2. Panel 1
Panel one of my print production is a very powerful shot from my music
video depicting the two characters standing apart as if torn from each
other. The shot shows them gazing into the distance onto Cromer beach
from the pier.
I set this scene to highlight the distance between themselves in their
relationship. The negative space and location they are looking out onto is
reflective of the bleakness of their future together and the negativity
within their relationship. The strength of emotion is further enhanced as
the two characters are seen to be standing apart from each other, not
talking and staring into the distance. This can also be seen within my
video where Megan visually fades out of Olivia's life. I decided to use
this powerful image in both my print production and my music video to
highlight the separation between the couple.
The image of Megan's character appears to be disappearing, as if blown
away into the wind further portraying her disappearance from the shot
and therefore, Olivia's life. This imagery is much like her characters fade
out of shot, as mentioned before. This links lyrically to the track 'Gather
and Run' where Natasha North sings 'Break this whirlwind that my body
has become....and breath your smoke into my lungs.'
3. Panel 1 Pt.2
Thematically, my Panel One design and music video are identical. I decided this
was the best approach because I did not want to contradict the convention and
notion of a coherent promotional package as to create a connection between my
music video and my print production. This further enhances the strength of the
advertising aim.
The recurring themes of a homosexual relationship between two British youth
and the natural world. This can be seen in my music video in the beach
location, this can be seen in the shot to the right. The beach is resembling the
stage in the relationship where it is bleak and empty. This location is used
throughout my productions to create an emotional link between their relationship
and the environment they inhabit.
I have visually achieved my goal of coherence by using an image from my video
in panel 1. See screenshots on the right. This is a very powerful image within my
music video portraying the negative space within it is resembling the separation
and the relationship ending.
Generically, I use the same conventions within all productions. One example of
this would be the colours. I use the same colour scheme throughout my
package, muted blues, reds and browns. This is a convention of the indie-folk
genre and would therefore fits perfectly throughout the whole package. I chose
the colour scheme of muted blues, reds and browns to highlight the natural and
autumnal atmosphere that I have created that is also a generic convention.
4. Panel 2 & 3
Panel Two and Three of my print production is a joint panoramic image portraying Olivia's character
alone in a forest, covered in rays from the sun through the trees. Once again I have chosen to increase
the negative space in this image by using this panoramic layout across the two panels. I have
contradicted the notion of a coherent promotional package to highlight the loneliness and emptiness of
the character, Olivia.
Visually, I have achieved this by increasing the negative space and using a low angle empowering shot.
The composition positions her in the first third of the frame which leaves a lot of empty space indicating
the emptiness of her life without her partner. The low angle shot. See screen shot. empowers her
character and contradicts the themes of the music video, as here we can see her standing alone, as if to
say that she is a strong independent woman who no longer relies on her partner. However, in the video
production she is dependent upon her partner and when without Megan only dreams of her. This is the
first time the consumer has been introduced to the other side of her character.
Panel Two and Three thematically challenge the norm that has been created within my productions, and
therefore juxtaposed the recurring motifs as seen in the rest of the production. In this imagery we see
more loneliness than before. I used the structure of the four panel format to create the image of
loneliness by separating the characters. In panel two and three, I used the rule of thirds to exaggerate
the negative space and the loneliness of the scene.
A major generic convention of the indie folk genre is to use the forest as a symbol of nature, life and
health and well being. See screen shot. However, in the imagery of my panel 2 and 3 I contradict this
with a dark and lonely twist to the forest convention. In popular media texts within the genre such as
EXAMPLES the location of the forest is used to emphasise the togetherness of humanity and nature. I
decided to use this convention within the music video.
Even though I have contradicted the themes and visuals of my production, I have kept an important
connection between the lyrics and the product. For example, in the fourth verse, Natasha North sings
'Then we will turn the burning sun.....To the forest we will gather and run.' **add more**
5. CD Print
The image on the CD shows the couple together hand in hand bleached in
the warmth of the sunlight. The happy scene is surrounded by sun rays
beaming down onto the couple, surrounding them in a warm glow of love
and contentment. This ties the images on panel 1 and the music video
together, creating the message of love. This appeals to our target audience
as they can relate this image and the themes within the productions to their
own relationships.
In creating this image, I used composition to frame the couple holding hands
as one. They are facing the audience, but you are unable to see their faces.
This links to the lyrics 'my hands are weak.....you pull me to the other side so
grab my heart and tie my tongue.'
Visually, the image is deliberately set to contrast light and dark, much like
being in a relationship and being lonely. This is highlighting the binary
opposition within the themes of my productions. This is a convention of the
genre which can be seen on many album covers such as Ellie Goulding.
This image is shot in the same location as a scene in the music video to
continue the story line. This was important as it further enhanced the
messages behind their unfolding relationship.
6. Panel 4
I have specifically decided upon not contradicting the convention of a coherent promotional package to
juxtapose the imagery in panel 2 & 3. This further highlights the emotion and bleakness of these images in
comparison to panel 4.
My panel Four design consists of Olivia, standing alone in the same location as Panel One. With the track
list presented to her left and the barcode and my name at the bottom.
Visually I have achieved this by using the typography, the location and composition.
The theme of using negative space and the rule of thirds to reflect the loneliness, emptiness and desolation
of the relationship. This can be seen in the video in the pier scene in which the characters are vulnerable in
the shot.
This shot is a shot from my music video and is directly after the unedited version of the shot in panel one.
This instantly creates a visual connection between the productions.
The imagery of this shot is symbolic of her abandonment. She stands there mourning over their
relationship, looking out onto a bleak empty landscape. These themes have a strong link to the themes
conveyed in the music video near the end in the pier scene. this Highlights the symbolism that the
environment has in my productions. The beach is bleak, empty and cold. Much like the stage in which their
relationship is.
Generically, I chose to use the same conventions throughout. This is one of the reasons why I chose to use
the outside, natural locations, like the beach within all my productions. This convention highlights the
relationship between the characters and the environment.
I also reference the lyrics "but we're drowning in an ocean too deep" in this image. This further underlines
the recurring motif of the locations interconnection with the characters bond. This link between nature and
the homosexual relationship has an underlining message of equality and naturalness of all sexualities. This
is a theme that runs throughout my productions.
7. Magazine Advert
Visually, I have successfully created a connected and coherent
promotional package. I have achieved this through my use of
colours, composition and location.
My magazine advertisement consists of an image of Megan and
Olivia holding hands on a river bank, surrounded by bright,
warm, autumnal colours. This immediately relates to my music
video with the thematic and visual link of nature, ecology and
the connotations of this muted autumnal colouring.
I have also embedded generic links and conventions to further
connect this package. One of the main links within the generic
conventions of the indie folk genre is the convention of the
natural and rustic themes. I have used he font to convey this
theme/convention. The font I used is called 'DK John Brown'.
This font successfully combines the rustic and the minimalistic
conventions of the genre. This is a lot like the cinematography
and composition of the music video and other productions
within my promotional package.
8. Intertextuality/Comparison
One artist that has achieved a similar coherence within their promotional package
is Katie Melua and her album 'Ketevan'. In this promotional package she has
formed a strong connection between the print and the video, this is done visually,
thematically, lyrically, and generically.
She achieves this by using the imagery of the painting and the sea. These visuals
appear throughout the productions, we first see this in her video showing the
artist himself creating it intercut with live footage from her performances. This
then begins this connection between her and her environment, much like in my
products where this relationship is set up through visuals and locations.
Much like my print production, this CD design features a panoramic image
spanning across the panels 2&3. **this image** depicts Melua standing in front of
the painting that features throughout the promotional package.
Melua also conveys the key themes in her music video within her magazine
advert. She also uses this to achieve the main aim of advertisement, She use the
typography to create a sense of importance around her name and album title.
