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Ideas For Video - Initial thoughts

     Instead of the more sensible option of choosing a song first and then coming up with ideas for the video, I'm doing it the other way around as I already have a few ideas as to what I would like to create. I want the video to make a statement about people and the secret wishes we pretend not to have.

Ideas For Video - Moodboard

Advert Analysis - Lost Prophets

Band: Lost Prophets

Album: 'The Betrayed'

Genre: Alternative rock

Album Release Date: 18th January 2010

Album Cover:

     This advert, unlike the other two examples, doesn't use the exact same image as the album cover, but it does use parts, such as the bands faces which feature at the top of the album cover, they have been edited slightly to look less bright and slightly more monotone, they have also had the blue electrical looking lines removed as these graphics are not on the advert. The typography is also the same on both articles and it works well with the electrical theme on the album cover, which is a very energetic, bold picture, mirroring the loud, alternative music on the album. 

     The rest of the advert is has a black background, except just under the title of the new album, the bands bird shaped logo can be seen faintly, this promotes their image and identifies them. The name of the band is at the very top of the ad which introduces them, then in the centre, and in the largest font, is the title of the album, which is the most eye catching element of the picture, it makes a statement about the music of the album, the title relates to what people will hear on it so the choice of the title, and using it as the focus point, means the viewer gets an insight into the music and the bands style/genre. Below this is the usual other information found,  the recording company, the bands website and an online site where it can be purchased along the bottom, the release date and tracks that are included are displayed and then are also the only bits of writing in blue, instead of white, this allows them to be more noticeable but without stealing the attention from the album title, there is also a line near the bottom which is a lyric from one of the bands older albums that fans would recognize.

Advert Analysis - You Me At Six

Band: You Me At Six

Album: 'Hold Me Down'

Genre: Pop Punk

Release Date: 11th January 2010 (by Virgin records)

Album Cover:

     Again this example displays the usual use of the album cover as the image/part of the image on the album advert. This image is very strange and colourful, it certainly catches your attention. The bands name is in a simple font but the typography of the album title is in the style of freehand writing which gives it a fun edge. Both titles also look as if they are stuck on with cellotape, this provides a connotation of youth, linking the image to the stereotype that teenagers have posters up in their rooms held by 'messy looking' cellotape. The crazy vivid colours and images, and the use of the cellotape all create a young, fun, rebellious tone to the picture overall, this embodies the music of the album (pop punk) perfectly.

     There is less writing on this advert than on the Florence & the machine one, but it still has the necessary information such as the release date, the formats it can be purchased in, a website in the bottom left corner which I can't quite make out, the record companies logo in the bottom right corner and also, in the middle at the bottom there is a popular site where the album can be bought. The date of the albums release is the largest size font and the only one in yellow, naturally this causes it to stand out which means the viewer can instantly know when they will be able to buy the album.

Advert Analysis - Florence & The Machine

Band: Florence & The Machine

Album: 'Lungs'

Genre: indie pop/baroque pop/experimental

Album Release Date: 6th July 2009

     I've included this advert in my analysis just to see the way it links to the album cover that I have already analysed. The two are very similar, the same image, typography and position of the titles has been used. The main difference is the extra information beneath the album title telling the date of its release, tracks included on the CD, various formats it can be purchased as, the bands website and finally the small logos in the botom right corner which I can't see clear enough to distinguish but I assume it is the logos of the different producers/record companies involved in the album.

     This advert displays the same image as the album it is advertising which allows for a clear connection between the two, this is especially important considering this was the bands first album and the audience were not yet overly familiar with them. The information given below the picture is done in short sentences or points and provides everything relevant that someone considering purchasing the album may want to know, without creating huge paragraphs of writing that people wouldn't bother to read. The information is also in white which matches the colours of the album and band title on thr picture of the album cover and a simple font is used, this makes the image stand out more in the picture, the writing doesn't steal the focus.

CD Cover Analysis - Florence & The Machine 2

Band: Florence & The Machine

Album: 'Ceremonials'

Genre: indie pop/baroque pop/experimental

Album release: 31st October 2011

Track listing:

1. 'Only If For A Night' (4:58)
2. 'Shake It Out' (4:37)
3. 'What The Water Gave Me' (5:33)
4. 'Never Let Me Go' (4:31)
5. 'Breaking Down' (3:49)
6. 'Lover To Lover' (4:02)
7. 'No Light, No Light' (4:34)
8. 'Seven Devils' (5:03)
9. 'Heartlines' (5:01)
10. 'Spectrum' (5:11)
11. 'All This And Heaven Too' (4:05)
12. 'Leave My Body' (4:34)

     I am analysing the second album released by Florence & The Machine, also released by Island Records, to explore the similarities/differences between the two, partly for my own personal curiosity, but also to see the use of the star image, if there is one present.

     The image is visually more 'mature' and serious than the previous one, which was quite playful. The composition is almost black everywhere apart from Florence (and her two reflections) who's pale skin and bright red hair and lips stand out from the background, she catches your attention. This is similar to the last album cover, with a mid-shot of Florence who is the only person present in the picture, and also being in the centre of the frame presenting her as confident and bold. Her costume in this picture, however, is far less 'hippy' and fun, it is more mature and formal. Her make-up is also bolder than it was in the previous image. The same three point lighting system seems to of been used so that Florence is completely lit up, but the background is still dark.

     The basic layout and idea of this album cover are the same as the last, the lead singer has solely been used to give the band a personal identification, she is presented using a mid shot and in the centre of the frame showing her as bold and also allowing her sexuality to be shown. The use of lighting and dark colour in the background make her stand out even more so, she really catches the audiences attention, especially on this second cover. In contrast to the first cover, this image has a far more serious tone, there are no fun props or bright colours like the previous and her body language and costume present the singer in a far more formal, restrained way. This development within the pictures matches the also slightly matured music on this second album showing a relationship between the music and visuals.

     The typography used for the band title is the same as on the first cover except slightly thinner which makes it look slightly more formal, this supports the idea that the second album cover is being presented in a more mature way to match the development/ change of the music. It has been placed in the same place as it was on the other cover which gives a sense of identification between the two. The album title uses an interesting font which is less simple than on the previous cover, again enforcing the idea that the music has grown since the first album.                   

CD Cover Analysis - Florence & The Machine

Band: Florence & The Machine

Album: 'Lungs'

Genre: Indie pop/baroque pop/experimental

Album Release: 6th July 2009

Track Listing:

1. 'Dog Days Are Over' (4:13)
2. 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)' (3:52)
3. 'I'm Not Calling You A Liar' (3:05)
4. 'Howl' (3:34)
5. 'Kiss With A Fist' (2:04)
6. 'Girl With One Eye' (3:39)
7. 'Drumming Song' (3:44)
8. 'Between Two Lungs' (4:09)
9. 'Cosmic Love' (4:16)
10. 'My Boy Builds Coffins' (2:57)
11. 'Hurricane Drunk' (3:13)
12. 'Blinding' (4:40)
13. 'You've Got The Love' (2:49)

     Florence & the machine formed in 2007 and originate from London. This album was released by Island Records and was the first by the band. The cover features Florence Welch, the lead singer and writer, she acts as the face of Florence & The Machine. She appears to be posing in front of a prop/tree, with twigs and flowers around her, and there are two colourful birds, one perched on a twig left of her head and the other in flight on her right. She is wearing what appears to be a top made from thin chains and she wears a ribbon around her neck which holds a pair of fake lungs infront of her chest, preventing the picture from being too revealing. The fake lungs are contrastingly red compared to her pale skin and stand out in the image. The album title sits just over the lungs, obviously the prop and the title, 'Lungs' relate, but placing them with each other creates an even bigger impact and a strong identification between the two.

     The band title is at the top of the cover in white, like the album title, which makes it stand out against the black background and dark picture. The typography is very informal and fun for the bands name, this fits the style of the band well as they are known for being relaxed and playful, but the album title is written in a more formal font and and has a line above and below it trapping the word, the music on the album is serious at times and the lyrics discuss some serious topics so the typography used for the album title relates well to them.

     The music on the album is also quite odd, as a band, people have often put them into the category of experimental when discussing their genre, the strange, fantastical image on the front mirrors their stye as people, Florence Welch is known for her quirky fashion sense, and it matches the often strange music by the band. The use of the different props and high key lighting, on Florence in particular, create an overall vibrant, interesting picture that catches your attention and identifies the bands image and sells the music of the album.

CD Cover Analysis - Elvis Presley

Artist: Elvis Presley

Album: Elvis

Genre: Rock and Roll, Rockabilly

Album Release: October 1956

Track Listing:
Side One-

1. 'Rip It Up' (1:50)
2. 'Love Me' (2:41)
3. 'When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again' (2:18)
4. 'Long Tall Sally' (1:41)
5. 'First In Line' (3:21)
6. 'Paralyzed' (2:18)

Side Two-

1. 'So Glad You're Mine' (2:18)
2. 'Old Shep' (4:10)
3. 'Ready Teddy' (1:55)
4. 'Anyplace Is Paradise' (2:26)
5. 'How's The World Treating You?' (2:23)
6. 'How Do You Think I Feel?' (2.10)

(This album was also rereleased in 1999 with bonus tracks)

     This album cover is quite basic to look at, it features the artist in the centre of the frame and taking up a large portion of  it overall. He is looking up slightly to where the album name sits infront of him in the top right corner in solid red letters. A simple typography is used which adds a boldness to the CD name, which of course is the artist name as well. At the time when Elvis became a published recording artist, his music was very controversial, as they say he was the beginning of rock music, people weren't familiar with it and many, the older generations in particular, condoned it for being 'too out there', by keeping the cover quite simple the music would of seemed less daunting and out of place.

     This cover is very much promoting Elvis himself with the use of his picture and also his name as the album title, which makes sense as he was also known for his attractive appearance and vivacious personality that so many fell in love with.