a2 media package analysis mcr

1. Music video
package
My Chemical Romance

2. As part of my research task, I shall be
analysing three components of My Chemical
Romance’s Album, ‘Danger Days’. These
three components will be:
 The CD Packaging
 A music video for the album
 Magazine advertisements for the album

3. Album cover analysis
 No photos of band anywhere on the outer
packaging
 Distorted look
 Desert theme
 Both the front and back image are similar, with
the exception of a 'spider' design on the cover.
In terms of design, this album cover is relatively
simple. This design consists of a photo which has
been edited,
a simple logo, and the logo for the name of the
band and the album title.

4. Music video analysis
Song - ‘Na Na Na’
In the opening sequence to the music video, the
location is established before the music kicks in. This
establishing shot helps to give the audience an idea of
where the music video is set, which also contributes to
setting the mood of the video. Throughout the video,
we see more of the location (which is mostly the
desert), which shows the audience that the video's
setting is a post - apocalyptic, dystopian future. There
are hints that make it obvious the location is post -
apocalyptic, which include a sign with the words,
'DANGER zone 6' and a skeleton lying in the sand.
This location also links in with the album cover (which
shows a desert). The word 'DANGER' could simply be
referencing the album's title, but it may also just
represent the dangerous location.
Another link between the music video and the album
cover is the spider logo shown on the cover of the
album and at the beginning of the music video.

5. Magazine advert analysis
As promotion for the bands album, Kerrang magazine featured several
advertisements for the upcoming release of ‘Danger Days’. There were seven
advertisements which all featured the bands name, album title and a release
date (which for some reason is not the same on all seven adverts). Each
advertisement was slightly different though, as each one featured lyrics from
their upcoming single, ‘Na Na Na’. As well as this, each advertisement featured
members of the band, and people that feature in the music video for ‘Na Na Na’.
This shows that the band made a decision to link the advertisements to their
music video for their main single on their album.

6. Final thoughts
From my analysis, it is clear to see that the band put a lot of attention to detail in
creating a 'package' with their music video, album, and album promotion
advertisements. You can clearly tell that they go with each other as nothing looks
out of place. This could be regarded as the band having a theme for their album,
which was reflected through lots of mediums.
In terms of my coursework, I could easily create a package with a theme
continuing throughout my main and ancillary texts. I think it would be much better
to have products relating to each other, apposed to having a different style and
theme for each of my products.