digipak analysis

1. Analysis Of Digipak’s
BY OLIVIA WEBSTER

2. Eminem CD Cover
Lighting -Eminem is located in front of a spot light, the spot light is positioned slightly to the right of him to
create a shadow on the stage. This gives us a sense that the stage is quiet and he Is Font- Eminem uses the same
font on all of his albums, this shows consistency throughout his albums. It also allows the audience to recognise
the digipak by this as it becomes memorable.
The font its self has a continuous colour, size and equal spacing this contributes to making the album
professional. The colour white makes his name stand out, it catches the audiences attention and will be one of
the first features they see. Using the colour white on a dark background contrasts well to emphasise his name.
The name of the album Is located beneath Eminem’s name, this is in the same font again to reinforce the
continuity throughout the albums. They have used a light green tone; this tone, this matches the green of the
rose stalks, the green also compliments the white to make it stand out further. Advisory explicit content is a
feature that is common on digipaks with similar styled artists. This is due to it not being rare that these artists
have explicit content however they still have a large target market who is under the age of 18 years.
The title of the album connects well with the content of the album, ‘Curtain call’ is symbolic for the death of
Eminem. The album was named this as Eminem believed this could have been his last album.
The mise-en-scene used in this image is very formal, the suit is also blue to further enhance the red tones of the
roses. The subject is wearing a fresh clean suit this portrays that the subject in the image is well-kept and has
money.The subject in the image appears to be bowing this is reinforcing the end; due to people bowing when
they have finished performing. The camera angle used is a medium shot, this is so that the male subjects identify
is not revealed; this leaves the audience intrigued which may encourage them to buy the digipak. This
contributes to the mysteriousness of the cover and the subject when they are incorporated together.
Props- Roses are used as props in this cover, they are scattered across the ground as if they have been thrown.
This tells the audience the subject has either performed or going to perform. The purpose of using these props is
to portray the importance of the subject on stage.
The roses are represent mourning, the whole concept of ‘Curtain call’ is the end of Eminem. The roses emphasise
this by creating a funeral styled setting.
The curtains in the background are also used as a major prop in this image, using blue curtains is deliberately to
enhances the red colour of the roses. Also the curtains reflects the name of the album which is reinforcing the
idea that it is the end due to the curtain nearly being closed.

3. Back Cover
One of the first features that the audience
will notice is that the same props (roses) are
featured on the back cover of the digipak. At
the end of a performance people throw
roses at the stars feet, this image includes a
closer shot of the subjects feet. Again
reinforcing the fact that this could be the
‘death’ of Eminem.
The image used Is a direct reference from
one of the songs featured in this album;
‘When I am gone’ where he says ‘The curtain
closes, they’re throwing roses at my feet’.
This image also works well as it is exactly the
same setting just taken from a different
angle which reinforced the front of the
album. They have slightly changed the
location of the lighting in this image so that
it creates shadows behind the roses as they
are the most prominent prop in this image.
The spine cover for this album uses the same
green tone as used on the front, this is to
keep a continuous colour scheme
throughout. This colour is also dominant on
the front cover of the album as well as the
back; on the stems of the rose’s.
The track listing is essential information on
ever artists album, it allows the audience to
see what the CD content is; It is common for
albums to list horizontally the names of the
songs that are presented in this album. This
allows the audience to read and understand
at ease, again the white is used to make that
text the most prominent on the page. This
will be one of the first features the audience
sees due to the contrast of white on a dark
background. The names of the songs are in
bold so that they are noticeable to the other
writing surrounding it, they have also used
the same font as used on the rest of
Eminem’s albums to keep that continuity.
Two other key features a CD should have is
including the logos of record labels with the
album. Secondly the code is another
essential part of a digipak it allows the CD to
be sold in shops and them to know how
many copies have been sold.

4. From the imagery acting as a canvas in relation to the CD
cover, it reinforces once again that the use of roses as props
is implicated o reflect the audiences thoughts of Eminem him
self; recognised by his music, the ideology of roses is a
traditional convention of a crowd applauding an
actor/actress. On another note it could be suggesting that
his audience disrespects him and his work; this is suggested
from the thorns on the roses, thorns can symbolise pain and
discomfort.
The grey scale used can imply that this album is about past
events; which could suggest that the songs are somewhat
forgotten about. The font style chosen for ‘Eminem’ and
‘Curtain call’ is bold and stands out against the background,
the purpose is to ensure that the audience are able to
recognise the artist and the album. The vibrant coloured text
enhances the visibility in comparison to the dull grey scale
imagery on the background.
In relation to media, the camera work that is used is
a close up shot. The use of the close up shot is to
show that the artist has been successful, the shot
focuses on a setting which has been seen previously
on both front and back cover of the CD.
The use of this shot is to show that the artist is/has
been applauded by an audience. This is further
enhanced by the use of roses as props; as roses are
traditional conventions of people being applauded.
In regards to lighting; they have used high key
lighting to highlight and emphasise the roses, as a
reflection of the artists success.
The CD reinforces the images that is on both the front and
back of the cover, the image used is taken at the same
location.
‘Curtain call’ is written in green to follow the colour
scheme used on the rest of the digipak, with the exception
of Eminem which this time is written in black. They have
chosen black so that ‘Curtain call’ stands out more.
CD Imagery

5. Interior Of Digipak
On the left hand side there is grey scaled image of Eminem; this once again reinforces the
idea that this album is about past events and the music is somewhat forgotten about.
The image its self is Eminem being interrogated by someone; this reflects how Eminem is
represented now due to the majority of his songs relating to bad events. His music has a lot
of references to breaking the law, therefore it presumably is a police interrogation. In
relation to the image its self it is the first time Eminem’s face has been revealed as it had
previously been a mystery who the subject on the exterior of the digipak was.
The image on the right hand side again relates with how
Eminem is portrayed. The image is very effective, almost
shocking when you remove the CD. Relating to the prop they
have used in this image reinforces the idea of the ‘death’ of
Eminem. They have used a gun, guns portray the idea of
killing and death etc. They have also blurred out the image
apart from the gun, this puts the focus onto the gun
therefore emphasizing the idea of the end/death of Eminem.
Violence is usually associated with this style of music there
fore the gun reinforces this. Also he is looking directly at the
camera this is common in the music industry as it allows him
to connect with his audience.
The central image is informative, showing Eminem's logo
and other information. The vibrant ‘E’ in comparison to
the black background catches the audiences attention.
Also green has connotations such as money which
relates to the chase for money and wealth which is highly
associated with rap artists.