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1. EVALUATION QUESTION 2HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE COMBINATION OF YOUR MAIN PRODUCT AND ANCILLARY TEXTS?

2. GENERIC LINKS
The genre of my products is Alternative Indie. I fully attempted to construct my work
complying to the features of this sub genre, mainly due to how it is a relatively specific
genre and needs to be composed considerably. Yet I also diverted from the generic
conventions of the genre, not to eliminate the genres impact in general, but instead to
allow a sense of deviancy from the typicality of the genre. This in itself could link to the
ideology presented by my entire set of texts. Being that the male constructs what he wants
show of himself to others. Binding to the idea of a narrative of the self, and therefore
presenting recognition of deviancy from hegemonic culture. In relation to my texts, I am
diverting slightly from the scaffold of the genre in order to create a more independent
product. Mainly using this as a platform to grow the brand identity into what it is.
To make the genre clear in my productions, I used a visual style of surrealism as
inspiration, mainly in the print production. On the back cover of my album, I have enlarged
the newton's cradle and given the effect that it is swinging off of the page into the
audience. This conforms to the conventions of the genre in that it takes something that is
simple, and immerses either the audience, or its surroundings into it. Additionally, similar
to the album ‘Plastic People, Birth Control’ I have involved illustration. This connotes an
alternative perspective of reality almost and therefore again links to the genre. The
illustrations are very bright, contrasting the raw and saturated images in the foreground.
The main idea presented by this use of an alternate reality is that emphasised in my entire
video. In that the artist is telling a story, revealing only what he wants to and leaving the
audience to consider is there is more/another side to the story. This is typical of the genre
as the artists of alternative indie tend to craft stories from their songs/use real events to
influence their own music. Evidence bring in the music of ‘Tame impala’ Where the songs
can be influenced my cases such as cancer or loss.
Another genre convention is a filmic/stylistic approach to a developing production. I have
greatly conformed to this in both my print production and my music video, alongside the
story being told within the video, filmic shots and the use of black bars enhance the
professionalism within the text – as well as this – it provides clear distinction of the genre.
Likewise, the images taken for my print production, and the editing that has composed the
final pieces, all are well considered and created to further emphasise this ancillary link.
Overall, I have successfully identified the genre within my overall production/s whilst
carefully diverting away from its surrealist conventions to identify with my audience.
I have constructed a surrealist design for
the back cover. Giving the impression that
the cradle is popping out of the page,
conforming to the genre conventions
This initial shot on the LEFT directly addresses the audience, providing a raw and intense shot which
enforces connection and engagement. This in itself diverts away from the conventions of the genre in that,
although alternative indie songs tend to be relatable, this shot physically puts the audience on the same
level as the artist. This is also clearly done in my front cover. However, the shot on the RIGHT shows how
I have balanced the surrealism and honesty of composition. The editing of this shot, layering the cradle
over the artist and mirroring the shot entirely connotes a sense of fantasy. Conforming to the genre yet
balancing with the other approaches taken. In fact, to make this more evident I could have used the
surrealism inspiration in the flashback or shots of desire, and the raw ones in the real-time. With this, I
could have further levelled the audience and artist in that they both aspire to something mush greater than
what they have.

3. VISUAL LINKS
I have featured the artist in both productions clearly. This instantly increases the link of both
texts as well as emphasising the brand identity in general. This use of the artist on both
productions conforms to Goodwin’s theory on how artist close ups are required by the
label. This adds to the effectiveness of my overall productions. The logo and artist name
isn’t shown in my music video which causes issue in terms of recognisability. Although the
more engaged audience would most likely recognise who the artist is, it will prevent any
growth of audience in that no one else will know. Alongside this, my album doesn’t clearly
provide the band logo or title as it only appeared at the footer on the back cover. This again
causes a similar problem. My poster however clearly shows the artist, name and title of the
album which is beneficial considering that this practically the prime method of marketing for
the album. Therefore it will allow audiences to relate the artist to the album and video.
In terms of visual links, the illustration on the front cover and the poster for the album are
both heavily inspired by the music video for ‘Call me Up’. With my constructed audience
being one who is engaged in the media and are also somewhat reserved in society, it
would potentially cause obvious links. In the music industry, through my research, I have
found that the feature song on an album is pre-released prior to the actual album itself. The
feature track being ‘Call me Up’ would be the most well now of the artist. Audiences would
hear this song and watch the video, then, when the album is released, could easily see the
relation between the two productions. Therefore, the elimination of the artist logo or name
from the video and album wouldn’t be as much of an issue.
I have colour graded both sets of texts similarly. Using a saturated teal to connote the idea
of sadness/loss. This loss of colour within the music video and album greatly connects the
texts. Contrast of colour is also used to re-emphasise the overall multi-stranded narrative
being presented. The difference in colour grading in the real-time shots and those of which
are flashbacks/aspirations greatly associates with the contrast between the illustration and
the background of the album cover. This again links both texts. The poster further provides
the contrast, incorporating the album into the design and adding to it to develop a ‘bigger
picture’ in terms of the narrative again.
Lastly, I have consistently implemented the motif along all elements of my production to
maintain its significance and message. This motif as well as boosts the meaning of the
story, acts as a glue which binds all of the ties together, creating a more closely nit set of
media texts.

4. THEMATIC LINKS
My music video pursues the themes of love and loss, separation and hope. Following
the artist and his representation of his experiences/stories. My print production
includes the motif from the music video. The motifs is closely associated to the
reasoning for the loss and separation of the relationship between the male and
female in that it connotes how actions have consequences. The use of this in my
print production, with it being a major aspect to the narrative, gives a clear
connection to the video and expresses the theme even further. Additionally, I have
used the motif on the back of the album. Centralising it and positioning it between the
male and female emphasises theme of separation and visually presents the reason
for it through the motif itself.
The print production somewhat presents its own theme in that it acts as a metaphor
of the artist himself. The outside of the album presents more saturated and
conservative images, whereas the interior is more intense, revealing the stories and
ideology of the artist. This theme isn’t evident in the music video which could in one
case cause confusion. Yet in my opinion, acts as an umbrella theme, and the music
videos is a single story which, similar to other tracks on the album, can present ideas
which aren’t directly linked to the design of the print production/s.
I have incorporated an effect in the print production where the illusion is being given
that pieces of the image are being ripped away. This reveals, in the front cover and
poster, a colourful montage of illustration and imposing a sort of hidden personality.
This theme links to the contrast in the music video sharply.
I wanted to overall explore these themes of which are typically explored in songs of
the genre. The exploration of this allowed me to incorporate more of a creative
twinge in that I wanted to divert from the typicality of the theme as a whole. I
successfully managed to identify my audience and allow for further expansion of the
brand identity through the relatability to what is being identified.

5. REPRESENTATION
The representation of the artist that I have created is someone who is quite
reserved and socially introverted. This links to how he, in the connotations of the
print productions, is selective over what he presents to others. This addresses the
theory by Anthony Gidden in that we all have a narrative that we construct
ourselves.
In terms of representations of groups, I have identified young adults a people who
are emotional and imperfect. Evident through the story in how the artist is in an
attempt to reconciliate with the female after losing the relationship through his own
actions. This allows my constructed audience to see themselves in this situation
and fully engage with the representation of their group. The print production
directly addresses the audience to emphasise this, especially in the inside panels.
This intensity through the extreme close ups of the artist and female engages the
audience fully. As well as providing a sense of vulnerability and instability.
Therefore, successfully exploring this as a representation.
Within the music video, I presented the female as a binary opposite to the male,
although this is conveyed through the separation of the two within the back cover
of the print production, I failed to pursue the developing ideas of her characters. I
mean by this how within the video, although there is a basic narrative to follow, the
female and how she is represented provides, to the viewer, other connotations and
inferences. For example, the close up of her mouth as she wears the blue lipstick
can be seen as closely associated to the idea of a femme fatale. With femme
fatales being manipulative and dangerous, it eaves question as to whether it is the
males fault as to why the relationship ended. I didn’t convey this idea in my print
production which therefore breaks a link between the video and ancillary texts.
My overall representation however is one that could potentially broaden the
audience of my products intensively. The idea is that within group of people,
everyone has their own stories to tell/demons to hide, etc… This greatly expands
on the idea of not only the narrative of the self, but individuality. Something that in
the modern world is both a proliferating fear and acceptance. Therefore, my brand
identity is further developed surrounding the support for individuality and
differentiation from hegemonic ideologies.