Media Product

The idea for my media product is an idea for a television programme in which i have created character profiles for in my earlier posts. The character's are based around friends of mine, therefore i was able to get an idea of what the character's would visually look like. The character's i have created all have quite similar personalities, however major differences in things such as the courses in which they are studying, and music taste. My idea stemmed from other television programmes in which i have included earlier in the blog, as all the characters are teenagers therefore have similar characteristics to other television programmes based around teenage lives. The character's all have different styles in which they dress, in which to appeal to a large audience. Similarly to 90210, whereby the audience has a wide range of character's which follow different teenage stereotypes, such as Anna is the "rock chick". However in terms of the storyline the programme would be closer to the programme Skins, as this this too being a British representation of teenagers, therefore more realistic than idealistic. Often in television programmes the group have a place that they always hang out, this being the coffee house in friends. Therefore the group are generally in a bar in which they can openly talk to one another over drinks. As i feel there is a gap in tv programming for female only teenage programmes i think that this programme would be widely accepted by girls aged between 16-25 years. Almost a Sex And The City, teenage, British version. I think this TV programme would feature on a channel such as E4 which largely caters for teenage audiences.

The storyboard i have produced is for a short advertisement.

Shot 1: Overhead shot of four girls walking, a long shot this would create a sense of mysery at first view. This shot should last around 2 seconds before cutting the next.

Shot 2: The camera will then pan vertically to get a front view of the four girls walking and laughing down the street. The long shot will give the audience full view of all four characters, and the girls will be casual with each other to give the audience a sense that they are all good friends. This shot would last 5 seconds before fading out to the next.

Shot 3: Close up on alcohol on a table in the bar the girls always go in. Cut to next shot.

Shot 4: Mid shot of India drinking a shot. Voiceover says "That's never too early." Cut to next shot.

Shot 5: Long Shot of Anna dressed up for a night out. Voiceover says "That's never enough." Cut to next shot.

Shot 6: Logo and name of TV Programme appears on screen "You Can't Make Him Want You."

Music: Fratellis: Chelsea Dagger.

Name: Nicola
Age: 19
Height: 5 Foot 4 Inches
Occupation: Student
Studies: Bio-medical science
Personality: Speaks her mind, always tells the truth.
Likes: Drinking, shopping, going to gigs.
Dislikes: People not being truthful with her.

Name: India
Age: 19
Height: 5 Foot 7 Inches
Occupation: Student
Studies: Sociology
Personality: Loud, happy, outgoing

Likes: Drinking, dancing, going out, boys, boys and boys.
Dislikes: People being quiet

Character Profile

Name: Anna
Age: 19
Height: 5 Foot 3 Inch
Occupation: Student
Studies: Psychology
Personality: Laid back, funny, always has something interesting to say.
Likes: Shopping, listening to music, going to the gym, hanging out with friends.

Dislikes: Scouting for Girls

Character Profile

Name: Megan

Age: 19

Height: 5 Foot 1 Inch

Occupation: Student

Studies: Bio-medical science

Personality: Outgoing, talkative, loud, bubbly, speaks her mind.

Likes: Drinking, dancing, going out, shopping, her friends, talking.

Dislikes: People who are "fake."

Charlotte- Sex And The City

Charlotte is a character from the TV programme Sex And The City. As she is known within the group of girls in the programme as being a "prude" in many of the episodes, i feel this image is very appropriate at portraying this persona. Her posture and "straight laced" facial expression, classy dress and pearl necklace are all visual signifers thats she is infact the "prude" of the group. This is all contrasts with the martini glass she is holding.

Logo- Friends

This logo has become synonimous with the television programme Friends. As the programme attracts both male and female audiences there is no gender preference within the style of writing and colour. This writing therefore appears on DVD cases alongside a photogragh of all the cast members. This visually is simplistic, however through repeatedly seeing this image becomes a signifer for the well known programme.

Opening Credits- Friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1MaIgdQWOg

The television programme Friends was a decade long running programme, with a huge audience. Therefore the opening credit and theme song have been heard over and over again by millions of people. Opening credits are therefore inportant to a programme. The mix of early shots of the cast members and clips from the show are what features in the opening credit to Friends. Showing each character is often used by programmes, as a way of introducing the cast to the audience. The theme song is an important characteristic to fit in with the visual aspect of the opening credits, as a catchy theme tune often has the audience singing along.

Classic Painting- Whistler's Mother

This image is one which is well known painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1871. The image predominantely features the colours black and grey, which gives an almost mournful feel about the painting. The image is quite androgynous as Whistler's mother's hair is not seen, and there is a seriousness about her face; however the delicate bonnet which rests on her head is feminine and almost juxaposes the rest of the image through its pure brightness which breaks up the dullness of the black and grey.

A piece of media like this would have had a large impact of audiences, as this was considered to be a range of daring colours. However would not have much impact in the current media, as audiences are so used to bright eye-catching colours and have now come to expect that.

Skins

Skins became a popular programme for containing sex, drugs and alcohol omonsgt a group of teenagers. Featured on E4 a channel aimed at an older teenage audience, is one of the highest rated programme to feature on this channel (a sister channel to the terrestrial TV channel, channel 4). The visual impact of this programme contrasts largely to the previous post, which suggests a difference in how teenagers are portrayed through the media in Britain in comparison to the USA. The previous post featured very polished, happy and perfect looking teenagers in contrast to this no so polished, not so happy, not so perfect image of teenagers shown on the advertisement for Skins. This shows the difference in ideals between Britain and the USA, as American's seem to want some image of perfection to aspire to, but Brit's want a more realistic and over rebellious group of teenagers to relate to in some ways.

Advertisement- 90210

This is an advertisement for 90210 a re-make of a 1990s television programme. As the original programme was so popular, the title would immediately be recognised and gain attention from potential viewers, and the audience of the original 90210. The visual aspects of the poster such as the characters clothing and hair styles would immediately draw attention to girls aged between 14-18 years. All the actors within this programme are stereotypically attractive and would therefore gain attention from male and female teenage audiences.

Sex And The City

Sex And The City is a TV series which has been produced into a film, here is the film poster. As the television programme had already built up a big enough audience for the film to be produced after the programme had finished, the film poster needs little visual information. The largest part of this poster is taken up by the text, as the audience would already be aware of the content of the programme there would be no need for any kind of signs or signifers. The word "sex" particularly stands out within the poster as it is the largest part of text, being a large focus within the TV programme the audience would be happy to see that sex was still a large focus within the film. The predominant colour on the poster being pink would immediately draw female attention as this overtly suggests that that film is aimed towards a female audience.

Cover Art. Beatles- "Abbey Road"

This very well known image, synonimous with the hugely influential band The Beatles is one which has become almost symbolic. This image which has been re-distributed to appear on t-shirts, bags, badges and mugs, is one which is also easily identifiable with The Beatles.

Visually the photographic composition and camera positioning all works together, as the road dissappears into the background and the band members are equally positioned and together form a central image. The audience are also able to see the band members clothing and hairstyles, which where all key features as The Beatles where influential on their fans style.

Advert. Valentino

Contrasting to the light and free feeling to the previous advertisement (lacoste-touch of pink ad), this advertisment is one in which i could imagine being featured in more high fashion magazines such as vogue. The model used within this advertisment appears older through her elegant dress and hairstyle, therefore more mature and classy. Therefore suggesting an older audience for this perfume between 30-45.

Advert. Lacoste- "Touch Of Pink"

This image is one which i have often seen featured in female "glossy" magazines such as more magazine, and i personally find eye catching. As the perfume "Touch Of Pink" is a popular perfume with girls aged between 15-25 years, this placement is therefore appopriately targeting the correct audiences.

The image which overtly suggests freedom through the models pose and the background colour to the advertisement, is a concept in which the target audience would aspire towards feeling. Therefore this advertisement portrays a message that the perfume would provide some kind of free feeling.

Russel Brand's signature image

Russel Brand is a controversial comedian and TV personality well known for his image. His back combed, messy hair, eye-liner, excessive jewellery and skinny jeans are Russel Brand's signiture style. This unique image, which is often a topic he brings up in his stand ups, is one which has become synonimous with Brand.

Girls Aloud- Stage Outfits

Girls Aloud have built up an image of being "glamourous," this is shown visually through their stage outfits. As a succesfull girl band that are very generic to their genre of music (pop), their stage outfits are an important aspect of their persona. Often matching or very similar in terms of colour and style they visually are co-ordinated and appear to be typical of a girl band, influential as other girl bands have followed with a similar approach eg, The Saturdays. Their appearance is conventional of the pop genre, as each band member is typically physically appealing. Therefore gaining them popularity not only with female audiences, but also male. Differences in hair colour also helps them to become more accesible as role models to groups of young girls, similarly to the Spice Girls. Although Girls Aloud are a more recent example of an influential girl band, they are still similar in terms of matching stage outfits, and relatabilty to audiences as the Spice Girls where.

Cover Art. Lady GaGa- "Just Dance"

The cover art used for Lady GaGa's first album "Just Dance" is reflective of her genre of music which is more mainstream than Arctic Monkey's. The genre of dance/ pop is suggestive in this album cover through the vibrant use of colour, extravagant outfit the artist is wearing, pose and camera angle. All these features work together to gain a more "glam" image, one which is synonimously used within this genre of music.
Lady GaGa who is featured on the front of her album appears flawless, which is an image portrayed in the media with mainstream artists as this goes hand in hand with the "glam" image. Conventionally with "pop stars" the artist(s) will appear on album cover's, unlike alternative music. Therefore Lady GaGa's album cover is conventional of one within this genre of music.

Cover Art. Arctic Monkeys- "Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not"

The album art for Arctic Monkey's first album "Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not," explicitly features a man smoking which i would consider to be an alternative image for an album cover. Directly linking the band with their genre of music. The close-up shot and the dominant percentage of the album cover that this image takes, is significant to the type of image that the band are tryin to portray for themselves. The man appearing on the album cover is not a member of the band, but just an average looking man. Therefore to give an impression that Arctic Monkey's want to be known for their music, as a potential buyer for this product would not immediately know that this was an Arctic Monkeys album from first glance.

Arctic Monkeys- "I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor" Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm69M3jtZl4

This link is to the Arctic Monkey's first released single "I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor." The official music video set in a studio appears amateur and simplistic. This allows the audience to see the band perform, and also identifies each member through a range of close-ups, pannings shots and long shots on the band. As the band where unknown to the British public at the time of it's release in October 2005, the camera angles are strategically used to identify the band through their appearance with the audience. As the Arctic Monkey's produce alternative/ indie music, the music video allows the audience to build this stereotype not only based on their music but also on their "grunge" image. This image and style of music is similar to the well known band Oasis, and showing the Arctic Monkey's in their first Music Video in a similar to way to Oasis will attract a similar audience.
This video contrasts with more recent Arctic Monkey's music video's for example "Fluorescent Adolescent" from their second album in which the band aren't featured at all. However by this point the band had built up a persona whereby the band would not need to be physically featured throughout the music video for the audience to identify that this was their song. This is because the fanbase would identify the bands sound, as Alex Turner the lead singer has a distinctive voice by singing in a yorkshire accent. Also this was not the first release from this album and fans who had already purchased the album would identify the song.
Therefore appearance is important to gaining recognition, or being put into a certain genre. Arctic Monkey's first music video allowed the British audience to categorise them in to the genre of alternative/ indie.