Challenged
We also challenged codes and conventions of indie music videos with the use of a female protagonist. Seeing female protagonists is quite rare within the genre as males are usually the preferred choice in regards to narrative, however we felt that a woman was vital to use as the lyrics are about a woman reminiscing of her lively childhood, we did plan to use a male protagonist to start with but it was proving difficult for the lyrics to represent what were showing. The lyrics are about having wild teenage years and how that life now contrasts to a tedious, tiresome lifestyle he now possesses. The use of a female character also allows the lyrics to relate to the woman and so an obvious link between lyrics and visuals is established.
We further challenged codes and conventions with the use of VHS footage from the 80s. Through audience feedback, we were influenced to add snippets throughout to just reinforce the overall narrative idea. The 80s footage is authentic and realistically, a middle aged woman would have had the majority of her teenage years through the 80s. The short clips add the extra needed context that allows the audience to determine what’s going on. Subtle details also worked very well in relation t this. For example we show the woman applying makeup and the next cut is a flash back scene to a woman applying makeup. This associates the characters together and illustrates that they’re the same person just different time periods. It also allows the idea of the reminiscing to actually happen as she’s doing the exact same stuff she did back in her childhood, portraying that she may still have her spark within her. These second long snippets throughout the getting ready phase builds the narrative to some extent and just informs the audience what’s actually happening. We didn’t add loads in either; this would have caused a potential misunderstanding for the audience who wouldn’t know what was happening.
My digipak and poster didn’t challenge the genre to excessive amounts as it’s vital to keep key codes and conventions as these are what pulls fans and the target audience to the product. This enables the band to grow and depending on size and status, is a crucial step within the industry. Therefore my digipak was heavily influenced by previously made codes and conventions.
However, i did think that a difference within the overall theme would challenge and potentially develop at the same time. The theme for my poster and digipak was blue. As the most common way forward is black and white, i though that changing this would be the easiest thing to alter, hence developing it. However, the colour blue is typically undermined and never truly used. I thought the blue could add some kind of atmosphere to the piece coincided with the colour within the circle. The piece has challenged common album digipaks. The blue results in reinforcing the DIY and self-made aspect of the whole piece with emphasis of standing out and being different. With the unique colour, it allowed me to create the bands image and characteristics. I also challenged the typical front panel. Within our genre it’s extremely common for the front cover to be a logo or illustration of something that associates with the band. For example Ratboys sketches, Arctic Monkey’ terrace houses, Oasis’ front room and Grizzly Bear’s abstract wall all associate with the band straight away. Instead of a logo, i used the duo on the front cover. I did this to illustrate the members, as it’s their first album, publicizing them is important for their sales and progression within.