Wordle of Competitors

This is a wordle of the competitors around the Arctic Monkeys. From doing this I have learnt that there are a lot of bands that's are involved in the alternative rock genre. Some bands have very similar music to my chosen band (the Arctic Monkeys).This suggests they are up against a lot of others in the music industry and therefore suggests they have done quite well to be as successful as they are right now.

Mood Board to suggest identity of Arctic Monkeys

This is a mood board for the Arctic Monkeys. I gathered lots of different images that suggest the style of the band as a whole. Some of these include "cool" hairstyles, leather jackets, drugs, cigarettes and guitars. I have also included images of the band to make it obvious that I am focusing on the Arctic Monkeys.

From this I have come to a better understanding of the band and I'll keep these ideas in my thoughts when I am ready to film the actual music video. 

Timeline for Planning

Here, I have created a timeline for my planning in order to become organised when I am ready to create my music video. I have put the dates of each task that needs to be completed by so that I  will be up to date in all the work that I will do.

I wanted to make it look as visually appealing as possible furthermore, I used bright and colourful pictures from the internet and did quizzes within the timeline in order to make the page seem more 'alive.'

Time lapse of myself making a digipak

I wanted to find out what the easiest way to create a digipak was. I looked up how to make all different types of digipak and found the one that I would be most comfortable making. I used a ruler, a piece of paper and a rubber in order to get the measurements correct and to make sure that I would do it right.

From this task I have found that digipak's can be quite simple to make, even if they are more difficult to create. 

Mood Board For Music Videos and why I like them

I have created a mood board for some of the different music videos and styles that I like and that intrigue me. Some are upbeat such as Cant Stop by Red Hot Chilli Peppers and others are slower such as Stay by Rihanna. From these music videos I gathered ideas and information that would inspire me for when I make my own video with my group of Yasmin and Ollie.

I edited these videos together with final cut pro and wrote a little explanation of why I like the video and what stands out most of all. By seeing and analysing each clip, I gathered my thoughts together so that I will end up making a brilliant music video.

Analysis of Generic Conventions and sub genre of Michael Jackson

For this task, I had to analyse the generic conventions of music videos with a close eye on Michael Jackson as a sub genre. I decided to focus on Earth Song as it has a sinister feel to the video, nevertheless the song addresses a serious issue in the world. Michael Jackson in one of the scenes in the video feels the music and throws his arms out as if he is trying to make a difference to the world through the meaning of the song. As it is a disco funk genre, Jackson still has to look as if he is enjoying the music even though there is a serious issue being addressed, which therefore creates a juxtaposition.
I feel that I have widened my knowledge of generic conventions of music videos and sub genre also of disco funk also. This will help me when I decide to make my own video and which genre I would pick as well.

Goodwin's Theory - Analysing Music Videos

Goodwin is a media theorist that came up with 8 elements that each music video should include. I wanted to find specific music videos that display his 8 elements quite well, nevertheless, every music video is different of course, so this means that each analysis of the 3 videos with be very different. I wanted to see if some of the most popular music videos involved Goodwin's theory in order to make them successful.

 

After researching Goodwin's theory and the music videos to go with it, I analysed each one with the theory in mind in order to learn how each artist can become so successful. The most interesting aspect in which I learnt and understood is how every music video falls under one of three styles; performance, concept and narrative. This will help me in the future of this course because when it comes to making my own music video, I now know to place it under one of these three categories which, in fact, will make it seem more interesting to the targeted audience and the public in general.

Analysing and Explaining the importance of digipaks, print adverts and websites

Due to the fact that we are studying music videos, it is important to understand all aspects of what goes into selling the artist this is why we have started analysing digipak's, print adverts for the album and a website, as we will end up making two of these products by the end of the course. Before learning about each aspect I had never heard of a digipak, nevertheless, when I was told it was the booklet attached to the front cover, I wanted to know more. I was intrigued by how fans would read the digipak to find out more about their favourite band or artist. I wanted to find out how the record label of artists promoted their musician in order to make money, this is where print adverts and websites came in. 

After finishing this task, I feel that I have learnt how record labels make money on their artists for their fans. It is both important and necessary to create awareness that a new song or album has just come out, because if people didn't know about it, then no money would be made and it would be a waste of new music. Nevertheless, if the music is advertised but not well, then that can also cause a loss of interest from the fans. By doing this task, I have learnt the importance of each product and will keep it in mind when I come to make my own. 

The Three Main Music Video Styles

Music videos fall under different rules that they have to abide by. There are seven types of videos that can be produced however the there main ones are listed below:

- Performance

- Conceptual

- narrative

An explanation of each:

A video that is based on Performance includes the featured band or artist performing. There are different locations that should be used as well as outfit changes for the performer. For example; Applause, Pass Out. 

A conceptual video is where the artist or band neither perform or even appear in concept. Nevertheless, they are based an idea or image like Sia or Lady Gaga.

Narrative music videos involve a clear story with a beginning, middle and an end. These types of videos interact with a performance from the band or artist. An example includes Love Story by Taylor Swift.

Other styles are gag/trick, dance, animation, party/club and film clip. These types are used in music videos although they are not the mains types that the artist or band used in the media industry.

Introduction

Hello!

Welcome to my blog. My name is Natasha Black and I am doing A2 Media Studies this year. I chose this subject because I enjoy analysing media texts and making different aspects such as magazines, films, music videos, advertisements and all other media texts because it gives me a spark of excitement that I don't get doing anything else. Furthermore, this is the industry that I would like to take part and fulfil a career in and therefore, it is why I have chosen media as a subject at A level.

I developed a passion for media from a young age. The way that films were made and advertised with the use of posters and in magazines made me feel excited about the way they were shown to a certain demographic. All types of aspects within the media interest me and I have enjoyed AS Media where we made print articles in a magazine about a new music star. Although sometimes doing certain tasks can be challenging, I work through it and am able to make just what I wanted to from the start of each task.

I understand that this year we will be making music videos for the first time and I cannot wait to start. I think this will be a new learning curve for me due to the fact that I have never made a music video before. I have already started gathering ideas in my head and will speak about them with the group that I end up working with. 
I hope this second year of media studies as a subject will help me fulfil what I want to do when I leave school as it will give me the knowledge I need to have to work in the media industry.