Digipak research

Digipaks are usually limited edition, and are a type of packaging which accompany CD's. They can have a minimum of six panels, and may include features such as images of the artist/s, track listing, lyrics and so on. Depending on the genre of the of the artist/s, digipaks are presented in a certain way which are typical of certain conventions. As a lead up to creating our own digipak, in class we looked at various digipaks, and the way in which they were represented.

Chloe Connell took to researching the digipak, for album 'Teenage Dream' by pop artist Katy Perry:

My first Digipak I have chosen to research is the Katy Perry 'teenage dream' album, it follows the typical conventions of a Digipak such as having six panels in order to connote pictures of the artist using different shots such as a close up and extreme long shot. The use of bright pink colours help relate to Katy Perry's personality and is one of her artist conventions to use a lot of girly colours which also helps appeal to her target audience of being majorly females. The digipack also consists of a track list which usually appears on most digipacks to inform the distributers and audience what is featured on the CD so they know what they are buying. The CD also features Katy laying on clouds which represents one of her well known songs 'Teenage Dream' which most of her audience would be aware of. The digipack also denotes a parental advisory label as her audience may be quite young it informs those that the CD has no use of profanities and is suitable for a younger audience. Katy also appears to be laying in a sexual way, this shows that it would fit Laura Mulvey's male gaze which would also suit her male target audience.

I then went on to researching the conventions of 2pac's digipak, which is an album of his best hits:

I then went on to researching the conventions of 2pac's digipak, which is an album of his best hits. The first conventional feature on the cover, is the image of what appears to be the top half of 2pac from the back. From this image we can see that he is topless, but is wearing things such as a gold chain and watch. This links in with the hip-hop genre, as this connotes success and masculinity.
The font used to present 2pac's name, appears to look rough and battered. This may make 2pac seem raw and tough; which also links in with many other artists in the hip-hop genre. In terms of editing, the image of 2pac on the front cover, seems to have a sepia edit. This creates a dim light which emphasises his muscular body, which once again emphasises 2pac's macho persona. The front cover includes a 'parental advisory' label; this enables the audience to know that what they are about to buy may include explicit content.

By researching digipaks of different artists, I was able to see what particular conventions were used to meet a certain genre. The Katy Perry digipak differs greatly from the 2pac digipak. By looking into the 'Teenage Dream' digipak, it will help when creating our own as they both cater for a pop genre. For an example the 'Teenage Dream' digipak used vivid imagery through the use of bright colours. We may also opt to use bright colours for our digipak, in order to make it conventional of a pop genre.

Additional research- comparisons

For our music video, we attempted to have our lead (Kala) mimic Kesha's style.

 

Within various music videos of Kesha's, she can always be seen as having heavy eye make. This can differ from having glitter, or as the screen shot below shows, studs on her eyebrows. The screenshot is taken from 'We R Who We Are'. This adds to Kesha's image and star motif, as eye make up (glitter in particular), is something that is nearly always incorporated in her videos.

Whilst filming a particular scene, we decided to reflect this certain aspect of Kesha's onto our lead. We achieved this through using face crayons. Rumena Ahmed took to drawing different coloured swirls and patterns on and around Kala's eyelid. The screenshot below shows the patterns that Rumena drew. The use of bright colours can also be associated with Kesha, as well as link to the 'Crazy Kids' theme.

Behind-the-scene images

Whilst filming for our music video, I took various pictures of Rumena and Chloe setting up behind the scenes. This included images of them setting up things such as the tripods, as well as lighting and filming. Rumena had control over the lighting, whilst Chloe Connell and I filmed. Chloe Connell then took an image of me setting up the camera. Chloe Connell then added the pictures onto Fotor Photo Collage, which shows exactly how we took to preparing for filming. Among the photos, i took a still image of our lead positioning herself for the camera. 

Each picture demonstrates different steps we had to take, in order to achieve a certain image. For an example the bottom right picture shows how we used props such as pink balloons and streamers. This is conventional in pop videos, such as the video for 'TGIF' by Katy Perry as it connotes a theme of fun. In this case it links to theme of 'crazy kids' and 'partying', which have been dominant within our video, and are similar to the star motif of Kesha who is seen as a 'wild child'. 
Below is a print screen from Kesha's music video for 'C'Mon', which also uses streamers:

The bottom middle picture shows Rumena adjusting the hair of the lead, and this shows how paying attention to small detail is essential. 

I also took behind the scene images for when we used the green screen, which I added together through the use of InstacCollage. Below shows Chloe and Rumena setting up:

Music video equipment list

For our music video, we all as a group came together, to think of what possible items would be needed. This will enable us to keep track of things that will need to be present whilst filming. It will help us to know what to bring, in order for our video to successfully resemble the qualities of the pop genre, as well as Kesha's style. I created the equipment list for my group:

-Camera
-Tripod

 -Polaroid camera
-Party poppers
-Disco Ball
-Torch
-Balloons
-Streamers
-Cups
-Glitter
-Punch bowl
-Drinks
-Lab coats
-Ladles
-Beakers
-Tubes
-Make-up
-Mirror
-Spotlights

Costume list

I conducted a costume list by uploading images on to the app 'InstaCollage'. This includes particular clothing that our main lead (Kala Hill) will wear for our music video:

f

We have carefully considered what type of clothing would be most suitable for Kala to wear, as she will be mimicking Kesha's style. For example we have chosen gold glitter shorts, as Kesha is known for incorporating glitter into her outfits as well as make up. Kesha tends to opt for bright clothing, which will be reflected in the bright aztec dress/crop top that we have chosen.

Kesha caters for the male gaze in her videos, by wearing 'sexy' and provocative clothing. We will achieve this look through the use of shorts, as well as crop tops and heels. This is conventional for the pop genre, for an example Katy Perry is denoted as wearing bikinis for video 'California Girls'.

Near the end of the song 'Crazy Kids', there is a slower more part, in which Kesha expresses her emotions through singing soulfully. For this part of the song we will have our lead in the fluffy white jumper with red hearts. This will connote a sense of softness, and will contrast the crazy and bright outfits, which accompany the rest of upbeat song.

Health and safety risk assesment

Rumena Ahmed conducted a health and safety risk assessment, and then uploaded it onto SlideShare.

By doing this we became more conscious of any risks or dangers that may occur, whilst filming. This allows us to remain prepared in case of any emergencies, which may possibly arise in certain situations. This makes sure that the safety of those involved in making the music video, is considered through out.

Filming schedule

Rumena Ahmed conducted a filming schedule on behalf of the group.

 

This enabled us to know what shot we were filming, in our differing locations. This was essential as we have many locations, which we intend to incorporate in our video. This will enable us to plan what needs to shot on what day, hence improving our organisation skills. This ensures that filming runs as smoothly as possible, as we will be able to have things ready beforehand.