Red- Parts that are incorrect
Pink- Parts I have added
Global instritions dominate media product. These instritions sell their products to national audiences.
Institions sell their artists to global audiences, to gain more success for the artist and profit themselves. They can do this by being horizontal and vertically intergrated.
Instritions are allowing artists to have global success by using visuilsation, for example music videos, websites and merchandise to put them on the market. By instritions doing this it gives the audience that the artist has gained/ collected more power and control. Record labels want to make their artists global as it gains them profit.
One Direction have big global success. As their record label, SYCO is part of the big three majors, its allowed them to have success with national audiences. As One Direction started out on the X Factor they would have already had success before they had released any music. This is because the UK audience already know who they are from watching the TV show for multiple weeks. Also audiences outisde the UK would be able to see One Direction through the X Factor website. This would have given audiences an idea of who they are, meaning their record label, SYCO would'nt lose any profit.
By One Direction using their image and music videos to gain their audiences. By SYCO using visualisation it made One Direction the biggest selling artist of 2013.
Indie artists don't have much global success, this is probably because they don't get much promotion (on TV/radio) than an artist who is signed to a major record label would.
Artic Monkeys are signed to a indie label based in London called Domino. Artic Monkeys are only played on two radio stations in the UK, and from doing research don't have hardly any audiences around the globe.
Artic Monkeys are signed to a indie label based in London called Domino, which started in 1993.The Artic Monkeys are a band who have a wide age range of audience. Artists who are signed to indie labels, could find it hard to gain propularity and global success due to the lack of promotion and marketing. The Artic Monkeys are a pretty big success for an indie band. They have a high amount of success with their last album selling 650,000 copies in the UK, two number ones (with 'When the sun goes down' and 'I bet you look good on the dance floor.' The Artic Monkeys also played at the opening of the London Olympics in 2012. Another popular inide artist is Adele, who was the biggest selling artist of 2012. This shows thats it's not always artists who are signed by a major who have global success.
Prosumers do have global success eventhough they don't have a major instition behind them.
I think that peosumers gain global success because they don't care about if they are making any money, they only care for their love of music.
Prosumers use the internet to get success. For example The Vamps started out on YouTube creating covers, by them showing their love for music they gained an audience. With in less than a year they are travelling all around the world, gaining global success.
Beck creates music to give to other artists. Beck would need to know feedback from national audiences, so that he could help give artists global success.
Because he does'nt have a record label to help him, it'd be hard for him to gain global success.
I think for an artist to have global success they need to be signed by a major institution. One Direction have major global success, and were also the biggest selling artists of last year and have just started a world tour, which is gaining their record label and themselves profit.
I think its hard for others to get global success as they don't have horizontal and vertical intergration that they need.
Monday, 19 May 2014
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Music Piracy
How do institutions sell their products to audiences in contemporary media?
- Advertising in adverts (Magazines, Flyers, Posters)
- Advertising on television adverts
- Advertising on social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)
Music industry revenue streams
- Radio advertising revenue
- Live music sector
- Music retail sector
- Licensing of music to third parties
95% of music downloads are unauthorised.
71% of users increasing their illicit downloads cite high prices as the reasons.
84% of illicit downloaders think artists deserve to be paid.
SOLUTION: Lower song price & raise artist compensation transparency
What is the effect of piracy?
- The music industry is still losing out to internet pirates on a huge scale, with an estimated 95% of music available online being downloaded illegally.
- The industry is "transforming its business models, turning to marketing ideas such as Radiohead's "pay what you like" album in Rainbows and Coldplay's move to give away tracks to promote their album.
- In the UK market alone, the record industry lost £180m last year, and will lose more than £1bn by the end of 2013.
"It's a trend...about a new democracy of ideas and information, about the releasing of individual creativity"
Alan Rusbridger, Editor-in-chief of The Guardian
Beyonce - Illegal Album Downloads Cost Beyonce $3.8 Million In Sales Revenue
On the 13th of December Beyonce decided to surprise her fans buy selling a secret project on iTunes, that had no prior announcement or marketing by her record company.
By Beyonce's fans deciding not to legally buy her 14 new songs and 17 music videos for $15.99 (£10.70) it meant Beyonce lost out on money she would have made.
Independent swim upstream
As streaming services increase their share of the overall market, their royalty payments have come under scrutiny from artists and record labels.
Spotify said it paid out about $500 million in royalties in 2013, according to numbers it released in December. The company likes to focus on that big number instead of how it breaks down: 6 to 84 cents every time a song is played. It doesn't pay a set amount per stream, but uses a more complicated formula based on what percentage of spotify's total monthly streams an artist represents.
The company cites an example of a "global hit album" earning $425,000 in a month, but that's for a top seller. A mid-level artist could do tens of thousands of streams in a month and maybe see a few hundred bucks for it. Mulligan's report notes that some independent artists do crack that 1%, but it's not easy.
No danger for major labels
The numbers tell different stories here: the rise of streaming and increase in total artist income sound like music to musicians' ears. But if they're not in the 1%, they may be singing the blues the next time they open their royalty checks.
On the other hand, the major labels, Universal Music Group, Sony and Warner Music Group, don't appear to be in danger of losing their market share as downloads decrease and more users turn to streaming.
Writing Task
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Mock
To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the marketing and consumption of media products in the media area you have studied.
By the use of digital distribution it allows easier access to music for the audience to have access to the artist through social medias, such as YouTube and the artists website.
With the audience having access to the artist through social media, I belive this is how artist have gained global success. For example One Direction were the biggest selling artists of last year, with most of their success being out of the UK. Digital media would of been the way that the audience outside of the UK would of accessed the band, because of this One Direction would of needed to have good visuals. So good music videos, so there the wider audiences would get an understanding of who they are. Also the band would need to have a good website. By them having a website this would allow fans to buy One Directions music and merchandise. Digital distribution is also positive thing for One Directions record label, SYCO, by the band being online it gives them profit, because fans like to invest in the 'One Direction brand'.
Digital distribution also helps indie artists. Adele is signed to an indie record label, to show her talent she used digital distribution, by doing this it made her the biggest selling artist of 2012. Digital distribution is a great way for indie artists to get themselves seen. As they dont get promotion from TV companies or radio, it allows them to promote to their fans through their website, as it allows their fans to have access to their music.
Another example of somebody who has used digital distribution is Justin Bieber. He started his career by showing his talent on YouTube, this showed him using digital media. He was later signed by a major. By Justin showing his music through YouTube it gave his audience access to him before he was signed.
Madeon is a really big example of somebody who has used digital distribution to give his fans access to his music and videos. Madeon has huge success on YouTube, espically with his mashup pop culture. Madeon used digital media not only to give his fans access to him, but also to get feedback. Because Madeon creates mash ups he needs to get feedback so he can create mash ups that not only his fans enjoy, but also others that could add to his audience.
Beck is somebody who would also use digital distribution. As he does'nt use the music he creates, he needs to know marketing so he knows what sells well.
I think that digital distribution is a positive thing. I think this because it allows the artist to know what sort of target they are marketing to.
Also it allows the audience to have access to the artist through websites and YouTube, I this is positive as it gives the artist feedback. Digital distribution also gains the record label profit.
By the use of digital distribution it allows easier access to music for the audience to have access to the artist through social medias, such as YouTube and the artists website.
With the audience having access to the artist through social media, I belive this is how artist have gained global success. For example One Direction were the biggest selling artists of last year, with most of their success being out of the UK. Digital media would of been the way that the audience outside of the UK would of accessed the band, because of this One Direction would of needed to have good visuals. So good music videos, so there the wider audiences would get an understanding of who they are. Also the band would need to have a good website. By them having a website this would allow fans to buy One Directions music and merchandise. Digital distribution is also positive thing for One Directions record label, SYCO, by the band being online it gives them profit, because fans like to invest in the 'One Direction brand'.
Digital distribution also helps indie artists. Adele is signed to an indie record label, to show her talent she used digital distribution, by doing this it made her the biggest selling artist of 2012. Digital distribution is a great way for indie artists to get themselves seen. As they dont get promotion from TV companies or radio, it allows them to promote to their fans through their website, as it allows their fans to have access to their music.
Another example of somebody who has used digital distribution is Justin Bieber. He started his career by showing his talent on YouTube, this showed him using digital media. He was later signed by a major. By Justin showing his music through YouTube it gave his audience access to him before he was signed.
Madeon is a really big example of somebody who has used digital distribution to give his fans access to his music and videos. Madeon has huge success on YouTube, espically with his mashup pop culture. Madeon used digital media not only to give his fans access to him, but also to get feedback. Because Madeon creates mash ups he needs to get feedback so he can create mash ups that not only his fans enjoy, but also others that could add to his audience.
Beck is somebody who would also use digital distribution. As he does'nt use the music he creates, he needs to know marketing so he knows what sells well.
I think that digital distribution is a positive thing. I think this because it allows the artist to know what sort of target they are marketing to.
Also it allows the audience to have access to the artist through websites and YouTube, I this is positive as it gives the artist feedback. Digital distribution also gains the record label profit.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Class notes ( music industry )
Successful media products depends on marketing. Music.
Beck on how it's a small audience.
To make a popular artist it need to be for a niche market.
Marketing is visual, needs to have style.
Also needs to be good music, has to have a balance.
Adele for an independent artist.
Exchange feedback for customers.
One direction case study, major labels have to use it. One direction more about image than music.
An artist needs to have a good visualisation and well promoted to be advertise in the niche and global market. But it also depends on the music, as an audience want good quality music, so there needs to be balance. One direction case study, the major uses the
Effects the majors, as they have to do what the audience wants so they aren't effected like emi.
The record label needs to build a realationship.
Global industries dominant the media production.
Multinational, the big three.
Audience agree with the artists
Sony agree- vertical and horizontal intergration.
Audience dominant the music industry, decided on what they like. Indies have become more popular as they are building a relationship with the artist. Meaning the majors have to listen to the audience.
Success media product depends on the artist.
How you sell and look is more important to the audience.
Doesn't matter on the sound, more on the visualisation.
X factor, a format that is produced to see what the audience likes (genre, clothing)
Audience have power.
You need to have an image
Always been about image
Digital media changes PDE for both major and independent.
The internet allows the artist to be global and have success. YouTube, soundcloud allows un known artists to get there music into the industry.
But it can ruin artists and record labels. By the use of illegal download, no profit is made, which means sells would go down. Not selling because no one is buying.
No one is buying music apart from the hardcore fanbase and niche audiences. Majors are normally global, but indies are becoming global through the use of internet. (Adele, signed to indie, excel, biggest artist of 2012)
Notes
To what extent do u agree?
People not paying for music - Music has no risks- devalues music as it is all image
EMI shut down because it did not connect with audience
Sony's audience is involved through X factor
Democratic
Illusion of choice- X factor -
Indies have a community due to niche size
Have to have an image- always had to have an image
Beck doesn't have an image- prosumers are constructing an image for his songs not him
Beck targets globally as he brings in all genres over the world to interpret his music.
Independent labels is global as there are artists that belong to those labels that are known worldwide
To what extent does digital media distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the media area you have studied?
digital music distribution has had both a positive and negative affect on the marketing and consumption of music in the music industry.
Friday, 2 May 2014
Notes
Digital music technology
GarageBand - Production - prosumers - recycle
Youtube - Exchange - audience gives feedback
Spotify - free - exchange
Last fm -
Soundcloud - prosumers create music and put it on there - free advertising - Distribution
iTunes - have to buy music - distribution
Institution - record labels
Sony - major - multinational
Ministry of sound - independent - niche audience
Prosumers - audience - more involved
Beck - DIY - writes music and let's audience interpret it and make the song - has a relationship with the audience
Marketing
Distibution
Ownership
Production
Exchange
Essay requires you to study PDE and compare it across the four case studies
Global institutions dominate media production. These institutions sell their products and services to national audiences. To what extent do you agree.
- multinational
- vertically and horizontally integrated
- Sony film, Sony record label
- one direction case study
- the big 3 - Sony, universal, warner
- ownership- the idea of owning all companies to become vertically and horizontally integrated
- synergy - promotes music across media e.g. Film, tv etc.
- distribution
- conglomerate
NEED TO KNOW TERMINOLOGY
Prosumers mash up music - advertises
Visualisation- style over substance - image over music
Participatory audience/ relationship - audience give feedback through youtube, spotify, soundcloud, tv shows like X factor
Purity/ devaluing music - blander and staler or diverse and exciting
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Decoding questions
Digital media technology continues to develop. How is this significant for media institutions and audiences?
- consumption
- subsidiary & multinational conglomerate, the big 3
- distribution & marketing
- exchange
- prosumers/ audiences
"Global institutions dominate media production. These institutions sell their products and services to national audiences" to what extent do you agree with this statement?
- subsidiary & multinational conglomerate, the big 3
- distribution & exchange
- cross promotion/ synergy
- prosumers
- vertical and horizontal integration
"Successful media products depend as much upon marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they do upon good production practises" to what extent would you agree with this statement?
- distribution & marketing
- audiences/ prosumers
- production
- convergence
- creating a relationship with the audience
- consumption
Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of texts.
- Production
- exchange
- multinational conglomerate, the big 3
Friday, 25 April 2014
Task
Production- on X factor the reality show acted as a business plan for example the funding of one direction came through the income the X factor recieved. The more votes the act got the longer they stayed on the show allowing them to produce the formation of one direction as the weeks went on.
Distribution and marketing- one direction created audience awareness during the Xfactor which created an audience for their duration and after the show
Exchange- it is given in audience feedback when the unpopular artists are voted off the show which shows to sony and SYCO what is popular amongst the audience and which artists are going to sell popularly and globally on a large scale.
Convergence
Ownership/ back catalogue- one direction used songs from the back catalogue of capital and warner bros back catalogues however Xfactor usually uses songs from Sony's back catalogue. The reason they did this was so they knew what songs are popular and what songs are worth rereleasing.
Visualisation- audiences want something to watch nowadays meaning music videos are a big factor of selling the artist e.g. One direction have videos showing the band off for the teenage girl audience that are the fan base for their band.
Participatory culture- one direction were on the show Xfactor which let the audiences vote for their favourite artists- meaning that the fanbase for one direction voted to keep them on the show and the leg of votes they received throughout the show determined their success within the show and the future.
Creating a relationship with the audience- on the X factor one direction recorded video diaries every week that kept the fans up to date with their progress, feelings and experiences which they continued through their tours so they could continually interact with their fans- the fans are able to put comments and questions under their videos for the boys to reply to in their next entry.
Synergy- SYCO is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony who focus on the production of music, tv and film- e.g. A good example of synergy would be one direction; their music is marketed through X factor and they have released their own film which is all done through SYCO- there is no cost when producing different types of media as they are all linked together.
Devaluing music- It is the idea that certain musicians and music created can create a negative image on music as a whole. This can devalue music and make it less appealing to other people as it shows music to be devalued. This can be done by using auto tune and creating music that has no true meaning. One direction can have this negative effect on some people who they don't appeal to. This is because one direction is aimed at young teenage girls to provide a large profit. Whereas many people see one direction as people in it for the money
Soundscape- It is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment
Push vs pull- Simon Cowell owns X factor so uses Sony's back catalogue to recycle songs through the performers; due to the fact that Sony own the rights to the songs means they so not to pay and buy the rights to the song. When the older generation hear the songs being played on Xfactor it gives them a nostalgic feeling reminding them of youth and that means they will go and buy the original version of the song which brings the popularity of the song back around.
Record cos vs audience - they make the show interactive so the audience can call in each week to keep their favourite act on the show, generating more money for the record company, Sony meaning they can keep on going with keeping the music alive for the audience
Vertical integration
Horizontal integration
Global vs niche audience- global better known as the mainstream audience includes music from artists such as Rihanna, example, one direction which is because they have the record label behind them that allow them to appeal to a mass audience- Sony relate the mainstream music to their show X factor where they are able to be told by the audience what they consider as normal and what image and music they want. Niche audiences are small audiences that prefer the culture of the music or the story it tells which include artists such as London grammar, linkin park and train.
Blurring of PDE- the fact that one direction was on a tv show that was advertised for the whole of the nation to receive, the audience were presented with the production of the band, which therefore created the audience awareness of the band and an exhibition for the viewers at home, which means not only involving the act of production throughout the formation process but also parts of distribution and exchange which means PDE was blurred.
Notes
Beck
He is an American musician, singer/ songwriter, multi intstrumentalist, covers many different genres of music, is not mainstream, promotes to niche audience (specialised and passionate and dedicated audience), D.I.Y - not using a label, he is an artist- so fans are musicians : synergy. Fans are promoting his music by making own interpretations by producing it >> distribute it on youtube which advertises it >> he gets the royalties from the videos. In concert he looks at all the different interpretations and sees which has most views and he then performs that one>> it is feedback. He creates a relationship with his audience. Beck is completely changing PDE by involving the audience with the music.
Song reader
Book of sheet music that contains 20 songs worth of sheet music that people are able to use to make their own interpretations and send to the American musician
SYCO
One direction is more about the image/ presentation than the music. They make what sells. Simon Cowell owns it. X factor >> record label, tv, film- one direction movie first one produced. Promote music from Sony as they are a subsidiary of Sony and therefore share the rights to the music. They are involved in many aspects they are integrated. X factor uses the audience as an exploitation to get feedback on the artist/ band (exchange). Film promoting music or visa versa is synergy.
Prosumer
The audience is becoming the producers
Madeon is a French house/ electro house/ disco pop producer from France. He gained popularity by the video 'pop culture' that was published on youtube and got millions of hits on the first few days.
Recycling and remixing (MASH UP) - which they get from pre-existing music owned by record labels- copyright infringement >> benefits the record label as it advertises the music.
Prosumers blur the boundaries between the producers, distributors and exhibitions
Software such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, youtube, soundcloud,
Have to be very talented to do well in this
Adele and payed someone else to do their social networking advertising for them
Visualisation is more important than the music in getting popular amongst audiences
Independent labels
Domino records
Ministry of sound
Specialise in genre
Creative of artist and musical freedom
Audience feedback
Get their music out there- distribution is far easier
Use social networking to interact with audiences
Independent labels are becoming more popular and successful than the major labels
Adele was a massive hit and was promoted in the James Bond film Skyfall meaning it is integrated
Essay is asking to back up the point that how you sell and promote an artist to an audience that doesn't want to pay for it anymore
One direction is the biggest selling artist of last year
Majors dominate- 73%
Indie, prosumers and beck - 27%
music is the advert for the tours where they earn their money.
Song reader (beck), soundcloud, spotify are mashing up PDE
Homework
To what extent does digital media distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the media area you have studied?
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Easter Homework
Domino
Domino are an independent record company that are based in London.
Some of the artist that domino promote are Alex Turner, Hot Chip, Arctic Monkeys.
From looking at the list of artists that domino produce are quite un known, but there are some successful artist including the arctic monkeys that domino have produced.
Exchange
Domino market their artists through YouTube, and social networking sites. By the artist putting their music onto YouTube it will allow them to be seen by a wide audience.
Distribution
If the artist becomes popular through putting their music on social networking sites, and YouTube. By the artist becoming popular it will give them the access to have their own CD's and putting their songs onto iTunes.
Marketing
The artists aren't marketed in a formulated way. The artists are individual and appeal to a mature audience. The music in which the artists produce is very indie.
The only major artist that domino has really produced is the Arctic Monkey, through looking at the Radio 1 playlist, the last time the Artic Monkeys had air time was over a month ago. The other artists that domino produced were not mentioned on the playlist.
The radio stations in which artists from the domino record company are played include, radio one, radio six, and absolute radio.
The only major artist that Domino has produced is really the Arctic Monkeys, not many TV stations support the group by playing their music videos. MTV support Domino's artists.
YouTube will live stream the artists music, also the domino websites live streams their artists concerts and music.
YouTube will live stream the artists music, also the domino websites live streams their artists concerts and music.
Arctic Monkeys
The Arctic Monkeys have 724,231 subscribers on YouTube, with their video 'Do I wanna know' being their highest viewed video, with the video having 53,892,598 views.
Itunes gives similar artists for fans of the Arctic Monkeys to listen to.
These artists include:
- The killers
- The Strokes
- Kaiser Chiefs
- The Kooks
- Razor light
- Kings of Leon
Arctic Monkeys are Dominos leading artist. As the Arctic Monkeys are rather popular and famous, meaning they appear at festivals in the UK over the summer.
Some of these festivals include:
- Reading
- Leeds
- Glastonbury
Domino
Domino is an independent record label that is based in the UK that was founded in 1993. As Domino and indie record labels became more popular the record label then branched out to the US, Germany and France. Domino have a large amount of staff members, with the record label having over 50 artists and having near to a 100 former artists.
Production
The record company does produce CD's, some of the artists do also have vinyls, but these are made as limited edition merchandise.
Domino do own a recording studio.
The label does produce merchandise, for example tour programmes, t-shirts. These products can be bought either through the artists website and/or at concerts.
Marketing
The label uses social networking sites to promote their artists.
The record label have a YouTube channel were their artists new music videos, upcoming news and interviews are shown to fans.
For bigger artists like the Arctic monkeys, there is some TV coverage. Even though the band do have some TV coverage, it isn't to the same amount as somebody who is signed to a major would get.
Distribution and Exchange
HMV, and other retailers stock CD's of the artists that Domino own.
Some of the artists music is also on iTunes.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Notes
Distribution: people responsible for advertising and marketing to make the people aware of the music
A&R: the people in a record label who are paid to find new artists
Royalties: everytime someone's music is played on the radio or on tv or used in a film or generally to the public's ear, the artists get commission (royalties)
major record label: a huge company that own artists and can be vertically or horizontally integrated, can own tv shows and nightclubs and films to advertise their music : SONY
subsidiary label: sometimes start of as an independent record label and when they get good a major record label could become interested and buy the company- meaning that they are still their own record label but have the backing of the major record label- such as SYCO which is owned by SONY
independent label: operate independently without funding from outside businesses, give their artists creative freedom- such as Ministry of Sound
peer to peer: sharing of music between people of similar ages and similar interests.
sampling: when someone uses an extract of someone else's music and embeds it into their own legally.
copyright: someone stealing something without the owner's permission and naming it as their own.
A&R: the people in a record label who are paid to find new artists
Royalties: everytime someone's music is played on the radio or on tv or used in a film or generally to the public's ear, the artists get commission (royalties)
major record label: a huge company that own artists and can be vertically or horizontally integrated, can own tv shows and nightclubs and films to advertise their music : SONY
subsidiary label: sometimes start of as an independent record label and when they get good a major record label could become interested and buy the company- meaning that they are still their own record label but have the backing of the major record label- such as SYCO which is owned by SONY
independent label: operate independently without funding from outside businesses, give their artists creative freedom- such as Ministry of Sound
peer to peer: sharing of music between people of similar ages and similar interests.
sampling: when someone uses an extract of someone else's music and embeds it into their own legally.
copyright: someone stealing something without the owner's permission and naming it as their own.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Homework
Task 1
He is making music by using an app, which creates different sounds when selected buttons are clicked on.
Madeon
Madeon is a French house/electro house/nu-disco/pop producer from France.
When he created the track pop culture he was 16.
He is making the music by using an app called launchpad and idaft, it allows somebody to make music by selecting different buttons which make different sounds.
He gets his music out by using launchpad and radio stations.
Madeon has a fairly big audience due to his songs being on YouTube.
His audience is from twitter, lauchpad, his website and YouTube.
A prosumer is somebody who creates music but also consumes music.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Music Piracy
How do institutions sell their products to audiences in contemporary media?
List three methods.
-music videos
-tours
-posters
To understand the effects of music piracy for institutions and audiences
music industry revenue streams
-radio advertising revenue
-live music sector
-music retail sector (amazon, hmv, itunes)
-licensing of music to third parties (spotify)
To understand the effect of music piracy on institutions and audiences
95% of music downloads are unauthorised
71% of users increasing their illicit downloads cite high prices as the reason
84% of illicit downloads think artists deserve to be paid
Solution: lower song price and raise artist compensation transparency
What is the effect of piracy?
-the music industry is still losing out to internet pirates on a huge scale, with an estimated 95% of music available online being downloaded illegally
-the industry is 'transforming' its business models, turning to marketing ideas such as Radiohead's 'pay what you like' album in Rainbows and Coldplay's move to give away tracks to promote their album.
-in the UK market alone, the record industry lost £180m last year and will lose more than £1bn by the end of 2013.
"It's a trend... about a new democracy of ideas and information, about changing notions of authority, about the releasing of individual creativity"
Alan Rusbridger, Editor-in-cheif of The Guardian
Article:
Independent Swin Upstream
As streaming services increase their share of the overall market, their royalty payments have come under scrutiny from artists and record labels.
Spotify said it paid out about $500 million in royalties in 2013, according to numbers it released in December. The company likes to focus on that big number instead of ow it breaks down: .6 to .84 cents every time a song is played. It doesn't pay a set amount per stream, but uses a more complicated formula based on what percentage of spotify's total monthly streams an artist represents.
the comany cites an example of a 'global hit album' earning $245,000 in a month, but that's for a top seller. A mid-level artist could do tens of thousands of streams in a month and maybe see a few hundred bucks for it. Mulligan's report notes that some independent artists do crack that 1% but it's not easy.
No danger for major labels
The numbers tell different stories here: the rise of streaming and increase in total artist sound like music to musicians' ears. but they're not in the 1% tey may be singing the blues the next time they open their royalty checks.
on the other hand, the major labels, universal music group, sony and warner music group, don't appear to be in danger of losing their market share as downloads decrease and more users to streaming.
Writing Task
How do institutions sell their products to audiences in contemporary media?
include:
-traditional sales
-digital
-combatting piracy
-streaming
-paragraph on domino
Example:
In contemporary media practise institutions such as SONY are forced to think of new ways to sell their products in order to avoid online piracy. In December 2011 SONY, via their offprint label columbia, released Beyonce's self-titled album online with no previous marketing. This meant that material was not leaked online and exposed to illegal downloads. It also meant that material media interest was generated due to the unusual release pattern which in turn generated extra sales. However, reports have shown that Beyonce's album was still illegally downloaded 240,000 times costing SONY £2.5million. This would suggest that even the largest conglomerates are unable to avoid piracy despite adapting the methods in which they sell their products.
Explanation/ analysis/ argument (20 marks)
Use of examples (20 marks)
Use of terminology (10 marks)
List three methods.
-music videos
-tours
-posters
To understand the effects of music piracy for institutions and audiences
music industry revenue streams
-radio advertising revenue
-live music sector
-music retail sector (amazon, hmv, itunes)
-licensing of music to third parties (spotify)
To understand the effect of music piracy on institutions and audiences
95% of music downloads are unauthorised
71% of users increasing their illicit downloads cite high prices as the reason
84% of illicit downloads think artists deserve to be paid
Solution: lower song price and raise artist compensation transparency
What is the effect of piracy?
-the music industry is still losing out to internet pirates on a huge scale, with an estimated 95% of music available online being downloaded illegally
-the industry is 'transforming' its business models, turning to marketing ideas such as Radiohead's 'pay what you like' album in Rainbows and Coldplay's move to give away tracks to promote their album.
-in the UK market alone, the record industry lost £180m last year and will lose more than £1bn by the end of 2013.
"It's a trend... about a new democracy of ideas and information, about changing notions of authority, about the releasing of individual creativity"
Alan Rusbridger, Editor-in-cheif of The Guardian
Article:
Independent Swin Upstream
As streaming services increase their share of the overall market, their royalty payments have come under scrutiny from artists and record labels.
Spotify said it paid out about $500 million in royalties in 2013, according to numbers it released in December. The company likes to focus on that big number instead of ow it breaks down: .6 to .84 cents every time a song is played. It doesn't pay a set amount per stream, but uses a more complicated formula based on what percentage of spotify's total monthly streams an artist represents.
the comany cites an example of a 'global hit album' earning $245,000 in a month, but that's for a top seller. A mid-level artist could do tens of thousands of streams in a month and maybe see a few hundred bucks for it. Mulligan's report notes that some independent artists do crack that 1% but it's not easy.
No danger for major labels
The numbers tell different stories here: the rise of streaming and increase in total artist sound like music to musicians' ears. but they're not in the 1% tey may be singing the blues the next time they open their royalty checks.
on the other hand, the major labels, universal music group, sony and warner music group, don't appear to be in danger of losing their market share as downloads decrease and more users to streaming.
Writing Task
How do institutions sell their products to audiences in contemporary media?
include:
-traditional sales
-digital
-combatting piracy
-streaming
-paragraph on domino
Example:
In contemporary media practise institutions such as SONY are forced to think of new ways to sell their products in order to avoid online piracy. In December 2011 SONY, via their offprint label columbia, released Beyonce's self-titled album online with no previous marketing. This meant that material was not leaked online and exposed to illegal downloads. It also meant that material media interest was generated due to the unusual release pattern which in turn generated extra sales. However, reports have shown that Beyonce's album was still illegally downloaded 240,000 times costing SONY £2.5million. This would suggest that even the largest conglomerates are unable to avoid piracy despite adapting the methods in which they sell their products.
Explanation/ analysis/ argument (20 marks)
Use of examples (20 marks)
Use of terminology (10 marks)
Questions for video
Favourite artist?
How do u find out about new music?
What type of consumer are you?
Where is ur music collection?
Do u feel connection with the artists?
What are ur guilty pleasures?
Reason for consumption habits?
Trend of music?
What is ur favourite artist?
Websites, apps etc?
Notes
What is a record label?
-A record label owns many artists through contracts and is responsible for the production, distribution and exhibition, however depending upon whether the label is horizontally or vertically integrated depends upon whether they get the whole process cheaper or not due to how much they own.
cross-media convergence: when two or more medias come together.
What is Digi-modernism?
-Digi-modernism is the revised name for what used to be called pseudo-modernism. It is the cultural effects of new technologies. it is the impact of computerisation on texts and the arts. its a whole new cultural paradigm, the successor to post modernism which bit the dust around the turn of the Millennium.
-Alan Kirby's blog portrays his thoughts and opinions on the subject of Digi-modernism from here to publication day and beyond.
http://www.alanfkirby.com/blog.html
-A record label owns many artists through contracts and is responsible for the production, distribution and exhibition, however depending upon whether the label is horizontally or vertically integrated depends upon whether they get the whole process cheaper or not due to how much they own.
cross-media convergence: when two or more medias come together.
What is Digi-modernism?
-Digi-modernism is the revised name for what used to be called pseudo-modernism. It is the cultural effects of new technologies. it is the impact of computerisation on texts and the arts. its a whole new cultural paradigm, the successor to post modernism which bit the dust around the turn of the Millennium.
-Alan Kirby's blog portrays his thoughts and opinions on the subject of Digi-modernism from here to publication day and beyond.
http://www.alanfkirby.com/blog.html
Friday, 21 March 2014
Notes
To analyse how online music changed 'old' model
To apply terms to case studies [sony/SYCO/indie labels]
it define and categorise the above terms
Synergy
Vertical integration
Horizontal integration
Conglomerate
The majors (the big 3)
Indies
Oligolopy
Production
Distribution
Exchange
How has online music changed this [PDE] for institutions?Prosumer
Fans giving feedback /involved in the process??
New players in the game?
Major labels have more money and more of the huge artists- put contracts in where they tie their artists down.
Sony is a major label
Artists would rather be signed to indie labels so they have freedom to be a creative artist
People that make their own music and do not sign to a record label
The audience is a vital part of who is signed due to views on the internet
The money brought into the record labels help with the new artists
Formulaic music is made cause they know it is going to sell- can't take a risk - they cannot afford to take a risk
Due to young people pirating music the money is not going into the record label meaning they cannot afford to be creative
Sony owns SYCO >> tv shows >> record label >> one direction << synergy
Making music visual >> eg. Beyoncé music video
EMI was bought out due to the fact they tried to prosecute piracy pirates
Sony makes films and put their own music into the soundtrack
Adele is signed to a British independent label and was the biggest selling artist of 2012 which means they are using the internet it their advantage and are the better option
Audience are paying for the life experience
Monopoly- when one thing owns everything
Music does not exist for the people it is there to make money out of the people
Oligopoly- everything owned by a few
Need to have a case study for an independent label for exam - preferably UK
Dance records- ministry of sound>> vertically integrated
Produce own music>> own a nightclub
Horizontally integrated means that you own more than one thing in either production, distribution or exhibition >> games, films, music, etc.
Ed sheeran's record label made it's own music video which means it is horizontally integrated
Being both vertically and horizontally integrated means the record label can produce for cheaper as you own everything
Piracy costs record labels millions per year
Controversial language in films cost thousands
Being vertically integrated means you have more control over your artist
Synergy means the record label owns a tv show and advertise their music through the show
Major labels are multinational, they are vertically and horizontally integrated and have the most power.
Independent labels are becoming more vertically and horizontally integrated due to the internet allowing them to promote their music globally meaning a wider audience. And artists prefer to sign up to these labels as they are allowed creative freedom.
Next lesson
Lesson 4.4.3 PDE and monopoly
MP3 songs download x5
Prosumer- made by general people
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Crawford Clip
The beginning clip of Cranford shows a young boy, not much older than thirteen clutching something wrapped up as he walks through a woods.
From looking at the character the first thing I notice is his costume. The young boys costume is quite bland and simple, it's an off toned colour showing that it hasn't been washed. I also noticed that the boy isn't wearing any shoes, this shows he comes from a lower class family who can't afford to buy simple necessities.
Cranford is set in a small village, in a past century. From looking at the characters costumes and appearance you can see they are very dirty. The location also shows that the family are not very well off. The dull lighting within the room makes it seem more dirty, there also isn't any props in the background when the characters are speaking. Because of this it shows the family don't have much money, and it's possible that it's difficult for the parents to provide food and shelter for their children.
When the underprivileged family are in their home, the soundtrack and foley brings to light they are quite poor. When the young boy walks into his house you can hear the slight sound of a door creaking. This shows that the house is old, even though a slightly creaking door is a minute issue, it still expresses to the audience that the family can't afford to fix things.
The soundtrack throughout the clip is quite slow and peaceful and matches well with the clip. When the soundtrack is playing you can hear a non-diegetic sound of animals, this shows there is a farm near by.
When the young boy is taken by the man who's land he had been trespassing on, his facial expressions show worry. I can see this from the close up shot.
From this scene I also notice that the young boy would like to better himself, I get this from his dialogue. "I wouldn't mind an office, I like how everything is covered in words." This shows he'd like an education.
The sequence shows a higher class family, who are very privileged. The family all have horses and carts which shows they are very well off.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Independent and major record labels
Domino Recording Company is an independent record label based in London which was founded in 1993 by Laurence Bell and his partner Jacqui Rice.
They established American rock and unusual British music which marginalised during the Britpop era but the steady streaming of new signings gave the label increasing credibility.
Simply Red made his own independent record label called simplyred.com as he was fed up with the way sony was taking all the money which revolutionised the way music was consumed by the demographic.
SYCO is a major record label founded by Simon Cowell in 2002 in the UK. It is a subsidiary of SYCO entertainment. This company owns artists such as Little Mix, James Arthur and Susan Boyle and used to own artists such as Garith Gates and George Sampson.
EMI was a major British multinational music recording and publishing company but was bought over by Sony. They owned artists such as The Beatles, Eliza Doolittle, Gorillaz and 30 seconds to Mars.
Friday, 14 March 2014
Hotel Babylon Essay
The hotel Babylon clip shows how all the workers are treated as equal humans at the hotel and are not treated any differently due to their race. All the workers have an importance, even though some of the talent is hidden from their colleagues.
The beginning part of hotel Babylon shows that the location the clip is set in is an expensive hotel, possibly based in the heart of London. The costume that the main characters wear in the foyer are business based costumes. With both the males and females having a neat appearance, with the males costumes being smart suits and the females costume being a blazers, blouses and skirts.
The soundtrack becomes to a higher and louder tone as the suit dressed immigration officer reaches the front desk of the hotel. The panic and concern is highlighted as they start to warn staff that immigration has arrived.
The characters that work in the main foyer are shown with prominence and importance as the immigration ignore them as they pass through the hotel.
The clip also shows how all the employees care for each other, there body language becomes tensed, uncomfortable, and worried as the immigration officers enter the building. This shows the audience that they look at each other as individuals and equals.
I think the most important clip with in hotel Babylon is when all of the workers that are seen as illegal immigrates are hiding in a closet. The camera shows they're vulnerable and scared, the camera isn't steady and shows the characters with fast movements. This expresses how they're feeling emotional and shows the worry that is whirling around their heads.
When one of the workers has a health issue and faints from having low blood sugar, her colleague rushes to assist and help her out. From his dialogue it shows that he is in a job that he is over qualified for. "I wasn't always a cleaner." it shows the audience that he had a higher powered job before he became a cleaner, possibly could of been a doctor. It shows he has determination to make something of his life and provided for his family, which is why he moved to the UK to get a better life.
The lighting in the clip is dark, expressing the fear the characters are having, possibly showing the darkness they feel from the fear of having to go back to somewhere that is unsafe to live.
The props, mops and buckets, hoovers and the dirty costumes that are shown in the closet shows that the characters are underpaid workers, that are doing un enjoyable jobs, due to a lack of education. It also show the audience that the majority of the workers that immigration are looking for are either cleaners or handymen.
When the thug like looking immigration knocks on the closet door you can see the anxious and worried atmosphere that circulates around the room. The shouting and panicked voices turn to hushed tones and the soundtrack becomes a little louder as somebody knocks on the door again.
As the immigration officer is shown on the clip again it is obvious that he has a huge importance as the main focus falls to him, and again he becomes the centre of the main shot. The camera also looks up at the immigration officer, showing that he has a higher power over the employees. He shows actions of being a cruel, heartless man that had done the same job a million times before, as he treats the worker rough, as if he isn't even human.
The dialogue in this clip again shows the workers all care for each other. "I'll sack him, just let him disappear." This shows a sincere action, to help her colleagues and she knows the troubles he will face when he arrives back to his own country.
As the workers start to clear their colleagues locker it shows the audience that he is gone and is never coming back. The soundtrack starts up again, but is slower and sad than it was before. It shows not the just emptiness of his locker, as they are removing his life he had in the UK, but also the empty place that will be left in the hotel now that he has gone.
As the man gets taken away by immigration the soundtrack stops , this being the first time when the sad, depressing music has stopped with in the clip.
The camera pans to the other characters who could have been taken away by the immigration officer. The camera shows close ups to certain characters as they show strained and pained expressions, with a hint of happiness and joy, the mixed feelings washing over them as they come to deal with the horrid task that had just taken place in front of them.
The camera continues to pan as it shows the workers that were just in an un safe position. It shows a medium shot of the workers having their lunch. It shows for the first time not as individuals, as they sit in different groups from the countries they are from.
It shows being silent or praying, or chatting with extreme laughter that echos and roars around the room. It shows the different languages that are under one roof and the different ranges of backgrounds, as there is subtitles shown as group stories are shown and heard in different languages.
The beginning part of hotel Babylon shows that the location the clip is set in is an expensive hotel, possibly based in the heart of London. The costume that the main characters wear in the foyer are business based costumes. With both the males and females having a neat appearance, with the males costumes being smart suits and the females costume being a blazers, blouses and skirts.
The soundtrack becomes to a higher and louder tone as the suit dressed immigration officer reaches the front desk of the hotel. The panic and concern is highlighted as they start to warn staff that immigration has arrived.
The characters that work in the main foyer are shown with prominence and importance as the immigration ignore them as they pass through the hotel.
The clip also shows how all the employees care for each other, there body language becomes tensed, uncomfortable, and worried as the immigration officers enter the building. This shows the audience that they look at each other as individuals and equals.
I think the most important clip with in hotel Babylon is when all of the workers that are seen as illegal immigrates are hiding in a closet. The camera shows they're vulnerable and scared, the camera isn't steady and shows the characters with fast movements. This expresses how they're feeling emotional and shows the worry that is whirling around their heads.
When one of the workers has a health issue and faints from having low blood sugar, her colleague rushes to assist and help her out. From his dialogue it shows that he is in a job that he is over qualified for. "I wasn't always a cleaner." it shows the audience that he had a higher powered job before he became a cleaner, possibly could of been a doctor. It shows he has determination to make something of his life and provided for his family, which is why he moved to the UK to get a better life.
The lighting in the clip is dark, expressing the fear the characters are having, possibly showing the darkness they feel from the fear of having to go back to somewhere that is unsafe to live.
The props, mops and buckets, hoovers and the dirty costumes that are shown in the closet shows that the characters are underpaid workers, that are doing un enjoyable jobs, due to a lack of education. It also show the audience that the majority of the workers that immigration are looking for are either cleaners or handymen.
When the thug like looking immigration knocks on the closet door you can see the anxious and worried atmosphere that circulates around the room. The shouting and panicked voices turn to hushed tones and the soundtrack becomes a little louder as somebody knocks on the door again.
As the immigration officer is shown on the clip again it is obvious that he has a huge importance as the main focus falls to him, and again he becomes the centre of the main shot. The camera also looks up at the immigration officer, showing that he has a higher power over the employees. He shows actions of being a cruel, heartless man that had done the same job a million times before, as he treats the worker rough, as if he isn't even human.
The dialogue in this clip again shows the workers all care for each other. "I'll sack him, just let him disappear." This shows a sincere action, to help her colleagues and she knows the troubles he will face when he arrives back to his own country.
As the workers start to clear their colleagues locker it shows the audience that he is gone and is never coming back. The soundtrack starts up again, but is slower and sad than it was before. It shows not the just emptiness of his locker, as they are removing his life he had in the UK, but also the empty place that will be left in the hotel now that he has gone.
As the man gets taken away by immigration the soundtrack stops , this being the first time when the sad, depressing music has stopped with in the clip.
The camera pans to the other characters who could have been taken away by the immigration officer. The camera shows close ups to certain characters as they show strained and pained expressions, with a hint of happiness and joy, the mixed feelings washing over them as they come to deal with the horrid task that had just taken place in front of them.
The camera continues to pan as it shows the workers that were just in an un safe position. It shows a medium shot of the workers having their lunch. It shows for the first time not as individuals, as they sit in different groups from the countries they are from.
It shows being silent or praying, or chatting with extreme laughter that echos and roars around the room. It shows the different languages that are under one roof and the different ranges of backgrounds, as there is subtitles shown as group stories are shown and heard in different languages.
Hotel Babylon Ethnicity Representation Essay
notes
When the man in the warehouse, the woman at the front desk, Ben- a black member of the hotel staff, the female manager and John Voyak (the head immigration officer) are introduced to the clip a medium long shot is used to establish and introduce the characters to the scene and then pan with the character as they walk or zoom into a close up which shows that each of these characters play a vital role in the clip.
The first impression that the audience is given of John Voyak is that he is confident, laid back and knows he has power over the Hotel, the ID card he shows to the blond woman shows that he is proving his job title so that he is not questioned. When the blond woman at the front desk asks Ben about the purple acquisition forms being taken down to housekeeping, the close up used on her face reveals the nod of her head and the look in her eyes to portray to the audience that it is code for the immigration officers searching the hotel premises and that the message needs to be sent down there. The way John Voyak is portrayed to look at Ben and then how he looks at the blond woman gives us an insight that he may be amused by the secret code being used as he knows what they are up to- as if he is one step ahead of all of them.
When the man in the warehouse, the woman at the front desk, Ben- a black member of the hotel staff, the female manager and John Voyak (the head immigration officer) are introduced to the clip a medium long shot is used to establish and introduce the characters to the scene and then pan with the character as they walk or zoom into a close up which shows that each of these characters play a vital role in the clip.
The first impression that the audience is given of John Voyak is that he is confident, laid back and knows he has power over the Hotel, the ID card he shows to the blond woman shows that he is proving his job title so that he is not questioned. When the blond woman at the front desk asks Ben about the purple acquisition forms being taken down to housekeeping, the close up used on her face reveals the nod of her head and the look in her eyes to portray to the audience that it is code for the immigration officers searching the hotel premises and that the message needs to be sent down there. The way John Voyak is portrayed to look at Ben and then how he looks at the blond woman gives us an insight that he may be amused by the secret code being used as he knows what they are up to- as if he is one step ahead of all of them.
This clip is shown to be set in a hotel that is furnished and presented to a high standard so most likely located in London due to the accents of both John Voyak and the blond woman having english accents.
The lighting is eerily bright in the foyer when the immigration officers enter which gives a sense of dismay to the scene however when Ben goes down into the office of female manager, the use of dim lighting is prominent to portray the atmosphere of the situation and continues down in the 'staff only' room. when the black immigrant worker hoovering in the hallway gets caught there is a use of harsh bright lighting which almost metaphorically portrays the harsh truth that they could not save everyone- even when the woman goes upstairs to negotiate his freedom the lighting foreshadows to the audience there is no hope in saving the man.
the immigration officers that enter the hotel foyer are dressed in suits however the man in the middle that leads is dressed in a suit but has a simple t-shirt on rather that a shirt and tie like the two men flanking on both sides of him; it gives him a laid- back appearance but tells the audience immediately that he is comfortable and used to the power that his job title entails him to possess- this in some way makes him presented more threatening than if he were in the full suit.
The woman at the front desk is dressed in complete white woman suit which could connote to the audience that she is put there to look innocent and unaware of the workings of the rest of the hotel and also there to distract the immigration officers for a bit longer whilst the desperate attempt at saving the workers happens below.
when the immigration officers enter into the hotel foyer they have prominence within the scene by the fact that the camera pans and follows them to the main desk.
When the black hotel worker gets to the office of the woman every clip is quick and fast changing angles and zoom on the characters and action which helps with the audience understand how they are trapped within a time frame of two or three minutes to save everyone and cannot waste their time.
the soundtrack is the same throughout but just either fades to more quiet or increases in volume to emphasise the drama and fast paced tension in the clip; it has a steady beat that would be said to 'keep the audience gripped and on the edge of their seats' but portrays the importance of the immigration agency team's power but also the urgency of the hotel staff to save anyone from being caught and the danger that one of the workers have been left in the hallway. There is an added sound effect that is added on top of the soundtrack to emphasise the power of the immigration officers but also the timid, helplessness of the workers.
The soundtrack completely goes silent after the woman says 'abraham' when she opens the door to the man that tells her he has been caught. The only sound is the added pholi of the man struggling against the officers and the footsteps of the woman.
When the female manager is emptying out the contents of abraham's locker there is a sad soundtrack that starts up; the two other workers that stand there watching were obviously close to his character and stand there watching- the soundtrack portraying their emotions but also look at her in a sorrowful way but also as if she were to blame but there is nothing they can do to change what happened.
The cantine tables are separated in to the different countries of which the workers were from; showing the segregation between the workers due to their home countries- the liveliness of all the tables other than the two black workers show that they are not fazed or affected by the day's events but the fact that the two black workers sit there praying before they eat show they are religious and a lot more civilised and grateful than the other workers but also that they might be praying for the well-being of abraham that was taken by the immigration officers.
Hotel Babylon Clip
The hotel Babylon clip shows how all the workers are treated as equal humans at the hotel. All the workers have an importance, even though some of the talent is hidden from their colleagues.
The props and costume in the clip show the staff that immigration are looking for are under paid workers.
With mop and buckets, and hovers as props, it shows that the workers are doing less enjoyable and dirty jobs. This could possibly be due to a lack of education.
The costume in the clip are overals, showing the audience that the majority of the staff are cleaners or handymen.
There are some staff at the beginning of the clip in the foyer. The audience will get the indication that these workers are legal and have more importance, due to them having a smart suited costume and immigration ignoring them as they pass through the hotel.
There was quite a bit of dialogue heard with in the clip.
"I wasn't always a cleaner." This shows that the worker had a higher powered job before he became a cleaner, possibly being a doctor.
This could show the audience that he wanted to move to the UK to get a better life for himself.
The other dialogue heard is a higher positioned employee talking to the immigration officer.
"I'll sack him, just let him disappear." This shows that all the hotel staff care for each other and don't care what country they come from. It shows they look at each other as an equal team.
The camera angles express the different emotions the characters are feeling when the immigration officers arrive at the hotel.
The camera shows the characters are worried, as the camera moves at a fast and unsteady pace.
Also sadness, as the camera shows extreme close ups and close ups to show the characters expressions.
The camera is also panning to the different characters, showing them working.
This shows the audience that the characters have e better life in the UK,
Than they do in their own country. The immigration officer is always shown in a main shot, showing he has more pominance and importance than anyone else does in the hotel.
The soundtrack for the clip is pretty much
Counstantly slow throughout the clip.
The soundtrack gets faster when it's showing the audience mystery or suspense.
For example when the immigration turns up to the hotel, the soundtrack is increased to a higher tone. Also when the workers are cleaning out their friends locker there's an element of sadness in the soundtrack to match with the mood.
There isn't any foley.
Friday, 7 March 2014
Climbing Down the Mountain Essay
We are introduced to the clip by the normal average teenage boy watching his brother sleeping; a monologue is being told over the top of the clip and we can tell this is from the teenage boy's perspective due to the establishing shot at the beginning of the clip where it uses a close/ medium shot to focus on the boy sitting against the wall; his facial expression is giving nothing away but his eyes gleam with a secret within them which is revealed through the monologue which expresses his dislike at having a disabled brother- he explains how we are given a structure and if that is mucked up we are left with 'a potato with eye tentacles' when he repeats this by linking it to his brother the clip changes to a close up of his brother's face enforcing his opinion that his brother is stupid- due to the characteristic differences the audience is immediately told that the brother is down syndrome. This scene is set in a kitchen with the family going about their everyday morning routine; it is a small kitchen that is usually associated with council houses due to the design of the cupboards and shape of the windows which can be shown that the family is an average working class family- this lets the audience know it is a normal family that could easily be someone's actual reality therefore making this story already relatable and realistic- this is also made significant by the 'normal' clothes they are wearing- jeans and a t-shirt. When the close up shot of his down syndrome brother is used a 'happy-go-lucky' soundtrack begins which could mean that it is metaphorically symbolising the disabled boy's perspective on life, that everything is happy and simple and does not see the bad things in life; however when the teenage boy walks in that is in stark contrast to the music playing in the background. the subject of weetabix is extremely average and almost pathetic but it can easily be a relatable topic in a normal household- this reinforces the realistic storyline. Nevertheless, this also emphasises how exceptions are made for the disabled child due to his condition and the teenage child is scolded for making a big deal out of it; this could also be interpreted as the fact that the parents prefer the disabled child as they have complete control over his life and what he does where the teenage boy is a free mind that can rebel and choose what he does and the parents don't have control over him for much longer. when the teenage boy is told of the normal routine for being responsible for his brother and taking him to school it is as if the teenage boy is being told a job title and the dad makes an excuse that he was working all night and that he just wants to eat his breakfast in peace so he cannot do it- the teenage boy is taken granted for his help in the household and the responsibility of looking after his disabled brother. The next shot is a long shot of the two brothers sitting at the bus stop; the dreary drab weather and council flats behind them give the realistic setting of somewhere in London. The brothers sit at opposite ends of the benches which presents a contrast between the two brothers; the monologue begins again by explaining how having a down syndrome brother means his life is repetitive and the holiday destinations are chosen due to the disabled brother's interest in the ice cream truck and play activities; it uses shots of past experiences to reinforce this for example a high angle shot is used on the disabled brother eating ice cream- the high angle shows that the brother has no power and the teenage boy in the tree has power over his brother in both body and mind. When it alternates back to the clip of them at the bus stop it shows in time steps of the disabled boy having a slim attention span and doing random things to keep himself amused but also people turning up at the bus stop in groups and how the disabled boy retreats closer to his brother for comfortability but shows how the people keep distance between themselves and the disabled boy showing that even though society say that disabled people are equally accepted they still judge and have a withdrawn attitude towards them. This is then cut to the teenage boy sitting in lesson drawing on the desk; this is introduced using a close up to show what he is doing; then a long shot is used using a perspective shot from the teacher scolding him by asking him a question about what she has just been teaching- he proves to her that he has been listening all the time by saying all the facts about the great fire of london- she is left shocked and speechless until the boy sitting in front of the teenage boy makes a point of the teacher being proven wrong- by his body language and his speech the audience can tell he has some form of disability which is most likely why the teacher then decides to victimise him so to reinforce her authority over the class by downgrading him saying when he is older all he will be capable of is working in some branch in Asda; she knows the boy will stay silent which is probably the reason for her picking on him- he does stay silent in the clip, his whole posture slumping back in the chair- this is emphasised by using a close up so that the audience empathises with him, showing that he feels uncomfortable with being made an example of in front of the whole class- by using this camerawork it makes the teacher the villain and the class the villain as well as they react positively to her victimising the disabled child. The clips are cut to make a sharp effect between the shots and make a distinction between the disabled children and the able bodied children. there is a use of match on action in the kitchen scene most likely to make it softer to fit in with the happy-go-lucky music and fit in with the disabled boy's perspective.
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Disability essay.
The clip coming down the mountain is trying to show the difference between being "normal" and having a disability.
The characters costumes in the clip coming down the mountain are average teenagers clothing. The characters wear quite cheap looking clothing, possibly because the family don't have much money. The clothing is casual, with both teenagers wearing t-shirts and jeans. I think both of the teenagers are wearing the same sort of clothing to show the audience that underneath they're both the same, even though one will be looked at differently due to having a disability.
The clip shows how the boy with the disability is shown as a victim. You can see that his older bother sort of looks on him as a burden, I can see this from his dialogue.
"I planned to kill him" this shows he doesn't care much for his brother.
"I need a poo."...."Go help your brother." This shows that the older son is needed to help and support his brother. You can see in the clip that he's not happy about it and is annoyed that his brother has a disability.
With in the clip there are different camera shots, to show the audience different things about the characters.
The is a close up shot at the beginning to show the boy sleeping. I think this shot was shown as a close up to show the audience he's different from his brother and also to show he's disabled.
There are also a few close up shots on the older brothers face to show annoyance.
Coming down the mountain showed a variety of different locations, including a bedroom, bus stop and school. Each different location explaining a bit more about both of the teenagers personalities. I felt the most important location in the clip was the holiday camp in Devon.
This showed the family had to return to the camp as things there were enjoyed being done over and over again. This showed the older brother as a hero, as he didn't moan like normal and just went along with what his brother enjoys.
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Disability essay notes
Climbing down the mountain clip
Hero/ brave : boy - this is due to the fact the teacher most likely picked on him in class due to the fact he has a disabled brother and therefore downgraded by association (maybe) and the boy proves her wrong and that he is perfectly capable of listening to the teacher and learning the subject
Victim : boy in class - he was picked on by teacher as a weaker victim and therefore put him down in front of the whole class to prove authority
Ugly: brother - has an obvious disability due to characteristics
Down syndrome brother makes the boys life from his perspective the same thing over and over again, the same holidays, the same routine, him having to be a sort of young carer for his brother as his brother cannot be allowed to go anywhere by himself, his brother gets a lot of exceptions made for him due to his condition where the boy has to just accept it and move on even though it is annoying him hugely.
The disabled boy sitting in front of the boy in class makes a show that the boy proved to the teacher he was actually listening- from his speech and body language the audience can tell he has some sort of problem and the teacher scolds him on saying that he will work in a branch of Asda when he is older proving that he has some form of learning difficulty but by doing this the teacher retains her control over the class by picking on that kid. This emphasises how disabled children are not considered the same as 'normal' children are.
Camera
Close up on Down syndrome brother emphasising disability as it is characteristically obvious
Point of view shot looking at brother sleeping
Medium long shot revealing kitchen scene and all family members eating breakfast- going about their morning routine
Lots of medium long shots to show scene before using close ups to make it more personal and empathetical
Close up on boy and brother when boy is telling stupid story on how people kill pigs - shows how he thinks him stupid and gullible and takes fun out of him
Edit
Cut editing which is sharp between scenes but uses match on action on things like boy getting weetabix packet out of the cupboard but also mainly in that kitchen scene
Mise en scene
Clothes are jeans and tshirts- reflection of reality - normality
House is normal average working class size
Red bus shows it is set in the London district- relatable setting
Sound
Monologue at intervals of his thoughts on having a disabled brother, how exceptions are made and how he is let off of a lot of things due to condition
Happy go lucky music which is a contrast to the boys attitude which is fed up and annoyed - could represent his brother- sees everything in a happy way and doesn't see the bad things
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
4/3/14 Lesson Notes
Cross - media convergence
Producing technology across different platforms. Phone, take photos, watch films, listen to the radio.
Synergy
The 'strategy of synchronising and actively forging connections between directly related areas of entertainment. Things that work well together. (Outlet, DVD, game and CD)
Producing technology across different platforms. Phone, take photos, watch films, listen to the radio.
Synergy
The 'strategy of synchronising and actively forging connections between directly related areas of entertainment. Things that work well together. (Outlet, DVD, game and CD)
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Monarch of the Glen - Age Identity mock exam
age stereotypes
beautiful/ alive
control/ authority
experienced/
traditional/ wise
impetuous/
reckless/ irresponsible/ spontaneous
rebellious
lonely
the clip is introduced with
the male workers going about their everyday jobs in the fields dressed in
jeans, jackets and caps which is a stereotypical dress of people working in the
countryside- the pholi sounds of the clutter of the equipment, footsteps, the
sheep and birds in the background and the hushed chatter give a realistic feel
to the scene; there is a man in the centre of the shot, he is dressed in the
same way as the workers but appears neater and is presented in a way that makes
the audience pay attention to what his character is doing. the lighting is
slightly dim, giving the realistic impression of the english countryside. his
character is portrayed to have the control on the farm and the authority over
everyone including family. the woman is introduced when she walks out of the
house, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with minimal makeup shows that she is not
a 'beautiful' stereotype but more of an average woman- her accent is from up
north and much different from the others on the farm which shows she does not
belong there and is most likely new to the job. when the man passes the keys to
the woman she looks almost shocked- when she is in the truck it is obvious she
has not done this before and therefore does not know what she is doing, the
sounds of the others working outside the truck makes the audience realise she
might get caught which gives an edge to the scene, she talks under her breath
wondering how to turn the engine on- when it eventually roars to life there is
a visible relaxation which we unconsciously follow as the young man approaches
the vehicle she is in suspiciously but then backs off when they hear the engine
start up. Her character is beautiful and must be irresponsible as she is hiding
behind a facade of someone she has obviously convinced them is much older and
much more experienced than she actually is. the shot flips back to the people
in the drive including the man that holds the authority and it is quiet other
than the clatter of their shovels etc but when there is a loud audible crash in
the distance it gives the obvious indication it is the woman that just left and
they all react immediately running towards the sound. the man that gets out of
the car the woman has crashed into is well dressed in a suit and has a beard
which is a traditional stereotype of a 'real' man- the way he stands and the
deep masculinity of his voice gives us the indication he has authority of his
own which the camera portrays by the equal level shot between the middle aged
man and the man on the farm. the medium shot shows that the young man and elder
woman are checking over the woman like she is a small child which emphasises
that she is vulnerable. the middle aged man introduces himself as the
headmaster of the woman and that she is in fact 16 which reinforces all the
indications of this earlier on. however the man from the farm looks outraged
and the man is framed considerably larger than the woman in the shot. the
office is first presented as a long shot revealing all the solid oak type
features which is usually associated with farmhouse type buildings in the
countryside but also that of a traditional man; the whiskey that the man pours
from the crystal decanter reinforces the old english presentation of the man.
the camera keeps them at the same level within the frame and eye level which
shows they have equal power within their own rights. when the man storms out of
the office a low angle shot is used on his to show that he has the power/
control within the scene, the camera pans with the man as he pulls the woman
along with him- the shot is framed so that it fits to his height but then shows
her as half his size presenting her vulnerability and irresponsible character.
the shot reverse shot used shows there are two viewpoints to the same story;
when it is showed from her perspective only the top of her head is framed
within the shot and mainly frames the man but when form his perspective the
shot frames her and only up to her shoulders- this presents how he is much
older than her and therefore more experienced and wise within the situation and
shows that she is reckless and spontaneous and therefore has made a stupid
example of herself. their voices are the only sound within this scene connoting
that this is an important discussion and is heated because of this. the man is
the first to walk away which provides us with the fact that he is in charge of
the conversation- when it ends -the close up on the woman throwing a strop and
shouting at his turned back "i hate you" are two identifiers that are
immediately associated with teenagers that are reckless and irresponsible - it
is a trait that all adults associate with every single teenager and as TV
dramas are made by adults this is bias representation but a representation all
the same. the sad soundtrack that begins when the shot reveals the woman's
bedroom gives the impression that she is about to do something that will upset
someone; the point of view shot used when the woman looks in the mirror is a
way of showing the audience her feelings- the shot zooms into the photographs
on the mirror which could present how her family is the most important thing to
her but as she turns her back on them it might show how she does not feel like
she belongs- it could be a metaphor of her family the closest thing to her
heart. when the elder woman enters the room, the medium/ long shot used shows
how she is alone- the woman has left- she looks almost helpless- vulnerable as
she does not know what to do- the damage is already done. when it goes back to
the man in the fields with the male workers the quiet of the background but the
clatter of their equipment and birds in the background give a realistic reflection
of normal life- there is always something happening that we do not know about-
when the elder woman runs/ staggers up to the man from behind she looks at a
loss and looks to him for guidance, reinforcing his authority. the man with the
authority on the farm has more prominence than the other characters but the
young woman who is 16 also has prominence within the clip which shows they are
the opposites within the episode- he is the authoritative traditional figure
where she is a spontaneous and reckless teenager.