Back CD cover

Inside CD rest

Left side inside CD cover

Sales poster

The Front of the CD cover

CD back cover

Front of CD case (finished product)

Post Options

Finished magazine using template

Basic magazine layout

Johnny Cash's CD cover

Powder finger

Lost Prophets

CD covers ideas and thoughts

Good CD cover ideas

Powderfinger Vulture street is a very good simple artist design sticking to a simple range of colours to make the colours used more eye catching. I like the more important effects not being out of black and white image for instance the teal tears being cried by the black and white face. However I personally don’t like the effect of the pink dots across the CD cover as I feel it just takes away from the simple clear-cut style of the CD cover. Although the pink dots are quite eye catching and I can understand if they were used for this reason. Lost Prophets liberation transmission I also quite like Mainly the thick text of the band prioritising them over the album cover. Along with the name of the album liberation transmission in a almost cartography text I really enjoy how the artist has boarded it and how its arty yet clear. The symbol in the centre of the CD case I thoroughly like because how it keeps in theme with just black and white also how it its quite an innovative piece akin to medieval heraldry. I don’t like the blood effects spattered over the CD cover, as it just seems to make it a mess over something, which is very well designed and thought up. One I particularly dislike is Johnny cash’s CD cover its very simple but just to plain or eye catching when you look at the lack of colour and imagery. It merely advertises that Johnny Cash is the artist too with no further information about the songs or Album clearly Johnny must believe that he himself as the brand can sell CDs. I’m not saying he can’t use just his brand to sell his CDs, but wouldn’t it be better to catch a new buyer rather than a loyal one with eye catchy well designed interesting cover?

Re-filming extra shot possibilities

Rough notes from first draft

Teachers improvement notes

Solo brain storm/thought shower

Solo set Thoughts

Brief before music video notes

Health and safety risk analysis

Shooting schedule

Explaining zombies

Do you want to date my avatar ?

The guild

Do you want to date my avatar - by the guild

Do you want to date my avatar – by the guild

I have chosen to analyse the song do you want date my avatar by the guild, Jed Whedon directed this. The genre of the band is geek pop which is characterised by aiming to appeal a very general audience which is of course changed by the appealing geeky side of the song and it can encourage dancing using beats and rhythms. Instead of a live performance much like pop it has an emphasis recording, production and technology. The dancers backing up feclia day enforce dancing and the mise en scene is very inter-textual as a lot of the gaming media is linked with the customs also it goes with The Guild which starred feclia day.

The relationship between the lyrics and visuals is a correlation as feclia lip synchronised as the song starts on the singer. The singer doing the robot and her and other “guildies” spinning around in a game character creation set up follows up the first lyric “I’m craving to emote with you So many animations I can do”. Later the lyric “How 'bout, how 'bout a little tank and spank” is a good example of how the video is very related to geek media. Now tank and spank sounds quite sexual and clearly the singer is witty with the term having a tank literally spank her with the mis en scene sword. However it is more of an in joke “tank and spank” is a gaming tactic in which one player will take the damage of a particularly strong foe (these are often called tanks for their ability to take damage and wear heavy armour and shields). While the other players “spank” the foe by giving a high damage output hoping to put it down before a lot of damage is done. “Single, White Human Looking for group” again is an in joke this is visually directly linked as the “white human” steps forward to sing the lyric. This direct link is repeated in the lyric “got an uber leet staff” as a second player steps forward, staff in hand and starts his rap lines. Throughout it is lip matched. “You'll touch my plus five to dexterity vest” feclia day again makes a direct visual link with the lyrics as she runs her fingers down her dress while on the mountain of gold pieces yet again reinforcing the geek genre.

The record company is trying to make the guild very witty and modern, appealing to geeks. By offering a slightly different view of geeks. So the record company is clearly selling to a niche market mainly males who enjoy the game media. Fecila day is clearly on sexual display in her corset and revealing outfit but not in a over the top, blatant way. The music video is purely performance based.

Shot type notes with shot numbers

Zombie shot notes

Skull crusher Mountain fan made

The Future soon fan produced

Code Monkey fan post

Target audience

Demo graphics and target audience

The demographics of Johnathan Coulton’s primary audience will clearly be fellow geeks first and foremost, this could be due to the themes and underlying narratives of all his songs. I would like to ask you to make a quick jump to Code monkey, The future soon and I feel fantastic (making sure you take note that all off the fan film/machima is from World of Warcraft). Now World of Warcraft by opinion is regarded hugely nerdy, geeky or whatever new word main-streamists have for World of Warcraft players, as you can tell I play. So from the basis that my audience will be similar to the target market of World of Warcraft these were my conclusions.

Target age ranges from 15 years old to 21 years old as themes throughout most of the songs Johnathan writes and sings can be applied to a standard nerdy life or can be taken very light hearted. The songs Johnathan Coulton writes are a nice alternative to other artists that tend to provide only serious music for example a folk singer like Johnny cash or a rock artist like papa roach. Men are the primary targets, as stereotypically more males tend to immerse themselves in computer games and have a more appreciative, forgiving attitude to silly fantasy based songs whereas women tend to be more down to earth. Social groups or classes Johnathan Coulton targets are generally C1, C2 and a few B. The use of the internet is a must have when listening to Johnathan Coulton as the only means of getting your hands on an album is through his website (http://www.jonathancoulton.com/). I don’t believe the themes would match the tastes of D or E as generally they would prefer real life examples and down to earth. However social class A wouldn’t be a target market for Johnathan as they would be unable to relate to some of the issues based within the songs and tend to stay away from genres like rock. Although a few group As would quite possibly get the music as its melodic and quite upbeat akin to social class A lifestyle.

Psychographics of the target audience

Psychographics is based on the work of a new yord add agency, rubicam and young. It dictates that each society can be spilt into seven groups upon what is important to them.

Mainstream wants family security

Succeeders want control

Reformers want change

Resigned want to keep on surviving with their own way of life

Strugglers want to escape

Explorers want to experience new things and excitement

And finally aspires only care is their image

The target Psychographics of the target audience is clearly strugglers who can relate to every song and understand the underpinning feelings. Listeners can escape through the fun lyrics that Johnathan Coulton has brilliantly choosen for his songs.

Story boards 16,18 and 19

Story boards 13-18

Story boards 9-12

Story boards 5-8

Story boards 1-4

Spider diagram ideas

Starting Brief and ideas

From yesterday

From yesterday text

From yesterday – 30 seconds to mars

I have chosen to analyse the song from yesterday by 30 seconds to mars this was directed by Angakok Panipaq. The genre of the band is alternative metal, which is characterised by heavy guitar rifts, using experimental pieces in music, and unusual technique, which is not main stream. This is shown throughout the video as the guitarists are shown also it shows the band as genuine which is another character of the alternative metal genre. The mise-en-scene and narrative is not very main stream at all using little know Japanese samurai customs which in business terms could be the bands unique selling point as they have not got such a default money making attitude towards music.

The relationship between the lyrics and visuals is a correlation as the band members are lips matched as soon as the lyrics start showing the band singing on the steps of a Japanese set. The first lyric “He’s a stranger to some” applies to the band members as they walk through the guards setting a serious formal mood. The lyric “He can never get enough, Get enough of the one” is followed up visually by the lead singer showing the number one by his fingers as he is shown on the steps in a close up looking off set coldly.

Throughout the repetition of the lyric “On his face is a map of the world” there are medium close ups of Japanese soldiers faces and of the band as they walk between. Then loudly the singer’s words are “From yesterday, it's coming!” which is embodied through the shot of him suddenly bursting into action to match the new higher levels of sound also a masked person is shown shadowing them and the increase in noise could represent the stress of the realisation.

Later the lyric “From council of one, He'll decide when he's done with the innocent” is shows a blurred man walking down a darkened corridor matching the prospect of the match thinking alone.

Most of these examples as you can see are illustrating the lyrics of the song giving literal matches.

The video towards the end cuts to the fast drum beats however this is the only part were the music does cut to the beat this is shown visually as the drummer is shown doing this and when the samurai face each other down in the ring formed.

Almost all the instrumentals are shown throughout as the music video cuts from the narrative often to show the band playing for example the cuts from walking between the guards to the singer and band members.

The record company is trying to sell this by offering a unique interesting video that can still appeal to anyone and shows the band often so 30 second to mars lovers will also be drawn in. The images portrayed by the music video of 30 seconds to mars are that they are serious about their work shown by their well-dressed look. They are passionate about there music which is shown vigorously through their band close ups on singing drumming and playing the guitar, this gives them a genuine feel while the video itself is different and interesting. Their motif of the phoenix is on the flags held by the Japanese soldiers is shown, linking back to their videos.

At one stage the band members are shown putting on new robes and samurai garments during which the members show of lean bodies and six packs, clearly on sexual display for any female watchers. This has been backed up by the camera work as it cuts several times showing the members body from differing angles. The samurai costumes are displays of male superiority as samurai were considered the ruling class this major show of muscularity and stereotype male sexualised figure. However there is no concept on the notion of looking.

There are few inter-textual references I can deduce besides the link of ancient Japan and its samurai heritage and the films related to it. The band looks relate to their audience conveying emo looks throughout the video, a perfect example of this is the singers red and black dyed hairstyle.

The music video is mainly performance based with a little bit of lose narrative as there are lots of cuts of the band playing followed by a flowing story of the band members getting ready and fighting each other in samurai armour. In conclusion the music video is heavily dominated by performance based video that shows the band members as good looking lean guys with a passion for music.

I feel fantastic

I feel fantastic text

I feel fantastic – Jonathon coulton

I have chosen to analyse the song I feel fantastic by Jonathon coulton. This was directed by Jonathon coulton also due to the lower funding he has due to his more pin point market. The genre of the band is “geek” rock, which is characterised by a strong sense of rhythm, using simple accompaniment instruments in music, and sing able melodies, which is not main stream and is instead aimed at a computer users (a touch of the nerdy side) which is quite a Niche market. This is shown throughout the video as the singer (Jonathon) is shown also it shows the singer as genuine music writer which is another character of the rock/geek indie genre. The mise-en-scene and narrative is very relative to most who work. Showing the stress of the work place and other issues while conveying through the lyrics that the narrative is about popping pills in different situations, playing with the idea that medicine can solve everything. In business terms could be the singer’s unique selling point as they have not got such a default money making attitude towards music and it is aimed at a smaller audience than other singers/bands.

The relationship between the lyrics and visuals is a correlation as the singer’s lyrics directly match his work day shown through the video. The first lyric “I take a wake up pill and fill with energy” applies to the singer as he wakes with his wide smile setting a happy mood which works well with the tempo. The lyric “I drive around a bit cuz work isn't very far” is followed up visually by the singer’s hand grabbing car keys which is followed by shots of a toy car on the road and him in a real car stationary .

Followed up by the lyric “All I know is driving on drugs feels better when they're prescription” which is linked with a medium close ups of singer in character showing the cop his drugs with a weak smile. Then the singer’s words gain in volume for the chorus “And I feel fantastic...” which is embodied through the shot of the singer suddenly bursting into action to run around the park with the cop chasing almost like slap stick comedy.

Later the lyric “Work is anything but quiet these days” shows the singer holding a phone away from his ear while his office partner screams down his own phone directly giving us a matching example

Most of these examples as you can see are illustrating the lyrics of the song giving literal matches.

The video cuts out all sound on the lyric “So I take a Calminex and just chill” to enforce the point of sudden relaxation on screen which is matched with the visual of the singer taking another pill.

The instruments are not shown throughout as the music video stays with the narrative to show the progression of the story the song converses. At one stage the tempo is also dramatically slowed to couple with the lyric “sometimes i like to slow things down”.

The singer is trying to sell this by offering an interesting video that can still appeal to anyone and shows the singer throughout so fans will also be drawn in. The images portrayed by the music video of Jonathon Colton are that he is a joke making character that does his work out of fun over business purely in mind. He is passionate about his music which is shown by the lack of branding or business interference; this gives him a genuine feel while the video itself is different and interesting when compared to the rap genre for example which is purely based upon money shown by beautiful women and fast cars.

At no stage the singer shows flesh or any sexual examples/links, clearly he is not sexual display for any female watchers and the video remains clean throughout reinforcing my view that he is doing songs for the enjoyment over money.

There are few inter-textual references I can deduce. The singer’s looks relate to the work place he is in conveying the low level of fame throughout the video, an example of this is the singer’s shirt and blue tie. The music video is narrative based with no performance based shots in the video perhaps relating to how well known the singer currently is.

lyrics of Johnaton coultons Re your brains

Heya Tom, its bob, from the office down the hall
good to see you buddy, how've you been?
Things have been O.K. for me expect that im a zombie now.
I really wish you'd let us in.
I think I speak for all of us when I say I understand.
Why you folks might hesitate to submit to our demand.
But here is an F.Y.I: you're all gonna die screaming.

Chorus
All we want to do is eat your brains.
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no ones gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we could compromise:
If you open the up the doors
We'll all come in side and eat your brains.

I don't want to nitpick pick tom but is this really your plan?
Spend your whole life locked inside a mall?
Maybe thats O.K. for now but someday your be out of food and guns,
Then you'll have to make the call.
I'm not surprised you haven't thought it through enough.
You never had the head for all that bigger picture stuff.
But tom thats what I do and I plan on eating you slowly.

chorus
All we want to do is eat your brains.
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no ones gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we could compromise:
If you open the up the doors
We'll all come in side and eat your brains.

I'd like to help you Tom, in any way i can.
I sure appreciate the way your working with me .
I'm not a monster Tom, well, technically I am
I guess I am ...

guitar solo

Got another meeting tom, maybe we could wrap this up?
I know we'll get to common ground somehow.
Meanwhile i'll report back to my colleagues who are chewing on the doors
I guess we'll have to table this for now
I'm glad to see you take constructive criticism well
Thank you for your time i know we're all busy as hell
And we'll put this thing to bed
When i bash your head open

Chorus
All we want to do is eat your brains.
We're not unreasonable, I mean, no ones gonna eat your eyes
All we want to do is eat your brains
We're at an impasse here, maybe we could compromise:
If you open the up the doors
We'll all come in side and eat your brains.

Update 1

last weekend I met up with my friend Max to test the zombie make up. in the end we got pete to volenteer and he was soon a zombie. i intend to add the short video created to the blog as soon as possible. the objective for this week is to get permission to film within the music studio and complete all the scenes i need within the studio
on a new note i now intend to upload the develop of the characters in the music video but keep in mind these are currently just ideas. my first zombie will be a simple suited zombie to make with the song lyrics were the two bob and tom are office workers, this is the most straight forward.
next i intend to have a women dressed in a red dress and boots much like Milla Jovovich in resident evil. the next of the zombie crew will be a shaun of the dead style zombie with shaun being the zombie so simple school get up shirt red tie black trousers. a zombie also based on the video game industry's media a zombie in a soldiers uniform with the swasticer arm band to represent the game industries nazi zombie thats been in recent games like dead rising left for dead and call of duty. I'll upload the pictures of these and then my own actors pictures

ZOMBIES!

As the song RE. your brains is focused around the undead I thought I should do some reasearch into the subject.
Zombies are typically a reanimated corpse or a human being who is being controlled by someone else by use of magic. More modern stories have used a pandemic illness to explain them. Stories of zombies originated in west africa in the spiritual belief system of voodoo which told of the people being controlled as laborers by a powerful wizard. Zombies became a popular subject in horror fiction. this was due to the huge sucess of George A Romero's 1968 film, night of the living dead. Zombies are regularly encountered in horror and fantasy themed fiction and entertainment. They are typically depicted as mindless, shambling, decaying corpses with a hunger for human flesh. Zombies are a multi-media subject having games like Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Dead Rising, Stubbs the Zombie to be sold to more nerdy video gamers whereas it has also been in books and films the following are a few examples
28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later,Dawn of the Dead remake, House of the Dead and Zombieland.

One of the most famous zombie-themed television appearances was 1983's Thriller, Michael Jackson's music video, directed by John Landis. It was One of the most popular music videos of all time, it is a horror film parody featuring choreographed zombies performing with Jackson.

Introduction

Hello everyone im going to show the production of my second piece of media course work in my 2 years in A levels through my blog. the choice was between music video or a short video, i've choosen to do my own music video. As im working alone i've gained alot of freedom with my own work and choices so im going to do a music video on Johnaton coulton's song RE. your brains which he currently has no offical video for. RE. your brains is primarily a zombie parody song about a recently turned zombie, Bob trying to eat his old co partner at the office where he worked.
I'll give alittle back ground on Johnation coulton he was born on December 1, 1970 from brooklyn, new york city. he is a ex computer programmer who moved into singer song writer status. he plays including accordion, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, ukulele or glockenspiel while being backed by guitar, bass and drums. he became more and more popular through use of the internet yet has not really hit mainstream listeners due to his songs appealing to listens of folk rock, geek rock and rock. Geek rock is a theme throughout because Johatons quick wited and fun lyrics poke fun at Geek situtaions and themes such as video games or computing. this is clear that the demographic of watchers are clearly game players when most of the fan videos are often world of warcraft or a machinema. Interestingly too Johnaton coulton has two of his songs on Valve games which is quite a profitable business the song RE. your brains features on jukeboxs in the Left for dead 2 game aswell as another of his songs Still alive on the game Portal by Valve.