Still Image Analysis

This is the album cover for the band 'We Are the Ocean' where the song 'Nothing Good has Happened Yet' can be found.

• The album cover is surreal which can link with the music genre as rock music can be seen as surreal as well.
• The typography 'sways' like the waves of water, which can link with the bands name of 'Ocean'.
• The lighthouse links with the idea of the CD cover having relevance to the ocean, as that is where a lighthouse is situated. Also the lighthouse is a phallic symbol which can relate to the fact that the band is all male.
• The image of the woman resembles a sea creature such as a 'mermaid' or 'siren', which again relates with the idea of the band reflecting there name.
• Also the woman, along with the starry background, creates the idea of a dream. This relates with the surreal idea and again reflects the music genre. Also the idea of a 'dream' could link with the band when they first released this album as being a successful band could be there dream.
• The dream idea is supported by the use of balloons which float around, which creates emphasis on a dream as they 'drift'.
• The fact that the album cover shows night time could also reflect the fact that the band aren't well known. Also the night relates with the idea of a 'dream' that the band may want to follow. Furthermore the use of night can relate to the darker side of the bands music due to the generic idea's of rock/screamo music being dark.

Relevance to audience:

• The album cover is creative and surreal which links with the genre of the music and therefore would link with the mind that the audience as they enjoy creativity.
• The use of a female on the front cover could appeal to a female audience telling them that the album is for them as well. Also the image could relate to a male audience as the female may be placed there to 'attract' them.
• The colours of green and blue which are colours that follow the stereotype for males could also appeal to the male audience, showing that this album is for them.

Idea's gained from the cover:

• I thought the album to be really creative due to the surrealism of the cover, this is something that I would like to try in my album cover.

Example Music Video Analysis

Link to music video chosen for inspiration - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTn8Sdt1cxc



This music video is of a band called 'We Are The Ocean' and was chosen for my inspiration because of the conventions that it follows for a typical rock genre music video, the genre which i have chosen. The video is a performance, illustration video as throughout the entire video it is just the band performing. The video is completely a denotation video as the lyrics of the song don't relate to the video at all, except through the use of a ripple transition that resembles water.

The target audience for this video is young people who like forms of rock music.







Analysis of the video:

• The video shows each band member performing throughout the video, allowing both the members and their instruments, which help state the musics genre, to be viewed. This creates authenticity as what the audience see happening is what is really happening when it was being filmed, just a live performance. This is how a typical rock genre music video is produced.



• Use of a lot of close ups of the band members, showing that they themselves are the focus of the video. Another reason why there could be a lot of close ups of the band members face is to appeal to an audience who may be attracted to member/s of the band. This could enhance repeatability as people would watch the video again just to view the band members.



• The band members importance is supported through the use of a completely empty space. The setting looks like a warehouse, which could relate to the music's genre of rock as the setting creates an 'underground' feel. Also the setting could relate to the lyrics of the music as the lyrics mention how someone won't let them go. So the empty warehouse could be a way of showing that they are trapped and alone (emphasised by the large empty space).



• The setting in the video is changed at 2.16 minutes to a small enclosed, more urban area. This enclosed area can link with the lyrics saying 'just let me go', showing how the setting of the video relates slightly with the lyrics.



• The ripple transition used can also resemble sound waves, this links with the fact that it is a music video.


• The pace of the music video increases as the music builds up with the 'screaming', the camera shots become quicker and the camera's becomes less and less steady. This creates tension and interest to the audience due to the 'exciting' pace which gets the audience going.


• Due to the simplicity and authenticity of the video it allows people to relate to the video and therefore willing to watch it more.
• The entire video is film with a handheld camera which supports the videos music genre as the non-stop movement reflects the way rock music is portrayed, being fast and energetic. Also the energy that the band show in their video makes the video look enjoyable, this allows the audience to enjoy the video more which would make them want to watch it more.

Ideas Gained from video

• Set my video in an area that relates with the music genre.
• A complete performance video with small links with lyrics and video/setting.
• Make sure the video's pace links with the pace of the music.
• Maybe use transitions that link with the lyrics.

Chosen Brief

1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:

• A website homepage for the band;


• A cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package)


• A magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package)