planning: song title ideas

As Jack and I are producing a music promo we decided we needed a unique way to attract our target market from the song title and also to advertise the artist from the audio.

We came up with various solutions to which the title could be advertised within the promo while still keeping a smooth flow throughout the whole promo.

As the mise-en-scene contains a messy environment with rubbish and clothes thrown everywhere, we decided to add this towards our titles for example, write the song title on t-shirts. We would cleverly use stop motion to so this so it becomes for effective and unique within our promo.

Therefore the picture below is me (Hayley) writing on the t-shirts to see how well the writing would show up.

The pictures below are the finished product, and how we would used it in our promo effectively

We would simply just throw the shirts onto a plain background and using stop motion effectively spell out the title of the song 'Fun'

For the artist name, a piece of cardboard is going to be used and placed on this background to advertise the artist. This technique will be used into creating our ancillary tasks (magazine cover and Digi Pack)

Research and summerise promotional strategies

marketing and promotional strategies:

McFly who are in the genre pop rock were signed to the Island Records Label from their 2004 launch until December 2007, before creating their own label, Super Records.

Island Records is a record label that was founded in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group. The label now operates as a division of The Island Def Jam Music Group in the United States - where it is now a largely rock-oriented label, much like in its heyday and as a standalone label in the United Kingdom (also known as Island Records Group or Universal Island)^.

Since 2007, there is also a frontline local artist and repertoire label in Australia known as Island Records Australia, run by Universal Music Australia. Island Records was also the founding company behind the highly influential Anime licensor Manga Entertainment, which has changed hands numerous times during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Island Records Label marketing strategies are the following: they use spotify playlists for the audience to listen to recent song releases

They also encourage their audience to spend more money by advertising offers like stated beloe

Island Record Label adversie various artist such as Rihanna and Jessie J by showing tour relseases and a biography of the artist and the albums they relsease.

Lastest, top releases are also shown so the artist and band are promoted successfully. This will show how well the bands/artist are known and how popular they are in their target market.

Everything that Super Records Ltd. produced was distributed by other major labels in different countires. This was before McFly re-signing with Universal Island Records as part of a 50/50 deal, therefore making Universal worldwide distributiors of Super Records releases.



The reason why I have decided to select Island Record Label to do the promotion of Ryan Helmans music video is due to the fact they also specialise in promotional artists in the same genre or similar. Artists such as Jessie J, rihanna etc are well promoted artists within their target market.

Instiutions

There are various music instiutions that music promos are exhibited from, this would be due to the artst/bands different genres and what different sytles/types would fit each individual artist/band

Weekly viewing: 7.4%

4Music is music channel generally based to play up to date chart music however it does play a large range of genres compared to other music stations giving them a bigger advantage meeting a wider variety of target market. It has mainly been available in the UK but is now available on other digital providers so can be seen on certain channels in the Republic of Ireland. For more promotion of the channel, it has its own networking site as well as Facebook and Twitter pages – this is a why the channel is one of the largest viewed weekly. As well as this, 4Music has also broadcasted TV shows which reach a larger target audience. Examples are from summer festivals such as T4 on the Beach.

Weekly viewing: 3.8%

MTV is an American company which is based in New York City so reaches a wide, range of different target audiences. The channel plays a wide range of different genre music videos to the public as well as various television programmes to widen their audience. MTV has been around for a large number of years and so has become quite an influential and popular station – one of the most well-known. However, it has been criticised over the years for devaluing the importance of music.

Weekly viewing: 1.7%

Kiss is a music channel as well as a radio station so has many features involved. This then allows the channel to have a wider population percentage due to different target markets they pick up. However, not as many as possible could be reached as it doesn’t play a wide variety of music genres. This channel is owned by Box television which owns other channels such as Heat, 4Music, Kerrang etc. This station has become so well-known because of this and is one of the most popular music stations to be previewed.

Chosen instiution to broadcast and promote our music video

I have chosen 4Music to broadcast and promote our music video due to it suiting our chosen genre of pop rock well rather than channels such as Karrang which suits more rock genres. 4Music broadcasts a variety of different genres and has the highest weekly value of 7.4% than other music channels. This channel only broadcasts to the UK and Republic of Ireland so is an advantage that our music promo is seen quite frequently.

Due to Box television owning 4Music this creates connections to its sisters channels which will advertise our promo on other channels. With this in mind, other target audeinces may see our promo and carry on watching it due to it being on the channel there watching even if they didn't switch it over on purpose to watch it.

Audience Research

When considering the chosen target audience for our chosen genre of pop rock, we had to make sure various aspects that needed to be recognised to whether the product would sell for example, their lifestyle, culture, education, expectations, what they like/dislike etc

We had to make sure characteristics of a pop rock genre were involved to suit our target market also for example,

- catchy pop style 
- light lyrics
- typically guitar based rock songs
- slow and mellow form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music
- pop rock is less authentic than rock music

Our intended target market for the pop rock genre is 18-27 year olds, mainly adults who are more aware of this genre through their lifestyle. The background of our target market would be working class individuals something that needs to be considered when releasing any pop rock genre promos.

Pop rock artists wear unique clothing within their promo which is a typical convention in this genre. The costumes give of different connotations which fit with the theme/mood of the video. for example, Avril Lavigne. 

Black give the connotations of being  emptiness and coldness. These connotations are reinforced by the running acting suggesting that she is running away from something.












Here is an audience research video to which I asked two people aged 21-22 (in our intended target market for our pop rock promo). There are various questions asked about music videos in general concluding to the pop rock genre. This is something that helped within our promo so we were able to relate to what our target market wanted in a pop rock promo so we could include those elements. 

Research and explore representations of similar bands

'Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop sytle and light lyrics in it's (typically) guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music. The detractors of pop rock often deride it as slick, commercial product, less authentic than rock music'

As with many other musical genres, what consitutes 'pop rock' is subjective for example, music critics and journalists have differing opinions on what category a band or artist should be placed into. Magazine covers or billboard magazines provides on perspective on how to categorise 'pop rock' groups. Other perspectives from other magazines and individual music journalists and critics are also provided.

Pop rock artists from the 1870s to the 2000s -

1970s - pop rock artists in this era include, Elton John, Olivia Newton-John along with others.

1980s - pop rock artists in this era include, Michael Jaskson, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder along with others.

1990s - pop rock artists in this era include, Green Day, The Offspring along with others.

2000s - The most noticeable pop rock artists from this era include, Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk along with others.

elements included in the pop rock genre;

- most promos have clips of the band/artist performing the song with cuts to the narrative
- many cut backs between narrative and performance
- within the narrative the performer with portrays themself and show their own experiences
- showing clips of instruments helps draw in the viewer - help them feel more connected to the band/artist
- story that links to the lyrics - most likely more random
- story is based on general issues
- performer is usually dressed casually
- performer looks laid back and their facial expressions are dramatic
- colourful/bright mise-en-scene
- use a lot of natural lighting
- close up of instruments

Try outs - practice video of stop motion

As Jack and I have decided to add stop motion in our music promo we thought that having a 'try out' would be a good idea so we know it'll work effectively or not. We won't use this clip within our promo it will literally be for a practice run.

We had an idea of having the character singing along to the song on a bed while his clothes change (using stop motion) - as were now not using it in our video we can use this for our practice run.

As you can see from the video link, stop motion hasn't been that successful. This is because certain features in the mise-en-scene move for example, the bed covers. This is something we'd have to work on if we wanted to use stop motion in our promo as we can't have certain elements move frequently and noticeably for our target audience to notice.

Now we've created a practice trial, we are now able to see where we went wrong and can improve next time for example, we are planning of using a clock in stop motion. If we just keep this on the wall with no distractions around, stop motion should be successful as nothing is around to move out of place noticeably.

Photo stills showing a walkthrough of our plans

Jack and I have created a walkthrough of our music promo plans using photo stills so we are able to see how we want our music promo to plan out. Although we have created a storyboard and shot list, this way we can see exactly what we want our shot to look like and what elements of a pop rock genre can be involved.

(establishing) pan shot from one side of the bedroom to the other showing the mess of the room

 

 

mid shot of the character laid in bed

 

 mid shot of the chacater that sits up in bed singing the first lyrics

 

 

 mid shot of the character that dops back down looking at a photoframe singing the next lyrics

 

character flops out of bed and sits on the floor

mid shot of the character looking 'bored' moving the rubbish around from him whilst eating and drink 'junk food'

 

close up of the character getting up walking towards the door

 

 

 long shot of the character walking out the door, kicking clothes as he passes and closing the door after him

 

 

 mid shot of the character falling down the stairs, landing on the last step and singing the first two lines of the chorus

 

 pan shot of the character walking into the kitchen

 

 long shot of the charcter grabbing food and drink out of the fridge and cudboards

 

 mid shot of the character signing certain lines of verse two looking at the mess around him

 

 long shot of the character walking out the kitchen leaving it a mess

 

 slow motion shot of the character walking towards the staris

 

 slow motion shot of the character walking up the stairs, kicking clothes outside his room and closing the door on the way in

 

fast paced, long shot of the characters 'mum' handing the vaccum to the character

 

 stop motion of the vaccum disapearing on a certain line of the verse

 

 close up of the character sining the second from last chorus while stop motion is in place on the clock (suggesting time is going quick)

Details of actors, costume plans and lighting plans

Details of actors

Due to the decision Jack and I had to have both narrative and performance in our music promo we had to find a way to add actors or an actor into the actual performance side of the video. As we decided to film locally at Jack's house we came to the conclusion just to have Jack as the actor and me (Hayley) filming. This would be easier as we wouldn't have to mess around getting actors out of school, explaing the idea to them and getting them to learn the lyrics in time etc. As Jack already knew the song it was easy for him to perform over the two days we had. However, working from the storybaords was proven difficult as different sections didn't look like or work so we had to re-arrange shots quickly. With this in mind, Jack being the actor worked well with this and we got enough variety of shots to work with when editing.

Costume Plans

The costume plans weren't very difficult for us to decide as once we decontructed the lyrics the message we got was that he is pure lazy, has a poor attitude and can't be bothered with life. With this in mind and the location we decided on (Jack's house including the bedroom and kitchen) the costumes would include 'scruffy' clothing such as, PJ's or random clothes changing depending on the time of day.

For example, the images below suggest what the character mighr wear throughout the promo.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see having the Spongebob bottoms and a random football top shows the lazziness of the character to the audience and how he can't be bothered to get changed correctly. These clothes would be both for performance and narrative as the character would simply just grab a guitar and start singing along with the song. Also, as we are adding stop motion within our promo, we are hoping to use the effect of changing tops giving the audience a sense of time flying by. If worked well this would be an effective feature in our promo.

 

 

Lighting plans

 

 

The lighting within our promo could be proved difficult due to filming in a bedroom, natural light will be shinning through the window. This could work effectively as it could shine on the character for extra light and show the time of day. If the natural light doesn't work effectively and becomes dull it would create a bad image but also create the sense of the day passing - from day to night. If it came to it, we would have to cover the window and just have the light on for the same lighting for each shot. As we are in such a small space, there isn't much we can do for lighing apart from hope it look right in the shot.

 

For the kitchen scene of the promo natural light benefits us due to it being an open, spaced room. This is something that would be effective to us as we don't have to worry about the shot being to bright due to lighting or to dull. Once again, if it came to it we'd have to put the light on but to be honest, I don't think lighting would cause us a problem in this scene.





Mood boards - to show influences

I have created a mood board to show all the different influences and ideas that should come together when creating our promo. Some of the images show the settting and props that we'd like to use within our promo. These are just rough images and something we'd work on when actually filming. for example, props such as the guitar would be use for the performance side of the promo. There are also images of artists that have influenced us such as Kate Nash, McFly and GO Ok. McFly have influenced us through their mise-en-scene and up beat music. Our song sounds just like something they'd produce so if we look at their mise-en-scene we could create a similar setting. Kate Nash and GO Ok have influenced us through their stop motion in their promos. Jack and I are hoping to use stop motion as it's something that seems like it fits throughout the song for example, we're hoping to use stop motion using a clock to show how time is passing quickly - leaving the srtist doing nothing with his time and also stop motion using a hover as a lyric in our song is 'the floor in the back-room, could do with a vaccum' - we're are hoping to have the effect of the vaccum disapearing creating an effective feature throughout our promo. There are also some images of stop motion placed at the bottom of the board board just to show how other artists have used it.

Influences

Kate Nash - Foundations

As Jack and I are attempting stop motion within our music promo we decided to reseach into artists that have successfully achieved this in their promos. The first artists that we redearched into was 'Kate Nash'. She has many videos where stop motion has been added but her promo 'Foundations' is something that influenced us due to the mise-en-scene that she has used. It's set in a typical setting of a house containing shots of the bedroom, living room and kitchen - this is something Jack and I are hoping to shoot within our promo. This is because this setting would fit within the lyrics and something that would work effectively with the song.

This is the promo for 'Foundations' by Kate Nash; when watching this music promo you can see how stop motion has been used effectively and works well with the beat of the song.

Examples of stop motion used in her music video;

Some more examples;

As you can see from the examples above, the objects that have been used for stop motion are everyday objects for example, watches, toothbrushes etc. For our music promo we are attempting to use a clock on a wall to change the speed of time while the character is staying still - something that if worked well will be effective.


OK Go - End Love

The second artist that Jack and I researched into was 'OK Go' as we got this recommended for their successful stop motio within their song 'End Love'. This song also influenced us due to the fast editing techniques between each shot - this is something Jack and I are hoping to achieve when editing as the style of the song fits within this editing - fast, quick shot changes.

This is the promo for 'End Love' by OK Go; when watching this music promo you can see how quick the editing is and hoe effective stop motion is used to the beat of the song.

Examples of stop motion used their music video;

As you can see from the examples above they have used the technique of one character staying at one position while the other characters changed behind him. This is something Jack and I are attempting to do within our music promo for example, the chacter is going to sit in bed singing the song while he's clothes change - an example of stop motion. If worked well this would be an effective part of our music promo

Charlotte Church - Moodswings (To Come At Me Like That)

The third artist Jack and I researched into was 'Charlotte Church' as this was recommended to us by the stop motion used. The song is called Moodswings (To Come At Me Like That) and includes the actor (Charlotte Church) changing outfits several times throughout the promo. As me and Jack were worried about our stop motion and if it would fit together successfully we looked at her promo to see how successful her editng was towards her stop motion.

This is the promo for Moodswings (To Come At Me Like That) by Charlotte Church.

When watching this promo you can see that when stop motion is in place certain aspects of her body move for example, her hair, arms legs etc. Stop motion is hard to get perfect as you have to be in the exact same place for each shot. From this you ca see that her hair, arms and leg moves slightly out of place for each different shot. This doesn't effect her stop motion as it has still worked effectively but once you really look at the editing you can see what's slightly moved.

With this in mind, I am not worried anymore about how our stop motion turnes of. When we did a try out of stop motion we could see it didn't work effectively but if we try ro get it as perfect as possible on the actual day of the shoot we'd be fine. We don't want it to be so out of place that it's really noticeable as this would create a negative towards our video, but if it jump cuts slightly we can always smooth out the clip so it still looks effective.

Here is an example of stop motion used in her video and if you look closely you can see her leg move slightly out of place in each shot.