Hair, Makeup and costume on my band members

Whilst investigating and looking into what other music artists wear and how they style their hair and makeup, i have came up with my own style for my band members taking everything into consideration, such as forms and conventions.

Danielle

This is Danielle one of the band members. I had decided for her to wear very light and natural makeup as it promotes the idea that girls dont have to wear a lot of make-up to look beautiful. So this may challenge forms and conventions of the media as girls normally wear load's of make up in order to stand out.

I lastly thought a dress would be ideal to wear as it is sexy but classy at the same time. It teases the audience as there is not too much showing but then enough to entice the audience into watching and liking the music video. I lastly chose these high strappy high heel shoes as they are sexy and stylish and goes well with the dress. Throughout i chose military sort of style for each of the band members as this fashion is what is in style at the moment, which may influence the audience into liking and following their fashion. Lastly i chose to keep her hair down as it looks more feminine and decided to give her a light wave in her hair giving it more "body".

Paris

This is Paris another of the band members. You can see i had decided to change her style a bit from Danielle to giver her her own identity. I still decided to use natural looking makeup except the idea of the bright red lipstick. The reason i decided to add in the lipstick is to entice the audience as it portrays the message that she is passionate, sexy and a positive connotation of love which fits into the song as the song is all about love and addiction. I also painted her nails red and made her wear a red bra underneath the black so the colour scheme all goes well with eachother, it will also make her stand out on screen. This look may also promote a new fashion trend. Again the red bra underneath the black may also entice the male audience. I had also decided for her to wear these high waisted military type trousers to go with the rest of the military look for the band members. I think this outfit really compliments her figure and promotes the idea that you dont have to be as skinny as a twig like some music artists to be sexy and beautiful.

Nkeena

This is the last of the band members, her name is Nkeena. I had also decided for her to wear natural makeup like the other of the band members, to promote the ideas as said above you dont need a lot of make-up to make yourself look beautiful. She like the other two members are wearing black as it makes them look classy and smart and for me this look tends to go with the song. I have also decided for her to wear this military jacket as this type of look is in fashion right now so it is important for band members to follow the latest fashion. She is also wearing black tights to make her look more innocent and come across as a sophisticated member. I decided that i would be a good idea for her to have a fringe as it makes her diffrent from the other band members, keeping their own unique identity as well as being members of the same band.

The Group- Crystal Blaque

Here are the band members, all together as a group. As you can see the whole look goes well with eachother but still allowing each of the members to be their own person and keep their own identity. I have decided to influence them to wear the military type of clothing such as Danielles dress, Paris's high waisted trousers and Nkeenas military crop jackets as it is in fashion but it goes with the context of the song. Meaning the girls are on a mission and determined to be their mens addiction and they are the ones in power and have the upper hand, so do militraty officers, they to tend to be in power and have the upper hand.

Evidence for shooting (1)

 Here we are testing the shots and setting up for the shooting. We at this point in the filming are using a "Crane" which you can see in the picture.

 Another close up of the crane and the little viewer that we used to see how certain things will look on the screen in order to help us make changes and improve on certain things.

Filming is in process, Danielle is up first singing her verse of the song. We adjusted the lighting as you can see to make the shot more professional and for her to stand out more. We also used the stairs as a prop.

 Next was Paris's verse, here she is singing and moving to her verse. As you can see the lighting and positioning to Danielle's shot is diffrent, giving each of the band members their own identity and individaulity. We had also decided to put the chair there so we can rest the camera on it when it is out of use.

 Lastly was Nkeena singing her part of the song which is the bridge. Again we used the crane shot. However on our next shooting we may consider using more cameras so it will give a variety of diffrent shots, making the video look more interesting and professional.

 Here is one of the group members setting up the crane for the filming.

 Again here is a long shot with both the camera man and one of the artist's in view so you can see the positioning and setting of the shooting.

Here is one of the A2 group members again setting up for the shot during the instrumental at the beginning of the song. We have decided to add in a  shot of a musician playing the drums at the beginning of the music video so it fits in well with the beginning part of the song where it is introduced with drums. However we are not going to include the musicians face and body, instead we are just going to include the arms, hands, and the drums. We have decided on this as we think this may be a unique shot.

Here again the camera man is setting up for the filming.

Here the band member is sorting out the white balance on the camera

Here we are setting up the green screen behind the drums so that we can add our own edits and designs behind the drums when it comes to the editing part of the music video. This will make the video look more interesting and advanced.

Rough sketches for front cover digipak

This is one of my ideas for my front cover of my digipak. This sketch consists of all three girls in this type of poition. I will have them posing for the camera then after the pciture is taken i will edit it to put their names over the images, like what i have done here. The reason I want to include their names is so their audience can become familar with each of the band members. I will then add the name on the botton of the front cover "Crystal Blaque"  I have added it within this sketch at the bottom but unfortunatly came our wrong on the scanner. The colours used here depend on the type and colour of the clothing that is going to be worn on the day the shoot is taken place. The type of images used here on this front cover may increase sales as the pictures are sexy, making the audience more attracted and wanting to find out what else the band offers.

This is my second idea. I will have all three of the artists sectioned into their own box. I got inspired to have this sort of design through doing research into other CD covers. In each of the boxes i will have the band members laying down and looking into the camera. This should attract the male audience as the piture will be sexy and enticing. However it wont be too over the top as the girls are going to be fully dressed. I will then put the name of the band going down the right hand sideo of the front cover like i have done here. The "scribbles" that i have added beside the individual pictures will be each of their signitures. This idea may also lead to more sales as it looks proffessional and may be diffrent from other CD's on the market. In addition it will be a signed CD cover making the price of the CD increase. This may be good idea for a "Collectors Edition". Again colour will later be decided on depending on what they are going to wear on the day of the shoot. That still needs to be addressed.

This is my first idea. This front cover consist of mostly medium close-ups of the band members. I will have them in this position or something similar. The reason I particulary like this idea is because it is not showing off too much e.g. body or curves. Instead it is just showing off facial beauty. Again this may also increase sales as the girls are portraying they have respect for themselves which may result in their audience/fanbase showing respect back. It also challenges the media conventions that women are seen as "Sex Symbols". This type of front cover will attract a wide range of diffrent audiences from all diffrent backgrounds. Another positive of this type of cover is that it wont make women feel uncomfortable with their body and feel depressed and look at the idea that this is the way girls should look as it is distributed through the medium. Instead it just shows a mid close up shot of the artists, not giving too much away, leaving the rest for the audiences imagination. I have decided to place the name of the band like i have done so here as it is diffrent and should stand out from other CD's on the shelf.

This is another of my front cover ideas. Here i have decided to use mid- shots of the band members,again within their own individual frames to portray the idead that each of the members have their own identity depsite the idea of them being one band. I have decided to put one of the singers in the middle and this singer will be looking directly at the camera whilst the two singers on the side will be side on to the camera. All three will make eye contact with the camera in order to entice the audience. Again colour will be decided on later depending on what they will be wearing on the day of the shoot. I have decided to put the name on the top of this CD cover in order to make it easily recongnisable to the audience.

Evidence of Equipment rentals for Music Video

I have edited the important part of the details such as mobile number, house number and student signature due to privacy reasons.
Listed above are all the Equipment we will be using and getting out for our music video.

Front Cover Analysis of Music CD’s

I like the design of this CD as it is bright and interesting. I like the fact how each of the band members clothes go well with one another, hence the colour. I also like how the colour of the background matches with the clothes, although it does make the image camouflage into the background. I think it would have been better if they had used a different colour background making the image stand out more as the image contributes to sales of the CD.
Also the font used for the title is hard to read. If you are not familiar with the band then you will find it hard to read what it says. The picture is the first thing the buyer will see so it is important that the image is clear and the band members are easily recognisable. The title of the band name is also what sells the CD so it is important to make the title as bold and readable as possible so the audience are able to identify the product quickly standing out from the other CDs on the shelf. I in addition like the fact how all the singers are at different levels and doing different postures this shows each of the member’s individuality and uniqueness. For example Beyonce (the artist lying across the floor) looks sexy and seductive whilst the singer on the left is giving off a more of a laid back sweet look. The fact that the girls are also showing skin and assets increase the sales as it will target older men as well as younger males. Overall I would give this CD cover 8/10.

This group called “TLC” for their front cover they have used mid shots of each of the members. The artists also seem fully clothed which is sort of unusual these days for girl band members to be fully dressed as normally you would find them in very little clothing showing off skin in order to increase sales and popularity, creating a larger fan base. I think this front cover is very plain and boring it’s made up of four colours that don’t seem to go very well with each other in this case (Blue, Green, White, Purple and Black) it seems there are too many colours used at once. The fact that all the band members are dressed in black makes their characters seem dull, boring and lifeless and that is not the message you want to portray especially as performers. The effects also look very cheap. The fact that one of the band members is in the middle and the other two remaining ones are standing either side behind her is showing status. Something that is not good when having a group picture taken unless the status is easily recognisable such as the main singer who always sings the main part stands in the middle. Otherwise this sort of posture and placement of the members may cause favouritism.  There is no sex appeal or femininity within this image. Lastly the name of the band on the CD cover is not neatly presented making it hard for the audience to find the CD and distinguish the CD from others on the shelf.  I would rate this CD cover a 3/10

I like this CD cover as it is plain and simple, but at the same time interesting. The name of the band is clear so easy for the target audience to identify and recognise from the other CDs on the shelf.  The girl’s are also wearing very little clothing to entice the audience and increase sales. They are also wearing sort of the same thing but each having their own individual style. The black clothing contrasts the background making them stand out more. However this look don’t really look like a CD cover picture as they all seem very lifeless and have no energy. They are not doing much with their body and their posture is poor. It seems as if they was unprepared and was not too sure on what they were doing. In my opinion I think that if you are going to do a plain front cover like this one here the band members should at least be doing more than just standing there. I think they should all be at different levels and in different positions. This shall increase sales as it will portray the message that if the group look interesting then their music should be too. Overall I would give this front cover 7/10.

This is one of my favourite CD covers. The reason I really like this one is because it is different from other CD covers as they normally consist of the whole band showing their body and being a long shot. However this one is a close up shot showing their facial beauty rather than their body. This will go against the stereotypes that the medium normally emphasise that women are seen as sex symbols. I like how the picture is divided into three parts. The name of the band is also on the top of the CD making it easier for the market to identify. I also like the colours here it isn’t too bright nor to dull, all the colours go well with one another. The fact that they are also looking directly into the camera grabs the audience’s attention. I also like the way the CD cover has the cold border around it. I would overall give this CD 9/10

What makes a good CD cover by using the analysis above that I conducted?

• Create  a bright and interesting CD cover to entice the audience
• Band members clothes match
• Use a diffrent colour clothing to the background colour of the CD (So image dosent camoflage into background)
• Make sure the font of the title is easy to read
• Make the image clear so band members can be recognised
• Have the band members in diffrent positions and levels
• The singers have their own poses (shows uniqueness andindividuality of the band members)
• Have the girls show a bit of sking to increase sales and broaden the market
• Dont use too many colours on the front cover
• Not use too many effects as it can make the cover look cheap
• Try not to create status by positioning of the band members as it may cause favouritism

Location and Maps of Settings

We are going to film our whole music video within Stanmore, which is located in Middlesex London. Here is a map on where about exactly we are filming within Stanmore-
(The red pointer with the "A" inside is the location on the map)

We are going to be recording at a drama studio located within stanmore college. We may even use the dance studio to record the dance routine which is going to be used within the chorus.

Location of drama studio-

Located in Stanmore college inside the building of "Beech"

The dance Studio is Located in " The Main Hall"

Here is a map of Stanmore College Main Campus with the locations of filming on it.

The reason we have decide to film within this area is because it is easy access for everyone within my group and the band members to get to. In addition it also has all the facilities we need to produce our music video in one location making it less time consuming and affordable.

I have conducted a questionnaire to ask each of the members within the band

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What is your music background?
4. Why do you want to record and realease your own music?
5. Who are your musical influences?
6. What are your songs about?
7. What are your long term career goals
8. How would you define the word “sucess”
9. Do you have any personal contacts within the music business
10. When did you start singing and performing
11. When did you realise that you want a future career in this industry
12. What live performance experience have you had?
13. How do you rate your live performance ability?
14. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?
15. If he could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why?
16. Who is your hero?
17. What do you think your listeners will get out of your music?
20. What is the most difficult thing you had to endure in the music industry?
21. How does it feel to be finally getting your break?
22. What do you hope to do with your music?

About My Inspired Music Video (Brief)

The music video that has inspired me in composing my own music video is selah - "a woman world". I searched numerous amount of videos and found this one is my favourite. The reason for this choice is beause its plain and simple, filmed in a studio rather than filmed at diffrent locations which may make the video look "Cheap" and disarranged.

I like the establishing shots within the music video so have decided to use something silmilar within mine. the reason i like the establishment shots is because it defines each of the band members, it zooms right in to define their features enabling the target market members to become familar with the band members. The fact that it is just a simple colour at the background brings out the artist more making the shot look "classy" and "Smart" not too much is going on within the frame. Another Advantage of this kind of establishing shot is that there is nothing else going on within the frame so doesent distract you from the establishment of the band members.

I also like the way the name of the group flashes on screen it may be seen as an other establishment but this time of the group name rather than the members. We may even decide to include something like this within our music video.

I am also inspired by the costume and makeup within the music video they are both just plain and natural. The fact that the girls within the music video are fully dressed it challenges the conventions that women dress up as little as possible creating sex symbols for the male audience.

The fact that they also create their own individual unique look like how Lady GaGa does in her music videos. It makes them diffrent from other musicians in the same market as them. For Example one of the band members within the music video wears a helmet type of hat, something i have never seen be done before.

The numerous amount of diffrent shots makes the music video look more professional and gives more variety to the music video. Such shots include high angle, low angle, long shot, close-up etc.

The fact that the shots and mis-en-scene within the music video go with the lyrics and soundtrack, the music video is based on a "womans world" they have props that associate with a womans lifestyle such as the colour schemes used and flowers.

I also like how during the establisment shots of each of the band members, names came up during the shot linking the band members with their names for future referance. It gives more information on each of the band members from each of the establishment shots including name and identity.