Planning - Storyboard

Lesson 9 storyboard template from Connor Southwell

Print Production Planning - Moodboard

Moodboard from ThorForster

Print Production Planning - Logos

Logos from ThorForster

Print Production Planning - Images

Images from ThorForster

Evaluation Q4

Q4 from ThorForster

Evaluation Q3

Question 3 by thor on Scribd

Evaluation Q1

Evaluation q1 from ThorForster

Evaluation Q2

An essential element of creating prints and a music video, is too maintain synergy to develop a coherent brand identity for our band. This is a strong feature of our piece, as our music is in the indie genre, which prides itself on the close relationship between artist and audience; primarily developed through a successful brand identity and recognition. Our productions are linked in various different ways, including generically, visually, thematically and through representation.

Throughout our production, we have maintained a constant correlation to the indie genre and it's conventions, through a range of components. Firstly, the love or relationship based narrative is very typical of the indie genre, especially talking about past experiences of the artist and how they effected him emotionally. This personal integration formulates a bond between audience and artist emotionally, further developing the brand identity as the viewer feels like they know the artist. By choosing a relationship narrative, we were able to incorporate this theme directly and symbolically in all areas of production. In addition, with the music video, the entire narrative and visuals followed this conventional indie feature of relationships. Strengthened through the linear narrative ensuring clarity and commitment from the audience to the artists past memories and feelings. One key part of the relationship themed narrative is it lets the audience understand the artists personality and inner feelings, not only lyrically but visually through the music video. By choosing this cinematic style to our music video it allows the audience to relate and become immersed, possibly making them apply the meaning and lyrics of the song to their own lives. This is hugely effective when creating a brand identity as it puts both singer and fan on the same page, emotionally. This genre convention of relationship based narratives is also employed within the album cover and four panels; through deep purple and dark colour schemes, this time focusing on symbolism and it's metaphorical meaning. The dark colour pallet contrasted to the pink and purple skies, symbolizing the inner anguish and sadness after the relationship had deteriorated. 

Another genre convention that has been employed within my work is prominent artist shots, this is essential to formulating a coherent brand identity and complying to indie conventions. As seen by many indie artists in their music videos, for example Moose Blood's 'I Hope Your Missing Me', artist and band shots are paramount to their video production as they sustain a coherent brand identity through this. Seen within our music video, we comply meticulously to this convention, as we see it as vital, by using singular performance shots with minimal distraction from mise en scene around the singer, we can ensure a clear direct mode of address. As seen in this screenshot, our artist fills the frame, positioned using rules of composition such as the rule of thirds; this makes the shot more attractive to the audience, engaging them. In retrospect, too create synergy, it could have been beneficial to use the artist in our three media productions, rather than just the music video, this would have further developed a brand identity and familiarity to the audience. However in saying that, synergy is created between the productions through the familiarity of the male actor, in the relationship, of which Choose Wisely's feelings and thoughts are conveyed. Thus maintaining continuity through narrative as opposed to performance. 

Typical of the Indie genre is a muted colour scheme or monochrome filter to symbolize the heartache or emotional downpour they deliver through their lyrics. This genre convention is explored through bands like The Neighbourhood, whom employ the monochrome filter in the majority of their videos, such as 'Daddy Issues'. By conforming to the genre and taking influence from existing bands, Choose Wisely, as an image, is able to develop and target the key elements of the genre. Through incorporating this convention the genre of our music is clear across all platforms of our media. Firstly, with our music video, the use of the monochrome filter is employed in the shots of the male character after the broken down relationship, symbolizing his melancholy emotions and fragility. This metaphor is particularly effective as it uses colour to resemble feeling, this allows the audience to connect directly, bringing the artist and audience closer. Furthermore, the muted colour scheme can be seen in the poster and album panels; this is because we wanted to maintain the symbolism of desaturated colour to represent the artists feelings of depression and longing that are outlined in the song lyrics. As displayed in the poster, seen in this screenshot; I have maintained continuity in colour scheme, dark purples, green's band blacks; all holding metaphorical and symbolic value. My poster, as with all my media productions shows how nature is secure and humans disrupt it; similar to the narrative of broken down relationships; this is displayed through the distorted and fragmented tree's seen at the top of the poster. To maintain synergy and familiarity across all of my media productions, I used the same male actor as in the video, for the poster and album panels; this is effective as it displays consistency and a constructive image.

The natural setting of the music video and print productions is a key convention seen throughout indie music, so i followed this convention and applied it too all areas of production. It has great metaphorical and symbolic meaning when used, especially when applied to the theme of relationships; as it suggests loneliness and isolation. When combined with the theme, a deep feeling of being lost, emotionally and physically is created; this symbolism is employed in various music videos. Such as in Front Porch Step's 'Perfect Man', in which we see the artist in the forest, alone, whilst singing a song of heartbreak and longing. The incorporation of this convention displays how the genre of the music is clear throughout my productions as all locations are natural and holding the same symbolism. The symbolism of a vast forest or open field, combined with a singular shot of the artist or narrative character connotes a isolated and lonely atmosphere; which is strengthened by the lyrics and narrative of the song. This is a key convention of the indie genre, as an element of this type of music is differentiation and personality, through performance and lyricism. 

To conclude my generic links, it is clear that I have employed genre conventions throughout all areas of my print productions, making my genre of music clear. This is a key element of creating a coherent brand identity for my artist as it markets his constructed image throughout the genre. Furthermore, I feel we have formulated a coherent message through the print productions and music video by employing these conventions.

Visual links are key in developing a coherent brand identity; this is an area I feel we conducted successfully. Through synergy across all media productions we were able to maintain several visual links, through imagery, colour schemes, fonts and motifs.
One strong method of creating a coherent brand identity is through a logo for the artist; although in many cases this is successful as it increases familiarity and subconsciously makes you recognize the band, for our artist I didn't feel this would be appropriate. Instead, I created a distinct livery for Choose Wisely, seen in the screenshot displayed, I warped the 's' on both words, to fabricate a recognizable and unique style. Through research around the Indie genre, I discovered that a majority of the pioneering independent bands and artists at the moment, don't have logo's so much as distinct variations of their name. This can be seen to be due to the typical conventions around indie music, of authenticity and clarity, without a logo their image is more raw and personal, of which is common within the genre's music. The 'logo' that I have formulated, maintains that rawness and clarity whilst displaying creativity and instigating familiarity for the audience. In retrospect, although I employed this logo across two media productions, album and poster, I failed to instigate it within the music video. If I was to change anything, this would be one area as it would have increased familiarity, synergy and developed a more coherent and consistent brand identity. As seen in the screenshot, I used this serif style typeface, as it is typical of the indie genre, unlike in pop music that may employ elegant ascender's and descender's in it's typeface. By using only lower case letters when displaying the name of the artist, a sense of informality is maintained. Furthermore, it is unique and not a typical convention; making it more indie. I sustained continuity across all media productions by using the same typeface, this maintains familiarity unconsciously and increases brand identity.

Across all of my productions I have maintained a similar colour scheme, primarily muted colours with an incorporated contrast of purples and greens. This colour scheme was carefully chosen to reflect the emotions, lyrics and themes of the song. By incorporating a colour scheme, primarily of depressive and dark colours in the music video and album cover I am able to comply with the theme of the song and the conventions of the genre. As seen in the music video, I employed a monochrome filter when the relationship was broken down, this gives the filter particular symbolic meaning as it represents the feelings of angst and loneliness for the narrative character. As a key part of Indie music is the audience being able to relate to the lyrics and narrative of the video, this symbolic representation allows the viewer to connect to the song, immersing them and maintaining a brand identity. Similarly, at points of glee and happiness, colours are enhanced and colour grading is employed to sharpen certain aspects. Through this correlation of colour scheme to narrative, synergy and continuity is secured. To maintain a coherent brand identity for our artist, this symbolic colour scheme is used across all of my media productions, as seen in the poster and album covers, a dark blue colour scheme is employed to represent sadness and sorrow. However, in the album covers I have incorporated pinks among the blues with high saturation, to suggest hopefulness and the moving on to a new relationship.

Through the incorporation of a visual motif in the music video the linear narrative becomes more complex and gives the narrative symbolic meaning, also the motif immerses the audience into the narrative and message of the song. By choosing to use a chess piece as our motif, we have a direct link to the theme, love as a game, this metaphor is explored throughout the music video as we see the relationship gradually deteriorate and a clear 'loser' is displayed. This motif was made effective through constant visual stimulation throughout the video, maintaining a symbolic essence forcing the audience to think about the meaning and message the song outlines. The constant repetition of the chess piece helps to reinforce the theme of the video, relationships as games and there eventual demise. As seen in the screenshot displayed, the male character is holding the white queen chess piece, this holds symbolic meaning for the female character. The white colour gives connotations of purity and innocence, this shot gives clear visual symbolism of relationships as games and the characters are just players. This shot is followed by the male character dropping the piece, this symbolises the end of the relationship and is then strengthened by the two people arguing. Through this relationship between narrative and motif, the simple linear narrative is given depth and made more complex. 

My final visual link I shall analyse is that of consistent mise en scene, lighting and composition across all productions. By maintaining continuity across productions a coherent brand identity is sustained and a cohesive image is implemented. High key non diegetic lighting is sustained throughout all performance shots to ensure clarity in recognising the artist, this is complying with the indie genre which focuses heavily on artist orientated videos to convey personality. Across the album covers and poster I used low key natural lighting to create a raw and soft atmosphere. I incorporated silhouettes and shadows confidently within my designs, this is too give metaphorical meaning of a shadow of former self. The dark and shadowed pictures are employed to suggest that the song relates to those listening, that anyone can fill the shoes of the silhouette almost. When looking back, although their is some synergy across all three texts, by not incorporating the artist in my print productions I am limiting the synergy in that area. However, I am still making a direct link between print production and music video through using the same narrative characters. One key area in which synergy is displayed is through location, by using natural settings I was able to connote isolation and loneliness after the break up. This synergy further increases familiarity for the audience; also, natural settings are key features of indie music videos as they hold significant connotations and atmospheres. An example of my media production's location complying to the genre conventions is Milky Chance's - Down by the River, in which natural setting is employed to suggest purity and innocence.

To conclude my visual links it is clear I have applied synergy across my media productions; in some areas such as artist imagery, this could have been included in all areas of my media piece. But, as a whole there are clear visual links across all media productions through logos, colour scheme, font and mise en scene.

Across my productions there are many thematic links that are implemented, such as love as a game and narrative link with same male actor. The theme of relationships being like games and them inevitably ending is displayed through a motif of chess pieces in the music video and colour schemes and single shots in the print productions. Firstly, through the recurring motif of a chess piece the them of love as a game is reinforced, this is key as it is a theme that the audience may be able to relate too, which is a key element of the indie genre. In retrospect, too maintain synergy with this thematic link I should have included the motif within my print productions. This would have linked my productions more effectively thus developing a coherent brand identity.

A key element of my media productions is the narrative link between all three productions through the use in the same male actor, this reinforces the narrative and maintains continuity and synergy. Furthermore, it helps with the audiences emotional attachment to the character and artist thus reinforcing the personal relationship between audience and artist that is so key within the indie genre. By using the same character, the audience are directly positioned as watching him, following his emotional experience, the viewer is positioned to feel empathetic to the character. Alongside the use of the same actor I ensured, to display the relationship demise, a coherent and consistent colour scheme. This further reinforced familiarity and acted as a projection for the characters emotions; for example the dark purples and blacks suggest despondency after the break up.

The constructed image that I tried to create for my artist revolves around the personal relationship between artist and audience. This down to earth constructed image is employed to sustain relatibility for the audience; this is done through costume of the artist being similar to that of the chosen demographic and familiar song topics, such as relationship break ups. The costume of the artist and that of the male character in the print productions is very typical of the indie genre and correlates heavily to the audiences look. This reinforces the personal relationship between artist and audience as they have wearing the same clothes and having the same brand interests such as that of Dickies and Carhartt. My productions depict the artist as humanistic and relatable, this is conveyed through the song lyrics and image of the artist. Rather than singing about money and fame, the artist's lyrics focus on familiar topics for the audience, love and relationships. Also, these topics are typical of the indie genre and comply with existing conventions. The music video's narrative displays an extreme representation of a break up, this idea of amplified representations is explored by theorist Andy Medhurst. Medhurst states that through stereotyping and giving characters an extreme representation audience identification is allowed. I incorporated Angela McRobbie's Post Feminist Theory too my music video, both male and female protagonists are displayed on the same power level, this is challenging mainstream and hegemonic stereotypes of voyeurism and objectification.

In conclusion, I feel I have effectively captured synergy, continuity and developed a coherent brand identity across all media productions. This has been achieved through making generic, visual, thematic and representational links. Although there are some areas I would change and develop, such as synergy through artist imagery, I feel it has been a successful process in developing a coherent brand identity.