#117 Bilaal, Example of branding

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#117 Laura, Example of Branding?

I am going to use the band 30 Seconds To Mars, for my example of 'Branding'.

30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has been composed of actor Jared Leto (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter), Shannon Leto (drums, percussion) and Tomo Miličević (lead guitar, keyboards).

The album cover:
- The album cover, like the rest of their albums, is quite
simple. With just one, maybe symbolic thing in the
background.
- The name of the band, and also the title of the album,
is also very simple font and color.
-The band may have slightly changed their Image overthe years, but they have always kept with the same
color scheme of red, white and black (as you can see
from the writing). 
- Even thought they have constantly slightly changed
image, they usually stick with something simple,
and nothing too over the top.






The music video:

 The meaning of the video:
This song is Jared Leto's (the lead singer) adaption of Aldous Huxleys "Brave new world". The title, and the quote from this song come from William Shakespeares "The Tempest", being, "O, brave new world, which has such people in it". The novel is about a dystopian future where people are brainwashed and drugged into thinking the way which they live (which would apear immoral by most people today, with things such as drug use), is right.
Leto is saying, that we must 'go to war', against such a future, where people have no freedoms or free thought. If one looks at the way society is heading these days, one can see what we are actually going in that direction. Leto, with the song, is in a way, warning us of the future to come.
By the time Leto gets to the bridge of the song, the tone, is showing hope, that we will see the error of our ways, when he says 'I do believe in the light, raise your hands towards the sun'.


The actual meaning behind the song, is a really serious matter, so obviously, the video for the song, would have to be very thought provoking.
The video for the song, stars all members of the band, as what looks like soilders, in the middle of a war. The video also starts with a quick quote, by G.Wells; "If we don't end war, war will end us", which links in well with the song AND video, very well, and prepares us for the video we are going to see.
Throughtout the song, also, there are alot of thought provoking pictures and historical clips used, linked with lyrics used in the song as. Examples of this:


- A clip of soliders in battle, links with the lyric 'To the soilders'.
- A clip of Martin Luther King, is shown at the same time as the lyric 'The moment of truth'
- A clip of George Bush giving a speech is shown at the same time as the lyric 'Its the moment to lie' is played.
- It also shows clips from space shuttle launches and clips of graves, linking in with the lyrics 'The moment to live and the moment to die'






Their brand image:


The band, and their image itself, have changed over time and after each album. This particular album, their newest, is a rather serious, mature album. For example, all of their songs inclucing 'this is war', are very thought provoking.
I think the band has chosen this kind of mature, anti-war, and quite, powerful image, because they may want to use their fame, money, popularity and very large fan basem to spread their views and what is important to them themeselves, and what they think is important for people to know. 
After having this image, ands creating such powerful songs and videos, and a band image overall, the band can be recognised for not just being a regular rock band like all the rest (that might not even write their own songs, and do what their record company tells them to), but something important, and something remembered for their unique image and songs.


As in the types of things they wear, you could say its quite simple. They usually stick to simple colors like black and white and grey, not very bright colors (which obviously emphasises how serious and into it they are).


Their band image have definitely changed over the years, but its never been too drastic like some of the artists of today (madona and lady gaga for example). It is always wise and important, for a band to make even the slightest changes over time.It doesn't even have to be too drastic, but changing their image slightly, or alot, is important, as even if the band have a loyal fan base, that fan base, and people that maybe don't like them too much, always want to see something different, and always need to be 'entertained' and interested in listening/seeing them. If the band, or any band, through their career didn't adjust their band image at all, after album and album, everything would get a bit manotinous, and their would be less need and want, to listen to them.


30 Seconds to Mars, from the time they formed in 1998, till now (they have recently this year, gone for a short break), their image hasn't changed too drasticly. Things have changed, as in how they dress, and things such a hairstyles and such, but only slightly.
The lead single, Jared, has changed his image the most, in the band. He has had famously hads many different hair cuts and colours. Because of his fame of being not just in the band, but being an accomplished actor, and also being quite a beautiful man, he can easily use that fame and change in his own image, as a kind of advertisment and image change for the band (since he is the lead singer).

How the band has changed:

Jared's image change:

#116 What is branding?

Branding is an aspect of the music industry which the artists themselves need to think on how they want to be viewed from the publics eye, just as much the label recommends or enforces what type of person they will be, as artists, as a brand, which is either then unfolded through the music they produce or the music they produce eventually defines what sort of brand the artist is or has become. Branding is important to the audience, because they don't know the person as an individual, which where it becomes important on how the artist represents themselves and how the label wish to do so too. Their name, becomes a logo of such, which is used everywhere, whether it's on the album cover, billboards, posters etc.

Our artist will be branded as the outspoken, music passionate, positive thinking and open minded artist. This is essential for us to brand the artist as the way we should, because we want the public to appreciate the hard work he puts in, the passion he has and to just have his word heard, as he is young and making music clearly aiming for his age people and these are the people that buy music and are experimental with purchasing different kinds of music, so I think he'll be viewed on with the public eye as the new, popular, upcoming artist with a lot of anticipation.

The effects on good branding is as such where our artist will be dressed like what his target audience (teenagers) will be able to identify, appreciate and then maybe copy him.

#115 What has this taught us?

In conclusion to our Audience research, we have established that our product needs to be appealing, consistent in camera shots, a narrative/abstract driven video which has the majorty of codes and conventions in a music video. However much we may not appreciate the typical narrative structure, we believe the genre the song is of, the video will ironically become just like another mainstream video which they don't always have a narrative and it's what everyone is used to.

Also, we have established that the videos that outstand are the ones which have the use of special effects or even maybe intertetextual references to a popular film at the current time, which comes back to the point where the narrative can be hard to figure out or there isn't one at all, but if it has that unique selling point which has the viewers talking about it, than to us, the music video is a good one.

Investigating the target audience has given us a clear idea/picture of just what needs to be done, in order to please the audience that is or will be our fans, ideally, which is what the artist needs, in order to stay relevant in the music business.

To sell the artist to the audience, we will be using a variety of camera shots and angles. If anything, all of them. This will cause establishment of the artist, it will include what he is like, in terms of persona and the music/video will include more than just an artist miming to the lyrics, it will show a lot more with, reflecting on using a correct narrative and we believe Example's Kickstarts is the right song to do this.

#114 What we know about our audience

To find out more about our audience, we created a survey, and handed them out to 20 people.


This is what we asked:

1) What gender are you?

Male:

Female:

2) How old are you?

Under 13:

14-18:

19-25:

26+:

3) Out of these genres, which do you prefer? (Choose no more than 2)

Pop:

Hip-Hop:

Rock:

RnB:

Rap:

Indie:

Metal:

4) Do you like the hip-hop/rap/ and dance genres?

Yes:

 If yes, why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No:

If no, why?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Just hip-hop/rap and not dance:

Dance, and not hip-hop/dance:

5) Out of these artists, which do you prefer (Choose no more than 2)

Lady Gaga:

Kanye West:

My Chemical Romance:

Chris Brown:

Eminem:

The Kooks:

Korn:

6) How often do you purchase music?

Very often:

Often:

Occasionally:

Never:

7) How do you buy music?

Online:

In store:

8) Where do you watch your music videos?

Online:

Tv:

9) What do you like about music videos?

10) What do you dislike about music videos?

11) What do you prefer?

Narrative music videos:

Performance music videos:

Both:

12) Do you prefer relatable videos or abstract videos?

Relatable:

Abstract:

Both:

Not sure:

After gathering out information from the surveys we gave out, these were the results we got, in pie chart form:

Are you male or female?

What are are you?

Which genre do you prefer?

Which artist do you prefer?

How often do you buy music?

Where do you buy your music?

Where do you watch music videos?

Which do you prefer, in a music video?

What do you prefer your music video to be?

Here are some of the answers, we got back from out survey, that weren't multiple choice.

For the question: "Do you like the hip-hop/rap/dance genre's?"
People who said yes, answered with things like;
"I like the energy and how it makes you want to dance"
"Because I have always listened to them and enjoyed them"
"They are exciting"
"Always liked them as they are very common genres for when you go out and socialise"
"Rap is sometimes good to chill out to, and dance songs are good for dancing to in a club"
"Yes because I like partying to them"
"Yes because it is a very expressive, full of life genre"
"They accompany the night life really well"
"They are really good to get 'down' to"
"They usually have catchy beats, and are good to listen to on a night out"

But we also got a few people from the survey, who said negative things, such as;
"Just not my style"
"They are very irratating"
"Too commercial and over produced!"

And then, from the questions 'What do you like, and dislike, about music videos?', we got back this feedback;

What they like:

• Its something to look at while listening to the song
• It can feel like a small, short film
• They can be really unique
• The different effects and editing techniques that can make them really visually interesting
• They sometimes show the band/artist, in ways you wouldn't usually see them
• The photographic qualitys, and the many chances to see the artist
• The outfits the band/artist wears can be really interesting/apealing
• They allow room for experimentation and crazy film making techniques
• Allows anticipation for what the artist will do next!

What they dislike:

• They can be too conventional
• They can sometimes be really long and very boring
• When nothing really happens in the video
• Too much money can be spent on them, and they can look a bit OTT
• Annoying narratives
• Some focus on the artist too much

 From obtaining these results, we have formed a conclusion that although the Dance and Rap genres are popular, not everyone likes the music they see on the charts, which are the people who may appreciate the lesser known songs down below the charts or simply indie. We have also learnt that the viewers like to see a artistic form towards a music video where they can watch over and over and not get bored of the video, regardless of the music and special effects is a good selling factor. The results we collected are not surprising but it has given us a more clear overview on just where we need to hit the nail.

#113 Is our audience viable?

We believe our target audience is viable, considering the fact that the majority of people that purchase music are teenagers. The chart below obtained from BBC Radio 1 will prove this:

 

As you can see above, the number 1 best selling song from the week following 16th October 2011 isn indeed a pop-dance genre. In the top 5, song's such as Maroon Five's Moves Like Jagger and LMFAO's Sexy and I Know It are also dance related genres.

Furthurmore in the list, Hip-Hop/Rap artists such as Eminem, Nicki Minaj, the UK's very own N-Dubz frontman Dappy are also in the top 20 selling songs.

If anything, the best selling record in the UK in 2010 was infact Eminem's Love The Way You Lie featuring Rihanna.

In conclusion, our audience is indeed a commericial viable one with impressive records to show this. Our chosen song for our coursework is relevant towards consistency in selling so many copies and popularity. We think it's vital we have a viable audience before investing time and money purely because if there wasn't an audience to cater to, not only will it be a risk trying to gather a fanbase/audience, it is a big risk and could end up costly.

#112 Target Audience

Our target audience for the music video is teenagers and young adults. Hip-Hop/Dance music has always appealed to the younger audience, just as much as pop music does for young, teenage girls, especially the Hip-Hop genre. In terms of demographic, the genre appeals to 14-24yrs old, preferably single, students or post graduates, living in a working class enviroment and if earning, possibly a nice 9-5 job. The boundries in this particular demographic reign is a broad one, particularly due to the content of what the hip-hop/rap genre includes. From sub-genre's in the hip-hop/rap scene such as Gangsta Rap and G-Funk, has an influence on the far end of the age scale (14-24) whereas some artists tend to deffer from such content and provide rap music in a more non-sterotypical, positive approach. I believe the same approach with the dance genre also applies. There is hardcore trance music, which is sub-genre to dance and also a more "metalhead" like attidude towards dance. The beats/instrumental play a vital role in defining the the target audience, regardless of the content.

 In terms of psychographic, I believe our target audience will have been brought up to be Christians/Catholics, whether they're practicing or not. Considering they're teenagers, I can imagine the majority of them will be laidback, giving their work full attentiveness but also including a good, healthy social life. I also believe they'll be mainstreamers, people who will involve themselves in something purely because it's the newest trend.

Overall, our target audience is teenagers, which is going to influence our music video to ensure it provides the entertainment and the drive to listen/watch it over and over and that they don't get bored of it after the first time of viewing.

#111 Second Ancillary Task - Promotional Posters.

Our second ancillary task we decided could be a poster inside a magazine promoting the album or just one which you would find blown up outside on a billboard. Such examples are shown below: 

 Reason why I have posted multiple pictures is because I think given that we will be shooting our artist's album artwork using the simple white background look, we can use some shots that wouldn't have made the final cover as alternative covers/inlay pictures or even used in a Magazine with a quote (example shown on the left hand side). The text on the picture reads "I'm always thinking in terms of 2012, 2013, 2014....I see the future" I think this produces positive promotion for the artist as the reader would read the quote and identify where the artist is coming from and what they're feeling which can then be an inspiration for the reader.








On the other hand, this picture shows a large poster of Kanye's album which you would normally find in a music store such as HMV, BestBuy (America) and you can imagine this poster ending up as a memrobilia of worth because it upholds the rarity becuase of the less quantity produced. I think we can create something similar, in terms of using promotional text such as "Late Registeration featuring Diamonds From Sierra Leone and Gold Digger with Jamie Foxx" because this can be found (smaller size, ofcourse) in a Kanye featured magazine as fold up and can be found inside the magazine when bought.

However, our promotional poster can also be as simple as the picture on the bottom. As you can see, this is promoting the artist's single which is actually ideal for our project because we only have a single song produced so we can focus the Ancillary on just that. This poster fits in with Kanye's use of colour across in his album artworks, his fashion sense and his creativity on his videos. It's straight forward, colourful and catches the persons eye accordingly. The spotted dots font resembles the out of space/futuristic style which what Kanye's theme was at the time of recording the album. 

Considering Laura's extensive skills in Photoshop, I think we can create a various amount of promotional posters if it boils down to it. I think it's important to keep that intial theme running towards all material linking back to the album/single.

#110 Ancillary Task 1: Digipak Research

Our first ancillary task will be to produce the album art which will be the cover and other panels of the CD Single release. Album art is essential to include in any form of music product, whether it's a snapshot of the music video with a label identifying what and who the music video is by (this form is normally through digital releases such as iTunes) or even when downloading from the Internet, the album art is a visualisation form of identifying what the song/album is called and which artist/band performed it. A digipack is normally the front, back cover and also the inlay pictures/cards you get with some albums.

Typical codes and coventions an album cover would normally include are:

The front:

• The title of the album 
• The artist/band who the album is performed by.
• A visualisation of the album theme/content. This can also be a picture of the artist, allowing good establishment of what the artist looks like. 
• Parental Advisory label if neccessary (Awarded by the RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America)

The back:

• The tracklisting on the CD. This can include guest features and production credits on each, individual track. For example, on Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 album: Off That (Featuring Drake) (Produced by Timbaland).
• Picture on the back cover is optional. However, it can just be the other side of the front picture, or an alternative picture that resembles the front picture.
• The small print, similar to the end credits of a film, which includes the legal terms of the album, where it was recorded and under what label. (Logo's of the signed label are also included using small pictures)

The following examples of CD Covers/Album Arts below are from Kanye West's albums.

By analyzing the 2 covers, I will be able to identify the typical codes and conventions that a front cover/album art requires. From the 2 covers, you can see the artist uses a unique character which is the bear, known as the "dropout mascot" which runs through Kanye's 3 albums, which is also his logo of such. The 3 titles of the albums have a educational subject towards them. The first album being called "The College Dropout", you can see (on the right) a teddy mascot looking rather upset, alone and possibily left out or not appreciated by other people which reflects on the title and sets the album tone of what sort of material the album will include. You also have the Parental Advisory Explicit Content label on all the 3 covers which also informs the person buying the album that the contents of this album is for mature adults only and need a younger listen to it, parental advisory is

 recommended. 

As you can see, there is more than one version of the album cover, the reason behind this is not quite clear but I would imagine it being due to a particular country release (white coloured background being the UK release and the coloured one being the US version) 

 You can also see from the covers that they follow a certain colour pallete. With the first one, with the obvious white background, there is a golden, brown color too, which makes it easy to identify each album, easy to look at it and the sharp, bold colours attract the persons eye. On the front cover, there isn't any font at all (College Dropout) which expresses the album as a form of art, where the back cover details what this "form of art" is about and who it is by. However, Kanye West is known for including a sticker which has the artists name and album title which the person buying can apply on the front cover if they wanted to. With The College Dropout back cover, you can see he's put his name and the album on the left hand side which proves my point and again, he has used the background colour/image of the bench he is sitting on which still follows the narrative/theme of the album, but also gives it the creative input where he could've just put a boring coloured colour instead. Typically, the small print on any album cover will include what label the the album is distributed on and what you could associate with the starting film credits as the back of a album cover: the main details, the main producers, artists featured and recording locations.

















With the back cover above, being that there isn't any information on what songs are on the CD, I can imagine the die-hard fans would be intrigued in buying this version, because they know what they're going to get but whereas a normal person buying out of interest may want to buy the other version so they know what track they are listening to etc. Note, in the US version, the UK back cover is used as an inlay creating the little illusion that the round shape of text is in the form of the disc where it would be placed in the case.

 Next, I will be analyzing the second album from Kanye West called Late Registration. As mentioned earlier, he keeps the same theme running which is refelected on the subject topics his songs are about and keeping in touch with his iconic teddy mascot. This use of of the silhouette lighting which empathsizes the shadow of the teddy bear shows he is alone, especially with him opening the big doors of what appears to be a library or the inside of University/College. We can identify the building as a formal place such as a library because of the brown, antique like colours and the big door handles which  you don't often find in a western, 21st century College. The artist has used very little font, apart from his name and album title which both appear to have a very "Times New Roman" font, which is always the formality of typing a letter, which links with the theme of education.

The back cover is a play-on visualiation, because we see the teddy leaving the room and his back is turned towards us as so we are looking at the back cover. Again, the artist has our attention with the picture and not the text as the text is very small, almost identical to his previous album cover art and again, there is the hint of brown shades that stck with the album theme.







Judging by these covers, I think if our covers include the artist that represents himself which the audience can look at it and immediately know it's an Example song/album, then that would be fine. I also think we should include the Parental Advisory label for the legal perspective and this idea of keeping the front cover minimalistic in terms of text is ideal because it doesn't take up too much space and the back cover will provide all the details (the person interested) will want to know. I also think it would be ideal to maybe alter one or two minor features which can allow us to have multiple versions of covers so even if we choose one, we can always go back and give each cover a specific version and purpose in doing so.

#109 Reflection on Music Genre

After analysing our Music Video, we have gained further knowledge on how to construct our artist, as well as the music video.


 We have learnt the following: 

• Is to make sure our artist fits the role of the character in the music video, whether he's not involved in the narrative or is and to make sure he/she/they don't look out of place. For example, using the media language, we will dress the artist accordingly to how a typical rap or dance artist would be dressed as.
• To stick to the codes and conventions of a hip-hop/dance music video to ensure that our target audience feel comfortable yet satisfied by watching our video. i.e. It would be weird watching the video if it is a gothic narrative driven video or even including something out of the hip-hop/dance genre boundry.
• To keep in mind that the artist has an image to sell and to establish themselves, which includes a vast amount of camera shots, including mostly CU (close ups) and using the mis-en-scene, such as clothing which can be also their merchandise, which helps sell that too. 
• To keep the pace/editing of the video according to a certain tempo or beat which keeps the interest of the viewer, by assuming he/she likes the song that they're listening to meaning they'll also like to watch the video. 

#108 Bilaal's Genre Music Video Research

I will be analyzing the following video by DJ, DJ Khaled and his music video "I'm On One" which features Canadian once Actor turned Rapper Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. 

 The video doesn't have a set narrative, plot or any sort of story to follow. The four artists that appear on the song are at once, in their own setting, performing their artists, but the video cuts back to where all 4 featured artists and main artist are together. I think analysing this video is ideal, because Example's videos also do not have a particular driven narrative. If there is, it's a very weak, light one. The genre is rap, which also Example is familiar with.

The term "I'm On One" originates from the rap music genre, which means when an artist or even a particular person is working very hard or has dilligence in his/her work which they would then "I'm On One". It also can represent the lavish life, the success one encounters from working hard, in rap terms: "staying on their grind"

The video starts off with establishing the DJ Khaled's entourage, which includes on-screen of the producers which is the YMCMB label, presenting the We The Best Group. The video cuts back and fourth to the first artist's verse, which is Drakes, you see Drake in his apartment, a very one sided colored looking room, which is white and it almost looks as if he may have just moved in, or even to say he doesn't really have time in his own house. I get this assumption from the fact that the plastic on the sofas and tables are still intact. He's also accompanied with his own entourage, casually sat whilst Drake performs his verse. You can see that he points his finger at the camera, he's looking directly at the camera, which breaks the verisimilitude and allows the viewer to know he/she is watching a video. It also has voyeurism where we're allowed access to Drake's Penthouse apartment and we're greeted from his people. For example, one of the lyrics is "What's up with your best friend? We could all have some fun, believe me", Drake is shown rotating his fingers, which suggests he means the viewer too.

We have ariel view shots of the city, an establishing shot of the next artist (Rick Ross) to perform his verse, which is done through a shot of his back, which isn't the best establishing shot, for someone who isn't familiar with Rick Ross, but it plays off well, because within the next 10 sec, we get to see a more clear image of him and then eventually, his face. (show in screenshots)

 

 

We also see dissolve shots between all the artists including DJ Khaled, who is the main artist of the song. This enforces the point that maybe he is the main artist and who the song is credited to.

I think the use of not fully revealing Rick Ross (as pictured above) is good to include in a music video, it adds to the eagerness to find out who this person is, the person with the hot female, the flashy car, and jewelery. All this evidently goes back to the term "On One" I think for our music video, we could possibily include the non-revealing shot of the artist for a period amount of time. 

Overall, the video is a typcial one of the hip-hop/rap genre. You have the rapper's entourage, the flashy clothing, cars, the women, the personas and egos are definitely intact. It also has a simple approach towards the editing as it cuts back from one artist to another, accompanying the song part.

 

All of the above points mentioned are typical codes and conventions of a rap music video and I particulary like the Rick Ross shots where we don't fully see him but once his verse has started, we then get a full facial view of him which I think we could definitely incorporate into our own video.

#108 Laura's Genre Music Video Research

The videos I have chosen to anaylsis, from the dance/rap/hip hop genre, are:

Example - Won't Go Quietly

and

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem 

Example - Won't Go Quietly

I chose this first video to anaylsis, not only because Example is the singer of our chosen song, but because I think its a good example, of a good, dance video.
Its, unlike some of his other video's, like 'Kickstarts' and 'Watch the sun come up', a rather simple video. There isn't much narrative to it, but, the lyrics from beginning to end, link back to the images on screen. Throughout the video, even though its set in a club and there is a lot of movement and dancing going on, the camera is mainly focused on Example himself, and a girl in the crowd (persumingly the girl being sang about in the lyrics). 
No natural lighting is used in the video, but this is made up by lots of white bright lighting inside the club, and lots of flashing lcd lights. 
Throughout the video we follow the girl, from entering the club, to walking through it, constantly switching back and forth from her, and example. A lot of fast past editing is used, which works well with the fast pased beat of the song.
Another type of editing is used, at the start of the video, and towards the end. What looks like an x-ray screen is used. 

When watching the video, we see the girl and example in the club. The images when matched with the lyrics, make you think that the video is based around her. But really, at the end, she wakes up, from what was all a dream, so really, its the other way round. As if Example wasn't REALLY thinking all these things, and singing all these things about her, and that it was all just one of her dreams. 
This could also show, how appealing Example, and other artists like him, are to young girls. 
The video in itself, is a very typical dance/hip hop video.
I think this because of the amount of dancing, the types of lighting, and how there is lots of live shots of Example preforming, as if it was an actual gig. 
Since rap artists usually are artists in themselves, with no contributing band, mentioned in their name or shown in images of them, the amount of long, medium, and close up shots of him, is not surprising. There are still a good amount of shots of some of the band members in the background, but not nearly as many as there are of Example. The only other person, with as much attention as him, is the main girl in the video, who would probably apeall to his male fans.  This video would probably apeal to his fan base very much, as because of the lack of much narrrative, and lack of a range of setting, the viewer can focus all their attention, on Example, and what he's saying. 

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

Unlike Examples video, with hardly any narrative, LMFAO's video for Party Rock Anthem, is completely different. Not only is the song AND video extremely long, but it also has a huge and pretty in depth narrative. 


 I'm not sure if it was intentional but the setting of the video (some empty streets), kind of reminds me of the video for 'Rock that body'.
But the main intertextuality reference, is the fact that the whole video, is a whole parody of the horror film '28 Days Later'. It even states, at the start of the video, that it is linked/about 28 Days Later.

The film 28

days later, is a horror film. The film is based in London, Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable rirus spreads through the UK. A handful of survivors, try and find sanctuary. 

The same narrative is used in the music video, simply replacing the survivors with the band LMFAO (Redfoo and Skyblu),

and replacing the deadly rirus, with a dance move, called the 'shuffle', which is kind of like, the move that got the band famous, and is

the main part of the song ("Everyday I'm shufflin').

Following the caption of "28 WEEKS LATER", both Redfoo and Skyblu, are seen in a deserted hospital, waking up from their coma, in  simalar style

to that of Cillian Murphys character in the origional film. So basically, the video uses the same narrative as the film, but just changes a few things.

The lyrics and specifically, chorus, definitely fit with the images on screen, and the beat of the song. Lyrcis such as:

"Booty move away like she on the block" - They are walking down a road/block.
"Everybody just have a good time
And we gonna make you lose your mind" - Every body looks like they are having a good time, and the lyric "And we gonna make you lose your mind" also kinda links back to the film again, being about a virus, that makes you turn into a brainless zombie.I think one of the best examples of where the images on screen fit with the lyrics, is after the line "No lead in our zeppelin". After that line, the shot cuts directly to the side of a building similar to the cover of Led Zeppelin's 1975 album Physical Graffiti.


The band LMFAO, in this video, their first video really, they use the mis en scene, to advertise them even more. Not only does the video itself advertise them, and their music, but also, the costumes that everyone is wearing, from things like hats, sun glasses, jewelry, shirts, shoes and pants, they are all LMFAO merchandise.

#107 Laura's Rap/ Dance Artist Analysis

Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris is a Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ.
I have decided to analysis him as an artist, and these images of him, as I think he is a good example of an artist who fits into the dance AND indie genre.



The first image of him I chose to look at, is the one of him standing in front of a colorful green wall, with sort of retro wallpaper. The photo isn't very posed, and doesn't look too flashy like in his video's. 
In this photo, he looks more like an indie artist, dressed rather casually in just a shirt and jeans. 
He is a solo artist, therefor is always represented as a solo artist, photographed on his own. 
As an artist, under the dance/indie genre, he fits in well, other than the fact, the looks rather normal, with just a regular haircut, and 




And then in the second photo, a screen shot from one of his videos, he dresses very differently. The clothes he wears are very colorful and retro, like something from the 80's (which fits in with his theme for his first album, I Created Disco'. He's wearing a very colorful and rather cringey jacket, that you probably wouldn't see anyone wearing  on a day to day basis, and he is also wearing some bright green headphones, that you again, probably wouldn't see very often. He also makes use of very strange props (a fake ferret).
 Also, the background/setting is still very bright, but simple, drawing attention to his clothing and props in his hand. 

Snoop Dogg

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr, better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, entrepreneur, and marijuana activist. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop/rap scene. I chose to analysis images of him, as in the rap/hip hop world, he is very well known, and I think, a good example of a successful rap artist.

In the first picture, we see Snoop Dogg, posed, with his hands together (looks rather deep in thought and quite intimidating.). The background and flashy gold lettering of ‘Snoop Dogg’, straight away gives us an impression of what type of artist he is, and what genre he fits into.
He is also, accessorised very excessively, with lots of bling, that any rap artist with lots of money would wear (letting everyone know, that they have a lot of money. The things he is wearing such as the sunglasses and the chains show that he’s very flashy and likes to flaunt what he has. The stars on the glasses, also indicate what maybe he thinks he is, and wearing them on his glasses/sunglasses, also shows how flashy and big headed he might be.

He is also wearing what looks like, a black and white tracksuit jacket, or a varisity jacket, which is strongly linked with hip hop/rap artists. 

I then, chose this second picture to look at. I less edited/studio taken picture, taken at what looks like, a red carpet event. You can see Snoop in the middle, looking serious as always, surrounded by two girls. Hip hop/rap songs, are sometimes and sometimes MOST times, about girls, usually hot ones. So its not a surprise to see Snoop, surrounded by them, when the image he gives out through his body language, dress sense, and music, is the char actor of a playboy/ladies’ man, who gets what he wants and is alluring to women, because of how much money he has.

He is dressed, like in the last one, rather casually, but still wearing the bling round his neck, and the very serious and intimidating look on his face.

I think people are not only attracted to artists like Snoop Dogg, because of the type of music they make, but because of how they act, look, and dress. Artists under the rap/hip hop genre, are rarely shy artists, and usually very bold and outgoing. The public, and the artists fan base, is usually attracted by this, as not only does it make the artists more interesting, but their work is more creative.