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

1. Media Studies
Question 2 of 4
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary
texts?
On the completion of our main music video production, I started work
on the two ancillary tasks, the CD digipack and a promotional
magazine advert for the CD. After the extensive research I did before
the production was carried out, I had to do similar research again for
the ancillary tasks, however, this time focusing on different aspects
than I previously did. For example, whereas before looking at industry
work involved analysing shot types, costumes, and locations, for the
paper based productions, I concentrated studying their colour
schemes, font types and compositions for specific genres. On the day
of filming, we
multitasked in that
we also carried
out multiple
photo-shoots after
each costume
change with the
ancillary tasks in
mind, before the
actual footage
was filmed. This
CAPTION: Above are the two major case studies that meant that we
influenced my work. As well as analysing their music videos, I already needed
also looked at the way the genre representation was carried to have some
through into other forms of promotion, and how I could utilise
idea of what sort
some of those techniques in my work. From this I learnt that
the pop genre is very colourful and creative, exploring ideas of pictures would
of sexuality and in many cases ‘alter egos’, portraying a be included in the
confident and eye-catching image to target audiences. printed
publications,
however, more in
depth research was done after the shoot in order to clarify the use of
typography and layout.
As I carried out both primary and secondary analysis for the ancillary
tasks, I was able to get an idea of how I would use successful
conventions of print promotions, whilst also incorporating my own
ideas, without contradicting the star persona of the artist or the pop
genre. The album cover had to reflect themes shown in our video as
well as the star image so as to create a sense of continuity. In addition
to looking at the actual CD’s and their designs, I also researched some
various artists and fashion photographers to get a wider spectrum of
influence. One particular photographer who stood out to me amongst
the others was Rankin, as the concepts in his work represented the
ideology for the image that I wanted to create in my work. After
sketching out my various designs for the front cover of the album, I
Nerissa Edwards

2. Media Studies
Question 2 of 4
narrowed it down to three that I thought were the best in terms of
creativity and innovative ideas.
CAPTION: Here are some
examples of the
attempts I made at
creating the album
cover. I decided against
these as I felt that they
portrayed conflicting
ideas than I wanted the
audience to receive.
After testing out some
other ideas, I concluded
that the use of effects
and image modification
should not sacrifice the
representation of the
star, therefore, my final
piece allows a star
persona to be seen
more clearly, due to less
extreme adjustments to
our pictures.
After deciding on the images, I did numerous amounts of
experimenting using Adobe Photoshop in order to enhance the
images, and relate them back to the abstract theme throughout my
work. Through the process of trial and error, I was able to come to a
conclusion on which effects worked well with each other, and how
they portrayed specific aspects of the star’s image. Genre
representation is very important to help create meaning, and also to
make pop recognisable. Although I wanted to make the style of the
CD and magazine advert reflective of the pop genre, I wanted to
avoid a déjà vu image, instead bringing novel ideas into my work. I
also tried to incorporate other conventions that would typically be
found on a hard copy of the album, such as the production company,
date of release, distribution, barcode and reference numbers in order
to make my work as professional and realistic as possible by
conforming to major institutional codes. I also wanted to keep in
conjunction with recent promotional trends and developing media
technologies, which is why I decided to advertise the artist’s website at
the same time. Despite this, I opted not to include features such as a
track list, as I felt that this would take away from the mysterious,
Nerissa Edwards

3. Media Studies
Question 2 of 4
abstract element of my promotional technique, therefore decided it
would be better to put the track list inside the album booklet.
CAPTION: Here are two I wanted to make
of Rankin’s productions my work
that I thought were
very influential, and
memorable, for
below are examples this reason I
shown two of the ways resisted conformity
in which we used and in some instances
developed some of his such as using
ideologies.
symbolisms to
Rankin Productions
metaphorically
portray images of
femininity,
abstract ideals
and original
concepts. Adobe
Photoshop has
assisted me
Our Production Ideas
greatly, and I feel
that by using the
software to my advantage, I was able to create a more expert final
production, instead of the outcome I would have achieved on
another programme such as Microsoft Publisher. I also tried to utilise the
technology available on InDesign, however, I found that Adobe
Photoshop was much more beneficial to me. I had many attempts
before I settled on my final design, which was chosen as I thought that
the image suited the genre I am supposed to be representing, whilst
reflecting my own creative flair. The main reasons behind my decision
on my final design lie in the fact that if this were to be
a real industry piece, I feel that compared to others
in the pop genre it would stand out and appeal to a
wide variety of audiences.
In terms of the magazine advert, it was a much
easier process than producing the CD digipack.
Traditional magazine promotions include an image
of the album cover, and the date of release. With
more in depth research, I found that some industry
advertisements also included page numbers or motifs
that would make the magazine itself recognisable,
critic reviews, prices and where they would be sold. CAPTION: This was my
Whilst I included some of these conventions, I chose initial idea before I
developed and
not to include others, such as reviews and prices as I adapted this further to
did not want the focus to be drawn away from the create my final advert
actual product. design.
Nerissa Edwards

4. Media Studies
Question 2 of 4
Overall, I feel that all of my productions work quite well together in that
they portray a sense of continuity. I have tried to keep themes and
motifs the same throughout so that the artist can be relatable, and
instantly become recognisable when amongst others in the same
genre. In the productions I tried to be reflective of the pop genre,
whilst adding new elements so that the target demographics would be
kept interested. I think that the combination of the print productions
and the music video itself is quite an effective one, as they all show
individuality, whilst at the same time linking into one another to portray
a consistent image. Examples of constant themes include the use of
colour schemes, font types, imaginative images, and I also tried to
incorporate another promotional technique used in the industry in the
form of trade-marking, shown in the idea of glow sticks. In terms of the
marketing and promotional techniques I have integrated, I feel that it
was quite effective in achieving a successful star persona as I tried to
think of creative ways that I could sell and relate the artist’s image to
the target audience. Abstract, eccentric glamour was the key
ideology for our production, and I think that this has been clearly
depicted throughout both the main and ancillary tasks.
Nerissa Edwards