Media A-level coursework evaluation task

1. EVALUATION
TASK
4
WEBSITE

2. FINAL WEBSITE
DESIGN
https://ashenpage.wixsite.com/cigarettesaftersex

3. FINAL PRODUCT

4. FINAL PRODUCT

5. FINAL PRODUCT

6. FINAL PRODUCT

7. FINAL PRODUCT

8. FINAL PRODUCT

9. RESEARCH AND
PLANNING
I found from my research that I did using Google, that it wasn’t consistent whether
the band was on the website or not. It tended to vary. However, the photos were not
sexualizing or selling the band which would mean the bands were synthetic
according to Negus. The bands that were on the front of their websites tended to
have blurry photos or they resembled a sense of brotherhood and friends rather
than selling their products. I found that on the most part the band were not featuring
on the front of the website but were present further down. We used this idea when
creating our website.

10. RESEARCH
I did some research into why bands actually use websites. I found that it
was mainly to sell their products whether that be an album, single or
merchandise and concerts. It all seemed to be the same. However, I
also found that the websites were similar to the music videos and
digipak. I found this was so their audiences could relate to each of the
products and be able to recognize them. With all the bands I used to
help me on this post. For example One Direction, I found that Negus’
theory was the same for each of the three products. One Direction is of
synthetic ideology in all three of their products : website, digipak and
music video

11. RESEARCH AND
PLANNING
In order to be absolutely confident when it came to creating
our website for the band. I did a test run for which I created a
website for the hip-hop artist Drake, without previously
looking at his website (NEXT SLIDE HAS PHOTOS OF
WEBSITE). The software I used to create both the practice
website and the band’s website was WIX. WIX is an easy to
use website creator software in which has templates which
can be selected depending of the genre of your artist. This
makes it a lot easier to fit everything that needs to be on the
website on there. However certain things do need to be
changed

12. PRACTICE WEBSITE I CREATED

13. PLANNING
In order to make sure that the band arrived on time
and knew the location of the photo-shoot. I created
a Facebook group in which we could all
communicate. This meant that everyone responded
quickly due to everyone having the app on their
phones as well as finding a good time for everyone
involved.
We knew that we wanted the band to feature
somewhere on the website. As according to Dyers’
theory the band needed to come across as being
present yet simultaneously absent. We took the
paradox on board and didn’t use the band’s faces
on the front of the website as the band according to
Negus’ theory are of organic ideology. However, we
used them in a gallery of photos further down the
website showing that they are present, as well as
creating a sense of closeness with the band and the
target audience which helps to build a strong fan
base.

14. PRODUCTION
We used a Cannon DSLR to shoot the band. On the next slide
are some behind the scenes photos from the photo shoot.
We decided to use as natural light as possible to help convey
the right star image of them being ordinary with their
appearance on the website yet their music is extraordinary.
Coco (an A-level photography student) helped us to set the
band up in the right way as well as helping us to work the
shutter speed and use the focusing wheel on the lens of the
camera. This meant that are photos are of a better quality
than if we were on our own having to work out how to use the
camera. We also used a set of red headlights which gave a
red tint to the photos. Red has been used in all three of our
products, therefore this helped to link the website with the
other two products.

15. PRODUCTION
We started by taking some wide shots of each
member of the band. We then did close-ups on each
band members face. Then finally did a few group
shots. We found this particularly difficult as the boys
kept joking around with each other. However, we did
manage to get a few usable ones (as can be seen in
the next slide)

16. GROUP SHOT FROM THE
GALLERY ON THE WEBSITE

17. POST PRODUCTION
We used Photoshop to edit the photos. A GIF was used on
the first page of the website, this is an interactive way of
visually attracting an audience. This made the band appear
modern and up to date with technology, therefore appealing
to the 25-30 year old target audience.
Photoshop was also used to help enhance the red and worn
effect on the photos. This was to carry on with the theme that
we had started in our music video with the red coloured
lights. This has helped to tie the products together.

18. POST PRODUCTION

19. POST PRODUCTION
The idea of the red also helped to create the band as being
“artsy” and “indie” which works well with the genre
conventions of an Indie Rock band.
Red is a colour that has close ties to passion. The band are
passionate about their music and seeking a change in what
is wrong in their society (seen in the music video) therefore
we thought that red would be a fitting colour to include in the
website also.