Draft Digipaks on InDesign

Using InDeisgn, we have been using a template to create a CD, using photographs, fonts and different style of layouts. 

I found an image on the internet, which I feel my photography of my actress will look like, and cropped it to fit the the CD in a proffesional-looking and clear way.

To stick to the professional conventions of a usual CD, I added the company's piracy policy around the edge of the CD, using the oval tool, then adding text in the same shape.

Using Photoshop, I added another layer to the image, enabling me to delete the background and make the logo not have a white background, which would ruin the image on the CD when I added it. 

I feel that the logo's of the various CD sponsoring companies create a professional cover and follow the usual conventions of a CD.

To make my digipack look professional and eye catching, I downloaded fonts online and installed them on to InDesign.

The background that I had chosen for the back cover of my CD made it difficult the read the titles, I overcame this problem by putting a white background behind the font, making the titles clear to read.

I am quite please with my first draft of a digipack, as I feel that as well as following the usual conventions of a CD cover, it also has its own unique elements. 

Poster Research

 I like this Arctic Monkeys poster due to the way in which it has been illustrated, rather then following the usual conventions of a music poster, and using a photograph of the band. The colour scheme; blues, greens, yellows and blacks, create a calm and suiting composition. I like the fact that the illustrations used, are bigger then the writing across the bottom, I feel that this is important, as the pictures are the aspect that are eye catching to the viewer. The fonts used are also the same over the whole poster, the consistency keeps the poster look professional and classy. I also like the silhouettes of the high rise buildings over the top of the drawings of the band, they add atmosphere to poster and also highlight the location, written bellow. I feel that a similar poster would be fairly easy to re-create, however, if you could not access an illustrator, then a specific program would need to be found to create a illustration from a photograph.








This Ellie Goulding poster follows a strict colour scheme of only green, yellow, black and white. This is effective as the main features of the face are more shaded and bold, in comparison to the rest of the poster. Again, I like the way in which the portrait has been illustrated, rather than using a photograph, as it allows plenty of blank space throughout the poster, for information and details. I feel that the various size and colours of the information is important, for example; the artists name is the largest, and underlined, catching the readers eye and making them aware of who the poster is advertising. The variation of colour keeps the information looking interesting. I feel that the vast amount of coloured blank space on this poster, is part of the reason why it is so eye catching; the bold colour would stand out if it where to be in a magazine or just on a notice board.

This Two Door Cinema Club poster follows more of the usual conventions of a music poster. The large photograph in the centre of the poster, is simply the band themselves, surrounding by different size print of various information. Although the poster loosely follows the colour scheme of blue and red, I feel that it is mostly eye catching due to the large bold title of the band at the top, center of the poster. Although the details of the band date, are small and at the bottom of the poster, they are still clearly visible due to the contrast of the white writing on the deep red box. I also feel that the simple blue background, highlights the information upon it and allows the reader to view and take in everything clearly.










I really like this Foster the People poster, mainly due to the photograph behind, which takes up the whole background. I feel that this is an effective way of presenting information; over the top of the band photographs. The editing of the photograph is probably the most eye catching aspect of the whole thing, the bright contrasting yellows and purples draw the viewers eye to the background. The larger white band name is highlighted by the underlining, allowing the reader to easily still read it over the busy background. I like the fact that the album cover is shown towards the bottom of the screen, promoting the album as well as the tour dates. This something that will need to be done when I am creating my music poster.









This Vampire Weekend poster is the poster which I feel will be most like the poster that I will create for my music video. I think that the simple photography, of the band walking across the sand dunes, in front of the sunset, is effective and creates a calm, yet eye catching shot. I like the way in which the band seem relaxed, rather then posing for the camera. The simple black font, always used to advertise Vampire Weekend is bold and eye catching to the reader, highlighting the simple details of the poster. Again, I like the fact that the album cover is used on the poster, advertising the bands recent work, as well as informing readers of tour dates. The simple black and brown fonts, in various sizes, used in the bottom right hand corner of the poster, is a simple black and white contrast, and simply puts across the details to the audience effectively.

Research 10

 Ben Howard - Keep Your Head Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP65wbBUpc&feature=channel_video_title
This music video its just SO beautiful, hence the excessive screen grabs.
The perfect times of day, incredible depth of field shots, amazing contrast of colours and super cool narrative make this video very easy to watch over and over.

I love the into the sun shot, allowing reflections off the bubbles, as well as the shallow depth of field! This has inspired me to use bubbles in my own music video!

This location allows for great composition of shots, through the rule of thirds, clever depth of field and interesting angles. The leaves and contrast between dark trees and bright sun allow a lovely shot.

Love the contrast between the sun reflecting on the feet, and the darkness of the forest behind.

The narrative of simply creating a waterslide is simple enough to allow an incredibly well shot video, but also interesting enough to add interest and substance to the music video.

Great depth of field...

LOVE this contrast of light and great location surrounding.

Again... depth of field looks incredible

Action shots of jumping, laughing and moving around the location, as well as lip syncing, add to the happy atmosphere of the video.

The sudden change in colour and atomosphere adds another dimension to the music video, maintaining the audiences interest!

Research 9

Atlas Hands - Benjamin Francis Leftwich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyue2N1XZ0M 

I like this long shot of the pebbles and the sunsetting over the sea, the location perfectly suits the genre of music and the lighting creates a nice silhouetted effect of the bridge.








I like simple shots such as this one, the composition and the location contribute to the relaxed atmosphere of the video. The lighting is dull, however I feel that this does not make the audience loose interest, and just adds to the general atmosphere.

The shallow depth of field in this shot, makes the video look very professional, and highlights the deb-re on the beach. I like the random filler shots such as this in the video, as it keeps the audiences attention throughout.

This is another example of the lovely filler shots in this video, between shots of the artist. The depth of field, lighting and subject create a calm and fun atmosphere. This is the kind of mood that I would like to follow in my video.

I love this long shot of the kids playing, the composition of people, and the rule of thirds (vertically) keep the shot interesting and professional.

As in many videos that I have researched and studies, I love the way that the camera in this shot, points directly into the sun, casting shadow upon the subjects in the foreground. The woman's outfits suit the genre of the music video perfectly and stick the general conventions of this style video.

Again, the I like the way that the sunlight creates the subjects as a silouette, and effect that I would like to achieve in my music v

Again, another filler shot that I think is very cool. I love the way that the cardboard frames the shot and think it suits the atmosphere of the video by remaining comical and easy watching.

Research 8

Tim and Jean - I Can Show You


http://www.youtube.com/user/TimAndJeanVEVO#p/a/u/1/hWY_AIWODrI

I have chosen this video as I like the effects used, the location and the lighting.

I like this split screen effect, having both the actors on screen, in slightly different locations and what appears to be different times of the day. I feel that this is effective, as it allows two medium shot to be on screen, when usually this would be difficult to achieve.

The location of this video appears to be in a deserted desert, I feel that is an interesting location as there is such a huge space to film in, allowing shots ranging from establishing shots, extreme long shots, and extreme close ups.

This medium shot, filmed half through the window of the car, creates an interesting composition. The out of focus car door and mirror contrasts with the clear singer, allowing the viewer to take in the surroundings as well as the words of the song.

The filler shots, such as this one, between the lip syncing, are filmed from interesting angles. This is a eye catching way to fill space between shots of the artist.

I like this close up of the artist, as the portrait only takes up half of the shot, highlighting the shallow depth of field used, allowing the viewer to focus solely on the artists expression. The mic prop is also clever as it highlights the contrast between the modern tech and the rural setting.

I like this long shot of the mountains; as it is filmed into the sun, the actors and mountains appear as silhouettes, creating a cool and calming section of the video.

Again, I like this split screen shot, in which the car drives closer to camera, whilst the artists play and sing either side. I feel that this is interesting idea, and could be re-created in my music video.

Research 7

Ellie Goulding - Your Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9AFMVMl9qE 

I have chosen to analyse this video as I love the variety of locations, the camera angles and selection of atmospheres.

I love the relaxed, chilled atmosphere of this scene in the music video. Ellie Goulding is laughing and dancing around the train, which makes the audience feel more involved with the video. However the video still looks professional due to the depth of field used in this long shot!

I love these simple shots of the artists expression in focus, and the background out of focus, it allows the viewer to focus on the words of the song, as well as the artists body language, shown in this medium shot.

I like these filler shots, when Ellie Goulding is not singing. Her sat by the piano with another man in this medium shot, is made interesting by the old fashioned props, for example the mirror in the background or the classic piano itself!

The natural lighting of the sun behind the artists face, creates a serene and cool effect in this close up. The way in which she is only shown in half of the shot, always draws the audiences eye to her expression.

This change of location, adds a different aspect to the video. I like the woods as a location, as the elements such as trees, streams or rocks allow a variety of shots and compositions. This long shot shows the viewer the artist as well as the surroundings very well.

These simple shots of the artist in a recording creates follows the usual conventions of a music video, however works very well in the mixture of shot from studio, to woods, to train etc! Again, the depth of field and contrast between the dark mic, and lighting on the artists face create an interesting shot.




I love this long shot of the waterfall behind the artist. The way that she is joking around and laughing relaxes the audience into enjoying the video, and the interesting surroundings keep the viewers attention.