Task 1In what ways do your media products use,

develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Use of performanceWe wanted to use this form to showcase the talent of our artists by having a

performance element. Our band have talent and can play instruments and so we used this as a platform for our video. We showcased the artist by using close ups of their face. This helps to promote their star image. Richard Dyer says that star image is “a

semi mythological set of meanings attached to the persona of an artist” and it is what makes them unique from other artists. We wanted to have a grungy, indie look for our

artists that isn’t going to distract from the music and talent of the band. An example of a very prominent star image is Lady GaGa who is known for her wacky outfits such

as her meat dress.

An example of the use of close ups from a real music video is The 1975 video ‘Girls’. Artists frequently use close ups in videos to promote and put forward the star image. You are trying to sell the artist so it is important that viewers know who they are and

the image they are trying to convey.

Use of NarrativeWe gave our media text meaning by using the form of narrative. We created a

character for the artist which made him exciting and dangerous. This expanded our target audience. Below is a still shot from the music video ‘Robbers’ by ‘The 1975’. The narrative similarly creates a rebellious, dangerous yet romantic character that

appeals to the target audience. We wanted to keep our narrative element ambiguous and so we started in the middle of the fight. This meant that we skipped straight to

the action and gave just enough away for the audience to pick up what had happened. This also kept our audience engaged and interested throughout the video. We wanted

to have a consistent link throughout our video between the narrative and performance so we cut between the two elements. We had the music and image

working together collaboratively. unlike many music videos which focus solely on the band or narrative we decided to incorporate both. We did however do a performance

cut but decided that the narrative element enhanced the overall product.

Artistic Camera WorkDuring the chorus of the song we used the convention of artistic camera work by using handheld shots. The rhythm of the song matches the shaky and unsteady

movement of the handheld. We also used the handheld shots for some of the narrative elements which added to the tension and atmosphere of the fight.

The 1975 song Robbers frequently uses handheld shots. It feels less staged and helps viewers feel as if they are there on location as opposed to watching it on a screen. The handheld shots also link with they grungy style of the band as they

are deliberately not polished and perfect. Our artist is more about talent and the music as apposed to a glamorous star image and video of a pop artist.

Conspicuous use of lighting We used a light bulb as we felt that that it related to the style of the music and

video as it fits in with the indi rock genre. The movement draws links with

the narrative and brings the two elements together adding a grungy

atmosphere. It contributed to the artists star image by adding to the edgy style that isn’t bright and polished like most

mainstream artists such as Nicki Minaj. The 1975 song Chocolate has a light

above him in the opening shot. The light draws attention and highlights the artist

but not as obviously as a spotlight would. It links in with style of artist as

they are an indi band and so it more grungy and less prominent.

Symbolism In all three of our products, we present the images of light bulbs and trees. These images reflect our star image, as the light bulb represents the quirkiness of our band, whilst the trees portray the rebellious mysterious nature of the band. These images are central in our video, as the single light bulb in the performance element is drawn attention to through numerous close ups. Imagine Dragons uses the same image in their website and digipak, and this helps to establish a running theme throughout the bands products.

The narrative element is shot in a woods and we also took photos for the digipack, heightening the rebellious star image, but also the authentic and organic nature of the band. Equally, the home page of our website displays an image of a hand holding a light bulb with a tree growing inside. We constructed this image through taking a photo of a tree and a light bulb and merging the two together on Photoshop. You are then able to draw connections between the website and music video.

By continually using these two motifs the bands star image was emphasised, but it also helped to familiarise the audience with the band and caused them to identify the band with these two symbols.

Rhythmic editing We used Adobe premier to cut the footage. It is in full quality and the best version of editing software there is. It has multiple video layers

and complex transitions. This meant we could cut from one video channel to another and back again. We had eight takes working simultaneously. Because it’s a music video we had to take into

account the rhythmic determent of the music by placing markers on the beats on the timeline to indicate potential cutting points. We

assembled he shots sequences so they were dictated by the music. We kept the pace of the video up to match the action that is going on.

We did this by having fast cuts to keep it lively and intense.