22.1.13 - Digipak Mind Map and Initial Ideas

Once all of the music videos were completed as a class we discussed each others giving feedback of initial impressions from the music videos. From this we were able to consider the different ideas which could be interpreted from the music video and therefore inspire the digipaks. Here is my mind map of feedback given:

From viewing the music video as a whole, I had begun to create a digipak along the theme of the flower motif and free spirit, however from the feedback given the last scene had a significant effect on the target audience therefore to begin this stage of the project I will be designing 2 ideas which contrast to each other significantly, then towards the end of the design stages I will ask for feedback through a class discussion. Through using Polyvore I have been able to create a template of designs for both ideas which are shown below:

Sultry - Version 1

Free Spirit - Version 1

  

17.1.13 - Artist's Identity/ Brand Image Continued

Case Study: From my previous research I was able to identify any artists who are similar to the artist I have used for my Advanced Media Portfolio, such as: Sara Bareilles and Katie Melua. I then developed my research by researching their albums to see if there were any ideas which have inspired my Digipak. During the research I was able to identify more similarities between my artist and Sara Bareilles; therefore I have based my case study on her albums. In Sara Bareilles’ 11 years in the music and media industry she has released a total of 4 major albums and many more singles. 

8.1.13 - Digipak Research

Forms and Conventions:

1. What is a Digipak and how is it similar/ different to an album cover?
A Digipak is a form of CD or DVD cover which is often used for a first single release or special edition release. It differs from an album cover as it usually has video extras and other bonus items for the customer, as well as having some music tracks released by the artist.  CD Digipaks give a product an expensive professional look and feel.

2. What does a digipak net look like and how many faces are usual?

This is the 8 panel Digipak (left) and one
variety of the 6 panel Digipak (right)

The most The most common CD Digipaks is the 4 panel Digipak which opens like a book. However 6 panel CD Digipaks are also popular, providing a larger canvas for CD artwork and text information about the CD. 8 panel and even 10 panel CD Digipaks are also available. In my advanced media portfolio I will be designing a 4 panel Digipak. 

4 panel Digipak

3. What do we usually find on the various faces i.e. front cover? Back cover? Inside cover? CD tray? 

      Front Cover: Usually has a image of the artist themselves along with the title of the album. It is often important to have an image of the artist especially if this is the first released music related media product, such as an album or Digipak. Also the front cover will have caption about the extras within the Digipak or a raving review of the Digipak.
Back cover: Frequently has the list of other tracks on the album as well as a bar code to indicate that the Digipak will want to be bought.


Inside cover: Sometimes has the lyric book or otherwise has a note from the artist just to say 'Thank you'. On rare occasions it has both.
CD Tray: has a simple pattern or image otherwise it may confused the customer due to the distraction caused by a busy CD tray.
The Digipak itself should follow a colour scheme to make the product look professional. 

1.1.13 - Artist's Identity/ Brand Image

Activity: Brainstorm words and images that sum up your artist's identity/ brand image.

When I decided to use Corrina Suri's song - 'I Could Have Been The One' I initially listened to a variety of songs sung by this artist to get a deeper understanding of the artist herself as well as develop my ideas for her brand image. From my ideas I have created a mind map, which illustrates the words which I associate with her as well as similar artists who have either the brand image I want to adapt to Corrina Suri, or they sing from the heart (romantic in genre).

From this research I have finalised the target audience is mainly female due to the lyric subject in Corrina Suri's song - as truthful, from a personal experience but the reasoning for the female target audience is that other young girls or women will be able to relate to this song from their own perspective. I respect the artist for my music video because I feel that the best results in the music industry is to use a personal experience - to develop your own character and make yourself less vulnerable in the future, my target audience will be able to relate in this way.

1.1.13 - Still Images

In the music video itself the artist along with the male protagonist (boyfriend) are shown as a long term couple who have been with each other for a while. To show this in the music video I had a range of images taken during the filming process to illustrate their relationship as long term but falling apart. My initial ideas for the advert and digipak are to possibly use some of these images however I think that I will want to create a colour scheme with red as the focal point as it is the most significant as it connotes the passion with which being in love can bring but its binary opposite is that it is associated with anger.

14.12.12 - Editing Process Continued

3. What went well during editing?

The time in which the music video was completed. Due to the in depth detail during the planning process I was able to easily and efficiently arrange the clips on to the time line. The most successful part of the editing was the quantity of material which I had to work with during the editing process as I was able the cut clips to the length which I desired using the razor blade tool.

4. What have been your biggest hurdles whilst editing?

The lip syncing. As I found it difficult to begin with but as I progressed during the editing process I found it slightly easier to use. However I still found it hard to use and I am not completely confident at it.

14.12.12 - Editing Process Continued

2. What are the 3 most important decisions you have made whilst editing?

1. Editing on the beat. The edits are more successful on the beat however through the narrative perspective I had to decide when and when not to edit on the beat because due to the narrative the artist is slowly losing herself because of her lovers bad influence the edits doesn't always come on the beat.

2. Choice of lip syncing. My original storyboard was heavily influenced by the narrative, from feedback I received I needed more lip syncing to emphasise the following of conventions by having multiple close ups of the artist to allow the audience to become more familiar with the up and coming artist.

3. Video transitions. Once the clips were located in the right section of the song and in order of narrative appearance, I had to decide on the type of video transition. I used the trial and error method to decide upon the video transition I would use as this was significant to the successful encoding the romantic genre, to allow the audience the perfect reading of the music video.

14.12.12 - Editing Process

1. Describe how you have tackled the editing process?

From the storyboard I was able to arrange the clips in order of appearance in the effects screen before dragging each clip on to the time line. Whilst filming I allowed the clips to continue on for longer than was needed because from the Foundation Portfolio I have learnt that it easier to have too much material rather than too little. To complete the music video I decided to work from the beginning and work till the end of the song. Once I had edited all the clips into place I received feedback to develop my music video through the use of jump cuts - this I have learnt is a more common editing technique in music videos, along with the fade dissolve in the video transitions, rather than allowing the clip to go on for too long. I have found the editing process slightly challenging because I had to get used to the software once more but also because it was a different genre of media we are creating in this Advanced project I have learnt about the different editing techniques used in a music video which differ from the editing techniques used in a film title sequence.

I used the crop tool to create a split screen - to emphasise the male antagonists actions and to increase the build up to the dramatic ending of the music video