The document discusses how a media product for a band called Area 11 meets conventions of the genre while also challenging conventions. The advertisement uses shadowed text and a mysterious background image that reflects the band's alternative rock genre and narrative. The music video tells a chilling story through its woodland setting rather than using typical urban settings, and syncs the narrative to the song lyrics. The digipak follows a standard 6-panel design but uses consistent visuals and colors from the music video and advertisement to present a cohesive product that informs audiences while developing interest.
2. Advertisement
My advertisement meets the conventions set by other leading adverts in the industry regarding
genre. Genre refers to the notable similarities and repetition of a brand on its products.The
bands music genre is alternative rock and our advertisement does reflect some patterns of
similarity. We used filters on the text used giving it a ‘glow’ effect which in turn we chose the
colour to be black so it appears as a shadow.The shadow allows the text to stand out but mainly
gives a ghostly and chilling feel to the product. Area 11 like to write lyrics based around social
problems and concerns and this filter gives the edge of darkness and mystery. All text is covered
by a underlying black colour scheme in the form as shadow filters or solid fill block.The Black
and white represents the compromise between dark and light, good and evil. The genre of
music likes to connote conflict in its lyrics and provide tension in all its products. I feel our
representation of text colour gives us that edge and vibrancy that not only stands out but
reflects the genre of music we are working with.Typically Alternative rock genre has artists to
develop a narrative and the products that follow represent that narrative. In order to meet
these conventions we decided too use a image as our advertisement background we took when
filming our music video. The image denotes a teddy hung by old tattered rope in a forest, this is
very important to the narrative. Therefore we have placed a prop of visual and psychological
importance as the feature image matching the many conventions other adverts often set.The
image creates confusion but draws attention as viewers will be interested in the reasoning for
choosing this specific picture.This links with conventions the media aim to meet regarding
product identity and interest.
3. Advertisement
The identity of this product should be clear and to the point. I chose to use the Artists logo twice
in the advert on a black coloured layer for symmetry reasons and making it obvious who the
artist is for public engagement. The Artists name is centred in the bottom half of the
advertisement in bold font.The use of these features promote professionalism and an expert
eye for grabbing the audiences attention. The actual font used on the page is similar to that of
the Artists official brand tag.This follows the idea of continuity and we are using the brands
previous work to bring too life a product that appears and feels its part of their merchandise.
This benefits identity and the conventions of relationships with the provider and buyer. If you
can work a product to appear in the same style of previous work by the brand it grabs the
attention of citizens much faster.
I Decided to keep the advertisement very simple, challenging some previous conventions I have
seen in other adverts. We listed, title of album, band name, 3 songs of choice, release date and
the Artists internet webpage. I decided the advertisement is more about visuals than text and
thought we would create an more interesting and desirable advertisement which contained
more colour and tonal emphasis. By doing this we could make the font bigger across the page
(words standout more, seems powerful and engaging) and expose more of the background
image which has a lot of meaning behind the music video and narrative. I provided a web link
on the advertisement so the public if they want, can explore the meaning behind this
advertisement more themselves if interested. Often less words leads to more desire and
mystery over a product. Here we provide a gateway for the public which will engulf them into
our products universe once they delve into its mystery, human desire is too powerful and
influential. The social media aspect of this challenges and both meets conventions from various
similar products as its quite new in the music world.
4. Music video
My music video highlights the importance of narrative throughout its screening using the
visuals we developed and filmed. Following on form other music videos meeting the
conventions In this scenario was crucial. I find that music videos with a narrative are more
appealing to watch having a sense of belonging to the product and can normally tell a
important story audiences can connect too. In my product the narrative tells a story where 2
former lovers meet up again despite one being alive and the other now dead. As the story
unfolds you begin to understand why the 2 individuals were split apart and why the girlfriend
has came back to haunt Bens life. My narrative presents audiences with a chilling and
engaging plot that some people can connect to having been through similar life events or
people in relationships can understand the issues that may unfold being close to someone.
My music video does not include intertextual references other than linking the videos setting
(woodland) with the advertisements and digipak’s background image. It also tackles the
genre of music videos too.The reason I decided not to relate this production to others of
significant success in the media industry is purely because I wanted it to be unique. Allot of
music videos that accommodate songs based around social insecurities and issues
(alternative rock genre) use Urban life in their film. Normally to suit the basis of the narrative
which concerns people so city life creates a psychological link however I wanted to challenge
this using the woodland environment instead. I believed a woodland setting would give the
narrative more meaning and excluding intertextual links gave the product more mystery.This
suspense and mystery suits the story given the main character feels lost and he's stuck in a
situation which makes him nervous entering the unknown.
5. Music video
The music video was not dominated by live performance ,unusual in alternative rock styled
music, but instead featured a fairly long narrative. There is numerous stages in the film where
live performance will be swapped with story for significant parts in the plot.This is so the story
is more clear for viewers. The video holds an important concept about relationships and
revenge, in this case the music video meets current conventions frequently used where leading
videos like to focus on a key theme or concept. Part of the reason this narrative was chosen was
based on the songs tone and lyrics.Their is a very distinct mood and message the lyrics have
developed and thus making a music video like this we thought it really created synergy between
the two elements of production. A distinct link between lyrics and film is a convention
commonly used. For example the lyrics ‘So we'd better try to match her speed’ accompanied
the scene where the male character attempts to catch up with the female running in the woods.
Also ‘a lifetime's conviction unstable’ which relates to the fact our character is struggling to deal
with the guilt he takes for his girlfriends death. This technique creates a sense of realism,
product identity and unites the audio and film together effectively.
This product has also developed and kept an important function producers like to use where the
record label is frequently seen using close ups and the notion of looking. In this case my record
label in the music video is the band members. We see them in the live performance but that is
limited due to the narrative getting more exposure.Then I developed the narrative in such a
way that the lead singer of the band is in fact the character in the music video, therefore
incorporating a range of close ups and footage capturing the artist throughout. The nature of
the music videos story means plenty of close up camerawork is needed for emotional emphasis.
6. Digipak
The digipak uses a 6 grid template developed during research and planning, after researching I
decided it was best to stick to the classic design that many other products use.The 6 sided
package allowed me to add more content onto the digipak that audiences prefer when buying a
product on the shelves. Compared to the advertisement which is there for developing interest
the digipak is there to inform audiences and create desire. This is a convention used by leading
musicians when selling there products on the market and I wanted to ensure I used this
technique also.
The product uses all its graphic content And visuals from the music video and advertisement.
For example the digipak’s cover is the image from the advertisement which shows the setting
of the music video. In addition one of the packs print pages has a photograph of the band
members, all seen in the music video live performance clips. This all contributes to the bonding
of the digipak making it one whole produce over three separate things, they compliment each
other and promote the same artists work.This is important in developing product identity a key
element in any products made to promote something.This is yet again another convention i
kept and created effectively.
This product has been developed to use a select colour scheme that creates a certain mood, this
mood reflects the songs tone and the music videos behind meaning. The fonts used have a glow
filter embedded into the design to give a ghostly look and the dark matt colours have a chilling
tonal value on the package.This links with the narrative of the Headline song having a ghost as
an important figure.The digipak is unique like this and visually appealing.