Analysis of Madonna- Confessions on a dance floor digipak

Analysis of Jess Glynne's 'I cry when I laugh' Digipak

Although the entire album is not of the disco genre, it dose feature server disco tracks such as 'My Love' ft Route 94. The album almost challenges typical genre conventions immediately by having a bright back ground and darker features of imagery. The pale pink colour does however bring a light hearted aspect to the cover, insinuating the happy genre of disco/pop. However contrasting colours are used in the bottom right corner in order to still fulfil an aspect of the disco genre conventions. The artist is positioned in the centre third of the cover with the title and artist name written p the side. This ensures that the first image audiences see on the cover is the artist herself (as per star theory), thus the audience buy the album for the artist over the actual music on the album. The Typeface used for the title is san serif as most album titles are as its a more modern and fun typeface option. Also the album name and artist name are the same size up the right side of the cover, challenging conventions of most other digipaks of the genre of which tend to feature the title much smaller in size than the artist name.

Keeping with the typeface theme the track list in the centre on the back cover matches the font on the front. The back cover doesn't feature anymore imagery presumably to make the track list the focal point of the album as appose to the genre convention of imagery being the main focal point of the back over. All of the production information is positioned vertically up the left side of the back cover, mirroring the positioning of the title and name on the front, signifying that the production information is less important than the track list. The record company label is shown on both the spine and the back cover (along side the bar code) to advertise their company on their artists work.                                                                                                                                            

Intertextuality

The term intertextuality by definition refers to the process of creating reference to any kind of media text via another media text.

Across media platforms intertextuality can be used for comical effect. For example in the film industry parody films such as the 'Scary movie" franchise and 'Superhero movie' were created almost completely out of intertextuality, poking fun at existing films that are classic to their genre.

Robbie Williams 

Cher from Clueless

Music videos use intertextuality to references other aspects of the media industry rather than comedy. For example Robbie Williams You Know Me video is based upon Alice in wonderland. The video features the classic Alice in Wonderland tea party and features the artist in a rabbit costume. Iggy Azalias 'Fancy' video also used intertextuality in the influences from the classic 90's film Clueless.

Iggy Azalea

Waynes World

. the heavy links paid tribute to the film as well as giving audiences of the original film a platform to be interested in viewing her music video. The use of synergy also works the opposite way around in films for example Wayne's world bohemian rhapsody reference in the film which was originally for comical effect but then later became part of Queens official music video for the track.

Declan Mckenna glam rock influencie

Sometimes music videos use intertextuality to reference other artists as well as their influences to the track. Examples of this is David Bowies influences for the glam rock make up and Shakira's anti gravity lean dance move in her 'she wolf' video being almost identical to Michael Jacksons classic dance move. This use of intertextuality is used for artists to pay tribute and for audiences to recongn
ise influences and understand where ideas for the songs came from.

Earth, wind and Fire

Bruno Mars 

Disco and house tracks also use intertextuality particularly the modern videos to reference the birth of disco. For example the early disco track lets groove by Earth wind and Fire has been used as influences in many modern disco and pop music for example Bruno Mars's Treasure video.

Analysis of Calvin Harris + Disciples 'How deep is your love' Digipak

Similarly to that of Jess Glynne, this track is a more modern take on disco, therefore has taken disco conventions into account yet still changeling the digipak to appeal to a modern audience.

The Digipak is very simple with the typical convention of disco of a black background with bright contrasting colours for the text. There is no imagery of the artist on the cover, which is not to be expected of digipaks in general not just disco genre specifically. This could be to make the audience focus directly on the music,  or it could be because there were a multiply of artists involved with the production of the track it would be hard for audiences to associate with a large number of artists. The type face used is san serif, with the more well known artist having his name underlined. The fact that 'Calvin Harris' underlined immediately grabs audiences attention as he is well known.                                                                                                                

 

 The back cover features a lot more production information that other digipaks that I've looked at. The record company logo is plastered across the back and spine of the digipak promoting 'Sony music' at every available point. The text and typeface mirror the front of the digipak displaying that the album is complete and together.

Analysis of Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion - Digipak

Mika digi from 12cbrannan

Conventions of disco/house - Camera work

Walk the moon, Shut up and dance

Blondie - Heart of glass

Kiesza- Hideaway

Abba - High angle wide shot

Close up shots are a very common convention of disco track videos in order to focus audiences attention onto the artist (as per star theory). Also, as disco/house tracks are heavily edited the close up shots of artists heads are often used on top of colourful backdrops in order to fit the contrasting colour convention of the genre. Medium tracking shots are also commonly used across the genre to display dancing and movement, which is the main focus of disco. Wide shots are not particularly common within the genre unless it is used to establish a location or set. Although wider shots are not the common convention, when used effectively in combination with the correct colour and lighting for a disco track they give a sense of freedom and flow to disco tracks which I
would like to recreate for my music video.

Focus on costume - Conventions of Disco/House

Costumes from 12cbrannan

Conventions of Disco - Mise en Scene

   In order to the prezi to work, I had to create the prezi on a fellow classmates prezi account as the new prezi cannot be embedded. Therefore it is my own work just under a fellow classmates account.

Focus on Make up - Conventions of Disco/House

La Roux
Bullet Proof

Declan Mckenna
Brazil

Amii Stewart
Knock On Wood

David Bowie

Across the genres music videos make up plays a big part of the mise en scene. Bright colours and intriguing art work displayed as make up draws on the genres influence from David Bowie, Slade and other early glam rock. As the glam rock movement occurred at a similar time to the start of Disco make up styles crossed over. As disco progressed, the distinctive make up became more of a common convention along with bright costumes and neon lighting.Typical make up conventions are of bright colours and abstract styles, something I will reflect in my music video in order to distingui
sh the genre.