Music Industry

Monday 3rd October

Live Lounge

commercial radio - selling, advertising, making money, mass/large audience

PSB radio - BBC -> benefit of the public , not for profit, TV license - funds radio

when listening to the radio, I couldn't get any audience engagements or topic of conversation, I also didn't get a lot of news, weather and traffic 

Monday 17th October

Public service radio - radio for benefit of the public 

BBC - educate, inform and entertaining 

funding - TV licence 

BBC radio 2

music - different music 

presenters - 

advertisements - 

news, weather and traffic - 

topics of conversation - 

audience engagement - 

Monday 7th November                   Case Study

LO - to research the case study and artists involved. annotate in detail the examples from the case study

Tom Grennan

Background - An English singer and song writer from Bedford and based in London

Age - born 8th June 1995 (age 27)

Where he's from? - Bedford 

Genre - indie pop, alternative pop

Currently songs/albums - 'what if its maybes' 

public service broadcasting is broadcasting for public benefit than to serve commercial interests

1) BBC operate 10 radio networks 

2) BBC operate 50 regional radio stations

3) the TV license fees 

4) commercial radio - cable or satellite 

5) BBC radio 2, BBC radio 4, heart, BBC radio 1, Capital (network)

6) in the car or on your phone 

the average age of the audience for Radio 1 is 15-29 

the average age of the audience for Radio 2 is 35+ 

the average age of the audience for Radio 4 is 54

this image shows that Radio 1 is to entertain the young audience because of its song choices.

the colour scheme of this image shows that Radio 1 is aimed for the younger audience because it involves bright, vivid colours

Monday 5th December

The remit of Radio 1 is to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. its target audience is 15-29 year olds and it should also provide some programming for young teenagers.

It should offer a range of music, support emerging artists - especially those from the UK - and provide a platform for live music. News, documentaries and advice should cover area of relevance to young adults

the vivid colours portrayed on the black background, highlight that BBC radio 1 is positive and happy. The facial expression of the host also suggest that the radio is jovial, because they are smiling and showing positivity.

an image that shows they 
show live music

  an image that appeals to a young listener aged 15-29

political context:

PSB and license fee debate 

political debate as to whether radio 1 should be covered by the license fee as political decision maker don't believe that mainstream popular music is important. therefore not seen as educating and informing

responses from BBC:

-radio 1 is more appealing to younger listeners which fitted the requirement to cater for all and reflect diversity of the nation in their station

-R1 target younger audience and does not appeal to older ones therefore is not the same as commercial radio

-the live lounge offers PSB as it offer live performance

Media convergence is a term that can refer to the merging of previously distinct media technologies and media forms due to digitisation and computer networking

the advantage for the BBC is that they can broaden their audience

the advantage for vevo is so they can get more money

the advantage of the audience is so that it is easier to access

Monday 16th January

The benefit of broadcasting on two channels is that you can expand your audience

Ricky melvin and charlie

background - ricky, melvin and charlie currently host the Live lounge. Hedges hosted the breakfast show at kiss for ten years with Rick Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom. The trio are known as Ricky, Melvin and Charlie. In November 2018, it was announced that they would move to BBC Radio 1. hedges has performed DJ sets at various clubs and festivals. In 2014, she released a single.

The live lounge is also the name of a room in the Radio 1 studios where many of the performances are broadcast. Live lounge performances are also broadcast from the larger BBC Maida Vale Studios (London).

Artists are filmed in an intimate radio studio, acoustically, often with little production rehearsal. They normally perform one or two of their ow songs and then a unique cover from an A List radio 1 artist who has had a release in the last six to nine months. Artists normally perform a cover song that is a contrast to their known genre.

Uses & Gratification

Personal identity - relate to the presenters who are a similar age, interest in music, identify with the artist

Information - background information about the artist, up and coming events

Entertainment - enjoy the live music

Social interaction - people can discuss the performance afterwards

BBC Radio 1 Live lounge

you can access the radio, news, sport, weather, revision

they don't mention artists because it varies each time

other lounge products available are...   

commercially successful music as mainstream pop is consider less important by media producers then music specialised audience. Classical music is considered to be more artistic than pop

Live performance is regarded as more culturally significant than simply playing records it is also more expensive

Stormzy

3 days preparations - wages for the people involved in performance and production

6 professional singers - employed as backing singers - introduced to the song and have to learn the words, how to perform it and the melody

musical director - make a recorded song, translate to live performance. Added instruments, singers. Works with the best in the business

Rehearsal space is needed for each part of the performance. X3 presenter of Radio 1 and Producers

Stormzy and his featuring performer

How does the Live Lounge appeal to the target audience and meet the BBC remit

The Live Lounge appeals to the audience through the presenters that are used for Live Lounge. This is shown by using young presenters who are used to target the younger audience, giving the same perspective. This is shown from the use of slang vocabulary used by the presenters such as 'sick' and 'lads'. This meets the BBC remit because as the presenters use this to engage the younger targeted audience more than the older audience.

The use of music also attract the younger audience because it is more of their interests whereas if there is older music it would not appeal to them as more. The use of young presenters also take part in reaching a younger audience because they could share the same perspective.

Monday 30th January

champion UK artist - Radio 1 feature up and coming UK artists who aren't that well known such as, Inhaler and Romy played their firstLive Lounge this year

exam format

Question 1:

Who regulates radio in the UK? OfCom

Who owns radio 1? BBC 

1) vertical integration 

1) horizontal integration

1) television license 

2) radio stations target their audience by using suitable content for their audience. An example could be Radio 1 Live Lounge, they use new and up-to-date music which is used to engage the younger audience.

2) public service broadcast could be a benefit to the audience because it entertains . Radio 1 Live Lounge entertains by using music and other fun content so they can expand their audience 

2) one way the audience could be passive by listening and taking in information from the radio and not competing. one way the audience could be active is by phoning in and interacting with the radios competitions or chats

3) BBC radio has to provide a wider range of content than commercial radio because they have to stick to their remit. Using BBC radio 1 live lounge as an example, their income is a lot higher than commercial radio, this puts them at an advantage as they can include live music to engage a broader audience.

The remit also includes that they have to support emerging artists, this helps as it creates a wide mixture of songs and artists that might be interested.

Monday 20th January

LO - to reflect on areas to improve in the assessment

identify the word that describes a large company which owns a set of companies that produced different media forms. conglomerate

Bauer media owns radio stations as well as magazines. Identify the word that describes adding other areas of business in this ways. diversification

identify one source of funding for BBC Radio 1. TV license 

two marks would be given for the opening sentence, which explains how radio stations target audiences. Two marks would be given for the following sentences, which exemplify different use of targeting in Radio 1 Live Lounge

make points about how the BBC radio provide wider content on their radio stations, give examples on radio 1 and why they have to do this linked to the remit

they don't have to attract a wide audience on R1 - target 15-29 year olds - using slang to describe performances

provides contemporary music currently released mainly - offers a range of new music - playlist consists of up to date music

the BBC radio provides a wider range of content than commercial radio for many reasons. An example of this is that BBC radio provides contemporary music currently released. This meets the remit as the radio offers a new range of music, containing up to date music. We can identify this in the live lounge through the use of new upcoming artists in the UK.

Monday 6th march

LO - to research the case study and artists involved and to annotate in detail the examples from the case study 

lizzo (stage name)

background - born in Detroit, Michigan, she moved to Houston with her family when she was ten years old. After college she moved to Minneapolis, where she began her recording career in hip hop music

age - 34 years old 

where she's from - Detroit, Michigan, United States

genre - hip hop/rap

current songs/albums - truth hurts (2019)

live lounge-

original song - special, covers topics of injustice and gender inequality

cover song - sam smith, unholy, caused controversy when it first came out in terms of the video and acknowledges topical issues in society

informs, educates and entertains - 4th time appearing on the live lounge, entertains through her comical responses to questions- 'it's a tune' informs she plays the flute and shows her skills 

quotes - 'in a busy woman' abbreviation of words by presenters, slang is also used e.g 'amazing'

innovative show - 3 presenters, varied artists. Lizzo really successful and famous, still interested in play the live lounge even after 4th time. We bring you live performances when you can't get them yourselves. 

Music Videos

Wednesday 25th January

LO - to explore this section of the unit and research chosen case studies

-singers

-dancers

-studio

-props (depends on the genre)

Avril Lavigne - 'Sk8er Boi' (2002)

Wheatus - 'Teenage Dirtbag' (2000)

'Sk8er Boi'

artist - Avril Lavigne 

genre - pop / punk

released - 2002

about - rocker boyfriend and a girl he knew in high school who rejected him because he was a skateboarder and she was a snob. Five years later, the skater boy is famous and the girl who rejected him is living a boring, unfulfilled life, ruminating on a time when he was into her 

feature - the artist

what happens - set up an illegal gig in the middle of a city

'Teenage Dirtbag'

artist - Wheatus

genre - american skater rock

released - 2000

about - summer of 1984 on Long Island, when Brendan was 10 years old. In some woods there was a satanic, drug-induced ritual teen homicide that went down; and the kid who did it was called Ricky Kasso, he was arrested wearing an AC/DC T-shirt

meaning of Sk8er Boi - the song is a metaphor about two people who are unlikely to be together when in reality they should be a couple. Although their outside appearance differs, they have what it takes to be a great team, yet because the girl was too shallow to see what was inside the punk, she missed out on a great guy. This song proves that you should see beyond the outside appearance and get to know a person before judging them

artist imagery - portrays her style and her personality / identity

somewhat conveys the meaning of the video 

two main types of music videos 

-performance 

-narrative

Wheatus - narrative

Lavinge - performance

the narrative of teenage dirtbag is about a boy who likes a girl, who has a popular boyfriend 

the narrative of sk8er boi is that they did an illegal gig outside and got caught by the police

conventions of performance videos:

-lip-syncing

-live performance 

-main focus on artist or band

-performance to camera

conventions of narrative music videos

-video tells a story

-usually filmed and edited like a movie

-story often matches lyrics 

-doesn't always feature artist

Wednesday 8th February

LO - to examine the use of media language in music videos

mise-en-scene

-setting

-costume

-props

-lighting

-hair and makeup

-colour

-performance

-very wealthy

-diamonds

-expensive jewellery 

-gold tap

-shows her status 

-successful

her clothing choice shows that she is not very wealthy or highly respected, the hat backwards shows that she is tomboy. The tattoo could show that she is rebellious, along with her dark coloured makeup. She has an emo style, which was popular when this song came out

this is located in a school, which could show their status of students being low. him holding books could show that he is portrayed as a stereotypical geek/nerd. his clothing choice could also back this point up because of the colour choice being childish

Wednesday 1st Marc

the lighting of the video creates a darkened, negative mood

the time period for this video could be old because of the choice of outfits used in the video

the setting creates the narrative in the visuals 

LO - to examine the use of media language in music videos 

Avril Lavigne and her friends are dressed using a skater style. This is achieved by using non-feminine and dark clothing.  This could suggest to the audience that they are rebellious and defiant 

In Avril Lavigne's music video, it is set in an abandoned building. We know this as we are shown shots of streets and tall buildings.

the girl in the music video wears a red dress, this could connote to love and foreshadow their relationship

the music videos for Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi and Wheatus' Teenage dirtbag use setting and costume to achieve similar effects. For example, the costumes used in Sk8er boi are used to give a skater style, which is used to help narrative the video. This is used by using non-feminine and dark clothing, that stereotypes skaters and their rebellious mood. Sk8er Boi is set in a ruinous city, this helps to provide a more visual storyline to the audience. Teenage Dirtbag

CAMERAWORK

shot type

angle

movement

Wednesday 8th March

LO - to explore how camerawork is used to create meaning in music videos

1) the photo uses a long camera shot.

2) this long shot is used to portray the group and the setting used behind it, it could show that the song is about friendship as everyone is included, but could also show that there is at least one person with more power, shown through the fact one person in in front.

3) the costumes used shows child-like behaviour, which could also link to the strength of their friendship, showing that they have been friends ever since they were a child.

1) the settings is in a desert, a desert is hot and very isolated

2) the artist might be singing about her isolation because there is nobody around

3) a wide shot is supposed to include building, people and other stuff, but this wide shot doesn't include any of that except a large desert and one person

cinematography styles

naturalistic: most common style of camera work. shots are either fixed or handheld (for realism) or have subtle slower movements

expressionistic: more uncommon and artistic/ creative use of camera shots and movement. often shows extreme angles of quick movements

sk8er Boi is expressionistic

teenage dirtbag is naturalistic 

2) POV shot, it is used to show that the camera man is not in love with the pretty, blonde girl, but Avril Lavigne instead. this could be used to portray the change in character

3) long shot / wide shot, it is used to show the background and the sign to portray that he is lonely and isolated as no one is around.

4) high angle is used to give the viewer more visual image

5) low angle is used to show the popularity and power the jocks have over the rest of the school

there are lots of different camera shot, angles and movements shown in the video

realistic, chaotic, thrilling, energetic, frenetic

slow, calm, smooth, natural

the camera movement in Ska8er Boi is expressionistic. For example at the start of the video, the camerawork is fast paced, this is used to express realism for the audience

the camera movement in teenage dirtbag is naturalistic. For example, the camerawork is more slow paced, this is used to portray the narrative for the video.

How do music video producers use camerawork to help construct the identity of an artist or band?

music video producers use camerawork to construct the identity of Avril Lavigne by using a range camera shots, angles and movements. Throughout the video, the producers added a collection of angles to show her power and popularity, stereotypically the use of high angles shows vulnerability, but in the video it is used to show Avril Lavigne's audience surrounding her, this shows her audiences admiration towards her. At the beginning of the video the movement of the camerawork is fast paced this could show a sense of realism for the audience, this gives a point of view to help show the narrative of the video.

Wednesday 22nd March

LO - to explore how sound and editing are used to create meaning in music videos

diegetic - sounds are those from inside the world of the text (that the characters can hear)

non - diegetic - sounds are sound outside the world of the film (that the characters cannot hear)

teenage dirtbag, only diegetic sound is the car hitting the bike and it falling over, this is to connect the narrative to the song 

Sk8er Boi - spray cans, rope, traffic, police sirens and helicopter - adds realism and adds to the setting

anti-establishment - going against the rules

editing

special effects

transitions

shot duration

order of shots

pace and rhythm

continuity

the editing pace matches the beat of the song to create realism in Sk8er boi

the editing pace is slower so that you can see the narrative in teenage dirtbag

both of these videos use linear continuity editing

linear - events are edited / presented in chronological order. more traditional / cinematic

non - linear - our-of-order editing. no clear distinction of time. events are cut up and rearranged 

Sk8er Boi has more faster shots because the song is faster and teenage dirtbag doesn't use as many cuts because of the narrative

music videos use media language such as camerawork to differ from each other and fit the pace of their song. In Sk8er Boi they use camera movement to portray realism for the audience, this is also used to represent the pace of the song. In teenage dirtbag, the camera movement is more slow, this is used to present the narrative to the audience.

 

Wednesday 26th April

LO - to explore and practice exam style questions

NOTES: good notes on both case studies

MEDIA LANGUAGE EXAMPLE Qs:
WWW: excellent use of terminology and you explain the effect of the elements used
EBI: make sure you use specific, detailed examples from the videos to support your ideas. If you are talking about a specific shot - say what it is showing.

DIRT:
Better

Four mark question

compare how gender representations are constructed in music videos. refer to two music videos you have studied to support your answers

In the music video Teenage Dirtbag, gender representations are constructed stereotypical. This is portrayed through the outfits and actions of the main female role. For example, the costume she wears is a pick dress, which fits stereotypically to women. Connotations of pink suggest femininity which ultimately shows how women are stereotypically viewed. On the other hand, Sk8er Boi subverts female stereotypes. This is shown through Avril Lavigne's rebellious actions. This makes women appear defiant

Ten mark question

explain how stereotypes are used in music videos. refer to two music videos you have studied to support your answer

stereotypes are used in music videos because they are easily recognisable and so helps the audience understand the narrative. For example, in Sk8er Boi, they use a stereotypical representation of males as active, rule-breakers and interested in girls. This is shown through them often skating, biking or driving, often in places they shouldn't be (like on the roof-tops), and filming the pretty girl in the car. This fits in with the teenage stereotypes also used. For example, they are seen as rebellious and defiant, which is shown through their actions in the beginning of the video and the police at the end.

In Teenage Dirtbag, gender stereotypes are used to show how each gender is viewed. They use a female stereotype to show how women are viewed by men. An example of this could be the camerawork. The video uses slow motion to give the audience more focus and emphasis on the female character. This stereotype is also shown through the outfit she is wearing.

NOV 23 PPE

film - BBFC 

tv & radio - OFCOM

advertising - ASA

magazines & newspapers - IPSO & IMPRESS

video games - VIDEO STANDARDS COUNCIL 

question 3:

themes/issues:

-stereotypes 

-positive romance

-negative romance (alienation and rejection)

-friendship 

MOJO's more saturated colour palette conveying the value of energy and excess contrasting with the more subdued palette of the gramophone front cover conveying the value of sophistication.

the media language used in both magazines is very different which creates different messages

body language 

main image

typography

colour