Madonna 'Living For Love' Brit awards peformance

On the 25th of February Madonna made her comeback to the Brit Awards after 20 years.  Performing her latest single 'Living For Love' taken form her highly anticipated album 'Rebel Heart', Madonna (or Madge as she is also known as) took to the stage and started, what looked to be an amazing performance. However not all went to plan, here is the video;

After quickly recovering from her fall Madonna finished her performance like a true entertainer and legend that she is.

After the performance had ended Madonna quickly replied to her fans on social media.

She claims her Armani cape was tied too tight for her to undo in time.

After this incident occurred it made world wide major news, quickly appearing on ITV news just after the Brits had finished. 

Social media too went mad with millions writing about Madonna's tumble and has even led to some humorous images.

Although highly embarrassing and probably very painful Madonna has been in all the major press and on the tips of everyone's tongues.  Although not exactly good press, it is still getting her image back out into the public domain again and with the release of her latest album very close any publicity is good publicity.  This level of attention so close to the album release will probably ensure the album climbs to number 1 on the album charts.  Although she may not have won this battle, she will have differently won the war.

This will undoubtedly prove 'Any publicity is good publicity!'.

This can also be linked to Post-modernism.  The huge amount of press coverage and 'noise' created about a virtually minor incident proves how we all live in a post-modern age.

To Do List

I have just discovered the deadline for the coursework is around the beginning of April.  To complete my filming I must make sure I have completed several things, like;

• I must book a day in the studio for filming
• I must finish my Sedan chair
• I must set the lighting up
• I must finish choreographing and rehearsing the dance
• I must write letters to parents to gain permission to allow the dancers out of school bounds
• I must buy costumes and props
• I must clear the drama studio

 

introduction music

to extend my music video I have decided to have opening music. Many music video start with a different instrumental to extend the video.

 

 

I have decided to use Lady Gaga's 'Government Hooker'.  I feel the sound of the music helps to build the tension up and again gives an eclectic but also Avant Garde feel.

Album Poster

Another one of my tasks is to create an album poster.  I have decided to look at a range of posters from a range of artists to give me some ideas.

From these 4 posters it is easy to see that all of them include the artist as the main image and they all contain images from the album cover.  All of these except Micheal Jackson contain their name and the dates the album is released, as Micheal Jackson is such a major name and face in music he does not need to be named on his poster as he is globally known.  All the names are the largest font on the poster.

As you can also see majority of the posters use the album cover as the main image, this is used to create synergy between the advertising and the product, this also allows the audience to remember the album cover image and instead of looking for the title in a shop they can simply find the images (as pictures are easier to remember than names)

They all contain song references, although Michaels Jacksons poster has the album title, that is also a name of a track on the album.

Sedan chair part 2

After getting my chair I have now started to add the poles and arms.

With the help of my dad I have now got two arms and two carrier poles on my chair.  I may need to strengthen the carrier poles slightly as they will be in use a lot during my video.

Now I can start with the decoration and transforming  the chair into a throne!

Sedan chair

For my music video I require a Sedan chair as a prop.  As a leader I need to create a grand entrance and I feel being carried on a Sedan chair would give a good effect and it would also show how we are a tribe.  After looking around I have decided it would be easier to make one rather than hire one.

I have located a chair from my work place that I have been allowed to take, and now my task is to create a Sedan chair from it.

here is the chair before work started;

As you can see it is a very basic chair, this will require a lot of work and decorating to create a realistic and operational Sedan chair.

Here is my sketch of the Sedan chair how I would like it to look like when finished;

The Conventions of a CD Album Cover

Looking at many different album covers it is clear there is a tried and tested formula to creating a successful and marketable cover.

all Album covers feature a main image.

all album covers have some sort of main image, many artists (especially pop stars) have a close up of their face.  Other alternative and well known artists simply use a more deeper and mysterious image, like a cartoon or like the Pet Shop Boys (middle image) a simple, plain yet effective shape. 

All album covers feature the name of the album but only the majority feature the name of the artist.

I recently saw this post on Facebook and I find it a very interesting point looking at all of the album covers out there now.

Album Title

The title of the Album is a crucial factor of the popularity of the overall album.  The name needs to be short yet memorable, popular yet sophisticated.  

Looking at the artist 'Up And Coming' I have decided to chose a name based around his persona.  I believe 'Up And Coming's' main trait his loud attitude.  

My initial thoughts remind me of Rihanna's 'Loud' album.

   

I then decided to look up the word loud in a thesaurus, here are the results;

• boisterous
• booming 
• clamorous 
• crashing 
• deafening 
• earsplitting 
• raucous 
• resounding 
• ringing 
• rowdy 
• thundering 
• tumultuous 

• turbulent 
• blaring 
• blustering 
• deep 
• forte 
• full 
• fulminating 
• heavy 
• pealing 
• piercing 
• big 
• blatant 

• cacophonous 
• ear-piercing 
• ear-splitting 
• emphatic 
• full-mouthed 
• high-sounding 
• intense 
• loud-voiced 
• lusty 
• obstreperous 
• powerful 
• rambunctious 

• resonant 
• sonorous 
• stentorian 
• strident 
• strong 
• turned up 
• uproarious 
• vehement 
• vociferous 
• wakes the dead
• outspoken  

I personally really like the sound of 'Outspoken', I feel this is a sophisticated yet snappy word.  Simple enough yet with enough description to pack a punch and create a memorable title.  I would also really like to investigate the juxtaposition between being loud and 'Outspoken' compared to censorship of modern pop culture. 

Artist Development

Looking at my original Artist interview from my AS Media I have decided to use the character of 'Up And Coming' and develop this character further.

Looking at the original interview I can see the character is very outspoken and avant garde.  Not afraid to express his thoughts and feelings 'Up And Coming' is an artist that specializes in a futuristic and unique sound and aesthetic.  

I have decided to catch up with 'Up And Coming' at the release of his second album.  After a highly successful debut album 'Up And Coming' is well known and well respected in the music industry.  I have decided to link the clown outfit and the 'Call Me On The Ouija Board' music video to 'Up And Coming's' debut album.  

 'Up And Coming' has now moved on from the clown aesthetic and after breaking out in the music industry has now decided to take a more sophisticated look and feel.

Still fresh and new on the music scene but with enough popularity and fame behind him to let just his image represent him, 'Up And Coming' is focusing on his all important second album.  Like all artists the second album is just as important and maybe even more important than the first, no one wants to be a one hit wonder!

With the backing of his record company and riding off of his previous success and his new wealth, 'Up And Coming' can now take the time to perfect his craft and his art.  Trying not only to better himself but to also better others and the industry he at the moment is top in.     

       

Music sales and rights

Artists make very little on the sales of their music.  Signed to major record labels, most artists make almost nothing as the record labels take all the music royalties. 

“I’ve never made a dime from a record sale in the history of my record deal. I’ve been very happy with my sales, and certainly my audience has been very supportive. I make a living going out and playing shows.” – Lyle Lovett

This quote shows how the money in the music industry is not made purely from the record sales.  Artists now create most of their money from touring, merchandise and sponsoring. 

Music sales have gone down and the likes of Spotify charge the average of $0.006 and $0.0084 per stream in royalties, although this might seem like a small figure it soon adds up with each play.  Although the money may add up some artists have left Spotify, the like of Taylor Swift have bypassed the online streaming service completely.

  

Letter to Interscope records

Lady Gaga's songs, like all other artists are copyrighted.  If I were to use her material without permission it could be seen as breaking the law.  To gain money using other people works is illegal.  To combat any legal implications I have sent Interscope records (a division of Universal records) an E-mail about my music video and ask them if I am allowed to use Lady Gaga's track.  Here is the E-mail;

 Hopefully They will understand that I am not using the video to create money and will allow me to use the track. 

 I am now waiting for a response.  

First day of filming

With the use of my new white light, I have now started to film the closeup shots needed for my music video.  After recording for approximately 3 hours and experimenting with a range of different colours and lighting, I believe I have made a great start.  

Here is a shot video that Georgia Spencer has created using a selection of shots from the day, I believe this sums my very productive day up! and I am very pleased at what she has created.

Contains STROBING!

makeup test

With the brightness of my new light I cannot be sure if the makeup I am going to use for the video will show up well on the camera.  I decided to do a quick makeup test to check how the makeup would stand up to the bright white light, here is the result;

As you can see one type of makeup is almost invisible, where as the other two can easily be seen.  I have decided to use the grey'er looking eye shadow as it seems to give better coverage and creates a matte finish whereas the other has a more shinny effect.  the other makeup is also more difficult to apply and would be more time consuming to use and to take off.  

Aura Choreography part4

After my lesson with the year 9 dance group I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.  After the first lesson they understand my ideas and are behind me 100%.  This has encouraged me to continue and start filming my music video.  As they are a GCSE dance group they are all highly talented and need little encouragement as they enjoy the challenge.

Miss Green (the dance teacher) would like to watch a live performance of Aura by Lady Gaga at the Itunes festival.  At this performance the choreography can be seen well as the whole show was shot professionally for Apple.  Although this performance is not available on Youtube anymore due to copyright reasons, I am able to play it through the bonus DVD copy added to Lady Gagas ARTPOP album.  

As Miss Green has another dance lesson tomorrow with the year 9 I shall en-devour to turn up and show them the DVD.  

As I left the lesson today I left the class with some work to do.  Looking to my storyboard it is obvious I need a dramatic looking entrance as the tribe enter from the double doors.  I left them with the task of discovering and rehearsing how they would do this, I hope to see their results tomorrow.  I shall then let them listen to the entrance music to see if they can adapt their entrances further.    

White Light part2

After learning that the strobe light would be ineffective I later took a trip down to my local electrical store and found this 10W LED light.  A very bright, white light with a powerful beam I believe this will be perfect lighting for my scenes with white backgrounds.  I am so happy with this light and I shall start to film my solo clips tomorrow.  Here is the light and here are a few test shots using the light.

 

'Call Me On The Ouija Board' reactions

Here are the reaction videos from the first view of the 'Call Me On The Ouija Board' music video

Aura choreography part3

Thanks to Montsaye's brilliant dance teacher Miss Green I have now got a full dance troupe.

Miss Green has now arranged for her class of year 9 dancers to study Aura in their lessons.  This is a large weight lifted off my shoulders and I am very thankful.  This means that every week that class will learn and practise the dance and I will not have to rely on the fluctuating attendance of dance club.  I shall attempt to turn up to their lessons and learn with them.

white light

For part of my music video I need a white background with cool, white lighting. 

 I have decided have a plain white, shinny background (probably an extremely clean whiteboard) with black makeup across my eyes in a strong line.  this will then be an exact opposite of the shot with the light across my eyes with black background and will give it an almost negative feeling.  For this shot I need a bright white light to enhance the colour of the whiteboard and to also discolour myself slightly and give the whole shot a crisp and sharp tone. 

At school we have a bright white strobe light with different speed settings, my original idea was to increase the speed of the strobe to make it look as if it was not flashing.  After investigating this further I have discovered this is not possible and the fastest setting on the strobe light is not fast enough.  I will now have to look for a bright white flood light.

   

locations

Here is a few shots of possible locations for my Aura music video.