The music video uses, develops, and challenges conventions of the indie genre in the following ways: 1) It tells a linear narrative of a deteriorating relationship through flashbacks and memories, a common indie convention. 2) It features numerous shots of the artist to create intimacy and familiarity with the audience, another key indie convention. 3) It was filmed on location at natural areas like forests and beaches that symbolize raw emotion, a typical location for indie videos. 4) The costumes reference past youth subcultures and are worn by other indie artists to develop the artist's brand and connect with fans. 5) The characters are depicted naturalistically to convey real emotion and allow audiences

1. Question 1 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media products?
(Music Video)

2. Introduction
My music video falls under the Indie and Singer/Songwriter subgenre; this
is due to the numerous conventions that my piece considers and complies
with. Such as the basic narrative and structure being romance and
relationship based; allowing a more personal connection with the
audience and singer. This is very typical of the Indie genre as they focus on
emotional narratives and lyrics. With this convention, I decided to conform
meticulously as I wanted a close relationship and high sense of relatability
to be clear within my piece. Another convention that my music video
conformed with is a linear and simple narrative, incorporating flashbacks
and memories, to make the video more complex and absorbing. This
narrative allows me to show the change within the relationship and the
characters mentality. Another key convention of Indie music is the
incorporation of band or artists shots within the video; this is because it
creates a brand identity and familiarity between audience and artist. This
intimacy mixed with the emotional and relative lyrics of the music
formulate a powerful effect and impact on the audience. With my music
video, I feel like I have captured this; with numerous shots of the artist
alongside narrative shots that correlate to the meaning of the song.

3. Narrative Structure
The key theme explored within my music video is relationships, their deterioration and game like structure. Relationships are explored
through the simple narrative of the two actors, we see through a linear narrative the gradual breakdown of the relationship and how it
affects the male character particularly. Our narrative links perfectly with this theme that is then strengthen by the lyrics; the video
endeavors in the paranoia and lack of trust that can exist within relationships. Furthermore, the narrative of the video increases the
song's relatability and significance for our target audience, teenagers and young adult demographic. In terms of influences for our work,
particularly Indie artists such as Front Porch Step, whom indulges greatly in emotive songs about his past relationships and how they
have affected him. This allowed him to create a close relationship with his audience through heartfelt lyrics and personal music videos,
which is a key element we attempted to capture. Another key theme that we raise within our music video is the comparison of
relationships and love as games; this is captured through multiple shots of chest pieces and boards throughout our video reinforcing this
symbolism visually. Through the use of chest pieces, we were able to create symbolism that correlated with the visuals of the video; for
example when the queen chest piece collapses; it shows how the relationship has broken down beyond reconstruction; like the game
has ended. Our text has one clear message; displayed at the end of the video with the recycled wave shot, suggesting, similar to a game,
that relationships come and go, they are not finite. This message is used to spike hope and reassurance within our target audience as it
depicts how there is promise even after a breakup. Within our narrative we used an accumulation of techniques, including flashbacks,
motifs and disequilibrium; formulating a more complex and immersive narrative. Firstly, we incorporated flashbacks to give our piece
more depth and emotion; by cutting back and forth between a heartbroken man and happy memories, we achieve a powerful contrast.
These flashbacks are paramount in maintaining a sentimental connection between audience and artist. Furthermore, this technique is a
typical convention within relationship based narratives in music videos, an example of this is 'Love The Way You Lie', by Eminem. A motif
is key within a narrative, as it engages and allows the audience to make symbolic connections throughout; through the motif the
audience must maintain a constant interest, thus marketing the artists brand identity and proliferating his audience base. Within our
music video we have used the motif of chess pieces, more specifically the king and queen, representing the two people in the
relationship. Through this motif, we are able to explore one of our key themes and messages of the video, that love is game, towards the
end of the video we witness one of the pieces collapsing, suggesting an end to this game, and the relationship. Alongside this motif, I
incorporated shots of waves entering the beach; I then recycled this shot at the end, suggesting the continuation and recycling nature of
relationships. We use a disequilibrium in our production as it defines a clear point in which the relationship crumbled; in this instance,
with the argument, this clear scene of passion and despair, allows the audience to relate if they have encountered similar situations.
Furthermore, through this disequilibrium we are complying to key conventions of the genre and of the theme; also, it increases clarity
for the audience in understanding the linear narrative. The use of a linear narrative is that it secures clarity for the audience, increasing
focus upon the lyrics of the song, which is key within the Indie genre, so in this sense we follow it's conventions. In addition, with our
chosen theme and narrative, a linear approach is effective as it shows a chronological story line, further making the audience connect
with the message and the characters relationship. For this idea of a linear narrative, we took large influence form Taylor Swift's Blank
Page, which similarly follows a relationship and breakup, using a linear narrative to strengthen the storyline. This approach proved
powerful in understanding the message of her song, raising attention levels and familiarity with the artist.

4. Mise en Scene/Locations
Mise en scene is paramount to creating a strong, meaningful and complex music video; poor use of
mise en scene can heavily reduce the clarity and power of the piece; such as cluttering or poor
lighting. Through research into music videos in and around my chosen genre, I have come to
understand the significance of symbolic and careful mise en scene. Within my music video I ensured
a maintained lack of clutter, thus securing clarity visually, only letting the audience see what I choose
them too. So, for example in the performance shots, we made sure there was no items or furniture
in the shots as that would distract the audience's attention away from the artist, which is imperative
when formulating a brand identity. This brand identity was also developed through the particular
blocking of our artist in the performance shots, typical of the indie genre, as it situates him in center
shot, forcing the audience's attention. In terms of lighting, this is hugely significant as it can connote
different emotions and produce a certain atmosphere depending on the lighting. Such as, with our
performance shots we incorporate high key non diegetic lighting, in a warm manor, to connote
togetherness and personality. These such emotions are essential too complying to the generic
conventions of the Indie genre, as Indie songs are often love orientated and focus on their
relatability to their fans. For me, mise en scene was vital as it allowed me to comply too the
conventions of the indie genre, location was a key part of this. I wanted the aesthetics for the
locations to be perfect whilst maintaining genre conventions, I felt a natural location was best, in so I
chose Sheringham Park and Beach. Both locations offered beauty as well as having metaphorical
representation; both areas are vast and hold lonely properties, these such elements are also
common for relationship break ups. Furthermore, the natural settings symbolize the raw nature of
indie music, in how emotions and feeling is expressed without judgement, displaying a humanistic
and real view of people. In shots, by making the background sparse and simple, it displays how the
couple become so fixated in their own dream/nightmare that all else is oblivious and irrelevant. The
change in colour scheme from the park, to beach to room is evident. The once vibrant and
flourishing colours of the park, suggesting the content and happy days of the relationship, into the
transition of still beautiful but blue and grey colour pallet suggests the slow decline into sadness and
regret. Ending finally with the dark and looming confinements of the room, in which the male
character sits fixating on past memories, surrounded by reminders of what was left behind. The clear
change in mise en scene, through location and lighting, is evident in the performance shots. This is
largely because I wanted to make a clear distinction between artist and narrative, this sustains clarity
and develops a cohesive brand identity and image for the artist. Location and Mise en scene are
crucial elements for an indie music video as they create atmosphere that allows the narrative to
grow and involve the artist. Also, the forest location is very typical of the indie genre and I wished to
conform with the conventions of my researched inspiration; an example of this is Bombay Bicycle
Club's 'Rinse Me Down', which is located in the forest suggesting innocence and vulnerability almost.

5. Costume
In trying to formulate a cohesive brand identity and image, costume was essential,
through this element audience and artist are united, this especially applies in the indie
genre. Through meticulous research into the conventional and popular outfits, brands
and styles that artists in this genre wear I was able to formulate a clear picture of the
costumes for both actors and artist. In all genres the audience attempt to imitate their
favorite artists look, this is very prominent in the indie genre as the connection
between artist and audience is close, due to the emotive and relative song lyrics. Indie
wear includes vintage clothing and often includes once hegemonic signifiers and adopts
them to show rebellion against the mainstream. By subverting 'work wear' such as
Dickies and Carhartt and deconstructing it's traditional function the item represents
indie ideologies of individuality. As seen with the male actor who wears a Burberry
shirt and brown Dickies work trousers, what in the past may have been unfashionable
or work wear, is now, when applied to the genre, stylish and cool. The brown colour
scheme of the clothing correlates kindly to the natural background, maintaining this
raw element thus reinforcing our narrative style. The use of the shirt for the male actor
and artist is heavily conventional of the indie genre, as it reminisces and references
past youth sub cultures such as the Mod's. Not only does it reference past subcultures
but the shirt is a common convention of indie bands, such as Cage The Elephant and the
Neighborhood, as seen in the screenshots to the right. The parka that is worn by the
male protagonist on the beach homages that of the Mod's and musical influences from
individuals like Liam Gallagher whom represent rebellion against authority and
hegemony; the parka is a signifier and symbol of this ideology.
For our artist I was keen to move away from brands, in doing so a cohesive and
individual image is created, further strengthening the brand identity of the artist. This
style of no clear brands and individuality was largely influenced by the lead singer of
Cage The Elephant. For the female protagonist I wanted to avoid voyeurism and focus
on the contemporary representation of women. This opposition of the 'male gaze
theory' puts focus on her role as a human rather than a seductive tool. The female
character's costume deconstructs hegemonic signifiers of uniform, with the chef
trousers, and reapplies it too represent individuality and rebellion. Both costumes of
the narrative characters represent individuality and rebellion against hegemony, this is
an element of my piece I feel I executed successfully.
Lead singer fo Cage The Elephant, heavily
influenced the look of our artist in performance
shots.

6. Characters
For my characters, I wanted them to perform in a naturalistic and humanistic way, to
convey real emotion and allow the audience to relate to their feelings and situation. I feel
this was captured perfectly, often in break up narratives we are positioned to dislike one
of the characters, but in this although the audience are positioned with the male
protagonist, there is only empathy and understanding being conveyed to the female
character. For our male protagonist, I wanted to represent him as lost and fragmented
when the relationship was no more, I did this through singular shots and fragmented
editing. Furthermore, in the shots of reflection we see in the room location, the
character's behavior is upsetting and one of longing for past memories to reoccur. This I
feel is a behavior and character that the audience can connect with on a basic level, there
is no fake emotion or feeling, no dramatization, this further reinforced the conventions of
the indie genre, in which you can argue displays the human side of the artists. As well as
displaying this side of the male protagonist I also wanted to show the gleeful and good
times, this was done through dual shots, lighter and brighter colour grading and high key
lighting. Alongside these elements, the basic body language of the character displays the
change in emotion and feeling; in the shots connoting contentment and happiness the
characters body language is open, inviting and relaxed. At the end of the video, we see a
completely different side of the protagonist, hidden and tense the character shows signs
of vulnerability and fragility. This raw depiction shown in the video reinforces and
conforms with the indie conventions.
With my female character I wanted to subvert stereotypes that are commonly associated
with females in the media; ones of vulnerability, voyeurism and objectification. But, in my
music video I challenged these, depicting my female protagonist as strong and powerful;
in fact this representation is further reinforced through the male protagonists depression
and isolation that is clear in later shots. This is challenging mainstream stereotypes and
representations further conforming to the indie genre; for some audiences they may find
this representation of women as refreshing and empowering considering there is a lack of
this in mainstream media currently. Whilst considering the different representation and
character type theories, such as voyeurism and 'male gaze theory', I felt this would
contradict the conventions and ideology behind indie music as it would be complying with
mainstream conventions.

7. Lighting
The lighting in my music video was used to reinforce the ideologies and themes
that are presented through other methods. The lighting of a shot can change
the mood and the atmosphere completely, in my music video I utilized the
lighting to reinforce the emotions that are being connoted by the lyrics and
visuals. For example, as seen in the screenshot of the two characters talking,
the light is high key and natural, this supports the connotations of beauty and
glee. Furthermore, the lighting holds a warm element as it's sunlight, following
this theme of nature and innocence; the diegetic lighting reinforces the
naturalistic style that is conventional in the indie genre and symbolizes the love
between the two protagonists.
This is clearly contrasted to the later shots of the male character in the room
location; with all nature stripped away, all natural and diegetic lighting is gone,
symbolizing the relationship breakup. With the absence of this light, we
incorporated shadows to connote ambiguity and emptiness. A key feature of
my music video was the comparison of lighting and love, this symbolic
connection continues throughout the video. The lack of backlighting and use of
low key non diegetic lighting connotes isolation and a gradual downfall into
depression and darkness. At the male protagonists darkest and saddest time,
the lighting is at its darkest, blues and blacks are more prominent holding clear
symbolic value.
For the performance shots I opted for three point and high key lighting, this
would ensure a coherent and clear brand identity and image. Furthermore, the
use of high key lighting removes any shadows and creates a warm and loving
atmosphere, which is a key characteristic of the artist I wish to convey.

8. Camerawork
For my production, camerawork was something that I wanted to ensure was professional and well executed; this is
something I felt I needed to improve on from my former production a year prior. Camerawork can amplify the
meaning behind a certain shot and position the audience in a completely different way connoting different
emotions. Typical of the indie genre are single shots, close up and mid shots; especially when dealing with themes
such as relationships in which emotions are vital. In addition, I wanted to maintain this indie convention of
togetherness and closeness, to execute this I focused on close ups and mid shots to convey personality and to
immerse the audience in the video and narrative. By incorporating many eye level close ups the atmosphere
becomes intimate and personal, a key convention of the indie genre, but it also levels the audience with the
protagonist, sympathizing and relating with the character the audience becomes immersed. Also, at a time of clear
vulnerability, as shown in this screenshot, the audience feel close to the male protagonist, as if they are with him,
feeling his emotions, when combined with the lyrics, this can be a powerful technique. By using mainly still shots,
clarity is maintained; also, when the still shots are used with the two protagonists together, it displays the stability
within their relationship. This is later contrasted by hand held shots of the male protagonist suggesting
fragmentation and instability. This mid shot of the two characters on the beach, I feel, is very powerful and
captivating, this is because it suggests the two are alone in the world together and although everything is grey and
desaturated, their love is strong and prominent. But, this shot also displays how I took influence from the indie
genre conventions as mid shots are commonly used to display a sense of fantasy and escape from the rest of the
world. Straying away from techniques such as pans, tracking shots and zooms gave my piece a more professional
and clear element; this is something I feel made my piece successful. When shooting the artist I opted for close ups
and still shots, this allows the audience develop a familiarity with the artist and emphasizes the lip sync.
Furthermore, by suing eye level shots the audience are positioned with the artist thus reinforcing the relationship
between the two, which is so key within the indie genre.

9. Composition
Alongside successful and powerful camerawork lies careful and consistent composition,
this draws the eye of the audience and helps to create a captivating video. By complying to
various composition rules such as rule of thirds, leading lines and deep depth of field I was
able to formulate a professional and technical music video. Using the rule of thirds means
that the subject isn't centered in the shot, moving it to one side draws the audience to
look into the composition rather than glancing simply at the center shot. I feel executed
this element of composition very successfully, as seen in the performance shots, the artist
is positioned off center. Also incorporated in the performance shots is shallow depth of
field, this ensures the artist is the primary subject of the shot and forces the audience's
attention to this; also when combined with the eye line trace a coherent image is
maintained. This technique is displayed in the high key lighting performance
screenshot. In contrast to the shallow depth of field used in the performance shots, with
the narrative shots I focused on using a deep depth of field. I did so too maintain focus not
only on the characters but also on the background and location, which I felt was very key
in my music video as it held significant symbolic value. If I was to sue a shallow depth of
field in this shot, of the two protagonists on the bench, then the captivating scenery
would have been less clear, taking away from the beauty of the shot. A key feature of the
indie genre, I discovered through my research, is subverting and challenging mainstream
and hegemonic conventions and rules; I did this by not conforming with the rule of odds.
By not featuring triplets in my shots, I challenged conventional composition rules; the
significance of the rule of thirds is that triplets is more attractive to the eye. However, I
feel if I complied with this technique it would have subtracted away from the key narrative
and theme of the video being the relationship and focus on the two protagonists. This
subversion of the generic composition technique amplifies the closeness and dependency
between the two characters one each other. Also, it removes any external interference
and sustains focus on the two as a collective.
In retrospect, although not including significant variation in my composition, I feel it was
executed professionally and ensured focus on the narrative and union between the two
characters, which my video centered around.

10. Editing
The editing process for me was key, with strong themes of isolation, fragmentation and loneliness
ensure this was reinforced by my editing. Also, I found across all successful music videos,
fluid editing was crucial if I wanted a translatable and clear final production. The editing process
took up the majority of this whole project as I wanted to make sure it was clean and sustained; I
tried to ensure the editing matched the pace of the song and at times imitated the crescendo/beat
of the song. For example, the beginning of the sequence, I ensured that the tide matched with the
gradual introduction of the song, this maintained fluidity and a sustained progression into the rest
of the sequence. Not only did I match the song with the gradual motion of the tide but I also
repeated the sound of the tide and reversed it multiple times to convey pattern. Furthermore, I
did this so the tide sounds and song would mirror each other opposingly, as the song's volume
raised the tide gradually decreased in sound. The result of this, I found was simple but effective, in
the sense that it made it one fluid and continuous motion as opposed to a stop/start sequence.
For the most part, my editing resembled conventional indie music video editing, simple and
matched with the music; this is because it maintains clarity for the narrative, which is paramount
in indie songs. Too reinforce the theme of love as a game and my chess piece motif, I incorporated
the chess piece throughout the video, displaying a coherent symbolic message throughout the
production. Cross cutting was a strong feature of my music video and is a key method I used to
introduce the motif, it is subtle and allows me to display symbolism and motifs without disrupting
the sequence and causing for a fragmented watch. Furthermore, cross cutting allowed me to
incorporate flashbacks and show the reflective nature of the male protagonist and make the
sequence more complex. Another key feature of my editing is the monochrome filter over
memories that display sadness and relationship breakdown, this once again uses colour to
represent mood and emotion. This reflection on past negative memories through filters is
influenced directly through the Netflix series '13 Reasons Why' in which old and past memories
are used to make the narrative complex and give the characters a deeper background. The
monochrome filter is hugely important too my music video, not only is it used to convey past sad
memories, but it is hugely conventional of the indie genre. I first saw this monochrome style be
used in The Neighborhood's song 'Afraid', in which the entire video is conducted suing a
monochrome filter to display the depressing and bleak emotions explored in the video. I further
researched and found that almost all of the band's music videos are done in this manner,
maintaining synergy. Not only is it this band but prolific indie band Cage The Elephant also
incorporate this monochrome filter. Essentially, it is used to mirror the emotions of the song felt
by the artist and characters, but also to let the audience sympathize with this. So, when
conforming to the genre, I felt this monochrome filter would be very effective when applied to my
video.

11. Representation & Theory
Within my music video I was keen to represent relationships in two lights, being in them as beautiful and fulfilling in which you feel safe
and in a fantasy; and the downfall of them, in which loneliness and sadness prevail. By conveying these two representations I am able to
make the video relative and personal to each viewer, a allowing them to connect with whatever emotions they feel at that time, this
increases the personal relationship between artist and audience. This representation has a simple basis but is complex when all elements
of symbolism and metaphors are considered, I feel this is very effective as it allows the viewer to connect and understand the
representation no matter the level of understanding. Furthermore, relationships are complex so if I was to over simplify the
representation I feel the audience would not be able to connect, thus moving away from the purpose of indie music. In this complexity
lies an openness which allows the audience to interpret the representation how they choose, making it more relative and personal,
further complying with the indie genre conventions. Levis Strauss's binary opposites are used to some degree, although there is no bad
and good or antagonist in the video, there is still this binary opposite of male and female. My video displays the perspective of the male
protagonist, if I was to integrate the personal emotions of the female character the narrative would be completely different and the
representation of the female would change. Due to the fact that we only understand the males feelings, the female representation is
limited. However, there is still a coherent representation of females, interestingly I challenge mainstream and hegemonic stereotypes by
empowering the women and avoiding voyeurism. This gives a progressive and forward thinking representation of women which
associates with the indie genre, of which focuses itself around acceptance and liberalism. My music video's representations strongly
reject tokenism and instead display a common depiction of people. This is further reinforced through the use of the tide at the start and
ending, suggesting a cycle and that everyone is a part of this cycle and goes through similar situations. The audience are positioned to
connect and respond positively with the representations created, as they are truly realistic representations that display the raw side of
relationships and their demise.
My music video challenges mainstream conventional representations of males, through representing them as vulnerable and emotional.
This is a realistic representation that the mainstream media often ignore and instead portray males as emotionally transparent and
simple. By challenging common mainstream conventions I am complying with indie ideologies of displaying humanistic and real
depictions of social groups. This representation is displayed through the shots indoors of the male protagonist crying and seen as
emotionally unstable. This is key to my music video as it allows males to connect in a way that mainstream pop music frowns upon,
emotionally.
My music video strongly conforms with Goodwin's theory of music videos, especially with his ideas on genre characteristics, relationship
between lyrics and visuals, close ups of the artist and intertextual references. Throughout my video I display genre characteristics, with
the monochrome filter, performance shots and love themed narrative. By conforming to these characteristics the audience feel a part of
the indie community and the song becomes recognizable to that genre's audience. Also, my video displays a clear correlation between
visuals and lyrics, this can be seen multiple times. For example, with the lyric 'hoped that you would change your ways', this lyric is
married with the visual of the couple arguing and the male protagonist walking off. This is powerful as it holds the audience's attention
and allows them to make deeper inferences about the video. Throughout the video, performance shots are seen, these are crucial as they
develop a coherent brand identity and image of the artist, further emphasizing personality and a close relationship between artist and
audience.

12. Question 1
In what ways does your media product use,
develop or challenge forms and conventions of
real media products?
(Print Productions)

13. Introduction
Before formulating any sort of real ideas, I wanted to research around CD cover and
adverts, so I could get a firm grasp on the conventions to challenge and comply with. I
looked at Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, and inferred how simplicity and dark
space is used to create a powerful image. I then endeavored into the indie album covers,
with artists like Florence and the Machine, with her album 'Lungs', this influenced me
greatly as it showed me the effect of using nature and intertextual references. From this
point, I knew I wanted my print productions too be nature themed, complying with this
convention it would allow me to formulate a cohesive image and reinforce indie
ideologies. I felt that having a strong correlation between video and print productions was
key, so I opted for the same male protagonist, this would maintain synergy and familiarity
across the texts. Furthermore, I felt I wanted to incorporate metaphorical and symbolic
meaning into my print productions to make them more complex and engaging. So, my
print productions represent how humans find their solitude and escape in nature, but
ultimately we fracture and destroy the beauty around it. By using a predominantly dark
colour pallet, it further reinforces the emotions and atmosphere conveyed at the end of
the video. By using these dark and monotonous colours I am further conforming to the
conventions of the indie genre, in which these colours are most prominent. By maintaining
the same location as in my video, synergy is sustained and the symbolism is continued. I
felt, with my print productions is was vital to further conform to indie conventions in
order to develop a cohesive image and become recognized. By using the male protagonist
as opposed to the artist, I challenged typical conventions, this is because I wanted to
maintain the familiarity and concept that the narrative and lyrics relate to everyone.
Almost as if the audience can put themselves in the shoes of the protagonist, thus further
reinforcing the relationship between artist and audience of which is so key in the indie
genre.

14. Mise en Scene/Lighting
Within my print productions I opted for the use of indirect mode of address, this
would formulate a far away and reflective persona of the male protagonist, in which it
would connote loneliness, a common emotion conveyed across my productions. In
addition, the costume of the male protagonist in the print productions is very typical
and conventional of the genre, this reinforces genre conventions and allows the
audience to connect with the character. Furthermore, in my music video, the artist is
wearing a shirt similar, this is an example of synergy across my productions. As seen
in this screenshot, taken from my inside album cover, there is a clear employment of
nonverbal communication, in the sense of distance and reflection. This is a further
link to my music video, in which we see the same character reminiscing over past
memories. With my album back cover, I opted for a purely scenic and natural shot,
this reinforces my metaphorical links of nature being fragmented when disrupted by
humans. This shot is influenced by Florence and the Machine's 'Lungs', through which
nature is incorporated, however I have changed natures symbolism from fantasy to
isolation.
Lighting was important within my print productions because I wanted to maintain as
much realism and naturalism as possible, in doing so I only opted for natural lighting. I
knew that this would work well for my specific panels as I had planned prior that in
post-production I would be altering the hue/saturation of the shots to further
connote certain emotions and feelings. As seen in my back cover, there is diegetic
lighting through the use of a dim street lamp, this further reinforces how humans
disrupt the beauty of nature. If for my front and inside cover, I incorporated other
lighting techniques other the natural light then the naturalistic and rawness would be
subtracted, making my piece less effective.
I feel that mise en scene and lighting were both conducted very successfully within
my print productions, this is mainly due to the meticulous planning and clear idea
that I had going into this part of the project.
This is a screenshot taken from my album back
cover, displaying the set of the print productions.

15. Camerawork/Composition
Within my print production, camerawork was key, it allowed me portray loneliness and isolation,
further reinforcing the emotions connoted in the video, but also to ensure a professional piece. By
incorporating predominantly mid shots in my print productions, except the inside panel, I was able to
portray how the character is feeling distant and disconnected after the break up. This further lets the
audience relate to the song and empathize with the character, conforming once again to the typical
conventions of the indie genre. By using a low angle mid shot for the poster, feelings of isolation are
conveyed, as though he is the only person in the world, feeling helpless. This is reinforced by the ageing
and decaying natural setting, through the dead branches and fallen trees, it suggests that similar to the
characters emotions, life is becoming bleaker. These dark emotions, showing humanistic and raw
emotions such as depression and longing, my poster further conforms to the genre conventions, in
which negative emotions are typically conveyed. The close up of the male protagonist on the inside
panel reinforces indie genre conventions of personality, in which the barrier between artist and
audience is lessened. The low angle close up gives the audience a further insight into the emotions felt
after the relationships deterioration. Although I have used low angle shots, I have reversed the
common use of it too show the power of the subject, instead I have subverted this representation and
applied the low shot to convey vulnerability and fragility.
In terms of composition, this was vital within my print productions. As seen in my back cover I used
leading lines through the path/walkway, this holds metaphorical meaning of another
relationship/opportunity. Through this representation I am attempting to reinforce indie conventions of
hope and perseverance. Throughout the production, I introduced the rule of thirds and deep depth of
field, in order to show the location and make the shot easy on the eye.

16. Design, Layout and
Editing
The design and editing for my print production was of paramount importance, I
wanted it to conjure up feelings within the audience and formulate a specific
atmosphere, of defragmentation. A particular style is evident throughout my print
productions, I used multiple overlays and layered them on top of the existing photo,
but I did so in a fragmented way, making the piece distorted. I wanted my piece to
suggest that we lose our structure and stability after a break up; the distortion
represents the disrupted peace of a human. Before editing my photo's, I indevoured
to research around the artistic world to draw inspiration, I particularly researched
Pinterest as it displays various different art styles and images. I had a vague idea that
I wanted to create a fragmented and abnormal image in that sense, coming across
distorted art pieces I drew much inspiration from. To some extent, my design makes
some reference to psychedelic art, in the sense of distortion and hallucinating. This
style creates confusion, but also allows the piece to be open for personal
interpretation, thus delving the audience deeper into the meaning of the song and
video. In terms of conforming to the genre, this style although not typical in style, is
typical in representation through how it connotes feelings of isolation,
defragmentation and instability. These are all emotions and ideas that are explored
commonly across indie music texts, so in this sense my piece is conforming with the
genre characteristics. As seen with my inside back cover panel, I chose to
dramatically distort and flip, this allowed me to destroy any sense of hegemony and
further reinforce this idea of humans disrupting the peace of nature. My using
various layers and flipping the image vertically, I was able to destroy any rational
sense of reality and formulate a breathtaking and staggering image. This design
reinforces genre characteristics hugely, due to the fact that it strongly opposes any
mainstream or hegemonic styles thus promoting indie ideologies. The two
screenshots of the image and final piece for the inside front cover displays the
change made to the graphics.
In terms of colour scheme and the significance of this, I used a coherent style across
all of my print productions, focusing heavily on the contrast between dark colours
such as black, dark greens and greys and then exposed colours such as purple and
light green. This contrast holds huge symbolic value, in the sense that they suggest
hopefulness and prosperity in a dark world and dark times. With my album cover
and back cover, there is a large portion of image to text, this is because I wanted to
focus upon the imagery and symbolism that the design held. I felt that an over
cluttered cover with text would distract the audience and they wouldn't engage as
much.
The font and layout of my print production was key, it allowed me to heavily
reinforce genre conventions, through simplicity and individuality. Across all of my
productions I used a simple serif typeface and maintained a lowercase style to
suggest informality and difference to the mainstream. By using the same font
throughout I maintained synergy and familiarity for the audience, furthermore, it
makes so the artists name is remembered whenever the audience see the text,
formulating a brand identity.

17. Narrative/Representation
Theme and narrative across all of my productions is essential and focused upon,
the print productions followed this focus. Throughout my production themes of
broken relationships, isolation and defragmentation are seen, these are all
reinforced through my CD covers and advert. This is established through the colour
scheme, distorted editing, location and camerawork. Firstly, the colour scheme of
dark contrasting bright purple and green displays a defragmented world but also
symbolizes how there is hope after broken down relationships, and through the
music of 'Choose Wisely' the process can be numbed and made easier. The
distorted editing clearly emphasizes the themes of defragmentation and broken
relationships as it demonstrates how the individual is broken physically and
emotionally after heartbreak. This is something the audience would be able to
relate to, further reinforcing genre conventions. The natural setting combined with
the low angle mid shot constructs a sense of isolation for the protagonist and
loneliness after the relationship, this is definitely something the audience can
connect to as it is a very real and relative theme.
My productions represent males as vulnerable and fragile, this is typical of the
indie genre as it challenges mainstream representations of males. I opted for this
representation not only to conform with the genre conventions, but to present a
more humanistic and realistic depiction of this social group. My print productions
display a very realistic world through the male protagonists raw emotions, but
through the setting and background a dramatized world of deconstruction is
depicted. Stereotypes are definitely challenged with my print production, this is
too conform with the genre and to connect with the audience on a real level,
without a constructed image. Whilst young men are ofted stereotyped as
emotionally naïve and dry, this is subverted in my productions.