Inspirational texts

1. Inspirational Texts

2. What I like about the work
I like how it’s a really consistent design. The colours all match up-
and the dot-type pattern remains similar on both the front and back
of the casing- as well as on the CD itself. In my opinion, it’s really
well branded. The song titles on the back of the case link to the
overall design with songs such as ‘Spaceman’ and ‘The World we
Live in’.

3. How many locations are used?
Two locations may have been used- this is because part of
the video is the singer walking through a studio and then
onto this large tower that is seen at the bottom right of this
slide. The setting in the top right isn’t exactly representative
of the whole ‘space’ theme. However the setting is rather
strange, and the fact that there’s some sort of dinner party
taking place is also odd. This could perhaps link to the
‘oddness’ of space- something we barely know anything
about. Furthermore, it seems as though they’re not really
trying to convince people into thinking that this is some kind
of space setting. This is shown through the blatant use of
the studio and that you can see the camera crew around the
tower at the end.

4. How many costume changes?
The singer wears one costume throughout the full video.

5. Are cutaways to narrative used? If so, how do they relate to the lyrics?
Cutaways aren’t used in this video, however from the lyrics we find a link between
the idea of space and religion. The song mentions ‘the star maker’, how the ‘Nile
runs from East to West’ and ‘the spaceman’. This refers to God and the stories of
the Bible involving the River Nile.

6. Variety of camera work?
There’s quite a lot of variation within the camera
work. Firstly, there’s a tracking shot shown in the
top right. The camera followed the singer from the
studio, up the stairs and onto the tower. This
shows his journey between locations. Furthermore,
a low angle longshot was used-this could perhaps
show that he’s more powerful than the rest of the
people, making sure the viewer pays more
attention to him. Also, medium shots were used for
important lyrics in the song- this meant that the
viewer could see the singer say them, meaning
they’d pay more attention to those parts. In addition
to this, an exterior shot was used to show the full
tower set. This meant that the viewers could see
the camera crew at the end.

7. How are the three products linked? (colour, costume, graphics, social media links)
The products have been linked mainly through the use of their logo. ‘The
KILLERS’ logo is shown on the website and the website advertisement of this
particular album. You can buy the album directly off their website. Furthermore,
the costume choices linked to the idea of ‘space’, but not in the typical we would
we think of it- the idea of space is shown on the CD cover with the stars in the
background.

8. What I like about the work
I like that the music video uses a lot of cutaway narrative and intertextual
links- combined with the colourful setting this makes the music video very
engaging and exciting to watch. The website is good as well, for the album
promotion section of the album ‘Prism’, the layout is very simple and follows a
good colour scheme. Furthermore the homepage of this website is very
simple also- using a certain colour palette to make it look more modern and
easy to use. The CD cover shows a lot of colour as well- it looks very nature
themed- the CD itself is very simple and just follows the font style, making it a
consistent design, making it more marketable.

9. How many locations used?
One location is used throughout the video- however it
shows her journey through the jungle. There are many
different places within the ‘jungle’, such as a plane crash
scene- relating to narrative, a waterfall scene and party
where she’s just in the jungle. This changed of different
parts of the jungle allowed her to create more intertextual
links to media types such as movies- like Tarzan, the
Lion King etc.

10. How many costume changes?
There are four costume changes within the music video. As
the video progresses we find that she starts to wear less
clothing- this may have been done to sexualise her for the
male gaze. Furthermore, the 3 outfits have intertextual
references.

11. Any cutaways to narrative? If so, how does it relate to the lyrics?
There are several intertextual references to ‘the Lion King’. This is
shown in an animated wall mural in a cave- where a lion animation is
shown. Furthermore, Katy fights off a lion- this could also be linked to
the Lion King. These both relate to the lyrics through the use of “Roar”,
and this is the sound a tiger makes- also, “eye of the tiger” is used
throughout the song;

12. Variety of camerawork?
A large variety of camera work is used within the video. Firsty, a low angle moves
down to show the full waterfall. This may have been used to show that she’s more
powerful, furthered by the use of extra power in the lyrics. Furthermore, medium shots
are regularly used, this may be to show her costume frequently in an effort to
sexualise her within the video. Also, a medium shot is used to show the opposition
between katy and the Tiger. High angle crane shots are used to show the setting- this
can make the video more engaging as it becomes more real. A medium shot was
used when Katy was facing the other way, this shows the scenery in the background.

13. How are the three products linked together?
The three products are linked together mainly by the branding
of her name. Also, the homepage of the website doesn’t really
link to the ‘Roar’ music video or digipak very much. However,
the ‘Prism’ album promotional section does, and it follows a
neutral, nature type colour scheme. This, combined with the
Roar music video and CD cover- all link in with this idea of
nature. The use of vibrant colour schemes can also link these
colours together.

14. What do you like about the work?
I like that there are several different buying options for the
newest album. These include records, cassettes, CD’s,
streaming and the digital download. The clear advertisement of
physical copies can also suggest the potential target audience-
indie. Furthermore- this allows people to consume their music
in more ways than most artists offer these days. Also, I like the
colour scheme and the simplicity of the album cover- it’s very
memorable. Moreover, the website follows a similar simple
layout, with a large section aiming at promoting the album. The
music video is very engaging, making use of black and white
filters, as well as coloured. The large variety of camera angles,
flashing lights and a live crowd also makes it better. They’re
performing on stage with instruments, making it a typically indie
music video.

15. How many locations are used?
Only one location is used- a stage at a concert. However, the video
remains engaging due to the use of different colour filters. The stage is a
typical indie music video location- it allows the band to showcase their
skills, and perhaps show their audience what they could expect at a live
concert. This would make sense because of the emphasis of indie bands
only caring about ‘their music being heard’- that they enjoy live
performances and travelling. Since the band ‘Royal Blood’ is very guitar
heavy, it only makes sense that they’d have guitars used in the video.

16. How many costume changes? Are there any cutaways to narrative?
There are no costume changes, this is due to the fact that there’s only one
location used throughout the video, and none of the band members ever leave the
stage. As this video is entirely performance based, there’s no need to include
costume changes. It seems as though the video is based on showing the
expectations of a live performance by the band.
There are no cutaways to narrative either- due to all the points above.

17. Variety of camerawork
A large variety of camerawork is used to make this entirely
performance based music video more engaging. Firstly, medium
shots of the band members are used when they’re doing something
of importance- whether it be a powerful drum section, a heavy guitar
solo, or delivering meaningful lyrics. A handheld camera is frequently
used, this is best show in the fourth image. This shot was possibly
taken from the back of the concert, the shaking of the camera shows
the intensity or the excitement of the event. Shots of the crowd were
used to shows excitement as well- that the people there are having a
good time and enjoying the music. Low angle shots of the singer,
combined with rapid zoom ins of the microphone or guitar were used
also- these can indicate solo’s of lyrics of importance as well.

18. How are the three products linked? (colour, costume, graphics, social media links)
These products are linked very well- this is part of their marketing technique.
Throughout the whole campaign, their designs have been very consistent.
Furthermore, the main colours are black and white- shown on the CD cover, the
website and even the music video. The name of the album is ‘How did we get so
dark?’ this ‘darkness’ is shown within the music video- and can even be found
metaphorically within the lyrics of the song. Although, their costumes are only really
suited for the genre of indie/rock- they’re not very representative of the album
cover- as it seems a lot darker and ‘heavy metal’.

19. What do you like about the work?
I like that the website is really modern and interactive- also, the first things
you’re drawn to in the music section are their Spotify playlists. This can go to
show that they really just want their music to be heard. Also, I like the video
because it seems quite ‘classic’- and it fits the genre really well. The album
cover is very unique, and the CD follows the same theme.

20. How many locations are used?
It’s hard to tell because of the camera movement and the lighting- but around two
or three locations may have been used. These involve two hallways, another
place, and some kind of scene under several sheets or something similar. The
locations used are definitely unique.

21. How many costume changes? Are there any cutaways to narrative?
The lead singer underwent the most costume changes throughout the video. He
changed costume six times. In the bottom left image you can see him taking a jacket
off (going through a costume change)- in fact most costume changes are seen within
video. There isn’t much of a narrative, although as the singer walks around the
building he does show signs of anger or stress- this may be used to show his
emotions or further heighten them.

22. Variety of camerawork
Tracking shots using handheld cameras were commonly used throughout the whole
video, these made the video really chaotic. The camera also circled around the band
members to further create this chaotic setting- and the medium shots showed them
playing instruments. Close-ups were used for lyrics of importance, and rapid zoom
ins+ zoom outs were used to make the video more excting.

23. How are the three products linked?
The three products have been linked by being so unique. The video is completely different to
any other, the album cover is really original and creative and the website is very well though
of. The only thing that separates all three products being linked is that the website is very
modern- it’s very different compared to their classic looking music video and older looking
CD cover. However, they all still link together through the indie theme. Indie websites are
usually interactive and up to date, the album covers are always unique, and the music
videos are always very creative and engaging.