Our finished DVD cover

After re-evaluating our previous draft DVD covers, and looking into the further research in which we carried out, we decided to be simplistic and subtle. We took a picture that we felt had relevance to the name of the band that produced the song. This picture was of an eye, we then used Adobe Photoshop to edit the image, making the pupil red, which is clearly not ordinary and therefore we felt it suited the name ‘The Wild-Eyes’ We chose the colour red as we also wanted to show that the eye had been intoxicated due to substances, such as alcohol and drugs. We done this as the narrative of our produced music video was sowing the effects both of these intoxicant have on a youth, female protagonist. We felt that when looking at the DVD cover the audience would make both of the above connotations and therefore have an insight t the music video and it’s narrative.

The image on the rear of the DVD cover consisted of two shot glasses with an liquid substance in, in which the audience assumes to be alcohol. We enlarged the image so that it fitted as the background image, with the text over the top, and then we made the image lighter so that the text we were going to print on top of it was still clear. The text on the DVD cover consisted of the title of the song and band on the front cover in a unique text that we felt looked like it could be associated with the band and song, and we also felt it was catchy. On the reverse of the DVD cover was the track listing, along with reviews of the music video, we felt that this would make it look realistic, along with the title ‘breakdown’ on the spine of the cover, using the same font as before to make it look simple but affective, and help with the continuity. We also used typical symbols like the barcode and the DVD video symbol.

Research into DVD covers, and Magazine Adverts

Another part of our coursework task was to produce two ancillary texts. The first was a magazine advert, which would be shown in popular and relevant music magazines. The second one was a DVD cover for the release of our music video. I therefore researched both of these topics, looking into popular current contenders, styles and audiences. I decided to begin my research looking into general magazine adverts, starting with ones that aim at a female audience ‘More, Closer, OK!’. I noticed most of the adverts in these were relevant to what a female audience would be interested in purchasing, for example make-up, perfumes, and other cosmetics. I then looked into magazines focusing on a male audience, for example Nut’s and Zoo. Again, I noticed that whatever being advertised was typical to what a male would purchase, for example, aftershave, cars, and sportswear. Throughout both of these, I noticed that all adverts had a similar pattern and layout. Focusing around one large picture with minimal text, however putting forward all information needed for promotion. I then began researching into the most popular music magazines currently, I found that NME and Kerrang! were big contenders. Both magazines are well known for their eye catching front covers, always containing the latest music news and gossip and also hosing all of the current ‘big’ artists. Having looked inside both of them, and looking at their websites and customer reviews it was clear to me that both magazines have the same objectives; music information and promotion. I then focused what I was looking at within the magazines around the adverts placed in them, I found that a vast majority of the adverts placed in music magazines were of a similar layout to previous magazines, however the picture was of a bad rather than a product. They tended to have bold writing, minimal but catchy, a smaller section containing information on how to purchase, or become a fan of the band or song, and also a website. I definitely think that NME would be more suitable for our magazine advert, as I think that the genre of our music is indie, and NME covers the majority of music genres, whereas Kerrang! focuses slightly more on rock. I also thing that the narrative of the music video suits NME better, as it represents a stereotypical life of a youth culture, which fits in to age rang 14-25 and I feel NME also has this target audience, whereas Kerrang!’s audience is more genre (rock) related that age related. We included things like promotions when bought in HMV and, a prompt to become a fan a popular social networking site, as we thought these would also target the appropriate audience.

When moving my research onto the DVD topic, I found it a lot harder to find DVD covers containing music videos and songs. It was made clear to me that a promotional DVD is not a popular way to distribute a music video. Some CD singles that are released for sale in the shops contain a video file of the music video for the audience to view, however these are not sold in a DVD case, but a CD case. I therefore did research into both DVD covers and CD single and album covers. I found that for the CD single or CD album, the front cover consisted of one large simplistic image; if and album the image would be of the band or singer and if a CD single it would be a different image of the band or singer, relating more to that particular song. DVD covers were similar, containing one large simplistic image and a title, with more text on the rear of the case. We therefore decided to combine these two ideas into one, producing a DVD cover with all of typical DVD features, however incorporating the visuals of a CD cover, as we thought this is what drew attention to what the product was.

Rough cut of music video

I have uploaded our rough cut of our music video. There are gaps in the video as we are yet to decide what will fill them. Will will also be filmin some of our video again, as after analysing it we have realised that we need to include the notion of looking and also some of the scenes appear very dark and unclear. We have set the date of Tuesday 16th, for all re-filming to be completed, and will spend time in the editing suite up until the deadline to fill the gaps and make sure that the video has the correct continuity and narrative flow, as well as the notion of looking. We would also like to include lip syncing with the music in some areas.

Scene running order

I have decided to make sure that the scenes fit in with the song, so by listening to the exact lyrics and timing of the song i have made a list of where each scene will fit best. This is to help the narrative we are trying to display visually come through.



Opening Instrumental: Band on stage, Close up of guitar, then mid shot of band playing on stage. (lighting needs to be dim to portray that the band are at a gig with an audience)



1st Verse: 'Drug Scene'
The scene is of the protagonist getting ready for a night out, putting on her lipstick and mascara, drinking out of a bottle of vodka whilst getting ready. (the shots of drinking vodka are shown with an over the shoulder shot to make the audience feel involved in the scene as if they are in the shots) Close up of the protagonist putting makeup on is shot, then a long shot with a figure in the background is shown then the lights are turned off. (what you gonna do when the lights go out?)

The protagonist looks over her shoulder this is to portray her worried steam of conciseness as she is about to take drugs. She turns the light back on, shot as a mid shot.



1st Chorus: Jump cut to the protagonist cutting up a white powered substance is shown. As the lyrics are 'no, no, no, no, no, no' the jumps cuts link with the pace of the lyrics to create a sharp disoriented feel.

The repetition of the lyrics 'no,no, no...' in the chorus is linked with the visuals at the protagonist is shot taking drugs in different angles. (the actual taking of drugs will not be shown but shots to suspend the audiences disbelief)

The third repetition is of the protagonist in her room dancing crazily (like she is on high on drugs) all you can see is her with a white t-shirt on shone on by a UV light. a man is constantly in the corner of the room watching her she does not notice him.
A close up of her heel is shot as she walks out of the house ready for her night out.

The fourth repetition of the lyrics are, the protagonist being watched as she waits at the bus stop for a bus. He is behind her and he mimes the lyrics 'when you break it, i just cant take it' then a close up of the character looking over her shoulder to see who is watching her is shot. The protagonist is then shot on the bus ready for her night out.



2nd instrumental: For this instrumental between the chorus's and the verse, we plan to repeat a mid shot of the protagonist dancing in the club, sped up to create distortion.



2nd Verse: The protagonist is shot leaving the club, walking down an alley way. She is being followed by the same mysterious figure. As she stumbles down the alley, the figure is shot in jump cuts to show that he is getting closer to her.



2nd Chorus: Shots of boys corresponding with the repetition of the lyric 'no' is shown.
then the protagonist is shown dancing in a club.
On the second repetition of 'nos' it is the protagonist in the same positions as the boys in UV light.
The third repetition of the lyric 'no' is jump cuts of scenes of the girl dancing from previous shots.
then jump cut to the man in black miming the lyrics 'i just cant take it'
the fourth repetition of the lyric 'no' is a shot of the protagonist laid on the floor passed out. (sped up)

3rd instrumental (long): Shots of the protagonist in a white room are shown.

3rd verse: back to shots of protagonists partying.
contrasting with shots of her with her head on the floor having a 'breakdown' and close up of her eyes looking like she has taken drugs.

3rd Chorus: Shots of the protagonist in a white room are shown throughout the chorus.
with the man in black stood again black background with UV light miming 'when you break it, i just can't take it'

4th Instrumental: Lots of flashing lights, reverse shots of the girl walking and reverse shots of her dancing. jump cut to a long shot of the girl lying on the floor in the 'white room.'

Video Censorship

As our music video contains explicit scenes we have decided to research into what it takes to 'ban' a music video from a music video channel because of its explicitness. After searching on the internet we found that the what may be considered offensive will differ in countries due to censorship laws and local customs and ethics.

The record label the artist is signed to will also provide and distribute videos that have been edited or it will provide both censored and uncensored videos. Obviously, in some cases, music videos have been banned in their entirety as they have been deemed far too offensive to be broadcast.
Examples of banned music videos:

- The first video to be banned by MTV was Queen's 1982 hit "Body Language." Due to thinly veiled homoerotic undertones plus lots of skin and lots of sweat

- The video for "Girls on Film" by Duran Duran, which featured topless women mud wrestling and other depictions of sexual fetishes, was banned by the BBC.

- Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" video (where the singer performs the song in an extremely revealing body suit surrounded by a ship full of cheering sailors) was restricted to late-night broadcasts on MTV.

- The Sex Pistols' video for "God Save the Queen" was banned by the BBC for calling the United Kingdom a fascist regime.

- Mötley Crüe's video for "Girls, Girls, Girls" was banned by MTV for having completely nude women dancing around the members of the band in a strip club.

-In 1991, the dance segment of Michael Jackson's "Black or White" was cut because it showed Michael Jackson "inappropriately" touching himself in it. Michael Jackson's most controversial video, "They Don't Care About Us" was banned from MTV, VH1, and BBC because of the alleged anti-Semitic message in the song and the visuals in the background of the "Prison Version" of the video

- Madonna is the artist most associated with music video censorship. The controversy surrounding her marketing of sexuality began with the video for "Lucky Star", and amplified over time due to clips such as "Like a Virgin". Outcry occurred over the subject matter discussed in "Papa Don't Preach". "Like a Prayer" courted heavy criticism due to its religious, sexual, and racially-oriented imagery. In 1990, Madonna's music video for the song "Justify My Love" was banned by MTV due to its depiction of sadomasochism, homosexuality, cross-dressing, and group sex which generated a media firestorm.

- In 1992, The Shamen's video for the song "Ebeneezer Goode" was banned by the BBC due to its perceived subliminal endorsement of the recreational drug Ecstasy

- Prodigy's 1997 video for "Smack My Bitch Up" was banned in some countries due to depictions of drug use and nudity. The Prodigy's video for "Firestarter" was banned by the BBC because of its references to arson

- In 2000, the music video for "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams caused controversy due to the graphic nature of the video which featured Robbie Williams appearing naked and peeling off his skin to reveal flesh. The video was censored in the UK and was only once broadcast uncensored at 2:00 AM.

- Björk's 2001 song, "Pagan Poetry", was banned from MTV for depictions of sexual intercourse, fellatio, and body piercings. Her next single, "Cocoon", was also banned by MTV as it featured a nude Björk.

- Madonna's video for "Erotica" was aired only three times (each time after midnight) due to its sexual depictions of sadomasochism. More recently, Madonna's "What It Feels Like for a Girl" was banned in 2001 due to its graphic depiction of violence. She also pulled her "American Life" video because of its controversial military imagery that seemed inappropriate once the War in Iraq began; subsequently, a new video was made for the song.

- In 2008, Justice's video for their song "Stress" was boycotted by several major music television channels due to allegations of racism and violence; the video depicts several youths committing various crimes throughout the streets of Paris, with the youths mainly being of North African descent.

DVD cover

Part of our coursework task was to produce a DVD cover for our song and music video. We have produced a layout plan for this, to help us when we come to producing the final product. I think this was a useful thing to do, as we had a chance to discuss and decide on the layout that we thought would work best. When it comes to producing the final product we can use this plan to make our dvd cover appeal to the audience. This first draft was produced by Jamie Brooks, after looking over the plans, as a group we decided that this DVD cover was not as effective as we would have liked, therefore a second plan was produced:

We have used the same colour scheme in this plan, as we thought it worked well, however we have changed the layout and appearance. As you can see there is a lot more imagry and detail in this draft. The pictures are used to give the audience and insight to the content of the DVD, along with the text which tells the audience what features the DVD will include.

As we plan for our music video to contain lots of bright lights and florescent colours, we have decided that we will produce a further draft of our DVD cover before wee decide on a final plan, as we would like to include the bright colours in the appearance of the DVD cover, this will not only give the audience an inisight to what the music video entails, but also will set a fixed colour scheme to the whole project, meaning that the presentation is at a high standard.

Story boardtime line

We have produced a story board to go with our time line. Our reason for producing this is so that it is not only clear to us exactly what is being shot, but the exact time that it is being shot as well. The timeline will help us when we come to filming and editing our final piece.