22/11/2021-26/11/2021

 Coursework lessons in class - This week I have built on all the work I have done outside of class in the past few months on my music video and website. I was adding the final touches to my video (computer won't let me upload to blog!) and was shortening the full version

Overcoming Challenges

 After completing my video and website, my full video came to 4:50. I needed to shorten the time to adhere to my brief while still ensuring my best work was visible.  I therefore now have two versions of the video: the full 4:50 one, and a shortened 3:50 one for my website. I will use the full version as an extended edition that will be exclusive to the fanbase on the website thus adhering to Henry Jenkins' fandom theory. I will also add a competitor on the page to encourage audience participation, thus breaking the barrier between the producer and consumer adhering to Clay Shirkey's end of audience theory. 

Adding intertextuality to my website

 I have added an extra element of intertextuality to my project, on the 'Time with Tom' page on my website. I have taken inspiration from Alice in Wonderland with the concept of down the rabbit hole, and used the phrase to link it to the page with regards to deep diving into Tom's music, song inspiration, music inspiration etc 

I have also included a psychedelic swirl Easter egg (also referencing the rabbit hole essence) which links to an exclusive Spotify playlist.

Statement of Intent - Draft

How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief? (approx. 400 words)

Product 1:

For my music video, I intend to create a video portraying the change in a relationship from good to bad, as indie music tends to focus on the 'reality' rather than 'ideal'. As well as this, I want the video to be enjoyable for my target audience of 16-25 year olds; many of which have been in relationships and know they are not all as portrayed in the movies, so should aim to be relatable for the audience. I have chosen the effervescent track 'Love and Suicide' by The Trusted, which is a strong contradiction to many love songs in its tempo, but enables me to use fast paced editing and keep the video engaging while also being able to weave in a narrative with the lip syncing. I will use a range of different shot types and locations to assist with this, and create a circular narrative when the first and end location meet and bring all narrative strands, including live performance, together. This circular narrative will enable my intertextual link to 'La La Land', while the main relationship narrative in a flashback, film reel, effect, will enable another reference to indie film 'Submarine'. Andrew Goodwin's music video theory will be met with lyrics reflecting the visuals, focus on the artist creating star-persona thus meeting record label demands, live music performance and music reflecting the visuals. 

Product 2:

My website will feature a consistent style, following codes and conventions of indie artists' websites. The video's aesthetic will also be reflected in the website, with the lighting and locations, thus creating a link between the video and website creating consistency. 

My first page will include a feature rotating menu, album art which flips when hovered over, tour poster and dates, merchandise and the latest music video, as well as some other features. Cross-platform convergence will be created with links to the universal website and various social media platforms, once more creating a connection between fans and artist. This will be furthered through an option to sign up to their mailing list, meaning the audience will be able to access exclusive content and feel a personal connection with the artist, gain information and form them in part of their identity through merchandise (Blumler and Katz).

My second website page will focus on Henry Jenkins' fandom theory in providing the audience with the exclusive content they want through interviews with the frontman, and in turn developing the star persona.  

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? (approx. 100 words)

I intend to have the video as a main feature of the website while the style of both website and video will link though elements such as lighting. 

Planning: Pitch

 I am going to create a music video and website for indie/rock band The Trusted, who are 'signed' to universal music group. The website will adhere to codes and conventions of music websites, namely that of indie/rock bands to portray their musicianship and fun side while also honing in on lighting and vibrant arcade style (indie inspired) themes. The website will have all content on one page (a feature of many indie artists), with my one linked page being exclusive content with the frontman of the band to add an element of fulfilling Henry Jenkins' fandom theory, through enabling the fans to feel close to the band. On my main page, I will have a rotating menu, as inspired by Declan McKenna's website, a strip of albums which flip to the back cover when hovered over, as inspired by Catfish and the Bottlemen's website, a merchandise section, tour poster, social links and the tastes music video. The mainly single page setup is heavily inspired by the Wolf Alice website. 

My music video will be heavily inspired by the Inhaler video for 'It won't always be like this', and also by the video for 'Piledriver Waltz' by Alex Turner for the film 'Submarine'. The video will use the concept of a flashback which is portrayed by a film reel, depicting a relationship which turn at the volta of the song, from good to bad. The video will have a running 'narrator' of Tom, the frontman who I will have lip-syncing in different locations, including live on stage. The start and end of the video will mirror, with both parties of the relationship in the same place, at the gig of the band, which will not only link everything together, but provide intertextuality to 'La La Land'. 

Documents:

Lyric 'script' (includes locations) - 4/7 blog post

Storyboard - 4/7 blog post

Flatplans - 4/7 blog post

Draft pictures - 23/6 and 10/5 blog posts 

Risk assessments:

Saen and Charlie; 

Old Leigh - Safe distance from sea

Chinnerys - security teams present, not getting any non-consenting faces in the shot 

Train - stand back from edge wait behind yellow line 

Tom; 

Cliff gardens - safe even surface, make sure equipment doesn't get stolen

Planning: Lyric analysis and storyboarding/ flat-plans

 

Planning: Key codes and Conventions

 From my research I have recognised the following codes and conventions of indie/rock bands websites and love song videos:

1- consistent colour scheme and theme throughout

2- performance footage motifs

3- lights ie arcade or that of reflecting stage lights

4 - tour dates in typical indie venues ie Brixton

5 - many cuts in time with music

6 - intertextual links to other bands, usually ones they take inspiration from, or well known movies 

7- lyrics reflect visuals 

8- strobe lighting 

9-many websites are single page with an extended feature page - this is often the store but in mine it will be a feature on the latest single

10-often have 'film strip' effect 

I will use these as inspiration for my coursework, to enable me to fulfil the brief via sticking to the genre conventions and creating an almost seamless link between my website and those of other universal artists.