At this specific time in her life it was obvious that Christina was following what the producers wanted to portray her as. I say this because of the way in which she’s dancing; the dance moves are very choreographed and set up. There are no signs of her doing her own thing and just letting loose. They treated her like a mother nuturing a child.

How was that image developed later in his/her career?

As Christina began to get older and noticed to the audience her innocent girl next door image changed dramatically into a more sexual, provocative way. This is portrayed in her music video called ‘dirty’. In this video her costume is very outgoing and skimpy, she is wearing tight Red and Black leather chaps, the colour Black and Red show that she is feisty and is no longer innocent. Her bikini reveals the top part of her body to a great extent, this would be referring to Laura Mulvey theory of the male gaze. However in this case it would seem that Christina is putting herself on show and is making it her decision to dress this way. Her hair is very wild and has the mixture of colour black and white it also looks very greasy and oily which would be referring to the title of the song ‘dirty’. Christina make-up is very dark and gloomy, this makes her look like a rock chick .In this video it is evident that she has become very rebellious an example of this is her piercings on her face. Christian is playing the character of a female boxer. This indicates that over the years she has become much braver and sees herself as ‘one of the guys’ especially the fact that she wearing a biker Jacket. A big contrast between her early years and her later years is the dance moves. In this video we see that plenty of her own dance moves that are occurring which indicates that she has gained confidence and is now able to do her own work.

The visual motif that has been associated with Christina is ‘sex symbol’ and ‘fighter’. An example of this is when she is sitting at the edge of the boxing ring and Men with no top on are surrounding and rubbing them self onto her. It’s almost as if she is an object that there obsessed and amazed by. Later on in the video we see her dancing in the ring with about 5 female dancers behind her trying to copy her movement, this makes her look like a gang leader or an inspiration.

Recently she made a song called ‘Candy Man’ which she looks very sophisticated and classy in. She is wearing a tight fitted suit which makes her look very smart but feminine at the same time. Her hair is nice and tidy and her make-up is calm and natural although she is wearing bright red lipstick it makes her look mature and womanly. This video was after she gave birth to her Son which I think is the reason why she decided to make a huge change in her appearance. Although she is mature and feminine in this video she still portrays the character of a strong individual which is a Captain. This position implies that she has control over her life just like a captain has control over his Ship. Again in this video she is seen as a leader with two female dancers beside her. In this video the men are not all over her but it almost as if they are worshiping the ground she walks on as in one scene they are lifting her up in the air and praising her.

Are there close-ups of the artist throughout his/hers work.

In her earlier song ‘genie in a bottle’ there are close-up shots of her face and these shows how innocent and young she is. The recording label sells the star as a young girl who is still in high school that just wants to pursue her dream of a Singer. However in her later song’ dirty’ there are close up shots of her bum, chest, legs, lips and of female assets, the recording artist is trying to sell her and sex symbol. In her more recent song 'candy man' there are close up shots of her face however in these close up shots she looks like a strong confident mature woman.

How camerawork and editing are used to reinforce and develop the image of the star?

Camerawork work and editing can make the star image either look good or bad. An example of it making Christina look bad is in her video dirty. The camera focuses on her behind and keeps it there for a couple of moment so the audience can take notice of what she’s wearing and her figure, also the editing is very fast which makes Christina look engetic . However there are times when camerawork and editing has made the star look good and this is in the video ‘genie in the bottle’ where the camera zooms in on her child-like face and makes her look helpless and vulnerable.

What do you consider the wider cultural significance of the star? 

Christina Aguilera was popular when she was younger because she was like an inspiration for teenage girls. She showed them that you can do whatever you want in life as long as your passionate about it. When the video ‘Dirty’ came out I believe she was a role model for all those woman that didn’t think they were sexy and she showed women that they could do anything that men could do and that your genre doesn’t classify your capability. As for candy man that video was aim to young Mums who are trying to pursue something with their lives she showed them that having a Child does not mean you have to give up on everything and that you can still be sexy and classy as well as being a Mum. Overall she has been a major role model to women of all ages and through her music she expresses ‘girl power’.

Christina Aguilera started her music career from a very young age and up on till this day she is still going strong. She has made different kind of music with different artist her powerful voice has seen her make some successful songs. She has gained plenty of fans from all ages just because of the message she sends out to them which is hard work and determination.

Pop Genre Convetions

Pop genre conventions

View more presentations from kkamara94

Analysing narrative in music videos

The video I will be analysing is ‘Destiny Child’s- survivor’. I will be focusing on 3 theorists called Tororov, Propp and Levi- srauss.

This videos I believe follows a typical Todorvian narrative model, the reasomn why I say this is because its starts of with an equilibrium which is when they find themselves on the deserted island and do not recognise where they are at this point there are no problems just confusion. However the problem comes when the dis- equilibrium kicks in and this is when they realise that they are trapped on the islands. In there lyrics they say ‘ you thought I would self destruct but im still here’ meaning that even though they stranded they will still keep there heads up high. Also dis equilibrium is when the storm and thunder hits them hard and the boat beings to shake this is a dill lemma. The recognition is when they are notice a helicopter in the air and the three destiny child singer run as if there running for there lives and all of a sudden the sun comes out which implies hope and freedom. The reparation is when they put there hands in the air in unity its almost as if there thanking God. When they finally get on the helicopter and its moves this is when we see the new equilibrium.

 Plenty of Propp characters are in this video. The hero in this video is the three women. The villains are the storm, thunder and the also the person who believed they wouldn’t make it. There are quite a few donors in this music video and they are the people in the camouflage outfit who notice the helicopter and also the 3 girls helped each other so each one of them are donors. False hero is the man constantly watching them. Structure of this narrative is liner it all goes in order and also its parallel narrative because we see different things happening at the same time but they all meet in the end. Time is represented in and ellipsis kind of way everything is at different timing.

The enigma code in this music video is how did they get trapped in this deserted island and who are there lyrics going towards and also who found them and how did they know they were there at that present time in moment. This video can be seen as strong and weak because at some point you see them struggling especially at the boat scene however towards the end we see one of them shouting up to the heavens and that’s when they discover the helicopter.

Introduction to my analysis

In the next few blogs that I am going to post, I will be recording what i have learned about the codes and conventions of music videos. I shall be exploring narrative and media language in a range of ideas that i have chosen. I hope that this will help me to develop my own ideas later.

Introduction to my whole blog

Hi my name is Khadija Kamara and this is my A2 media music blog. I decided to do media last year as an AS and continued with it into A2 and this was because last year I found media interesting and it was very different from my other subject. Although I had difficulty with it at first I gained plenty of help from my Media Teacher’s  and learnt so many things about media and now that I am in A2 I find it much easier to use certain technologies. As the year goes by I will be documenting each and everything I do in Media A2, I may not be continuing with it in university but i am happy to take the experience of media studies away and it could be useful later on in the future. I hope you enjoy my blog.