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!