Music i have found an interest in, in terms of genre for this project are,
Dance
comedy pop
'Easy listening'
I really like the idea of a narrative accompanying the lyrics, taking the audience on a journey, rather than just having the singer/band performing in front of the camera lip-syncing. From looking at previous latymer music videos, in my opinion the ones with the most lip-syncing are in genenral te least successful. Also i want my video ot be more sophisticated and therefore am going to need to do location reccies, as shooting in schol areas can be rather tacky and look really amatuer. Finally i feel that there should be actors/actresses with some drama or acting experience in the music videos, as this elevates production standards. An example of a past music video that i find least successful for these reasions is...
Boy Crazy- High School rejects.
First thoughts for my music video i would like...
Out of school location (more than one would be more challenging)
performance and narrative based
not too many actors/actresses due to past experiences with a lack of reliability
possibly an abstract idea where there no continuity through narrative just a seemingly random compliation of shots which eventually have a meaning or are linked to the meaning portrayed in the song.
to have unusual creative shots rather than just dull standard shots. e.g. when performing.
a song which changes in mood at some stage during the song as this would enhance a key change in the video narrative.
Great notes on marketing Matt. Start posting your ideas/track selections asap though, and your album covers analysis
You've lost your navigational ability on your blog - possibly when you put in your background - can you sort this out
What did I miss out on the market strategy plan?
I think an improvement to my plan would be to have acknowledged the success of cheap under the line marketing srategies, for example-as my band is newly created and unknown, it would be benficial to start with cheaper more local advertising and marketing. An example of this would be flyers, and leaflets outside of secondary schools (ideally all-female schools which is our dirrect target adience). Then once the band gain popularity and success they can execute more above the line tactics as already mentioned.
Also it would be useful to have cheaper accessories during the early stages of the band such as T-shirts, pens, pencils, whistles, etc, which are easily made by all. However with success, there should be a step up in accessorising such as engraved on wrist bands, dolls, etc which show more exlusivity and need to be purchased.
Also i would alter our advertising/marketing strategies so that they are more unique. For example to sell out an underground gig in the local youth centre i would put a free drinks voucher in local magazines e.g.Our Enfield and Everyone's a winner.
Promoting should also primarily be directed at the audience and for this TV shows should be carefully picked to sing on or make guest appearances. For example early morning shows and on weekends such as Minestry of Mayhem, (SMTV live), Ant and Dec's Saturday night takeaway. Programmes such as guests on Friday night with Johnathan Ross and Sunday Night Project may widen the audience appeal however the core audience is not tapped into.
Teaching points from todays lesson?
1 - each new artist/band needs a Unique Selling Point so as to successfully fill a gap in the current market
2-Timing is important to the success of the band. For example dont release when another similar artist is being released..or maybe purposefully release at this time!
3 - Radio appearances need to be carefully constructed. For example giving artist exclusives, free demos, compeitions for the show such as vip days and backstage gig passes. The artist and press need to work in symiosis.
4 - Space can be cleverly used on album covers/promotions. -dont just see it as something that needs filling. As long as the image is striking it may be successful (doesnt need story to it.)
5 - remember that artists start on small local scales and build in popularity and stature. therefore unique promotion is vital.
The band may not be able to sing but its how they are promoted that makes them successful.
6- Linked to this, merchanising can be simple but get more sophisticated as audience numbers increase.
7 - It is important to tap into a core audience yet expand as much as possible. i.e. A boyband may appeal to young girls but with a mixture of ethnicities this audience is exhausted.
Boyzone on Sunday Night Project two days ago:
START AT 9 MINUTES!!
in the words of LOUIS WALSH..."ALL PRESS IS GOOD PRESS."
except for Coldplay's X and Y, all other albums have the artist's name and the album name across the cover in some way. The reason that Coldplay do not have their name is probably due to the fact that this wold lose the visual impact that the cover provides with its stark and contrasting colors and blotted style.
all covers ahve a central image (or a montage which creates a central image) which provides the album's identity. note that outkast has a split screen effect on their central image which provides connotations of the album which involves 2 different characters and singers.
colours: some of the covers have a colour theme which makes it more appealing, such as Alicia Key's and David Bowie's albums. Whereas others are less aesthetically pleasing yet attention grabbing none the less, with a mixture of vibrant colours such as Scissor Sisters and Coldplay.
Imagery tends to be either ... -of the artist themself which promotes their lifestyle and their unique identity which audiences are attracted to, e.g. David Bowie, Any Winehouse, Alicia Keys, etc -generic signifiers which may attract audiences with generic tastes such as Outkast, Alicia Keys, Jack Johnson. -completely random or plain to attract attention from the audience such as Coldplay and Damien Rice.
The cover ratio of imagery and text size usually is a signifier of whether the album is trying to increase sales off the back of the artist themselves or from the lifesstyle and genre that they provide to the audience. e.g. the Best of Bowie and Maroon 5 is dominant text which promotes teh album on the back of their reputation and the audience loyalty to the artist. For example the audience know what tehy are getting when buying a BOWIE album. A contrast is McFly and Jack Johnson who seem to promote more of a lifestyle and genre through the imagery of the covers. e.g. audiences would like McFly due to their down to earth lifestyle and genre they suggest, not from their reputation and audience loyalty through their music.
Summary of conventions of an album cover:
an identifiable or representable image to accompany the image, ethics or style of the artist
gatefolds, inserts, lyric sheets,etc, for promoting the band identity, i.e. style make-up, lifestyle, hobbies...
artist name, cover name
creative or bold picture to appeal.- not political or promoting a movement unlike earlier album covers. ( these days it is all about the music!!)
underground music/non commerical album covers are plainer with institutional information mainly (nicher movements have a more dedicated following and so albums are for pure generic 'muso's'- the cover is not as important)
Usually the main image or background of what is seen on the cover is on the inside ring of the vinyl.
Deconstruction - 'The Best of Bowie':
Front:
Images:
montage which creates an overall David Bowie face. this montage encorporates different music trends and appearances/ styles that the artist has been through.
overlapping gives feel of 3D movement,i.e. the cover jumps out to the audience
album promotes purely Bowie's music and lifestyle through many phases- appeals to the loyal audience who like Bowie's music rather than the genre specifically.
CU of face and direct address focuses on emotion and engagement with the audeince
the predominant colour/background prvides a calming mood almost like an album of reflection whihc contrasts to the bold different tones of his face.
The centering almost spoonfeeds the audience and there is little to persuafe an audience to buy it- you either like him or not!
the pixelated background and range of style and colour on his face give a generic 'pop'feel yet i think the background is mainly used to contrast to the main image itself.
Image itself:
reflects the versatility and individuality of the artist and styles which teh artist has been part of (promoted), e.g. the lightning bolt, make up, different coloured hair, different coloured iris, lipstick, and age. The lighting shadows pat of his face which makes him more 3D on the cover but also may imply a darker side/alternative outlook to his music.
-the image relfects the styles and genre of his music such as: pop, serious, wackey, punk,
Text:
The white font is largest at 'bowie' showing the importance of the instant identity for the artist and is completely different to all other colour on the cover.
'best of' anchors the actual content of the album to many previously release songs. Also these words imply that the content may vary in style which is supported by the montage image. This also invites the audience to literally pick, in their view, the best aspects of this artist.
'Bowie' directly undernear teh CU is instant identity!
the font is clear and simple to read- it is more about the actual artist!
the text throughout the sleeve is a range of vibrant colours showing the mixture of movements and music styles in the album.
Sleeve:
Maintains these connotations with:
many different trends of teh artist, through a gallery of images.
gives a more detailed breakdown of every song on the album
changes of lifestyle reflected in the everchanging backgrounds through the sleeve.
Back:
same image as on the front
institutional information, e.g. website, barcode, record label etc.
list of songs on CD1 and CD 2- purely for the audience's satisfaction of being in control. Also this allows browsers in teh shops o see if they recognise and see if they will enjoy the content before they purchase the album
More specific answers:
the cover implies the content is very mixed and is a compliation of music from one artist. This suggests the music label, EMI, have signed a versatile artist and that they are trying to appeal to many different audiences in terms of music trends etc through this one successful artist. EMI is a large record company which imples that Bowie must have a huge artist loyalty as he can produce record sales which keep the company successful.
The cover title 'the best of Bowie' shows this is more like a sumarising album of Bowie life in the industry- almost paying tribute to what he has brought to the music industry through many generations.
Audience:
A Niche audience appeal in the sense that the audience would have to like David Bowie to buy the album, however the sales would reflect the popularity of the artist. However the audience within this is category is wide as it caters for all Bowie's fans due to the diversity in music on the album.
any gender, race, religion
Bowie's career stretches from teh late 70's- early 80's up until the present and so the age of the audience can range from here. I would say those who were young in the 70's would probably be his core audience as they would have build up an audience-artist bond through the decades.
