Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My promotional package is conventionally associated with the Indie genre because of the combination of narrative and performance shots intertwined. My inspirational Artists such as, John Legend performing “Ordinary People” also uses this combination in their Music Videos. Other examples include Colbie Collait demonstrating the stereotypical Indie ‘look’ and by doing so I have used this convention in order to appeal to my target audience.

  

By using Artist shots as well as narrative it allows the music to have a face to it, boosting sales which keeps A&M record label happy, by creating a strong link between my Digi-pack, Magazine Cover and Music Video because my main character is featured on the front page of the CD combination and glares out of my Magazine Cover, attracting viewers and allowing them to recognize the piece of music.

The use of mis-en-scene combined with editing and costume is prominent in these shots. The location denotes freedom and bliss relating to the couples relationship. The female is wearing a skirt, relating to the stereotypical fashion for females. The stereotypical couple due to the difference in height, as normally men are taller than women demonstrates the use of models, all together showing a clear use of mis-en-scene.

This shot shows the use of lighting, which is prominent in my Music Video. This scene was shot in a studio with the use of professional lights, to achieve a silhouette figure. I have chosen this to create this technique to create a stronger and more interesting shot, as she reaches up because the artist hits a high note. This shot also shows a clear link between the lyrics and the visuals. This shot connotes a clear and constructive use of lighting.

This connotes a use of Media Conventions as I have used the four-split screen effect in my Music Video to give the shot added emphasis and appeals to my genre as this effect is used a lot in Indie Music Videos.

In terms of lip-syncing, my Music Video has used and developed the forms and conventions similar to nearly all Indie Music Videos. This is because the Artist will sound better when pre-recorded in a studio; therefore they don’t have to worry about dance routines or acting scenes when singing. After taking this into consideration, I decided to do the same thing, therefore recording in the Music Studio, and filming in the countryside therefore boosting the popularity of the Artist in terms of Institution and Audience.

This shot typifies the way a record company would want this particular artist to be represented, as it shows the artist playing the piano denoting the Indies style of Music Videos. The typical Indies video features a stereotypically attractive woman playing the guitar or piano whilst singing, therefore I have combined this idea into my Music Video, connoting a use of Media Conventions similarly used in several Music Videos, for example once again, John Legend singing “Ordinary People”.

This shot denotes loneliness and self-loathing as she dresses herself in Pajamas and does not brush her hair, connoting the fact that she does not know what to do without her ‘other half’. The fact that she is standing by the window gazing out the window denotes her desperation for him to meet her.

These shots connote a strong use of lip-syncing, but I have challenged the stereotypical representation of a singer, as I have not used a microphone or instruments. Stereotypically the singer would be all dolled up, and would be in full view of the camera playing her instruments; whilst in contrast to this my shot focuses on the artists mouth as she sings. The shot restricts the audience’s view of the singer, which is very rare. This is connotes an atypical approach to the Indie genre.

I have also challenged the conventions of Indie music by linking the lyrics to the narrative. The model was previously standing against the wall but sinks down to the ground as the Artist sings: “Just don’t stand there and watch me fall”. The low angle shot denotes her desperation. I chose to film the model sinking to the ground; alone therefore connoting loneliness.