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.