Question 2:How effective is the combination of your

main product and ancillary task?

Maseulla Olomi

Representation of artist

In both our music video and ancillary task we represented our artist as a Grime artist who is not as conventional as most Grime artist. For example, in our ancillary task in the inlay card and front cover we made the artist seem less “rapper” like and tough through the visual effects, camera shots and poses. Whereas in the CD back cover and A4 poster we made our artist look like a conventional grime artist. In our music video this is also done as there are some scenes where through our artists costume and props we made him look like a conventional grime artist. Whereas in other scenes we subverted our artists representation as a stereotypical grime MC. The fact that we both subverted and followed the stereotypical representation of a grime artist in both the music video and ancillary task shows that we thought about both tasks.

Typography

The typography we used in both our music video and ancillary task were different but conveyed similar representations. For example in our music video we used text for the beginning and end, in the beginning it was used for the purpose of introducing our artist whereas in the end it was used to show the music video has ended. The typography of the texts used in the music video connotes strength and masculinity, which is conventionally how grime artists are represented. Also in our ancillary task we used a typography that can be associated with the grime genre as it was almost graffiti styled.

Costume

The costume worn by the main artist in both the music video and ancillary task is similar and in some cases the same. This means that the artist is not represented differently to audiences through his costume. There are some shots in the music video where the artist is wearing a costume that can be associated with the RnB genre and in most shots the artist is wearing costume that is conventionally seen in grime music videos. In our ancillary task there are much more shots of the artist wearing conventional grime costumes. Examples, of costumes that we used that can be associated with the grime genre are Hoodies, trainers, baggy jeans and sport jackets.

Props

In both the ancillary task and music video we used similar props that have connotations of the grime genre. For example, the props we used in the ancillary task were a chain, microphone and era caps. All these props have connotations of the grime genre and make the music video more conventional. In our music video we also used similar props e.g. in the studio scene the artist is wearing an era cap and using a microphone. This shows that we were consistent in our use of similar props in both the music video and ancillary tasks.

logo

• We have a company logo that we have placed on our ancillary task; the logo helps to create brand identity as it is a silhouette of our artists head and a microphone. Because of the fact the logo is a silhouette of our artist head, some audiences looking at our ancillary work and music video would be able to tell they are a combination. The company logo was used to add to the authenticity of our ancillary work as this is a key part of professional CD covers.

More consistent representation

• A way in which we could have improved the effect of the combination of our music video and ancillary texts is by incorporating the more slick and smooth representation of our artist even more in our ancillary work. In our music video we offered this representation of our artist on many occasions in the chorus scenes, however, in our ancillary task we do not see this representation of our artist very often.

colours

A way in which in our music video and ancillary tasks effectively combine, is through the use of similar colours in the background. For example, in both our music video and ancillary texts the colour blue is seen in many occasions. This makes it seem as though the music video and ancillary work are together and not two individual pieces of work. Through, the use of similar colours in both our music video and ancillary work we are creating an effective brand identity that audiences can identify with. Another example of us using similar colours in both our music video and ancillary work, is when we used black and white in our music video for flashbacks and in our inlay cards. This shows that we are being consistent in our use of colours in both our music video and ancillary work.

Female character

A way in which the effectiveness of the combination of our music video and ancillary task could have been improved is through incorporation of the female character in our ancillary task. In our music video the female character played a large role in the narrative as she was the main actress. However, in the ancillary task the female character is not a part of any of the ancillary tasks. It is possible that if we used the female character in the music video in our ancillary task, then some audiences may have found it easier to identify the fact that the two products are a combination. Also we could have employed the narrative of our music video even more into our ancillary task, so that audiences could establish that the two products are a combination.

Variety of shots

The use of a variety of shots has been used in all 3 of our tasks which are the music video, A4 poster and CD covers. In our music video especially, we use many shots with a variety of locations, angles and distances. For example, in our music video we have shots in locations such as central London, parks and behind brick walls. In our ancillary task we have shots of our artist behind a brick wall and fence with graffiti which gives an urban look. The fact that we have used similar locations and a variety of shots in our music video, A4 poster and CD covers shows they are a combination rather than individual pieces of work.