Evaluative Question

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Concert Ticket

The concert ticket I have developed uses and conforms to the codes and conventions featured in existing concert tickets. When comparing my concert ticket to existing products there are a number of features from each product incorporated into my design. When specifically looking at the content and information I have positioned on my design, you can clearly see that the information not only on the concert and the venue itself but the information specific to that purchaser is featured and written in a similar way. Furthermore the information is written in a font style the same as on existing products and in positioned on the page in the same way with breaking up of the text shown with a red rose and line between each piece of information.

The different font sizes and weights of the font I have used for different pieces of information is a code and convention for example the most noticeable pieces of information needs to be the artists name. This should be written in the font used to create the brand identity and coherent package for Vanessa Carlton. With the cost and booking fees being written in the smallest thinnest font.  By ensuring I have included this within my product I have developed and ensured usage of the common codes and conventions.

The image I have selected to use conforms to the styling and type of image featured on a concert Ticket. Although the main focus is on the artist themselves there is a background which alternate text can be placed over the top of the image which is a code and convention.  I have developed the code and convention of separating the general information about the concert and the information unique to that purchaser by positioning the image in the middle of the ticket. By doing this I have ensured that the code and convention of the separation of meet, but have developed the convention by the way in which I have executed it.

By ensuring that featured such as the venue logo, colour hologram and bar code are positioned within the product. I have ensured that all of the codes and convention have been met whist producing this product. So the final product is accurate and professional.

Website Pages

The pages within the website I have created - the homepage, tour page, merchandise page, Vanessa Carlton range page and part of the news page, use develop and challenge the common codes and conventions in a number of ways.  

The homepage features a number of these codes and conventions as I have created a music player which plays Vanessa’s latest song which is a feature seen in professional artists websites. Furthermore the position and creation of the interactive website banner which features a mixture of images of Vanessa as well as advertisement banners. Having a mix of both featured in a website banner I have developed the codes and conventions as these type of images would be seen but not necessarily in this way.

The content and how the navigation and content are used and advertised show further development and use of common codes and conventions. For example having the navigation bar change from white to red when the mouse hovers other that page aids navigation and catches the viewer’s eye. Additionally the use of the tiled boxes developed the codes and convention of advertising the main features and products within the website and where they are found. Having an interactive scroll bar moving across the page again catches the viewer attention and makes the website look professional and appealing.

On the tour page I have ensured that the way in which I have presented the information of each concert is professional and in keeping with existing designs. For example used the alternate colour boxes to position the information and external links to ticket mater where tickets are still on sale. Furthermore I have featured the cover of the tour program showing further understanding of the codes and conventions referring to the content and the codes and convention of the interactivity needed through the scroll bar and countdown timer.

When looking at the merchandise page straight way you can see the understanding and use of the codes and conventions through the layout of the merchandise and the information given below. I have ensured that the images featured are of the correct size and the information given similar to that on existing products. I have also ensured that that the viewer is directed to a site where they can buy the merchandise and that the retails logo is positioned on the page. The VC Range page sues the same codes and convention as the merchandise page but with the added convention of information about the range.

The news page Melissa and I have jointly created. I have ensured that more than one article can be viewed and good use of space (a code and convention) is show and developed through inserting a scroll bar. Lastly I have also showed attention to detail not only through including these features as well as the copy right on every page but also through the font styles and text sizes used throughout the website. For example Vanessa Carlton being written in the same font as all other produce created a brand identity. The navigation bar subheadings and scroll bar using the same font to shown consistency and the main bulk of information that needs to be consumed by the audience is written in a font which is clear and  easy for the target audience to read.

Music Video

The music video which my group has created uses, challenges and develops the codes and conventions of a typical music video of this genre, theme and target audience. 

The narrative is made to flow through with the use of quick cuts and different effects. These effects include the flashbacks being black and white to show a clear difference between the past and present. Having this clear difference is a commonly used code and convention so by my group implementing this we have ensured we have conformed to the conventions. As well as this the transitions between each shot help and ensure that the video flows smoothly and is easy for the viewer to watch. The transition which my group have selected to use is a cross dissolve. We have used this effect throughout the music video to ensure the video looks professional and consistent as well as conforming to the codes and conventions as existing music videos use a limited number of transitions. 

Another effect which has been used throughout the music video is a dip to white. This effect has been selected as the white colour implies and supports the theme remembrance and loneliness which are key elements of the video. Throughout the video there are image bursts. These bursts of image are effective and further support and make the the story flow. As well as this my group has also altered the speed and duration of the clips. In some places making the footage faster and in others slower. This is helped to not only tell the story but build the emotion of the story. For example near the end of the video several flash backs have had the speed altered so they are faster and the footage revered. This supports that these times have been in the past as well as link with the crescendo of the music. This is another commonly used code and convention.

A slight rotation had been added to the last shot on the white screen. This had been done as the slight rotation reinforces the theme and also shows romance. This ensures that the theme and narrative are made clear and is a commonly used code and convention. Although these techniques have mostly been used separately, they are also effective when used together, and this use is also a code and convention. The last two shot of the video (the two hands slipping apart) uses both a cross dissolve and slow zoom. This is effective and is a strong ending to the video because the editing techniques together add and build the emotion of the video. All of these techniques are code and conventions meaning that the video me and my group have created conforms to these.  

The locations which have been featured within the music video also conform to the codes and conventions of a music video of this sort. This is because they are places which coupes would go or be seen together. As well as this the use of the white screen and flash blacks conform to the codes and conventions. This is because the flash backs support the story and show the viewer what the character is missing and the white screen reinforces remembrance, loneliness, love and iscolation. 

Lastly the mise-en-scene featured through out the video especially the hair, costume and make up of Melissa (Vanessa) in the different locations and whilst in front of the white screen further conforms to the codes and conventions. With her costume being glamorous, her make up bright and hair straightened with extensions for the shots involving the white screen. Whilst in the shots in different locations Melissa (Vanessa) is wearing thick outfits with naturalistic make and and a plain, simple hairstyle.

The ways in which our music video develops or challenges forms and conventions of a real media products is further supported, and explained within the Comparison post situated below.