Digipack Complete

CD:

Poster:

Digipack

Today we are starting on our digipack.
We got our template for our CD Cover on the following website:
www.diskwizards.com

Digipack

The following are images we are going to use for our digipack:



This is the main image we are using. It has been edited to have a much darker feel to it, working to match the overall mood of the video.
The fact that the image is taken in the same location as the music video is may enable the audience to be able to quickly identify the song and the CD.
Our actress is looking straight into the camera, with a serious face, again creating this 'confrontational' feel, again the whole message we are trying to convey in the video. I think the combination of this image and the video is quite successful.


This is the image that is going on the back of the CD cover. Again, the location and mise-en-scene of the shot may enable the audience to identify the CD cover with the video. Our actress is framed in more one direction than the other to allow room for the tracklisting.




This is going to be the image placed on the actual CD itself. It emphasises this feeling of isolation and isn't an image which is too busy, allowing us to again put the tracklisting and names without colour clashing too much.

Digipack drafts

I've attempted to draw some drafts of our digipacks:

CD Cover:



Front: The front has a picture of our artist framed in the center of the cover. This is done so the attention of the viewer is immediatly drawn to our artist. Her facial expression is very serious and she is looking directly to the camera. This combined with the edited dark colour scheme helps to re-establish this mood and message created within the narrative of the song. The font is an italic one, such as 'Scripta', again emphasisng the femanimity (learnt through the research)

Back:
The image on the back of the CD cover has the background of our artist walking away. The text of the tracklist will be in the same colour and same font as that on the front. At the bottom we will have the barcode, aswell as the label of the record company. In smaller, more formal text, we will have writing such as copyrights.


Poster:




The poster is landscape. The same image is used as the one on the CD cover. This also allows the audience to identify the song and artist. We will also have (in the same fonts and colours, for the same reasons) the text placed at the bottom and the top of the poster. We will also include the record label logo. In the poster, we will add reviews and ratings from other industries (For example: "Now Magazine: The biggest talent Britain has seen since Madonna. 5 stars".) We will need to take into consideration the target audience when doing this (picking suitible institutions etc.)

Evaluation Theory

Things i think we did well during the construction process:
- We included a range of different camera angles
- Appropriate mise-en-scene
- Quick cuts which are appropriate to the music
- Appropraite lengths of shots, combining well with the music
- Good use of steady camera
- Good use of effects, E.g. Black and white to resemble flashbacks
- Good, appriate use of diagetic sound (During the instrumental)
- Good use of transitons etc.

Things i think we could of improved on:
- Some of the miming could be more synced
- Maybe some additional locations and acting, e.g. maybe a scene or two with the male and the girl he was cheating on our artist with. This may also give the audience a better idea of the narrative.

Editing

We are currently on the editing process of our video.

This should hopefully be completed in a further 2 or 3 hours/lessons

CD Cover Analysis

Whilst we wait for the filming to be re-done, I have done some analysing of CD covers in order to hopefully get some idea's and influence for when it comes to creating our own. I have chose to analyse the following artists as they are all female, in the same genre with (at the time of release) a simular target audience.

Cheryl Cole - 3 Words

Simular to our plan, Cheryl's CD cover is portrayed in a black and white theme. Cheryl is framed within the centre of the shot which instantly works to draw the attention. The use of the medium close up allows us to notice the mise-en-scene aswell as the serious facial expression. The mise-en-scene of the headset Cheryl appears to be wearing hasa lacey theme, almost connoting this sence of fragility (which works in relation to the theme of our song). The white roses also placed within this scene connote the themeof love and romance (again in relation to our own project.)Cheryl's back is bare, which connotes this natural vibe, with the title of the album framed amongst her back. Thevisual almost suggests that Cheryl is baring and revealing all within within this album. The font is again quite alacy, delicate font reinforcing this point of emotional fragility. Overall, the album cover is effective in creating a sentimental]theme. We could particuarly use some of the elements, such asthe delecate roses, as an influence within our own CD cover.

Madonna

Madonna's self-titled album is also set in a black and whitetheme. Madonna is framed in the centre of the frame, instantlydrawing the audiences attention to her. The close-up allowsus to notice her facial expression. Her serious facealong with the right clenched fist and the other placed onthe side of her face helps to imply a sense of pain (In whichthe audience can presume is emotional pain due to the colourtheme and symbolism). The text is framed alongside the sideborders of the frame, placed in black and white (again comprimisingwith the colour symbolism). There is a noticable red 'O',the colour red again symbolising this theme of anger. Overall, i think we could take some idea's out of this albumcover, as our song does have a slight anger mood. However, idont think it would be a major influence to our decision.

Britney Spears - In The Zone

Although not in the black and white coloured theme, i think its quite effective in the way it creates this intimatevibe. The use of blue however could significantly symbloisethe mood. Britney is framed in the centre of the frame againin the centre of the shot to draw attention. In comparrison to Madonna and Cheryl Cole's, a wind machine has been usedhere, pushing Britneys hair out of the way. As our actresshas long hair, this could be influencial, as it could alsowork along with our video's beach scene. The face is bare - subtle make-up and clear. She is looking directly into the cameracreating a confrontational feel, again working in relation toour production. The pink text is used to stand out against theblue. The bold font (In juxtaposition to Cheryl Cole's) couldrepresent the bold emotional strength.

In conclusion, i think we can take a peice of each CD cover and use it to influence our own.From Cheryl Cole's album, i particularly like the theme ofthe white delicate roses. I also like the delicate font whichcan also work as a use of feminism. From Madonna's, i like therare but apparent use of the red symbolism to connote anger.Ftom Britney Spears' album, i particularly like the use of theclose-up and the wind machine.I think each of these elements would help to create the appropriatemood and tone of our particular song, 'Cry Me Out'.

Male Gaze

Due to problems with the camera, it has deleted all our filming. (Brilliant.) We are going to have to refilm on Wednesday 10th March 2010.

Here is a little bit of information i researched on the Male Gaze in Madonna's video, 'Open your heart'

Exploring the male gaze of Madonna's video could be of help, as she is also a female artist within the pop genre.

"It was critically acclaimed for portraying a completely opposite perspective of "voyeuristic male gaze and object", and depicting innocence rather than sexual overtones, although the entry of a child in a strip club was negatively criticized. The video was an homage to actresses Liza Minnelli and Marlene Dietrich.
Feminist writer Susan Bordo gave a negative review of the video, saying that the leering and pathetic men in the cubicles and Madonna's escape with the boy is "cynically and mechanically tacked on [as] a way of claiming trendy status for what is just cheesecake - or, perhaps, pornography". MTV also had some reservations initially before airing the video, which was later resolved after a meeting with Warner Officials. However socio-critic Mary Harron in her book McRock: Pop as a commodity said that the underlying message in the video is that though Madonna sells sexuality, she is free. There is no overt representation of anything besides friendship with the boy. Their escape together avoids Madonna the sexual overtones that would have been stronger if she would have escaped with an adult male. This, according to author Richard Dienst, seems to suggest a repudiation of the adult labor of the stage in favor of childhood, androgyny, authenticity and nomadic play. The video is also acclaimed for reviving and re-creating the hard glamor of the studio-era of Hollywood stars and also for representing women as the dominant sex. Author Donn Welton pointed out that the usual power relationship between the "voyeuristic male gaze and object" is destabilized by the portrayal of the male patrons of the peep show as leering and pathetic. At the same time, the portrayal of Madonna as porno queen object is deconstructed by the escape at the end of the video." - http://www.wikipedia.com/

Below... It is clear Madonna is being seen in voyerism by the male characters. She is playing on this by dressing and acting almost like a sexual object. This may be celebrated by post-feminists, however may cause controvosy with pre-feminists.

In relation to our coursework

I almost agree with Susan Bordo's critisim of the video.

However, our video has a more sentimental approach and doesn't really apply to male gaze theory to a huge extent. The woman is fully covered in clothing and so is not demonstrating any sort of sexual provocotive behaviour or mise-en-scene. There is also an absence of voyerism within the video. So in this sense, the video may be slightly successful by way in which it mores likely to avoid critisim from feminimists.

Beach Scene - Filming Complete

We completed all filming of the beach scenes today.
We left Yaxley at 11:30am and due to traffic and road closures, arrived at hunstanton at 13:00.
We finished shooting at approximatly 16:00.

A friend of ours, Robbie Symonette came along with us to give us a helping hand and also took a few stills whilst shooting:

Wed 17/02/2010

Tomorrow (Wednesday 17/02/2010) we are off to the beach to film.
It will take place at Hunstanton beach.
We are expected to depart Yaxley at 10:30, and (according to AA route planner) expected to arrive at our destination about 11:30.

Current Filming

Due to last minuite complications revolving around our studies, we were unable to gain the time to go to the beach today.
However, this evening (arranged time: 16:30), we are due to film the car scene.

Definate dates
'The Bedroom Scene' - Friday 12th Feburary 2010

'The Beach Scene' - Wednesday 17th Febuaray 2010

Costume

Here I have done an image board of the themes of our costume.

The Beach Scene ,

Here, you can see a lot of winter wear. This is not only to figurativly match the cold theme of the song, but also so the actress can stay warm in order for her to delviery her best performance. The long coat will either be black or white, whereas the scarf will be of a more feminime colour. The feminimity (in order to create this sense of female empowerment in which our song discovers) is further reinforced by the use of jewellry. Footwear will be black tights and flat boots. Also here you can see the way in which the hair will be done - Loose curls etc again takes this idea of feminimity to the max.

(To the right of this image) Girls bedroom scene.
The aim of this shot is to give off this idea of our actress, a bit regretful, being comforted by her friends. We thought the dress for this scene should be the girls in an extreme casual dress to show the comfortability they have around each other and also how our actress doesnt feeling like making too much of an effort after finding out of the ifidelity on her boyfriends behalf, possibly a time in which some of the target audience may be able to relate to. I thought leggins, tops, joggers, hoodies, hair pinned up was an appropriate and relatable sense of costume for this time.

(To the left of this image) Car Scene
The car scene is the scene in which we see our artists boyfriend alongside another woman, giving off the narration of him cheating. We felt it was important to make them seen obviously different to the 'Girls bedroom scene' to emphasise of the narration that the couple are still very much making an effort for each other (as appose to years down the line in the relationship), but still nothing too formal. For the male, smart jeans and a tshirt. For the female, a casual dress with some black tights. In juxtaposition to the 'Girls bedroom scene' and 'The beach scene' this female will have brown hair and will also be straight. This emphasise the different in characters, making the narrative easier to understand.

Reschedueling

Due to illness, we were unable to film on our planned date.
Also due to severe weather conditions, we were unable to travel to collect the equipment needed.
The new date for filming is Wednesday 10th Febuary 2010.



Day One: Wednesday 10th Febuary 2010.
Due to lessons in the morning, we will have to go to the beach to shoot in the afternoon. We are hoping to leave about 13:00, and if traffic is calm (which it hopefully will be, as we will be avoiding peak times), we should arrive at the beach at approximatly 14:00/14:30. We will shoot for a maximum of 3 hours before it begins to get dark. We will hopefully get all the shooting done on this day, however if not we will go continue shooting on Saturday 13th Febuary.
It will only be Laurel and myself going down to the beach, where one of us will be acting. Costume, mise-en-scene etc are stated in an earlier post.

Day Two: Monday 15th Febuary 2010.
This date we will shoot all additional shoots, such as the car scene and the bedroom scene. The car scene will take place in either Laurel or myself's car to help avoid any curroption that may be caused from borrowing someone elses. For the car scene, we will require a male actor, whom will be a personal friend of ours. Of Laurel and myself, the alternitive to who stars in the beach scene will play the female character whom the male is cheating on our artist with. For the bedroom scene, we will use again either Laurels or myselfs bedroom. The actors we will choose as the friends of our artists will be personal friends of ours. By choosing our friends as actors, we will be able to make the shots seem more realistic as there is already a formed chemistry and relationship there.

Photo still inspiration

Here is a collection of images (just stills - not album covers!) to give us inspiration for stills in which could be potential front covers for our cd case. The images are of fellow female pop successful artists, such as Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Alicia Keys etc. As you can see, all the pictures have the reaccuring black and white colour theme, keeping the face's looking quite fresh and natural. Most of them are also head strong photos again connoting this sence of confidence, linking into the narration of our song. Most images also have a simple, natural yet feminime mise-en-scene - Plain colours if clothing is seen and sometimes the windswept theme with the hair being blown across the face. For our particular choice of song, I believe that the still of Christina holding up her fists and looking directly to the camera is the most inspirational as it does send off this almost feminime strength.

Explanation of anamatic/story board

Due to the fact I am not able to draw that well some of the shots on the anamatic look very similar and the same. When we come to filming there will be more ranges of shots and they will not look so repetitive. When we edited the still pictures in the adobe software we tried to cut them to the right timings that will be similar when we come to filming and editing our actual production. Due to this some of the stills look as if they are the same shot for too long, however, some of the angles will change. This cannot be seen on the storyboard due to the fact I was not able to draw all the different range of shots. As the drawings are not that artistic they do not portray properly how we want the shot to look. Therefore, our actual music video will differ slightly from the storyboard, however, we will state these changes in our evaluation of the project.

Brief Filming Information

We have set ourselves a date for filming.
Hopefully, filming will take place on Sunday 17th January 2010.
We have chosen this date as it is a date in which both Laurel and I are available. It is important we are both there so we can both agree on decisions and idea’s if we come across unexpected issues whilst filming.
Another benefit of filming at this time is that it is quite a quiet period of time at the beach. This ensures that we can get the shots we want, as appose to people whom may walk across the background of the shot, which will cause further complications of issues such as consent etc.
We will start the day early to make sure we get the most hours’ possible shooting. We will leave Sawtry around 08:00 to arrive at the beach at around 10:00. We will need to leave the beach around 17:00 when it starts getting dark, as the shots we would shoot then wouldn’t be visible due to weather conditions. This gives us up to 7 hours shooting time – which is achievable. Precise timings will be confirmed closer to the date.

Anamatic

This is our anamatic.
This was created to give a plan as to what types of shots are going where when it comes to filming.
The anamatic is very beneficial as we now have a very clear idea of what shots we need to shoot, how long for etc. It very much amplifies our organisation and so will hopefully reduce the time we are out filming (giving us more time to edit and evaluate etc.)