EVALUATION TASK 4 (WEBSITE)
- 9. RESEARCH AND PLANNING I found from my research that I did using Google, that it wasn’t consistent whether the band was on the website or not. It tended to vary. However, the photos were not sexualizing or selling the band which would mean the bands were synthetic according to Negus. The bands that were on the front of their websites tended to have blurry photos or they resembled a sense of brotherhood and friends rather than selling their products. I found that on the most part the band were not featuring on the front of the website but were present further down. We used this idea when creating our website.
- 10. RESEARCH I did some research into why bands actually use websites. I found that it was mainly to sell their products whether that be an album, single or merchandise and concerts. It all seemed to be the same. However, I also found that the websites were similar to the music videos and digipak. I found this was so their audiences could relate to each of the products and be able to recognize them. With all the bands I used to help me on this post. For example One Direction, I found that Negus’ theory was the same for each of the three products. One Direction is of synthetic ideology in all three of their products : website, digipak and music video
- 11. RESEARCH AND PLANNING In order to be absolutely confident when it came to creating our website for the band. I did a test run for which I created a website for the hip-hop artist Drake, without previously looking at his website (NEXT SLIDE HAS PHOTOS OF WEBSITE). The software I used to create both the practice website and the band’s website was WIX. WIX is an easy to use website creator software in which has templates which can be selected depending of the genre of your artist. This makes it a lot easier to fit everything that needs to be on the website on there. However certain things do need to be changed
- 12. PRACTICE WEBSITE I CREATED
- 13. PLANNING In order to make sure that the band arrived on time and knew the location of the photo-shoot. I created a Facebook group in which we could all communicate. This meant that everyone responded quickly due to everyone having the app on their phones as well as finding a good time for everyone involved. We knew that we wanted the band to feature somewhere on the website. As according to Dyers’ theory the band needed to come across as being present yet simultaneously absent. We took the paradox on board and didn’t use the band’s faces on the front of the website as the band according to Negus’ theory are of organic ideology. However, we used them in a gallery of photos further down the website showing that they are present, as well as creating a sense of closeness with the band and the target audience which helps to build a strong fan base.
- 14. PRODUCTION We used a Cannon DSLR to shoot the band. On the next slide are some behind the scenes photos from the photo shoot. We decided to use as natural light as possible to help convey the right star image of them being ordinary with their appearance on the website yet their music is extraordinary. Coco (an A-level photography student) helped us to set the band up in the right way as well as helping us to work the shutter speed and use the focusing wheel on the lens of the camera. This meant that are photos are of a better quality than if we were on our own having to work out how to use the camera. We also used a set of red headlights which gave a red tint to the photos. Red has been used in all three of our products, therefore this helped to link the website with the other two products.
- 15. PRODUCTION We started by taking some wide shots of each member of the band. We then did close-ups on each band members face. Then finally did a few group shots. We found this particularly difficult as the boys kept joking around with each other. However, we did manage to get a few usable ones (as can be seen in the next slide)
- 16. GROUP SHOT FROM THE GALLERY ON THE WEBSITE
- 17. POST PRODUCTION We used Photoshop to edit the photos. A GIF was used on the first page of the website, this is an interactive way of visually attracting an audience. This made the band appear modern and up to date with technology, therefore appealing to the 25-30 year old target audience. Photoshop was also used to help enhance the red and worn effect on the photos. This was to carry on with the theme that we had started in our music video with the red coloured lights. This has helped to tie the products together.
- 18. POST PRODUCTION
- 19. POST PRODUCTION The idea of the red also helped to create the band as being “artsy” and “indie” which works well with the genre conventions of an Indie Rock band. Red is a colour that has close ties to passion. The band are passionate about their music and seeking a change in what is wrong in their society (seen in the music video) therefore we thought that red would be a fitting colour to include in the website also.