Website Research - What Makes a Good Band Website?

Website research from englefieldf11

Magazine Research

Miley Cyrus within her billboard shoot inspires us as a group as this shoot revolved around the countryside with being in a wheat field and with her guitar. This magazine especially focuses on Miley's country era due to the location, also the colours of the text used also relates back to Miley because this colour is used a lot with her music.

Shawn Mendes' shoot for billboard we like the idea of as the location is quite rustic and has an autumnal vibe. In addition the outfit that is worn is similar to the outfit Sophie wore for her first outfit at marsh farm. This magazine cover draws us the most with the initial focus on the artist, however the text is quite muted which is the approach we like.

This magazine that has Haim as the front cover inspires us as a band of three members. The intimacy portrayed within the photo we like due to the band looking as though they are connecting with their audience/readers. From this image, we also like the idea of having the V which could be an idea of the magazine representing our logo as a band named "Vanilla".
We also like the idea of the black and white as it looks stripped down and basic, however it still intrigues an audience.

Vanilla Logo Ideas

This is the first logo that has been edited for our band 'Vanilla'. We like this style of writing with it being bold but also feel as though with the stripping detail it links well with the guitar image, also linking with the theme of wooden planks that we have in various locations within our video. As a country band, we wanted to incorporate a guitar in somewhere as we felt this would be a good representation of our genre, therefore editing in a blank guitar we feel works quite well as a symbol instead of the 'I'. 

Songs

Album Name: Vanilla 

Songs:

1. On Our Own
2. Countryside
3. Rough and Tough
4. Lovers
5. Explosion
6. Road to follow
7. Admiration
8. Sight on you
9. 3X3
10. Backseat Passenger

Above shows the name of our album and all of the songs that we would like to use for its release. We chose the name vanilla for our album as we are an upcoming band that is new and needs to create a brand image. We thought name Vanilla which matches our band name would be a good idea as this make a bold statement for our band, also with the need to intrigue a new audience having the album and band name the same, the band would be easily recognisable by anyone who saw us or listened to our music. 

We thought of all of these song titles in addition to the album as we wanted an album that would be relatable to many, along with being relatable to our target audience.

Song List Research

We have analysed 3 different albums and their song lists, of which we have received ideas from the type of titles of songs on these particular albums. Two of these belong to women individual artists, and another to a group of singers, however all are recognisable in the type of songs as they correspond to the type of album it is.

Ariana's "My Everything" album is instantly noticeable that a lot of her songs were inspired by a time in her life where she had relationship troubles or a trouble within her life. Typically you would think it to be about a break up that she experienced and she is reminiscing on events that mean a lot to her. Her album name is also the title of a song which she spoke out about to be dedicated to her Grandad who unfortunately passed away.

 Dolly Parton's album "Better Day" first of all has an uplifting image with the colours and text used, however the title of the songs relate the genre of country; which is inspiring for Vanilla, and it is clear these songs are in someway documenting her journey and events within the industry as well as past times she experienced with others that she considers as important. These titles particularly inspired as; being within the country genre but also being influenced by country as well as other times within her life of events, which is the approach we wish to take.






Little mixes album is slightly different as these songs will be a representation of all of the group of girls as individuals and the journeys they have experienced together; another aspect we wish to incorporate into our track list.



Our songs represent us as a group and individuals, and express the journeys and events of which we have experienced together. We definitely wanted to use a country theme across all of our products, especially the titles of our songs. A lot of songs are empowering and express us as bold unique girls.

Cloning Practice

Today I practiced the clone editing technique. This technique looks great when perfected and we wanted to include it in our video. The wood back ground fits really well as it looks as though its all slanted together.

Although the videos shots we don't big enough therefore we had to incorporate more shots, hence why there are four images. This then makes us seem like a double act as apposed to a trio girl band.

In the real thing we have decided to use all three of will be in the cloning shot and we will have six windows all together. This then brings us together as a band and makes us appear united.

Evidence Of Filming

 

Marsh Farm Outfits

This is the first of our looks for our shooting day at Marsh Farm. We wanted to have a link between all of our outfits throughout the video, such as when we filmed at Hylands we all wore checkered shirts, for this outfit we all wore double denim and our last outfit was linked through our hats, as Renae and Pip both wore denim skirts, and Sophie wore jeans, as shown below. 

This is the second outfit that we changed into where we filmed within the maize maze. We wanted to wear the hats within this location as we thought this would suit it best, with us looking like farmer girls, which is the approach we was trying to do. 

A2 Pop Portfolio

Today we had a lesson focusing on creating our brand image and including cross media products within that brand image. When being marked, all aspects of our products count towards the overall grade meaning they all have to be perfect. To make them perfect we have o create a brand, a product that we can sell and promote. Consistency between the fonts used, the colours and images used are key in bringing across an image to the audience.
Synergy is also key when designing our website, magazine covers and the actual music video. The costumes and props all have to be that way for a reason. That reason being building up what we want our band to come across as - fun loving, kind and country themed. All things that make you distinctively recognisable.

An example of appealing to the right audience is Daft Punk:



This is the album cover was for one of daft Punks new releases. as you can see synergy is used throughout the cover to match the si-fy theme and incorporate the robot masks that they are known for. Due to Daft Punks audience being of an older age group and having such a large fan base they don't have to publicise their new music to the extent of a new upcoming artist. People already know their music and what its about.

To add with the release of their new album they produced a teaser video, to excite and let their fans know new music would soon be released. Reminding them to download it.



The vinyl record represents how they are professional with the music they produce and as DJs mix the 'proper' way, which is something their fans also like about their music. The cross media convergence between all their products brings their brand image together and shows how they are publishing themselves with a certain look that they want to bring across: si-fy, electronic, secretive and creative.

On Location - 3

This is a short shot of what it looked like in the corn field at marsh farm, which was our third location in the music video.

On Location - 2

This is us getting to know the horses in the stables, we wanted to make sure the animals felt safe and comfortable before we started any filming. It also meant that we could get some great footage of us getting involved with the animals. 

Here we are filming the barrel scene, this shows Sophie in the shot. 

This is a shot of the field where the Alpaca's are kept. it is one of the many fields they had at marsh farm. 

Here we are at the entrance of the location... 

Social Media

Throughout the music industry publicity is key when wanting to produce a great music video. Therefore due to our limited funds we decided to produce social media accounts so that we could get our music video out there and heard about. These accounts will allow our fans to follow our band and have been made public today.

Weather Forecast

This week we had to pick a date to film at marsh farm. Due to it all being outside we had to make sure the weather was suitable and that it would look great in our shots.

As you can see the expected weather was only suitable on Monday and Tuesday therefore we planned to do our filming on Tuesday to give us a day to prepare.

Similar Website Research

Survey Monkey

From the shot list we gathered after asking students at Great Baddow High School we produced a Survey Monkey to see which name the public thought would fit best with our image.

After sending it of to the whole of our school we gathered the results together and found that 'Vanilla' was the most popular. Therefore we have decided that Vanilla will be the name of our girl band...

Band Name Ideas

We have carried out a task of research of which we have came up with a variety of names for our girl group. We have been inspired by groups like TLC and The Dixie Chicks.

1. Trinity
2. Azure
3. Lollies
4. Dawes
5. Hallucination
6. Frozen Custard
7. Sizzling Brownies
8. Lallies
9. Blue Moon
10. French Vanillas
11. Pistachio
12. Indigo

As a result of this research task that we undertook from a group of around 30, there was 7 votes for Trinity, 1 for Hallucination, 1 for Frozen Custard, 1 for Lallies, 6 for Blue Moon, 1 French Vanillas, 2 for Pistachio, 2 for Indigo. As a group, our favourites are Trinity, Blue Moon and French Vanillas.

Proof Of Filming

This shows us working on our music video, and getting the perfect shots we needed. we also took picture's of us getting ready for the shoot...

On Location - 1

Hers is the playground where we filmed the majority of our shots at our first location. They included shots with the plain background of the wooden panels and the fun shots we wanted to get on the big slide. It was also a great location for a photo shoot as it has intriguing archways that fit perfectly with the look we were trying to create and it meant we could build up our portfolio as a band. 

This tis the second place we did our shooting, in the beautiful gardens at Hylands park. The arch ways gave a gorgeous back drop and meant we could encompass the pull back dolly shot that we had planned. 

This is the view through the arch. 

As you can see the sunlight seeping through the emerald green foliage looked amazing on camera therefore had to be included in our video... 

First Shoot Outfits

These are the head shots of our first location outfits. the shifts make us seem as a unit yet we all wore them differently to make sure we were all unique and identifiable. 

The location was at Hylands Park, where we found a great wooden park with an arch like a castle and beautiful emerald green gardens. 

Shooting Schedule

The shooting schedule is for us to make note of when we are available and what shots we need to get. it means we are able to keep track of the shots we have and the shots we need, helping us to keep on track with our music video.

  

 

 

 

Shot List - Ideas

Establishing shot – showing the audience where you are

·           Wide shot at marsh farm showing where we are and what we all look like

 Medium shot – seeing what the audience sees

·         Against a plain wall highlighting the performer

·         With all three girls in the shot, showing them as a band

 

 Close up/Extreme close up – a type of shot which tightly frames a person or an object

·         Showing one of us being happy, zooming in on them smiling

·         Including it with a focus pull, with a specific object

 High angle shot – looking down on the performer

·         Making contact with the camera

·         Including a point of view shot with another person looking down at the other

Low angle shot – looking up at the performer

·         Someone singing into the camera (lower down- from far away)

·         Then walking forward depth of field

 

 Dolly zoom – the camera following the actor’s movements smoothly

·         Coming in from an angle towards a performer

·         Them keeping the camera/eye contact as the camera finds them from a distance

Long take – walking towards the camera (down a corridor etc)

·         Walking through an ally at Hylands

·         All three of us singing

·         Engaging with the camera

Steal-O-Matic

We took a range of artists videos to create our visuals against our song "I Wont". We used a variety of old and new videos, with one inspiring us from a pop genre where as the rest are based around the theme of country; our main focus.

Above shows a sequence that has been put together which gives an idea of as a group, the type of visuals we would like to include within the music video. For example it starts with a pan over the artists boots as she is walking. We would like to do this when the video opens to welcome in the music video to the audience. In addition, we would like to also involve a variety of shots such as close ups, mid shots, pans, zooming in and out, as well as incorporating a range of different props that help us with transitions and acting within the video; such as using a hat to throw whilst using this as a transition from one shot to another.

As for the basis of the music video, as shown in the visuals above, throughout the video we would like to film within country genre themed locations such as fields, barns as well as making our own set up to film. So as a group, we could use school facilities such as the drama studio, and we could also use props in making a set like the ones in the above video. For example, we would like to get a plain black background whilst incorporating fairy lights, studio lights and this would count as one of the locations where we interact with the audience by lip syncing the song and singing to the camera. We could also use guitars and hats within this setting.

Shot Plan

Marsh Farm Email

When planning where we were going to shoot our music video we thought Marsh farm would be a great setting and would fit perfectly with our genre. Therefore I sent an email to the manager of marsh farm to ask for his permission to film and when would be the best time or us to come. My mum had connections with his friends and gave me his direct email so that I could get in touch and get a response as soon as possible.

DigiPak Research

The DigiPak will be seen by everyone therefore through research we drew out the covers that we likes the most and picked out what works well and what would fit well with the vibe we want to bring across. The Lakota Rayne cover looks really great as the girls look like natural role models - not in skimpy clothes or caked in makeup. The Tanya Tucker cover looks great and has a real country feel yet it is too old fashioned for us to take inspiration from as we are a modern band, therefore it doesn't really appeal to our target audience.