Digipak and Music Video

CombinationEvaluation

I have created continuity between my cover and my music video by using the same transparent ink displacement effect over the left side of the first panel. The ink is an intertextual reference to Elle Mary and the Bad Men’s music video for Ocean, creating continuity between my production and the band’s previous releases. The ink is thus effective throughout my production in cross-referencing aspects of the band’s creative output as well as adding mood and greater depth to each of my images. In addition, I have used a side profile of my protagonist Jacob as the cover artwork for Elle Mary’s EP; this allows audience recognition which should make my product more memorable, as the music video is effective in marketing the EP and visa versa due to my use of Jacob’s image.

Panel one:THE COVER

My interior is a double page spread of images drawn both from my music video and from film photographs of the location taken on the day of filming. The images of the location make the backdrop for my actors, creating cohesion between my 1st, 2nd and 3rd panels, as both the image of my actors is used and the derelict location once again become references to my music video (as well as my magazine ad). However, to prevent the aesthetic of my digipak becoming dull and repetitive, I have used a new colour pallet to act as a burst of light between my dark back and front covers. It is conventional to follow a certain colour scheme, for example, Foals' use of blue and black throughout Total Life Forever. Like Foals, I have chosen to create a strong colour scheme; a lot of black and white for the cover, giving way to flesh tones and red for the interior, and finally descending back into darkness for for back cover- with some red.

Panel 2 & 3:THE INTERIOR

Panel 4:The Back CoverThe image for my back cover originally comes from a filmPhotograph which I took while we were on location. The image to the right was a draft front cover which I decided not to use as I did not feel it adequately marketedmy music video or Elle Mary and the Bad Men. Instead, I edited the lighting on the image and used it as a my back cover instead, with some red ink over the top to create a continuing and coherent theme through- out my digipak and music video. I have used the same font for my track- listing as I have for Elle Mary and her band’s name, as well as the EP title, thus consistency throughout the package. By using our abandoned location in my back cover, I have intertextually referenced the desolate interiors depicted in John Hillcoat’s ‘The Road’ (based on Cormac McCarthy’s dystopian novel). The reference is effective as it reflects the bleak and hopeless situation that Jacob finds himself in; without Annie, his world has disintegrated and become dilapidated, much like McCarthy’s gloomy vision of the future.

Panel 5: Magazine Advert / poster Finally, for my magazine advert, I have chosen to use the same serif font as my ending credits that are featured in my music video. The font is stylish and creates an air of professionalism and sophistication around the product; two qualities which would certainly be useful and beneficial for an up and coming band. In addition, the font does not detract from the main splash image; it merely enhances it.

Once again I have used a film photograph, this time of Jacob looking through one of the rooms in the RAF base. The use of film photography throughout my digipak creates consistency, and by using Jacob in the poster, I am referencing my music video, thus using my ancillary text to market my main product.