Showcase

Here is the image we are going to use for our groups media showcase poster.

Band Brand

Here is my track list for my album. I came up with these twelve song titles by using the random quotes generator and rearranging the sayings to create appropriate music titles. Also through the use of the random quotes generator i was able to come up with my album name:

BAND NAME
Arla

ALBUM NAME

The Waking Hour

 SONG NAME 
Deep End

TRACK LIST
Harmful Passions 

No Cure For Curiosity 

Quiet Chaos

My Hearts Hope

Kleptomaniac

Courage So Rare

Being Human

Without Consent

Deep End

Plain Dealing

Waiting For Us

Kindred Spirits 

Album Magazine Advertisements

For part of our Advanced Portfolio we have to create a magazine advert, therefore i decided to carry out some research and analyse other advertisements. From doing this i am able to determine what works well and what is to be included in my own magazine advertisement. 

1. This Magazine illustrates an image of the band Augustines in order for them to be presented alongside their music perhaps, creating a relationship between both the band and audience. Also, their band name appears to be the largest text on the advertisement, once again making them the main focus and immediately recognizable. The advertisement also contains information on the release date of the album, in order to gauge popularity and sales. Also, some of the text appears to mention some of the bands hit songs, once again to interest their listeners. Another aspect of the magazine advertisement that i will be sure to include is a review from a magazine, or some sort of online media. Overall, i think this works well as it is very clear and simplistic, therefore easy to understand, as well as the image being interesting and personal to the band, perhaps enabling much interest to be received. 

2. Here is the magazine advertisement from Warpaint, presenting their new album, which is immediately evident from the large words that read "NEW ALBUM OUT NOW." The interesting and unique image is the main focus of the advertisement and makes their album recognizable when buying. There is not much information on the page, however the reviews do stand out to readers, due to the addition of the large star ratings. This presents the album as a successful, best seller. Also, the smaller text on the page presents the bands website and record company, alongside their logo (in the corner). This feature is included on the majority of album advertisements, therefore i will make sure to include it on mine, to ensure that that it looks realistic. 

Semiotics and Symbols Presentation

Here is a presentation 'Semiotics and Symbols' that i found really helpful. It further explains the meaning of signifiers and signified, as well as the associations of these signs:

Representation

Ferdinand de Saussure's theory presented the idea that 'signs' which can be a numerous amount of things, such as images, gestures, musical sounds or objects, have associations with certain things, often illustrating particular ideas and representations of people. This is particularly used in the world of media and public entertainment. Roland Barthes continued to evolve this theory, helping the theory of semiotics to become more well known and identifiable.

• Signifier - The form which the sign takes. So this basically means the sign that presents something.
• Signified - The concept it represents. What the sign illustrates to audiences. 
• Symbolic Codes - All visual texts use symbols to encode meaning,. Symbols are what we see in the image, such as; colours, objects, body language, clothing and settings. When we interpret these symbols, we decode the meaning which carry a number of connotations.  

  This links to our media projects such as, the music video, digipak and magazine advertisement. We have to consider all of these aspects whilst producing these products as what signifiers and symbolic codes we include and angle, will illustrate what we are aiming to represent and achieve (signified).
  Some signifiers that we are using in our music video enable us to present our female protagonist in a particular way, for example;

• 'Alice in Wonderland' jumper - This use of image presents the idea that Rosie is lost and on a journey to find herself, much like Alice. 
• Powder Paint - This object is used to illustrate a sense of unity and welcoming, much like a tribe.
• The settings - Our choice of multiple settings also demonstrate Rosie's character to the audience, as at times we often see her alone, in an isolated setting, as well as a busy London scene, where she does not fit in with the working people. 
• Pocket Watch  - The use of this object is to link with the Alice in Wonderland theme, again presenting the idea that Rosie's life has parallels to Alice's.

Editing Ideas - The Band Image

Here are some screen shots from the Mumford & Sons music video for 'Whispers in the dark.' After discussing with the group about some editing ideas to make us look more like a band in our music video, we have decided to present something similar to this as it looks amazing and is really creative. So much like the panels they use, we will split our screen into 4 columns, each appearing one at a time (left to right) on a black screen, of each member dancing or playing an instrument. Then much like the last screen shot, we will merge the clips, but still in this style to illustrate the coming together of the band. The use of this concept also enables us to be seen lip-syncing individually, again presenting us as a band to the audience. Although it may be slightly difficult and hard to visualize, once accomplished i think it will look really good and further demonstrate our editing skills in our music video. 

Digipaks

WHAT IS A DIGIPAK?

A Digipak is typically, a type of packaging that holds either a CD or a DVD. On the cover of a digipak for a cd, there is usually an image, which can be of multiple things, but most typically either an image of the band or an artist. There is usually the album/single title and the band/artist name also on the cover. When opening up a digipak, there should be two sides, in a form of a book. On the left hand side of the digipak is typically another image, but perhaps of a scenery or an object. However, it could once again be an image of the band or artist. This side of the case may also contain some information on the band or artist, as well as mentions of other companies involved in the production of the CD. On the opposite side of the digipak is where the CD goes, placed in a plastic surrounding. Behind this, there is often another image. Finally, on the back of the case is the track listing for the songs that are on the CD. Also included on the back of the digipak is a barcode and the name of the music company/producers/distributors, as well as other mandatory information. This layout is the one that i will choose when designing my digipak, as i feel it is the most simplistic, yet explanatory of the music and video, as well as band members.

Here is a template for a 4-panel digipak, illustrating the measurements for each panel and CD casing, as well as the spine of the digipak included, which usually presents the album and band name,