TASK 8: RESEARCH AND PLANNING THE CD/DVD COVER AND ADVERTA2 MEDIASYNTYCHE SONZI

So that I am able to successfully create a CD/DVD cover and advert, I have conducted research on mini case studies on existing media products of the particular genre that has been chosen; AFROBEATS.

MAGAZINE ADVERT : P-SQUARE “DOUBLE TROUBLE” (MYSTREET MAGAZINE)

First thing I have noticed with this advert is the house style colours; black, red and white. Black is the colour of the night, in this particular context the Black may symbolise elegance, class, power and wealth which is what most Afrobeat artists/groups aim to achieve through their songs and physical appearance. Red is the colour of strong emotions, this may vary from love, excitement, passion and energy which is usually given off in Afrobeat music. White can represent simplicity, peace and youth. This creates the representation that this band are youthful, powerful and energetic which goes with the general type of songs produced in the afrobeat genre. The placement of text is one thing that I like the

most. The simplicity of the advert makes the audience intrigued to find out more, also the placement of the text has a powerful impact on the reaction of the audience as it simply connotes what the album is based on.

The image is of the two artist in P-Square; Peter and Paul. Both are wearing blacked out shades, one is looking straight at the camera elevating his chin creating a fierce look in his face the other is looking to the right with no emotion in his face. This body language and the use of the shades creates the implication that they are both powerful African men. This is a close up shot type tightly framing the artists enabling the audience to see clearly the artists and are able to identify them. The image creates an anchorage with the name the album “Double Trouble” as there are two artists who are twins and the phrase “double trouble” is usually associated with twins.

The lighting used is mainly to highlight the features of the artist and create shadows enabling the identification of the body language. There is little airbrushing used, the areas that this is used is mainly around the forehead and nose just so that the image looks clean and professional.

MAGAZINE ADVERT : FABREGAS LE METIS NOIR “ANAPIPO”

The house style colours for this magazine advert are; gold and brown. In this advert the colour gold symbolises success, luxury, masculinity, prestige and sophistication, value, wealth and elegance. This is commonly what afrobeat artists successfully portray to the audience. The colour brown is a friendly yet serious and down-to-earth. This creates the representation that this artist is a down to earth guy and this album will include traditional concepts, this is also shown through the mise en scene: ( the dashiki worn by the artist, the location of the photo and the props used.)

The placement of text is very simple and straight forward. It shows the name of the artist and album, the date when the album will be released, sponsors and the producers. This has a powerful impact on the reaction of the audience as it simply connotes what the album is based on, I particularly like the sponsors logos at the bottom as this is a promotional method and I would use this for my own magazine advert.

The image is of the artist Fabregas Le Metis Noir; Fabrice Mbuyulu. He is wearing blacked out shades is looking to the right with no emotion in his face. This body language and the use of the shades portrays that he has adopted the common convention with all African artists and creating an implication of power and wealth. This is a long shot type showing the audience the entire location and the clothing of the artist.

The lighting used is mainly natural lighting, this goes with the traditional theme that is being aimed here. I am unable to identify if there is any airbrushing used because of the type of shot that was used.

MAGAZINE ADVERT: TIWA SAVAGE “ONCE UPON A TIME”

One thing from this advert that I really like is the image; this is of artist Tiwa Savage; Tiwatope Savage. This is different from the other two as she isn’t wearing blacked out shades so we can actually see her emotions. She has a direct eye contact, as she is looking straight at the camera.

This body language and the subtle makeup creates the implication that she is opening up to her emotions sincerely and the album is about her and her feelings. This creates an anchorage with the name of the album “Once upon a time” which is used to tell a story, meaning this album is about her telling her story. This is a mid close up shot type enabling the audience to see what she is wearing and her emotions on her face. I really like the use of this element and will consider using this for the female artist during the photo-shoot

The text and the placement of the text is once again very simple and away from her face allowing the audience to see everything on the advert very clearly

The lighting used is mainly to highlight the features of the artist and create shadows enabling the identification of the body language. There is little airbrushing used as the makeup is used to make her look flawless.

CD/DVD COVER: RIHANNA “LOUD”FRONT COVER : The image is of Rihanna and it is a close up image tightly framed enabling the audience to see her emotions and the subtle makeup. The body language and the makeup portrays intimacy her eyes being closed means deep sorrow and deep sadness because there is no direct eye contact with the audience meaning that she will let us in to her real emotions through song.

The text is placed under her chin and away from her face which allows us to see her face and the text with ease as there is nothing overlapping. The name of the artist isn’t shown on this; this is because she is a well known mainstream artist so her face will be easily recognised without her name being there. This is different with afrobeat artists as they are not as worldwide known as artists like Rihanna, so they is less availability to self promote with just image.

BACK COVER: All the text and barcode is written on the right hand side, this positioning allows the image on the left to be clearly seen. The image is a now a long shot showing the audience the entire location and the clothing of the artist.

The main house style colours are red, peach and white. The white and peach are soft colours which portray her emotions, the red brings brightness onto the cd cover and shows her strength

CD/DVD COVER: FALLY IPUPA “ARSENAL DE BELLES MELODIES”

FRONT COVER : The image is of Fally and it is a close up image tightly framed enabling the audience to see his face and his emotions. The body language portrays he has confidence, class and wealth which is what most Afrobeat artists/groups aim to achieve through their songs and physical appearance. There is direct eye contact with the audience showing the communication between the artist and his audience.

The text is placed away from his face so we can see everything properly as there is nothing overlapping. The name of the artist is placed vertically on the right hand side away from his face, this clear placement of the text allows the ability to see everything on the cover.

BACK COVER: The text is separated into 2 parts, CD1 songs on the left and CD2 songs on the right. The barcode and the name of the artist is separated as well, this is because there is an image of the artist in the middle. Fally’s back is facing the audience showing no direct eye contact, he also has a self portrait on the back of his t-shirt and his name at the bottom which signifies that he has his own back and a confident individual.

The main house style colours are red, gold and white. The white and gold bring some softness onto the cd cover, indicating that behind the fierceness of the red, he is caring and is willing to open up his emotions in this album, once again red is used in this cover; this represents his passion and the beautiful melodies that he will sing.

CD/DVD COVER: YEMI ALADE “KING OF QUEENS”

FRONT COVER : The image is of Yemi and it is a close up image tightly framed enabling the audience to see everything that is on the cover. There is direct eye contact with the audience showing the communication between the artist and her audience. This body language and the heavy golden makeup creates the implication that she is opening up to her emotions sincerely and that the artist is implying that she is royalty and luxurious with riches.

There is nothing overlapping as the text is placed away from her face. The name of the artist is placed directly under the name of the artist in a large font, which will grab the attention of the audience, this clear placement of the text allows the ability to see everything on the cover.

BACK COVER: The text is placed in the centre of the cover, with mirroring images of Yemi facing towards the audience portraying the theme of royalty that she is aiming to achieve. Surprisingly there is no barcode on this back cover but there is distribution numbers on the left hand side of the CD.

The main house style colours are black, gold and white. Black symbolises elegance, class, power and wealth, the white and gold in this particular context represents youth, success and sophistication which is also communicated through her hand gestures and the body language. Showing that this album is of elegance and that she represents the success and luxurious African young women.