Tuesday, 29 November 2011

“Do you think music videos should be censored?”

“Do you think music videos should be censored?”
I think that music videos should be censored this is because its sill using bad language and is unethical and can be harmful. Without censoring songs, you're allowing teenagers today to believe these words (swearing) in songs are cool and possibly better lived out in reality than without these songs. As the censorship has the right to stop a song or a video from being broadcasted on television and radio. For example I think it was right for Rihanna’s we found love music video to get banded as it was a bad influence to the audience but not any audience as Rihanna’s songs generally target audience between the age of 13-27 it wouldn’t be right for the audience between the ages of 13-17 to see it as it has smoking, drinking- pills, drugs, sex, positioning and crime.
A detailed example why music videos should be censored is Rihanna’s music video of we found love as the music video has met with mixed reviews from music critics as the video included stuff like smoking, drinking- pills, drugs, sex, positioning and crime.  The point of the music video is to allegedly show how love can be like a drug, and does so using images driven by sex and drugs as Rihanna goes through the motions with Chris Brown but she showed it in a wrong way as MTV didn’t except it. So the MTV music channel offered Rihanna to except the video but to show it after watershed as it wasn’t appropriate for young target audience to view it and the other choice was for her to change the video to be properly targeted to her audience which is teenagers and young adults. For example let say MTV accepted the music video but it could still get banded if Ofcom steps in the way Ofcom is an independent organisation created by the government so it can control what is being broadcasted on TV and Radio so basically it stipulates what can and what can’t be shown. 

The debate of the music artist Eminem showed me some music videos should be censored as Eminem uses to much swearing throughout them hear is an opinion of a parent that is against Eminem “Eminem is a bad role model as he uses swearing throughout his song I know that he does this so he can express himself all do it is making children’s grammar bad”. Another Point a parent said is “Everyone had ups and downs and I think people don’t want to listen to his life story and he is trying to use this so he can make the audience feel sad and sorry for him”. Here is what the British music television channel said “Eminem has amazing songs but he doesn’t need swearing to express his feelings”. The British radio station said “ I wouldn’t play Eminem’s music on choice FM as he uses to much swearing this is mainly because the target audience of choice is young teenagers and young adults between the ages 13-27”. Finally the record label finished of the debate by saying “Rap culture can be a bad influence to the audience and kids are quickly influenced by gangs, violence and swearing.

Overall I think that music videos should and not be censored it should not be censored because without the proper lyrics it wouldn’t be the same however, that the packaging should have labelling more like that of the video game industry. On video games there is a rating system that describes what age that title is appropriate for and specific reasons why. But on the other hand it should as it is using bad language is still unethical and can be harmful. Without censoring songs, you're allowing the youth of today to believe these words or songs are cool and possibly better lived out in reality than without these songs. That continues over to the next generation that might result in worse possibilities.


Parent companies and the music industry

Parent companies and the music industry
In the music industry, a record label is a brand associated with the marketing of music and music videos. Artists are often managed and ‘owned’ by a record label to broaden their audience, market their albums, and to be promoted and heard on radio, television, and other media.
The four major labels have sub- labels as well. These are labels that work on their own but are owned by one of the four major labels. As well as this there is independent labels ‘Indies’; these are record labels that are not owned by one of the four major labels.
Sony Music Entertainment is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America. Sony music entertainer owns more than 100 of sub labels hear are the most popular sub labels they own Columbia Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Roc Nation, Sony Music Nashville, Sony Masterworks, Provident Music Group, Legacy Recordings, RED Distribution, IODA Labels, Sony Music UK.
The music industry is structured by 4 major companies which are Sony Music Entertainment, EMI group, Warner Music group and Universal Music Group. These companies also own lots of smaller sub- labels, for example Sony music entertainment owns more than 200 sub-labels. Also there are independent labels that are not owned by any of the four record labels for example Record companies and music publishers that are not under the control of the four main are generally considered to be independent indie, even if they are large corporations with complex structures. The term indie label is sometimes used to refer to only those independent labels that adhere to independent criteria of corporate structure and size, and some consider an indie label to be almost any label that releases non-mainstream music, regardless of its corporate structure.

The artists that Sony Music Entertainment manage is massive for example they manage one of the most famous RNB lady Singers Beyoncé other characters they manage are the following: Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, R Kelly, Sean Kingston and many more they also used to manage the all-time famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Michael Jackson. If you look above at all of the artists Sony music entertainment manage is huge as the following characters are the most listen to now a days which is a massive and positive management for Sony music entertainment to manage the most well-known artists now a days.

Sony music entertainment covers all music genres for example: RNB, HIP HOP, POP, GOSPEL, SOUL, ROCK AND ROLL, SLOW, CLASSIC and many more genres.  The effect large companies have by owning smaller companies is that the smaller companies would have a budgeting limit higher of what they had before. For example if I opened a record label I would have a budgeting limit of £2000 but if my company is taken by a bigger company they would then give me no limit for budgeting as I make it to better standards.  Also having a bigger company owning you is much better as they are a multinational company they can advertise your music video in much more and professional standards.

Sub labels are controlled by a major company for example Sony music entertainment have more financial input put into the label because they are funded by a major label. Therefor they have more money to promote their artist and bigger budgets to launch new artists. Independent companies may find it harder to promote an artist because the sub labels have the financial backing of the majors.
The effects of independent companies have by managing music artist is that they may have less money to spend on launching an artist. The artists may be less known with only a few making it big in the popular music chart, such as there are no music artist who is managed by an independent label but are quite popular and well known. The artist tends to seen as less manufactured and focus more on music than image. The fans respect the independents labels because they seem to be more musically credible than artist signed to major labels.



Monday, 28 November 2011

Questionairre results





Questionnaire

Questionnaire
1)      What is your gender?
Male
Female


2)      What Is Your Age Group? 
(Circle One)
(Under 18)- (19 to 25) - (26 to 35)

3)      Are you a
Student
Employee
Unemployed


4)      What type of music do you listen to?
RNB
Pop
Rock
Classic
Slow
Other (Please State)


5)      What Music channels do you watch?
MTV Base
VH1
Box Television
Scuzz
Kiss
Other (Please State)

6)      Who is your favourite music artist?
Chris Brown
50 Cent
Rihanna
Bruno Mars
Beyoncé
Other (Please State)

7)      What Style do you prefer to see in a music video?
Performance
Narrative
Concept
Mixture
8)      Have you heard of Bruno mars?
Yes
No
9)      What is Your Favourite Bruno Mars Song?
Again
The First time
Talking to the moon
Other (Please State)

10)  Does having an image of a music artist on the front of a music album persuade you to buy it?
Yes
No
Why (please Specify)



Sunday, 13 November 2011

Music Channels

The target audience for MTV music television is between the age ranges of 14 to 34 years of age this is because of the music they play which is more of base, hit, and dance, RNB and pop. The following genres of music are the one which help the music television to appeal to their target audience this is because they are the type of genres the following age group listen to. MTV music channels play the following music genres base, hit, and dance RNB and pop I know this by the songs played throughout the channel which is Cher Lloyd Ft. Mike Posner − With Ur Love, Coldplay − Paradise David Guetta Ft. Usher − Without You Jessie J − Who You Are Kelly Clarkson − Mr Know It All Labrinth Ft. Tinie Tempeh − Earthquake LMFAO − Sexy And I Know It Pixie Lott Ft. Pusha T − What Do You Take Me For? Professor Green Ft. Emeli Sande − Read All About, Rihanna Ft. Calvin Harris − We Found Love the Wanted – Lightning these music genres are the ones above. The main artists That MTV feature on a regular basis are Rihanna, BeyoncĂ©, Chris Brown, N-dubz ETC I know this by of the playlist chart on the official website of the MTV music television as they are the most playing artist. The channel is used as a form of branding by having more than one different logo which all would make the audience think of the main brand logo which is the one above.
















The target audience for VH1 would be between the age ranges of 18- 40 I know this because of the following VH1 was formed in the 1980 so it can build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly older demographic than its sister channel, focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music. VH-1's aim was to focus on the lighter, softer side of popular music including such musicians as Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Elton John, Billy Joel, which are musician with much slower and depressing lyrics this is why it would also appeal to the following age range of target audience.  The artist which plays on this music channel on a regular basis is Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera lady gaga and Jason Gerould I know this by checking the most played on the video of the play list on the official website. The channel is used as a form of branding by MTV being the owning network the logo appeals to the target audience by the colors which are mainly pink and orange which these colors are more calming colors as pink represent the symbol of love Orange is a power colour. It is one of the healing colours this appeals to the audience as the logo colours show what kind of music the audience to expect.

The target audience for the musical channel of BOX is between the age ranges of 14 to 34 years of age I know this because of the music they play which sounds in the pop, urban and indie scenes, showcasing established artists and featuring some of the finest new acts on the music scene. The artist that Box musical television channel feature on a regular basis are Skepta, Tinchy Stryder, 50 cent and Chris Brown I know this by of the playlist chart on the official website of the Box  music television as they are the most playing artist. The channel is used as a form of branding by using mostly the same sister channels of MTV which are Channel 4,Film4,E4,More4,4Music,Kerrang!,Kiss,Magic,Q,Smash Hits!. The logo appeals to the target audience by using mostly the same type of logo by making the writing stand out more as using effective techniques of MTV.





The target audience for the following music channel of SCUZZ is people who like to listen to rock the age range is between the ages of 15-45 but it is only targeted at specific people which are people who like to listen to punk music which is rock and metal ETC. they type of music the channel plays is traditional heavy metal, hard rock and punk to death core and death metal I know this by the playlist on it official website. The main artist’s that the music channel feature on a regular basis is Josh Middleton and Alex Bailey, Jim Dunlop, Blue Banana also the hunter I know this as they are the most playing on their playlist and also they also Sponsor there music channel with them for example offering josh Middleton guitar.  The channel is used as a form of branding on the following sister channels. Bliss Chart Show TV Dance Nation TV Entertainment True Movies 1true Movies 2.the logo appeals to the target audience by the colour and style of font used. for example they have used dark silver to represent metal and the font style is all fancy and dull which make it appealing by the people understand the target audience without searching on it.



The target audience for the musical channel of Kiss is between the age ranges of 14 to 34 years of age I know this because of the music they play which sounds in the hip pop, dance and RNB also it showcasing established artists and featuring some of the finest new acts on the music scene. The artists that the music channel kiss feature on a regular basis is Tinchy Stryder, Rihanna, Wiz Kalifa, Pixxie Lott I know this because the four artist are at the top of the rating on the official website.

The channel is used as a form of branding by being own by Box television and again it uses the same sister channels of box and MTV which are Channel 4,Film4,E4,More4,4Music,Kerrang!,Magic,Q,Smash Hitt!,The Box. The logo appeals to its target audience by the colour which is just baby blue which is appealing because it is much more of a calming and energetic colour which help engage with the audience.
I think MTV is broken down into different channels so it can be much more appealing to the audience as if they have one channel it would be less likely to be known but as they have different channels it is worldwide known which is helpful to the company as it helps them to be known by everyone. Also they are split in two different genres so they can appeal to specific target audience for example if a person likes MTV dance and not the other music channels then he or she would be that audience. As MTV is one of the biggest worldwide music channels it has done this so it can appeal to everyone.
Music channels are important as every human likes to listen to some music which are most suitable for them it is also important that a music channel appeals to its audience for example if a channels say that it audience is people who like to listen to rock but that channel plays RNB then that would not appeal to the an audience.
As the music industry there are more than one different music channels this is so that channel would be appealing to the audience. For example not everyone likes to listen to pop so the industry would have to cater for everyone.
By analysing different music channels I have learnt how to target a specific audience in the music industry this would help me with my own production by given me ideas of which kind of songs are more appealing and eye catching for example about 20% of the people in the UK listen to Rock 30% classic and the rest which is 50% listen to Hip hop and RNB base song so I would make my own production around hip hop and RNB as it is easier to target the audience. 







Monday, 7 November 2011

Rihanna - What's My Name? ft. Drake

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Generic Convention of Music Videos

Camera shots: A lot of close ups are used in the music video of Rihanna Ft Drake What’s My Name there are more close up of Rihanna then there is of drake this is because she is trying to build a relationship with the audience.

Colour: The whole music video of Rihanna Ft Drake what my name uses all bright colours throughout the video this is used so it can appeal to the audience white, yellow, red, green, black and gold are the most appearing colour throughout the video clip. As they are uplifting colours by just looking at these colours in the first seconds of the videos you can spot out the target audience which are teenager between the ages of 16-25. An example of the colours used was in Rihanna’s costume/ clothing she is wearing.

Editing: straight cut is used mostly throughout the video clip which is used so it can help the to make the audience concentrate and not to confuse them as they are watching. So it is used so the video can make sense to the audience which are watching it.

High key lighting has been used throughout the music video of Rihanna Ft drake what my name this is effective to the audience as the lighting used appeals to the target audience. As high key lighting represents romanticism it appeals to the video this is because the lyrics are about romanticism between Rihanna and drake. They didn’t use low key lighting as it would be strange as it would make the video dark and not flow with the video.
Body language: the body language Rihanna uses throughout this music video is fun and dancing we know this because the song is not a strong one what I mean by this is that the lyrics are not that powerful so she doesn’t need to act more serious Throughout the video.

The location of the music video of Rihanna ft drake what my name is set through the city of the United States of America. Props: there where many props in the scene for example buildings, cars, taxis, pedestrians and many more this made the video more realistic to the audiences eyes as she wanted she could of recorded in a studio behind natural lighting but she decided to record on street and in shop.

Costumes: Rihanna was wearing this short with a t-shirt when the audience first saw her then after the scene changed she started to wear dresses. When it comes to drake he was wearing jeans and a sporty jacket on top.

The media points I have analysed above are conventional to the music video genre of Rihanna FT drake what my name this is because it makes sense and the conventions are appropriate and follow the video for example they have used high key lighting throughout the video which is conventional as it makes sense as bright key represent romanticism. If they were to use low key lighting it wouldn’t make sense because it would make the video dark and not appealing to the audience. Another example can be the colours used throughout the music video is conventional to the target audience as they have used bright colours which more of represents teenagers and young adults between the age of 16-25