Digipack anaylsis

The originality of the digipack was based around the theme/genre of 80's synthpop, hence why we decided to use a colour scheme that projected a camp femine/ emotional feel to the digipack; for example we used close-up shots of the male character looking distant and thoughtful, we used less masculine colours and used more ceramic backgrounds such as pinks and reds contrasting with pictorial images of trees/nature. We made sure that the link between each section of the digipack as well as the advert for the digipack was connected together somehow, this made sure that all the graphics co-inside with one another.


To design the digipack we used a number of programs that allowed us to format the picture without great difficulty. Obviously we used the bog standard windows office programs such as publisher and word, however when it came to construct more complex designs we chose to use Adobe Fireworks which meant we could broaden our IT skills and propel these skills into our digipack and magazine advert. Although I found using Adobe fireworks produced a well presented, satisfying finish; it did not match publisher when it came to grouping the finished digipack together, I found it much easier to manoeuvre compared to Adobe Fireworks.

Digipak Advert - Analysis

In our magazine advert we've tried to keep to the same conventions as the ones we've anaylsed from the genre.

• We've kept the same font and colour of the band's name (a-ha) throughout the project
• We've included deatials of some of the tracks hits
• We've included details of the album's release date
• The picture we've used fills the whole advert

Digipak Advert



Digipack: Final Design

Changes made in the animated storyboard

We found as the filming production progressed our imagination sprung to life like wild fire, originally our story board was unclear and in some respects not well thought. However we found when we were filming specific scenes and shot sequences, ideas occurred which resulted in the alteration of our original story board. For example the original involved several actors based purely on a narrative throughout the music video; but as you can imagine filling 3 an half minutes with constant story line posed as both tiresome and can be potentially bland with no real excitement. We therefore decided to make the critical decision of making a music video that would contain both a narrative story line in which the person watching can relate to and a video that also contains band sequence shots. This gave us the opportunity to work with more material rather than just the narrative scenes; it also meant we would be able to promote the 80's synthpop genre as we had actors performing/ miming the specific track "Take On Me" making it more obvious what genre we're aiming at. A final reason in why we chose to do a narrative/band music video is because of the original Take On Me video that was preformed be A-Ha. In this video it uses both these techniques which in my opinion works incredibly well.

Anaylsis throughout the filming

As we began to start filming we decided that the best policy of keeping to the right style of genre was to ask the same type audience that we asked to fill out the questionnaire, what their personal opinion was and what type of and improvements we could make to create a more 80's synth pop feel to the music video. Once we filmed our first piece of picture and edited the film correctly into the time of music we gathered around 5-8 willing suggestionists;  suggestionists included fellow media student, students for the upper and lower sixth, family and teachers; as we showed them the minority of film we had and asked them a series of simple questions. (Examples: If you had to, what type of genre would you say this video is aiming at? and... are the any suggestions on how to make the video better?) As this was our first time filming and had little knowledge of what to expect, the response from the suggestionists were clear that the film needed to connect more with the synthpop genre and also have more variety with shot types; as it apparently looked more like a "TV soap" rather than a high speed/ upbeat, synthpop music video. We took this constructive criticism and filmed the whole sequence again, making noticeable changes when filming. For example we changed the cast of our actors and instead of wearing normal clothes we used an 80's style of clothing. As well as altering the mise-en-scene we also altered our filming techniques; instead of constant mid shots and over the shoulder shots, we also began to implement "the five shot sequence" and extreme close up's to add detail and variety of shots. We copied this procedure throughout the filming process making sure that we did not leave anything to chance.

Recreational shots

This specific shot was originally going to be the scene setting opening shot that created an image/environment that the user watching the music video could relate to, as it is a basic but at the same time interesting stationary shot. We intended in placing a zoom feature when filming the shot to create a focus point on what we intended in being the main feature. (this would primarily be the female actress) However as our video progressed our story board gradually progressed with it, and with deep thought we felt that the opening shot was not a strong enough opening scene; (the opening shot should be the best/interesting shot) thus this is the reason in why we chose to do a different opening.

Another angle of the opening shot, however this would contain one of the first appearances of the male character which would mainly consist of the male characters foot and in the background the female character carelessly reading the book. Although the male character will be just plainly walking, we will have implemented a quick two shot sequence from him leaping off the platform and another shot that is shown on the left that will show the male character landing the leap and eventually walking away from the camera towards the female character.

Without knowing it at the time, this shot would be part of the opening sequence. The idea was to create an opening scene that painted a picture of where the film was taking place and what was contained in the surrounding area. The male character will be originally sitting/ lying on the grass closest to the camera who will then look up at the female character and be immediately star struck. Although this is one of our first opening shots we will most probably have to film it later on into the filming production as we will want the best lighting possible and filming in December can create a cold undesirable look about the film.

This is where the majority of our band shots/sequence would take place, although the room has simplicity about it we had numerous objects and props to work with to create the right genre and mise-en-scene. However we may find it difficult to produce the right variety of shot types as it is a small room and rather awkward to produce high standard long shots. Trying to acquire the right lighting may also pose as a problematic scenario as there is only one dim lit light in the entire room; however we also have two light propelling windows that will create a correct lighting depending on what time of day and what the whether is like when filming.

This reccy shot would primarily be one the final closing shots. This is the inevitable key shot sequence that would finally link the two characters (male and female) together and join the two parted story to make one. The shot is designed to look as if the two characters are having a romantic candle lit dinner, we therefore will have to create a individual/ unique lighting aroma to add a close romantic scenario. We will do this by using a high powered bulb and then place brown baking paper around the light so it creates an all round saturated effect.

Animated Storyboard