Digipack Research

Digipacks are packaging which includes a CD of an artist's single or album, it is also a alternative physical copy of music to downloads on ITunes etc. Digipacks are particularly important as the appearance of them has to appeal to the artist's target audience to increase sales.  Digipacks are usually a 6-8 panel layout which may include a lyric book, posters. Digipacks always include artist information, record label information and track listing as they are basic conventions for a digipack. The appearance of a Digipack varies from artists to genres etc as many artists include their motifs to appeal to their fan base. 

In class, we look at examples of Digipacks and identified typical conventions which would later help when creating our individual digipacks for our music video/artist.

I researched 'Kooks: Inside in Inside Out' Album digipack to identity typical conventions. Here is my research:



My group member Chloe Connell researched into Katy Perry's album digipack for 'Teenage Dream'-here is her research:

'' My first Digipak I have chosen to research is the Katy Perry 'teenage dream' album, it follows the typical conventions of a Digipak such as having six panels in order to connote pictures of the artist using different shots such as a close up and extreme long shot. The use of bright pink colours help relate to Katy Perry's personality and is one of her artist conventions to use a lot of girly colours which also helps appeal to her target audience of being majorly females. The digipack also consists of a track list which usually appears on most digipacks to inform the distributers and audience what is featured on the CD so they know what they are buying. The CD also features Katy laying on clouds which represents one of her well known songs 'Teenage Dream' which most of her audience would be aware of. The digipack also denotes a parental advisory label as her audience may be quite young it informs those that the CD has no use of profanities and is suitable for a younger audience. Katy also appears to be laying in a sexual way, this shows that it would fit Laura Mulvey's male gaze which would also suit her male target audience.'' - chloeconnellmediablog.blogspot.co.uk

Additonal Research-Comparison

For our music video, we attempted to have our lead (Kala) mimic Kesha's style, through costume, make up and choreography.

Here is an example of make up, as small details are essential in music videos, as a specific small detail is what the artists are sometimes known for. Kesha can always be seen as having heavy eye make up. This can differ from having glitter to studs on her eyebrows (as the image from her video  'We R Who We Are' shows) This adds to Kesha's image and star motif, as eye make up is something that is always seen in her music videos.

Whilst filming a particular scene and taking photographs for digipack, a close up of the actor's face was necessary, therefore I thought it would be better to pay homage to Kesha's style and achieve close ups similar to the way Kesha has close ups of her face.  We achieved this through using face crayons. I drew different coloured swirls and patterns on and around Kala's eyelid. The screenshot below shows the patterns that I drew. The use of bright colours can also be associated with Kesha, as well as link to the 'Crazy Kids' theme.


Still from Music Video:

 

Digipack and Magazine Advert Photography images:

Behind the scene images of the filming process

Whilst filming for our music video, Ishpreet  took various pictures of Me and Chloe setting up behind the scenes. This included images of them setting up things such as the tripods, as well as lighting and filming. I had control over the lighting, whilst Chloe Connell and Ishpreet filmed. Chloe Connell then took an image of Ishpreet setting up the camera. Chloe Connell then added the pictures onto Fotor Photo Collage, which shows exactly how we took to preparing for filming. Among the photos, Ishpreet took a still image of our lead positioning herself for the camera.  The bottom middle picture shows me adjusting the hair of the lead as I believe paying attention to even small details is essential to receive the outcome I desire. In the image, the placement of balloons and streamers were carefully places by me to show a messy after party theme.

Here I took pictures of the green screen setting which we put up to achieve colourful backgrounds with the use of editing in our music video.

Each picture demonstrates different steps we had to take, in order to achieve our idea. For an example the bottom right picture shows how we used props such as pink balloons and streamers. This is conventional in pop videos, such as the video for 'TGIF' by Katy Perry as it connotes a theme of fun. In this case it links to theme of 'crazy kids' and 'partying', which have been dominant within our video, and are similar to the star motif of Kesha who is seen as a 'wild child'. 
Below is a print screen from Kesha's music video for 'C'Mon', which also uses streamers:

Ishpreet also took behind the scene images for when we used the green screen, which she added together through the use of InstaCollage. Below shows Chloe and I setting up:

Music Video Equipment List

For our music video, I  constructed an equipment list which I put onto 'Stupeflix'
This will enable us to keep a track of equipment that will be needed during the filming process.

Costumes

I used 'Stupeflix' to create a video of the costumes the lead actress (Kala Hill)  will wear  in our music video.

We have carefully considered what type of clothing would be most suitable for Kala to wear, as she will be mimicking Kesha's unique style. For example we have chosen a mixture of gold shorts to a brightly patterned aztec dress to portay Kesha's bright and funky style.

Kesha caters for the male gaze in her videos by wearing clothing that reveal her body parts. We will make sure this is within our video as we want it to be conventional to Kesha's way of dressing.  We will cater to the male gaze through the use of shorts, as well as crop tops and heels. This is conventional for the pop genre as artists such as Cheryl Cole (Call my name) and Katy Perry (California girls) wear shorts and crop tops within their videos. 

Near the end of the song 'Crazy Kids', the beat and pace of the song descends, in which Kesha expresses her emotions through singing softly and with emotion. For this part of the song we will have our lead in the fluffy white jumper with red hearts. This will connote a sense of softness and peacefull and will juxtapose  the crazy and bright outfits which go with the rest of the upbeat pace of the song.

Health and Safety Risk Assessment

I conducted a health and safety risk assessment, and then uploaded it onto SlideShare. 

Doing this enabled me to became more conscious of any risks or dangers that may occur, whilst filming and helping my group and actors remain safe during the filming process. This allows us to remain prepared in case of any emergencies or accidents which may arise during the filming process. This makes sure that everyone is aware of hazards to increase safety when filming.

Risk assessment A2 MUSIC VIDEO from ahmer007007

Filming Schedule

I created a 'Filming Schedule' which enabled us to know what shot when filming, in our different locations. 
This was essential as we have many locations which we wish to use in our music video.  This will enable us to plan what needs to shot on what day, hence improving our organisation skills also shows the risks of safety hazards so we remain aware of our safety. This also helps ensuring what props to use for each shot and who will be in the shot, helping the filming process run smoothly and ensuring we have everything we need to prepare for filming scenes.

Filming Schedule for A2 MUSIC VIDEO from ahmer007007