CD Covers: Indie Genre

From my research, I can see that Indie artists CD cover's all hold very common conventions. I had noticed that a lot of artist place their album name underneath their own name/band name (usually the fonts being different or in a different colour to differentiate between the two). Although many other genre's also do this, I found that this was very common when looking at the various types of CD covers in my particular chosen genre. 

The Indie genre also use much warmer colours to appeal to their audience, and frequently have the artist on the front cover, often looking away from the camera. From the CD covers I looked at, it is clear that the artist has been illustrated or there is some form of illustration on the album cover, something which I had noticed is quite common in my chosen genre. This makes certain artists unique and stand out a lot more in comparison to other more popular artists I have seen whilst researching different genre's and artists. 

Digipak Analysis

Extra Digipak Notes

CD and DVD DigiPaks make a big statement, they represent the ultimate custom packaging for your CD or DVD replication project. A DigiPak is also a more environmentally friendly option when compared with traditional plastic jewel cases or DVD cases.

The DVD Digipak is a popular alternative to the DVD box which is now widely used for feature film DVD releases which are special editions because it increases the value and creates a premium product.

Material: 300gsm card with matt or gloss varnish. Printed 4 colours (CMYK) or Pantone colours. Spot varnish, lamination and embossing available. Made mostly from thick card, the digipak is virtually shatterproof and allows great graphic display.

Dimensions (based on standard 4pp digipak): finished size of 139.5mm x 6mmx 125.5mm. The panels can be increased from 4 to 6, 8 or more.

Originally used for the album packaging of leading musicians, the digipak and digipak family are now priced reasonably enough to be used for any CD or DVD project. The digipak is an extremely versatile packaging. It can be made to accommodate a booklet either by placing in a die-cut slot or gluing onto one of the panels.

What Is A Digipak?

A Digipak is "a patented style of optical disc packaging" which have been designed to typically consist of a book-style paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays attached to the inside, capable of holding a CD or DVD. The Digipak-style packaging is often used for CD singles or special editions of CD albums as such packaging is less resistant to abrasion than jewel cases, so it tends to show signs of wear more quickly. The standard 4 panelled Digipaks have a finished size of 139mm x 125.5mm.

Digipaks were among the first alternatives to jewel cases to be used by major record companies, as they are far more eco-friendly, their main material being recyclable. There were a number of shortcomings with the jewel case. The case is hinged on two brittle plastic arms, which often break if the case receives shock or stress due to being dropped. The teeth of the hub holding the disc are also prone to failure by snapping, something you don't experience with Digipaks. However, Digipaks still remain less common than jewel cases due to higher manufacturing costs and lower resistance to wear.

First Day of Filming!

Here is a video of some behind the scenes shots we have from while we were filming to give an understanding on how we achieved this certain shot:

Narrative Idea

We have decided to add onto our performance video by adding a narrative. This means that there's a clear reason as to why Klaudia's character is acting the way that she is which therefore will add more meaning to our music video. The narrative we have decided to go with will show the abusive relationship that Klaudia's character is in, and the performance section of the of the music video will show her feelings.

Tennis Court Lyrics: Performance & Narrative

As we have chosen a new song, we need to decide what parts of the lyrics we are going to get Klaudia performing in, and what parts should show our narrative. All the lyrics highlighted is what we will have her perfom, and what is not highlighted is where our narrative will be, once we come up with an idea. (80% Performance, 20% Narrative)

Don't you think that it's boring how people talk

Making smart with their words again, well I'm bored

Because I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killin' it

Never not chasing a million things I want

And I am only as young as the minute is full of it

Getting pumped up on the little bright things I bought

But I know they'll never own me

(Yeah)

Baby be the class clown

I'll be the beauty queen in tears

It's a new art form showing people how little we care (yeah)

We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fear

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)

Pretty soon I'll be getting on my first plane

I'll see the veins of my city like they do in space

But my head's filling up fast with the wicked games, up in flames

How can I fuck with the fun again, when I'm known

And my boys trip me up with their heads again, loving them

Everything's cool when we're all in line for the throne

But I know it's not forever

(Yeah)

Baby be the class clown

I'll be the beauty queen in tears

It's a new art form showing people how little we care (yeah)

We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fear

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)

It looked alright in the pictures (yeah)

Getting caught's half of the trip though, isn't it?

I fall apart with all my heart (yeah)

And you could watch from your window (yeah)

[Laughs]

And you can watch from your window

Baby be the class clown

I'll be the beauty queen in tears

It's a new art form showing people how little we care (yeah)

We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fear

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)

And talk it up like yeah (yeah)

And talk it up like yeah (yeah)

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)

And talk it up like yeah (yeah)

And talk it up like yeah (yeah)

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah

(Yeah)

Mac 4 Lip Sync - Klaudia

As a group we have done some research and decided we would like to use the song 'Tennis Court' by Lorde. We chose this song as we felt it would suit Klaudia and so we got her to perform a lip sync to the section she would be singing.

Mac 4 Vlog

Permission Request

New Song Choice

Updated Actors

Esther and I have decided to use the actors Klaudia Kempa and (possibly) Aidan Broomfield in our music video. We agreed on using both of them in our music video as we believe they would work well together on camera. They also have previously acted in media projects.

Marina & the Diamonds

A band that uses predominantly performance music videos is Marina & the Diamonds. I am hoping that we are able to achieve similar shots that they have within their music videos, especially the close up shots and how they have made it so that some of their shots go with the beat of the song.

BFI Visit

On the 25th of November my media class and I travelled to the British Film Institute to listen to a music video conference. Throughout the conference we learnt how music videos have changed over the years and how we are able to achieve the highest marks possible in our own music video. However, they focused largely on performance music videos that would not have been helpful for Esther and I but since our idea had changed and we are focusing a lot on performance, I can notice how the conference was at least a small bit beneficial to us. 

Group Update

Due to problems with contrasting ideas in our group, we have decided to split into two. Esther and I have decided to work together on creating a new music video, combining both of our ideas. We have already started thinking of some ideas for our coursework and will begin filming as soon as we choose our actors and are certain of what we want our final outcome to be like. 

Wednesdays Filming Cancellation

As a group we had planned to go and carry on our filming on Wednesday (09/11) but due to the weather being particularly bad we were not able to go. For the majority of our shots set outside we need it to be sunny and so it has been challenging to find the time when it's not raining and we are all free to go out and film.

We rescheduled to the following Wednesday (16/11) but even then, we don't know if we will be able to go out and film. We can only film on Wednesdays as that is the only time when we are all free, but it's likely something may come up mean we can't go and film then which is why we are having difficulty with carrying on with our music video. It may mean we have to rush to get it done (hopefully that won't be the case). We will probably get a lot of our filming done over the Christmas break so that when we come back to school we can focus on editing it together before the deadline.

Visual Effects in Music Videos

When editing our final product, visual effects will play an important role into how people view our music video. If our music video looks simple, it will not stand out as much as ones which do have visual effects.

- Different camera angles;
- Colours;
- Effects;
- Cut to the beat of the music.

After discussing it as a group, we have decided that we would be interested in including a multiple exposure piece in our video. It would involve a 'normal' shots, merged with manic shots of our actor Marcus Buck. We feel that it would show the different emotions of our character and the comparison between how he is viewed by other people ('normal' shots) and the feelings he has to hide (manic shots).

Filming Schedule

Filming Schedule by Lucy on Scribd

Location Visits

Esther and I decided it would be best to visit a few locations and take some pictures of where we could possibly film, which will help us when we storyboard our ideas. Some of our shots will be set outside and so finding a place where can film is important. However, as the majority of our shots will probably be set inside, we also need to find places which will allow us to film e.g. a gallery. 

Hilly Fields: 

Alexandra Palace: 

Actors

Yesterday Esther and I went with our actor Marcus Buck to visit locations where we could film. As I am also starring in the music video, we decided to take a few pictures together to see if we would work well together on camera when filming. This is required as we need it to look relatively real to achieve the idea we have come up with. 

Mac 1 Lip Sync

Today we attempted to lip sync to our chosen song 'Snap Out Of It' by Arctic Monkeys. It helped us with our editing skills and has shown us how precise we have to be when lining up shots with the song lyrics. We have decided to use a small bit of lip syncing in our actual music video, but we are still sticking with the majority of it being narrative. 

Permission Request

Here is a screenshot of the email I have sent to the producer of the Arctic Monkeys album our chosen song is from. Alongside sending it to Ross Orton, I have also sent it to the official address for the band. I had first sent it to the bands email address as I could not find any other one, but since finding a website for one of the producers which had their contact information, I thought it would be best if I sent it to him as well as it may be more direct.

Mac 1 Vlog

Song Choice

We chose the song 'Snap Out Of It' by the Arctic Monkeys as we felt that the lyrics worked really well with our narrative. We also feel that the beat is something we would be able to work with, especially when transitioning each shot. I haven't watched the video for this song but I feel that gives us more of a chance to go with our own ideas in our music video, rather than trying to replicate parts of the official one. 

Mood Board

Nothing But Thieves: Honey Whiskey

[Verse 1: Conor Mason]

This party's pretty boring

I don't think it's for me

Lucy's already crashed out

She's on the spare settee

[Bridge]

This air is getting so thin

Go down, go down, go down

The honey whiskey's kickin'

Go down, go down, go down

[Chorus]

I think I better go, before I try something


I might regret, I might regret

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

[Verse 2]

Black hearted angels sunk me


With kisses on my mouth

There's poison in this water
 

The words are falling out

[Bridge]

This air is getting so thin

Go down, go down, go down

The honey whiskey's kickin'

Go down, go down

[Chorus]

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

[Outro]

But if you wanna free your body tonight


It's our secret, it's our secret

I think I better go, before I try something

I might regret, I might regret

Arctic Monkeys: Snap Out Of It 

[Verse 1]

What's been happening in your world?


What have you been up to?


I heard that you fell in love, or near enough


I gotta tell you the truth (yeah)

[Chorus]

I wanna grab both your shoulders and shake baby


Snap out of it (snap out of it)

I get the feeling I left it too late but baby


Snap out of it (snap out of it)

If that watch don't continue to swing


Or the fat lady fancies having a sing
I'll be here


Waiting ever so patiently for you to


Snap
 Out 
Of 
It

Forever isn't for everyone


Is forever for you?


It sounds like settling down


Or giving up


But it dont sound much like you girl

[Chorus]

I wanna grab both your shoulders and shake baby

Snap out of it (Snap out of it)

I get the feeling I left it too late, but baby

Snap out of it (Snap out of it)

If that watch don't continue to swing or the fat lady fancies having a sing

I'll be here waiting ever so patiently for you to

Snap out of it

[Bridge]

Under a spell you're hypnotized (ooh)


Darling how could you be so blind (snap out of it)

Under a spell you're hypnotized (ooh)

Darling how could you be so blind

[Chorus]

I wanna grab both your shoulders and shake baby

Snap out of it (Snap out of it)

I get the feeling I left it too late, but baby

Snap out of it (Snap out of it)

If that watch don't continue to swing or the fat lady fancies having a sing

I'll be here waiting ever so patiently for you to

Snap out of it

**

Both songs could have been good options for us, especially as they both have good beats to them, but we decided that it would be more suitable to go with 'Snap Out Of It' as it is as if they are telling themselves to snap out of the thoughts they are having. This goes well with our chosen storyline which involves a boy having hidden possessive thoughts about a girl who he is obsessed with but her does not want to have these thoughts. 

Goodwin firstly noticed that music videos have either a complete similarity or a direct contrast to the lyrics of the song. He also identifies that the visuals within a music video may have been edited in time to the lyrics or the pace that the song has. 

This theory goes well with our song as we have planned to change a lot of our shots to the beat of the music, especially at the beginning of our music video.