Record Labels

In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion, and enforcement of copyright protection of sound recordings and music videos; conducts talent scouting and development of new artists and maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information.
Major labels 1988–1998 (Big Six)

1. Warner Music Group
2. EMI
3. Sony Music
4. BMG Music
5. Universal Music Group
6. Polygram

Major labels 1998–2004 (Big Five)

1. Warner Music Group
2. EMI
3. Sony Music
4. BMG Music
5. Universal Music Group

Major labels 2004–2008 (Big Four)

1. Warner Music Group
2. EMI
3. Sony BMG
4. Universal Music Group

Major labels since 2009 (Big Four)

1. Sony Music Entertainment
2. EMI Group
3. Warner Music Group
4. Universal Music Group

Sourced; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label

Mixy Meet

Once again I bumped in to Mixy, since the last time we met he sent me two of his new tracks. After listening to these I came up with an idea that might go well with one; I then discussed this idea with him yesterday. He seem to like the idea and we are going to arange another recorded meeting, in this we will brainstorm ideas and listen to some of his tracks.

Analysis of a music website

This is the front page of the official site for the popular artist 'Example'.

The most eye catching thing from the moment you access the site is the large image showcasing the artists upcoming UK Tour. It is placed above everything, even the site navigation buttons to show its importance. This is done typically to catch fans attention to make them aware of the tour, where it takes place, dates, etc. Very stereotypical of a music website.



Below this is the main block of the website. It follows codes and conventions by having the navigational buttons placed along the top. Making them easy to be found and easily accessible. It has the normal 'Tour', 'Tickets', 'Albums' and other typical things you'd expect to see.
The website is of a solid black colour with text being a deep pink to contrast so it stands out, without being alarming. With that said however, with the websites main page being of a blog style, information about his upcoming tour has been highlighted with the same pink to make it stand out more, showing importance and drawing people in.

Profile pictures on the facebook bar have been blocked for friends privacy.

The site employs aspects of the modern technical age, by including bars on the side linking you to the artists facebook page, and twitter feed. This again, is to draw more fans and link more people into it.

How to read a website

With the constant changing world of media, more and more people are acessing most of their media through the web.

Websites are a form of 'e-media'. Types of e-media include;

• Blogs
• Social Networking
• YouTube
• Pod Casts
• On demand/Streaming media/Downloading
• Online music services (e.g. Spotify)
• Online radio (including video feeds)
• Games (console and online)
• Email
• Mobile phone content

Websites are often part of multi-platform media. Media instiutions could be linked to this by using different methods of communication to reach its target audience.

Analysis of a website should consider how it:

• Utilises media language codes and conventions
• Is part of an insitutional contect
• Follows or subverts generic codes
• Contructs representations
• Targets, appeals to, communicated with and engages the audience
• Communitcates ideologies and values
• Utilises narrative devices

The codes and conventions of a website


Layout and design; The key consideration in effective web design is usability, therefore websites need to be clear, logical and easy to navigate.
A grid system is used to serparate sections of a website and to present information in small, easy to access segments.
The centre of the page is often used for the main content with navigations tools on the left and/or across the top of the page and links to more detailed information on the right.
Background and font colour is often used to separate differnt types of information.
Images are used to illustrate as much as possible to add visual interest.

Technical code; Certain technical codes are now common place on websites. Many sites provide moving image or audio content and also provide some form of audience activity or interaction. Sometimes this is related to the content of the site so film marketing sites often offer downloads such as msic and images whereas news-based sites provide areas for audience members to comment on published news stories.

Content; Websites which contain factual information will look different to those creating for enterainment. There are distinct conventions in terms of news websites, film promotion websites, websites focussing on health issues, etc.

Genre codes; In addition to the content leading layout and design choices, where websites are based on existing genres (e.g. Broadsheets or Tabloid newspapers, Lifestyle magazines, Horror films) the web design uses recognisable codes and coventions from the genres to ensure audiences recognise the genre and are framed to have appropriate expectations.

Target the audience; Different audiences may find certain layout and design choices more appealing. A key issue with websites is the way they attempt to encourage audience activity and iteractivity to attract audiences in and persuade them to return or pass on information important to website producers.

Jason Derulo Website/Web Page Analysis

Website Analysis

This is what Jason Derulo's webpage looks like once you have entred it. Once again the main viewpoint is a picture of him and his name 'Jason Derulo' in big lettering with a colourful font, this acts as the wall paper for the site. The same theme is followed throughout the site. It is easy to navigate arround and the options you can click on are well labled and easy to see e.g. Home, News, Music, Videos ect. On this page there is the opportunity to sign up to the mailing list, a section for news on his music videos and tours ect. His latest music video is shown on this page along with reference to Jason Derulo's Facebook page, myspace and twitter accounts, this is to encourage fans to follow him and keep up to date with him throughout their lifes. The site would be aimed at young adults becasue that is the age group which most commonly listens to this type of urban music.

The wesite is designed in order to attract that age group. The funky fonts and colours are used for that reason.

 

 

Webpage Analysis

First of the Year - Skrillex

the first shot is a slow upward pan, of someone twiddling a sweet with there hands unknown to the audience at this time, this foreshadows a mans intentions; as the pan continues it reveals that the man is wearing a trench coat, as the mans head comes into shot you can see that he is wearing Horn-rimmed glasses  with a reseeding hair line and a stubbly face. this combination of clothes and general look is stereotypically associated with a pedophile (to back this point up you can see what this website call this style of glasses - http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/20376568/His-Hers-Instant-Weirdo-Glasses/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:20376568%7Cprd:20376568) Through out the first shot there is a sound in the background that sounds like wind and muffled children, this has an eerie affect that make the audience question the mans intent.

there is then a over the shoulder shot of what the man is looking at, a playground, then children run around. as then children play one girl in a hoodie runs past, his head then follows the child. once she has ran past it goes to a mid shot of the man a rumble for the begging of the song crescendos this then links with the gradual look of disgust that the man makes. once this shot is shown the same ambient background noise is played however, it doesn't have a muffled effect revealing that it is children. this then confirms that the mans intentions aren't right classing him as a "bad guy".

a kick and snare pattern begins with a shot at the floor slowly panning up and on a dolly moving backwards revealing the hooded girl skipping in time with the beat, this then gives an indication to the girls age.

To be Continued ...

Dappy- No Regrets music analysis

This Music Video breaks the normal codes and conventions of a R&B video. I would say this video is inbetween a Pop and R&B genre.
The opening scene is a shot of 'Dappy' (the singer) standing on top of a building, this sets the scene for the video. At the beging there is alot of shots fading over one another, i think this is to show the past, since the song is called 'No Regrets' this could mean he regrets things that have happend in the past, this also shows a connection between lyrics and visuals. The atmosphere also has connection to the lyrics, the atmosphere is calm and just shows daily situations, the transitons are slow and gentle which represents the calm nature of the song. Most of the video is based arround the singing 'dappy' and there is alot of close up shots of the singer, a example of this is shown below:

This is a common code and convention of a R&B video.

There are often intertextual references the lyrics 'Cos I’m famous.. Call me Gallagher.. ‘Cos I’m so shameless' relate to the tv episode shamless. He also says 'back to to future, Marty Mcfly' which relates to the film 'Back to the Future'. The name Michael Caine is also mentioned. This shows there is alot of intertextual analysis in this song. I beleive this helps the audience relate to the lyrics of the song and the message that is trying to be put across.

The is also alot of violence, arguing and fights, this could be showing you what his past was like. The fighting scene is in slow motion, i think his is so it fits in with the mood of the music.

Meet with Mixy

I met with Michael Riccardi (mixy) on a bus and we got to talking; we discussed the possibility of using him for our music video. We discussed some of the songs that i have previously analysed, whilst doing this he then told me about a new album, that will be released soon. He agreed to send me some of his new songs to listen to, he also gave me a phone number to contact him on, we have discussed meeting with his producer and discussing possibilities.

Shot Inspiration

From this video, I have gathered inspiriation for a type of shot I would like to replicate, if possible, within my groups video production.

From 00:57 to 01:00 is where the shot takes place. The shot matches the lyrics "boom bang" with a movement as if the camera is the first person point of view of someone and they have just been shot. The shot not only looks great, but also adds an immersive feel to the video.

This sort of thing is sterotypical to this genre of music, so matches the codes and conventions.