Equipment and Prop List

Photoshoot Images

These are the images that we will be using on our Photoshoot. We have used these four images as the background and lighting is very similar and all of the images have a consistent theme.

Record Label logo

Digipak Research

A digi-pak is an alternative form of CD/DVD packaging, alternative to jewel cases. They were first created by MeadWestvaco, who had the product trademarked just before they became a common form of packaging, which was quite popular in 2000. The digi-pak consists of three double sided panels, which hold the CD inside of them. Throughout the years the concept of digi-paks have stayed the same, although many companies have tried to manufacture the product out of recyclable products.

Digipak Development

From our digipak research, we found out that the digipak can give a lot of information to the audience about the band, before they even listen. The digipak design can help the audience identify the genre and also the style of the music. They can also help create a star image for the band. To start the digipak we decided to created a front cover on Photoshoot to collect ideas and try to create a theme for the digipak. This is the front cover of our digipak. We used the textured font to  suggest that the album is aged. We then contrasted the sun in the middle (By using bright colours) with the dark shadows on the outside (By blocking them out and slightly blurring them). We now all knew that we wanted to keep this nature theme and we also wanted to contrast the dark and light theme throughout the digipak.

Once we had reviewed the digipak, we had decided that we did not like the name and therefore we decided to change the name to Communiqué. We also took off the writing 'Still Life' as this would be the name of the single and not necessarily the name of the album.  Once we had our theme we wanted to start designing the other panels and to do this we printed off a template. We kept the theme of nature and even though we tried to change the front cover, we liked the original one and decided to stay with this one. We did not finish the left panel as we realised that throughout the development process our ideas and designs would change and this would influence the covers. 

We then made the changes to the front cover of the digipak before starting to design the other panels. The first  change we made was to the colour scheme of the front cover. We made this change as when we looked at existing digi - paks as we noticed that a lot of bands with a similar genre used colour effectively. The most common feature regarding colour was the contrast between the outside of the digi-pak and the inside. 

We then started making the back panel for the digipak. When we were looking at the ideas from our initial sketches, we decided to keep the design the same as the front panel to keep the digipak consistent. However we decided to make small changes so that the panel was not exactly the same as the front cover. To do this we started by copying the front cover, but then we removed the text and although we left the textured pattern we played around with different effects and adjustments to make the panel look a it different. We then used a white text (which was the same font as the text on the magazine advert) to write on the name of the songs featured on the album. 

On one of the inside panels we decided to use our photoshoot images. We used the image that featured all of the band. When we opened the image we decided to block out the lights behind us, however that did not work. Even though the effect looked good as a group we were unsure and so we tried again. This time we decided to just block out the large lights and leave the small lights as they were. We were a lot happier with the results we got from this image. 

Once Adam had created the other panels, we started to fit the digipak together. We wanted to keep the digipak consistent and to keep the consistency, we kept the disc similar to the two opening panels. Once we had created the digipak and fitted all of the panels together, we looked back at our initial sketches and compared the two. There were significant differences between our first thoughts and the finished product, but we were happy with the finished product and thought it captured the band's genre. 

Evidence of Request for Permission

We have asked 'XL Recordings' for permission to use the song 'Still Life' by 'The Horrors' to use on this A2 Media Project.

Because this is the song we have chosen for our music video, digipack etc. We have had to ask permission from the record label this song was released on.

The screenshot above shows proof of the email I have sent to XL Recordings, asking for permission to use their artists track for my A2 Media Project.

Photoshoot Contact Sheet

Below, are all of the photos we took in the studio, after we had filmed the live performance. As it is clear to see, some of the photos are better than others, however looking over them as a whole we are impressed with the photos we have took and understand that the photos we will use in our actual products will look a lot better, once we have edited them with Photoshop. 

These are the photos we took in the photoshoot. The lighting was the biggest issue in the photoshoot as it took a while to get the lighting right. We learnt that the lighting that worked for the video, didn't necessarily have the same effect as the lighting we wanted for the photoshoot. Therefore we altered the position of the camera and the height and position of the lights, so that the two lights in the middle were level with our heads. This helped to create a silhouette effect and fitted in with our idea. 

From these photos we have taken, I think that we have enough now to start constructing the digipak and magazine advert with the photos we have.  

To view the final images we are happy with and will be using, please click Here.

Photoshoot Ideas & Planning

Looking at the mood board we ha created of existing band phototshoots, it was evident that the majority of the bands and artists had the shots taken in a studio. Since this looked like a common convention, we then decided that it would be best for our photoshoot to be filmed in the same studio, where we filmed our live clips of the video. 

We originally wanted to take two of each shots, one of the band and members with the instruments and then without. This would give us enough shots to work with and would therefore make sure that we would have enough so that we could make a different album cover and magazine article. Since the bands faces would be purposely blocked out of the shot by the silhouette of effect of te shot, we did not have to worry about performance or expressions. 

We were originally going to reserve the studio for another day, just to focus on the photoshoot but then when we were in the filming studio and had all of the equipment set up, we decided to take our photoshoot there. Also the costumes on the set then matched the costumes on the cover, therefore making the links between the song and the digipak. This was another factor that influenced our decision to film on the day.

Band Photo Shoot Moodboard

When thinking about how we could create our band photoshoot, we decided to create a moodboard of  photos from different band photoshoots. From this we got an idea of what different band photoshoots and give us some ideas about location and other factors that will influence our final shoot.

Inspirational / Creative Music Video

Pond - You Broke My cool:
As a group, we liked this video as the lyrics have no relevance to the music video. We also particularly took interest in the way the video had been edited. Throughout the video, the clips have been slowed down and speeded up. This happens with the tempo of the song and we though that it was a feature that kept the audience involved with the music video. Another editing technique used in the video was with the colours and filters used on the clips. The colours made the video look old, however when we researched the music video we found that the band had filmed the music video on an old camera. This also inspired us as this could be a possibility.


Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards:
This video was another one which we took inspiration from. The main feature of this video which we found inspiring was how the directors used colour in the video. It was very bright and eye catching, meaning it was hard for the audience to loose focus whilst watching the video. Another feature we liked was the use of cartoons and how the music video looked like one continuity shot as each different scenario blended and merged into the next. Also the lyrics 'only go backwards' worked with the video as all of the images went towards the back of the screen. Even though a mix of all these features worked well with the video, we do not think it will be possible to create a cartoon in the time we have, however we would like to use colours and lights if we can.


Temples - Shelter Song:
We liked this video because of the bright colours used in the video and because of the various editing techniques. The main technique we liked was the overlaying technique, which was used frequently. In some parts of the video, three clips had been overlapped on top of each other to make it look as though they were all in the same clip. We though this was interesting and a bit different. Although other music videos of the same genre use this technique, they do not put as much emphasis on it as this one does. We also took interest in the way that they colours were brightly edited. Once again, it is clear this is a common editing technique for music videos of this genre, although the other videos do not make their videos as bright as this. I also think that the overlapping scenes help to create this effect and contribute to the success of this feature. 


From looking at these videos and looking at common features and techniques used I think that one of the main features of the video should be the contrast between colour, contrasting a dark low key lighting scene with a bright and dynamic scene. We could then use lots of editing effects to emphasise the colours of the shot which would emphasise the contrast throughout the video. 

Rough Initial Test

To test the footage from our first session we created a very short video to give us an idea of what we were creating.  As you can see it is quite dark and although we originally wanted to create this effect, we did not think that it fit the style of the video. All of the group agreed this could have been done better, so we booked the filming studio again and changed around the position of the lights before filming our rough cut.

Maganzine Article Analysis

Here is a magazine advertisement for the latest ‘Daft Punk’ album ‘Random Access Memories’.

This advertisement is quite a teaser for fans of the electronic dance duo, as the first thing the audience would see is the two iconic masks/helmets from the two members of Daft Punk. This is something that would be instantly recognised from the advertisement, and would get the attention of the audience straight away.

Of course this advertisement does not reveal much yet, and the minimalism of it is still very effective in what it does. The text on the page is foreign, which translates to “Access the QR code and uncover the mystery of the new album by DAFT PUNK! Available in all stores May”. This is a very good teaser for the audience, and with the integration with the QR code the audience can also interact and ‘uncover the mystery’. This tagline will especially attract the audience and make them want to find out more.

Album Artwork Moodboard

This is a moodboard for the album art work. It has been made so that we get some inspiration for possible artwork for our album.

What is Genre?

In terms of music, genre is the label given to artists and songs that helps define the style of their music. Because there are so many different people, who all have different personalities, interests and preferences. It is therefore important that the music   industry has a lot to genres to offer.Genre will be one of the most important factors of our music video as it will influence many of our decisions. This will be from the costumes involved to the colour and effects we use on the actual video.

Even though there are many genres (Rock, Pop, R&B, Jazz, Blues etc) all of these genres are then split and broken down into sub genres, such as Alternative Rock. This was mainly emphasised by producers who wanted to create a specific audience that was easy to identify and who could therefore purchase their records easy. 

The genre we will be conveying in our music video is Alternative Rock. We have picked this genre as it is the genre we are most familiar with as a grop and we know that we will be able to use a lot of effects in the editing process to make our video fit this genre and be convincing. 

Treatment Sheet

Filming Progress