Website research

Harry Styles Website

The first thing you see when you open the website in his new album. There are clear links to streaming platforms as well as clear links to navigate round the website. He includes his tours, shop and listen.

As you scroll down, his new music videos pop up.

He is promoting his new work. Music and videos. 

The website has a clear and consistent brand identity. It's simplicity is refreshing for audiences.

The Strokes Website

When you open the website a picture of the band floats onto the screen. Due to the band having a return, they have highlighted each important component of the band. Their name. Their new album. Their legacy.

There are clear tabs to navigate the website as well as streaming platforms.

In the bottom left corner they have included the logo of their record label.

Clear and consistent merchandise and brand identity. For other merchandise, there is a different colour scheme in-keeping with that album

Information about upcoming tours as well as how to follow the band - streaming platforms and social media sites. (Further recognition of record label)

As you scroll links to watch their videos float up. There are links to a large majority of their videos. The videos play in a reel/loop format whilst they are on on the webpage.

Wet Leg Website 

The band name animates in a dripping graphic on the hope page and is the first thing you see.

There are clear links to navigate the website 

They include a long list of tour dates. Clear promotion and clarity for audiences.

The bottom of the website has a slideshow with their music videos.

Rex Orange County Website

The website creates a fun, uplifting feel. Creates a bond with fans. 

Enjoyable aspects such as the mouse turning into a Dalmatian when you are on the website.

Important takeaways:

• Clear links to streaming services and social media platforms 
• Showcase new content, music and videos
• Create a persona and brand identity to connect with the audience
• Keep with a clear colour scheme, fitting with the cover art 
• Promote the artist 
• Gallery 
• Personal messages
• Promote subsidiaries such as tour dates 
• Key to promote audience interaction 

Photoshoot

The images above are part of initial, primary photoshoots. 

I aimed to experiment with lighting, depth of field and camera angle. 

Upon reviewing my images, I found how important the background was for the composition of the photos. If there is too much going on, it would distract from the subject. I did find it interesting to experiment with different levels of light in the background such as the images with the sky as the background. The images on the stairs became too busy especially in contract to contrasting the brick or white background.

One thing that was important to me during the shoot was how comfortable the models were. If they didn't feel comfortable it would show on the photos. I found if I played music the model liked they would loosen up and would also reflect the feel of the song in their posing. if there was an upbeat, pop song on, the models would reflect the confidence. Telling the model they looked beautiful would bring out a smile which added a nice authenticity to the photos - I found the images became less staged this way. 

The last four photos are of harmonica player Johnny Mars. He came into the school to record a song with students in the music department. I was able to photograph him throughout the day. At first i found myself not trying to be too obvious when photographing him as to not disrupt the day but as I begun to speak to him, I became more comfortable to ask to take photos as well as making sure I got the shots that would ultimately be the best quality.  

In my next photoshoots, I would like to continue experimenting with light as well as capturing my models in natural poses. I would again like to add an intimate and personal feel to the photos by having natural smiles and poses.

Website components

 Components of the website I would like to include and why:

1) Links to the newly released song and music video. Where to buy and listen.

        - To promote the artist and their music. It is the main reason people will visit the artists website so for the song to be successful and the artists popularity to grow, their work needs to be showed front and center.

2) A photo gallery - include images of the artist in various photoshoots, images from locations of the music video, images of other groups of people (some that are featured in the music video)

        - The images will need to work to create a cohesive feel to the website tying in the artist, their values and the audiences desires as well. Some images may act as just promotion or simply to look at and present a message while others may have the possibly to be sold as posters and other merch. 

        - I believe it will draw interest to the artist, presenting them as a creative individual who isn't solely about promoting himself which can sometimes be seen as distasteful in todays society. 

3) Merchandise

        - It would be beneficial for the artist and the sales of the song to have the songs cover and clippings from the video on merchandise. 

        - Posters would be a key sale targeting the young demographic. These could be of the artist, the single cover, behind the scenes shots of the artist and their video or images featured on the photo gallery on the website.

        - At a reasonable price to befit the target demographic 

        - Could also be sustainably made - interest the target demographic and promote the values of the artist

4) Interview - one on one with the artist 

        - Relaxed format, the artist should be relaxed but also still well informed and passionate about their music and any issues they would want to bring up 

        - The video shouldn't be too long so as to hold the young audiences attention 

5) Bloopers/behind-the-scenes videos - fast paced and intimate (Participation Theory)

        - This video would be made from videos taken behind the scenes of the making of the music video. It will include a mixture of images, video footage and close ups of the artist and others involved in the video

        - There could also be a component of people saying what the song means to them, their definition of an anthem, what they do to celebrate and cheer themselves up etc 

6) Links to the artists "Spotify" account or any playlists they have made - ones that link to the theme of the new song 

        - This would appeal to the young target audience (participation theory) as well as promoting the artists persona in an interesting way 

Example images that may be used throughout the website:

Experimenting with animation

THIS POST WILL BE ADJUSTED  

It would be interesting to play with animation throughout the music video. I would aspire for it to: 

• Create a fun, enjoyable and free feel to the music video 
• add a level of artistry and creativity. This would also add to the image and persona of the artist

Experimenting With Animation by Amelie Finlay on Scribd

Dire Straits inspired 

The Maccabees inspired

Music Video Progress and Next Steps

I have been getting on well with the production of my music video. I have been getting used to working with iMovie and am beginning to feel more confident with using the software. 

 The two screenshots to the left are examples of how my music video has been constantly changing and developing, seen through the clips at the bottom of the software page.

NEXT STEPS:

My next steps are to continue developing my website, shoot more footage for my video, begin developing the website and edit aspects of the website such as an album cover, artist interviews etc.

To take these steps, I have been making more detailed, specific story boards as well as referencing the brief more, such as the aspect of more than one social group

Music Video 

• Shoot more footage - I have made detailed story boards and planned filming dates 
• Experimenting with animation 
• Experimenting with lyrics and titles 

Upon shooting my video I begun to understand the importance of creating and then following a detailed storyboard all to help flow of thought and to make sure you have enough and the right footage. 

    

Website:

• Photoshoot - planned shots, locations, shoot days 
• Getting to grips with Wix software and playing around with website layouts 
• Need to refine website aspects - artist interviews, shop, blooper reel, clearly feature music and streaming platforms, album cover etc.
  

First Draft

https://youtu.be/kA09PqQLt-0

Location research

Locations: 

• Natural 
• Fit in with the artists homely persona 
• Accessible to me when filming 

Mian locations needed: 

• Bedroom 
• Front door
• Train - station and train interior 
• Bench 
• Long roads/path - easily filmed on while moving 
• Backdrops - walls, sea, flower bushes, trees - all natural and simple 
• could relate to the song (such as having a mailbox in the background)

 Lighting: Natural lighting, sunlit - following the theme of the song 

Locations by Amelie Finlay on Scribd