Question 3
- 1. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts? Liam Biglin
- 2. In order to create my ancillary texts and enable a definite link between them and the music video, I took a number photos of my main character whilst the filming progressed. From doing this I hoped to allow the digipak and promo poster to represent the story I had created from my own interpretation of the lyrics. As well as this, any viewers of the video online would also notice the front cover of the digipak in stores as the character is someone they recognise. Below are some of the images taken on the first day of filmingโฆ
- 3. In fact, the link between the digipak and video is so close that I actually used the same image within the video in the closing sequence. It is shown as almost a subliminal message to the viewers to look out for the image as it quickly flashes on and off the screen. The below image is the one I decided to use for the digipak cover, I felt it was an effective image to use as it created the story within itself. The hopeless look on the characters face as he looks out into the distance, you can almost feel his emotions. It creates a real connection between the consumer and the characters story as they sympathise with him. The fact he's sat on the cliff again hints at what kind of music video the band have created as well as allowing those viewers who haven't yet seen the video to draw assumptions and therefore build anticipation for the real thing. Another factor I like about the picture I chose is the small beam of light conveniently created by a street light shining from the top left corner. This light signifies a small glimmer of hope for the character, maybe signifying that his girlfriend may take him back. However, on the over hand it could also be seen as another hint as to what will happen and instead reflect his a light guiding him to heaven after he eventually jumps from the cliff in the final scene. Image used on Digipak cover Image within music video
- 4. The simplistic approach of the album cover is something I have again reflected onto my promotion poster. I used my research of real life products to see that digipaks and promotional posters within alternative rock are mostly basic and it's something I wanted to create within my own product. Some examples of the basic alternative rock album covers and promotions posters can be seen belowโฆ Basic Promotional Posters Basic album covers
- 5. An obvious comparison between the digipak and the promotion poster is the same main image. I took inspiration from artists such as You Me At Six who simply used their digipak cover to promote their album rather than opting for an alternative picture like so many artists do. I feel using this method is much more effective as it creates a clear recognition of the main image from view the poster so that you can easily find the product in store. You Me at Six products My Products
- 6. With this image being on the promo poster too it is something that ties down all 3 products (music video, digipak and promotion poster) because, as mentioned earlier, it also features within the music video too. I therefore feel all the products together create a solid sales campaign as they are all noticeably working together for the same cause. Another feature that connects the promotion poster and the digipak is the fact the same font is used. I have opted for the fairly simple 'Ethon' taken from Dafont.com and made it white against the dark backgrounds of both.
- 7. Despite having to create a new artist, it was my intention to reflect element of the original artist within my work. I decided to do this in 2 key ways. Firstly, on the digipak I chose to stick with the regular theme of Bastille of crossing the band name and the album title in a crossword effect. This is almost Bastille's trademark album cover and fits perfectly with the conventionally simple alternative rock album covers. As well as this, I decided to keep another of Bastille's trademarks by using a triangle to symbolise the A within the band name. I have therefore used a triangle whenever the Castiel is written, even when writing their website on the bottom of the promotion poster. This is therefore another factor which links the promotion poster with the digipak.
- 8. In order to judge the effectiveness of my products within real life situations I have used Photoshop to edit my products upon various advertisement sources. Starting with my promotional poster Firstly, a bus stop, I feel this is a very effective sales technique as customers find themselves searching for something to help pass the time during their wait. Theyโll read all sorts so what better than so this may catch their eye as they wait. Another effective poster placement would be within music magazines selling similar types of music. In my case, Kerrang. With the help of the promotion poster it way draw the attention of customers who already like alternative rock but havenโt yet come across the particular band. Alternatively it may simply act as a reminder to existing fans that a new Castiel album is set for release.
- 9. As well as this I also placed my digipak upon real life selling industries in order to see how it competes with existing products. Firstly I edited my digipak onto a HMV shelf as though it was for sale in store. I felt this was really effective as it allowed me to get a feeling for how the hard copy of my product would look on the shelves within a real life situation. I could therefore judge itโs effectiveness in comparison to other albums being sold. However, given the current rise of the digital age, many people instead opt to buy their albums digitally using online music stores such as iTunes. Therefore I also decided to edit my album cover onto the iTunes homepage amongst the new music. This then enabled me to view how the digital edition would sell online and itโs effectiveness against other new albums.