C2 Music

 Tuesday 4th March 2025

Do Now:

1. how many media exams are there - 2 ✅

2. what percentage of the overall mark are the 2 exams - 70✅  

3. component 2 is worth - 30 ✅

4. what is the main purpose of all media - to make money ✅

5. name 2 places you might see a music video - social media, artist website, fan sites, music TV channel 

music videos and online media

1. why do artists/record labels create music videos - to make money and to tell a story, to help make to make the song/artist memorable, to allow artists/songs. to be seen/heard on more platforms - music channels internet dvds, to promote an artists other skills - dancing or acting maybe, to help sell a song, to promote an artist or song, to introduce a new artist/song, to show off an artists image, to provide a visual representation of the song and its narrative

2. why do audiences watch music videos - to see what there favourite artists get up to on a day to day basis 

record labels use music videos for a number f purposes: 

- to convey the meaning of a song 

- to promote the artists image, identity, talent or status for an audience 

- to showcase or promote the artist musical prowess for a specific audience 

Friday 7th March 2025

Do Now:

1. what is the main purpose of all media - to make money ✅

2. what is the main purpose of a music video - to promote the artist and the song ✅

3. already done i question 2 

4. two most common types of music videos are - performance and narrative ✅

5. name three codes and conventions you might see in a music video - lip syncing, live performance, perform to cameras ✅

 

Taylor Swift The Man 

• narrative 
• video tells a story and shows how taylor swift would be if she was a man, filmed and edited like a movie. representation: taylor swift dresses up as the man which is the title of the song 
• https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-the-man-lyrics
• lyrics match because the song is called the man and she repeats these lyrics thoroughly throughout the video 

Stormzy Superheroes 

• narrative 
• conventions: video tells a story, artist appears as a performer (character), story matchs lyrics/ is a metaphorical representation 

TLC Waterfalls

• mix of narrative and performance 
• the video cuts between performance of TLC dancing and lip syncing and a narrative of 2 mini narratives that help tell the story of the lyrics. in one of the narrative a boy gets shot in the other
• lyrics: match the video as they are in the ocean and there is a waterfall
• conventions used: lip syncing, multiple close ups f the artist(s), video tells a story 

The Music Industry 

L.O: to explore the music industry and the role of the music video within it 

• in the UK the music industry contributes billions to the economy it is a massive global media industry 
• the UK exports a lot of music around the world 
• due to the changing way we consume music the industry has faced many challenges recently 
• most people download music or stream it rather than buying physical copies now 
• streaming now accounts 80% of music consumption in the UK 
• the technological developments that once threatened the music industry have allowed it to generate revenue in different ways and to extend their reach to different and new audiences 

streaming sites linked on artists websites:

taylor swift 

• sells vinyls and cds on website 

stormzy

Ownership:

• record labels are companies that make contracts with artists and release their music. record labels usually fund the costs of producing, distributing and circulating music to audiences 
• they will have separate production teams and distributing teams
• a single release from an album is usually accompanied by a music video which becomes a major part of the marketing campaign 

The Big Three

• warner music group, Universal music group, and sony music 
• these are all part of the major conglomerates and horizontally integrated
• they all have subsidiary record labels, most of which were previously independent and associated with specific genres e.g island records 
• this means they can invest a lot of money in artists that are or are likely to be commercially successful videos for major artists often have a budget of over 1 million dollars 
• they are also able to reach. very large audiences through high profile marketing campaigns they can also benefit easily from synergy with other companies in the conglomerate 

Tuesday 18th March 2025

Do Now:

1. fans might buy vinyl records as collectables, they're limited edition, nostalgic ✅

2. big three record labels are warner music group, universal music group, sony music group ✅

3. streaming platforms have effected the way we consume music the most over the last 20 years, development of digital technology ✅

4. synergy is two products promoting each other at the same time and increase the overall revenue ✅

5. a subsidiary music label is a smaller record label owned by a larger conglomerate ✅

Independents

• often associated with more alternative acts indie was traditionally non-mainstream 
• most of these have to go to the majors to get distribution deals however, so the majors can still get a cut 
• some artists dont sign to the label at all. they use the internet to promote and distribute their work
• Taylor Swift is signed to Universal 
• Stormzy is signed by warner 

Regulation 

• the industry isn't regulated by a single organisation, but there are regulatory guidelines in place for music products in Britain 
• the BPI runs the parental advisory scheme however this scheme is voluntary and uses the logo to notify audiences about content that might not be suitable for children
• it is the record labels responsibility to assess the product and apply the logo where appropriate - both on a physical product or online 

 

Regulating music videos 

• if released on DVD: since 2014 all music videos on DVD now need to be classified if they would achieve a 12 certificate or above

Music Audiences

bit like a character and how they are represented 

case study research

star persona of stormzy 

he values and lives for god and loos out for young black people and stands for justice against gang violence by doing meets and talking to people to transform them in their journey of redemption. hes a very proud character and expresses himself positively. he is viewed as a role model and is very supportive and encouraging to his audience and other audiences and is known for collaborating a lot. he has a laid back street style but still stylish and isnt afraid to be controversial

taylor swift 

she is known for interacting and responding to her fans showing how she is laid back. she is very open about her values and beliefs such as voting and being feministic. she comes across as quite self aware, she comes across as generic for a white american women. 

Friday 21st March 2025

Do Now:

1. what term describes a small specific target audience - niche 

2. what is the term used to describe the carefully constructed representation of an artist or band - star persona 

3. what effects the way we consume music over the last 20 years - development of digital technology 

4.  fandom - personal identity and social interaction 

5. hardcore music fns buy physical copies of music, buy merch, go to concerts etc 

TLC Waterfalls 

• TLC is an all girls rnb hip hop group (3 girls)
• waterfalls is a track from their second album and achieved international success reaching number 1 in many territories 
• TLC combined the smooth and soulful elements of rnb and the tougher more 'street' approach of rap, to create a girl group with a 'tomboy' image 
• TLC had a more of a 'rock and roll' image in the press they were honest about their individual battles with addiction, police arrests, abusive relationships and spats with each other, arguably making them more 'gritty'
• performance, narrative and conceptual all blended 

Meaning 

• is an episodic song; several different scenes are depicted in the lyrics
• first scene and the verse describes a mother-son relationship in which the son resorts unorthodox methods to make money his greed his 'waterfall'' ultimately leads to his death 
• the second scene follows story of a different man with a different 'waterfall'. he is chasing. specifically his sexual desire, resulting in him contracting HIV
• the 'waterfall' is a metaphor for the thing they are unnecessarily chasing or drawn to

Media Language

• performance, narrative and conceptual. there are two clear narratives with characters and situations that directly relate to the lyrics of the song 
• in the first verse, a young male die during a drug deal, in the second male contracts HIV 
• narrative: two clear narratives with characters and situations that directly link to the lyrics 
• conceptual: the liquid effect over the girls at the beginning at the waterfall and at the end 
• performance: girls dancing and singing to camera, dancing in sync, direct address, lip syncing, all typical conventions of music videos(typically performance)
• some clear illustration of the lyrics (imags show the literal meaning of the lyrics) e.g mother liteerally gazing out the window at her son, and man literally dosnt recognise his own reflection
• included diegtic sound (gunshot, heartbeat), almost pasuing the song for thr ake of the narrtive of the music video between the vesre and the chorus, add more realism 
• intertextual eference: to the liquid meal in terminator 2 
• montage of flying imagery with natural and urban landscapes 
• special effects used t portray ghostly figures of mother and son also to shown the symptoms of the mans disease 
• CGI adds almost supernatural elements to song about very real social issues 

Mis en scene 

• first narrative scene: typical inner city location have connotations of ghetto culture and the customs connote a dangerous urban environment. intertextual links to 90's films like new jack city and boyz n the hood. warm tone meant to show the safe and warm environment he comes from 
• second narrative scene: iconography of the romance genre s used: attractive semi naked actors, silk stocking, tangled sheets,, large mirrors: yet thee swiftly become threatening and horrific to show the symptoms of thee disease HIV. over exposure of the man face symptoms taking effects 

Symbolism 

• drugs aren't explicitly shown. neither is any HIV diagnosis, but they are symbolised by a brown paper bag and AIDS by skin deterioration and a montage of photos of the females previous boyfriends 

Special Effects 

• used to balance the gritty realism of the narratives with something almost magical 

Context

• many rnb videos focus on a romantic narrative and often hiphop videos features groups of men celebrating their wealth usually through crime 
• waterfalls references these genres by showing the temptations of both sex and crime 
• its overall message is less glamorised and more cautionary than many videos of this genre 
• in the 90s TLC were the second biggest girl band after the spice girls with a similar message if female empowerment and female soliditary this sub genre could fall into sub genre of socially aware hip hop that explores real life issues but in a sympathetic way rather than glamourising dangerous lifestyles 

representation 

• age: mostly young adults as they are the primary target audience, young boy in first narrative shows how young people can be easily tempted by crime/drugs. young people being shown as quite irresonsible. overall stereotypical 
• gender: genrally young men being represented as quite impulsive and attracted to dangerous pursuits 

Tuesday 25th March 2025

Do Now:

1. what three types of music videos does waterfalls incorporate - performance, narrative and conceptual all blended

2. what two genres are TLC commonly thought to bring together - TLC brings together rnb and hip hop 

3.  give two examples of how MEDIA LANGUAGE is used in waterfalls to create meaning -  CGI and special effects to bring her son back as a ghost and create emotion

4. is waterfalls EXPRESSIONISTIC or NATURALISTIC - EXPRESSIONISTIC 

5. name three areas of rePRESENTATION that you could discuss in waterfalls =- social issues, age and gender 

TAYLOR SWIFT: THE MAN 

• there is no performance element and no obvious element of the artists singing the song in any form 
• 
  
  
  

these every day stereotypes shows the man as wealthy and represents his day to day life where you would find men and women and these are places where women may experience sexism in their daily lives. these locations aren't specific to him they are location specific to everyone and anyone and represent these areas where women may experience sexism. the man seen in a suit carries the connotations of business success and wealth. in the yatch scene all of them women are wearing yellow bikinis connoting they are being dehumanised and objectified and shown as all the same. 

• the man fulfils the false hero as he is shown to be the hero but is objectifying women especially in the yatch scene 
• the hero is taylor swift she in unmaske at the end the act that you see here at the end followed by the credits and her writing and directing the end encourages audiences to view her as a powerful and successful women 

• misogynistic man lie wolf of wall street which references: the office scene, connoting the misogyny of the business man 
• references to her other own albums and on the wall with graffiti. sign with the scooter with a line through it references her fight for the rights of music with producer scooter braun, anchored by the missing poster 

clothing codes and props:

colour palette:

gesture codes incl. facial expressions:

technical codes:

clothing and props: man was seen in a suit connoting importance and business showing his wealth and success 

CONTEXT BEHIND THE VIDEO:

MAKE NOTES ON HOW THESE THINGS ARE REPRESENTED

men: represented as superior and can do what they want e.g on the train in the public sat next to two people arranging his bits showing that they will do what they want and are emphasised as misogynistic

women: women in this video have been dehumanised and objectified all being put in the same clothes as one another 

taylor swift: shown out to be powerful and successful as she is revealed at the end as director following this she. was the writer of this song showing her importance and superiority and making people proud of her and her successful journey 

Friday 28th March 2025

Do Now:

1. how does the man challenge the conventions of a pop music video - there is no performance element e.g lip syncing 

2. name two intertextual references in the man - the wolf of wall street, tennis player 

3. Media language: mis en scene: his outfit connontes wealth, intelligence, success, Technical Codes: man is in the centre and the cameraa lack movement suggesting he is the centre of the narrative 

4. the man fulfills propps role of the false hero 

5. two areas of representation you could discuss is the man: gender inequality, gender 

Stormzy: superheroes 

Overview:

• released on december 13 2019 
• video premiered on september 9th 2020 when it was shown in school classrooms in London, glasgow, Dublin and manchester at the start of the term when schools re opened after having being closed in march due to covid 
• video directed by British filmmaker Taz Tron Delix produced by Argentinian animation studio 2 veinte 
• dedicated the music video to Chadwick boseman following his. death August 2020
• in 2020 Stormzy donated £500,000 to the Black Heart Foundation to provide educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

How does it challenge conventions of a normal music video?

• no performance aspect 
• illustrated/animated 
• very different tone to a normal stormzy music video 
• entirely narrative based, but lyric still narrate the story throughout and the visuals contain many cultural references to real people and events from 2020

Media Language:

• Mis en scene: opening shots show the building showing the locations a city, pink skies green  trees and flowers and diegetic sound of birds suggest peaceful and happy tone  
• colour palette: creates meaning with the soft shades throughout the video signifying what?
• propps character roles: stormzy would be the hero as he rescues the young boy in many scenes especially when hes trying to fall he picks him up and helps him reach higher limits 'young black queens/kings' could be seen as proppian heroes, who receive help from stormzy and other inspirational figures: could argue stormzy also carries the role of the donor, helper and dispatcher as he helps the kids on their journey to empowerment

• clothing codes and props: the boys adidas tracksuit was selected by the director to reflect the similar style to the dress code in stormzys sounds of the skeng video, adding authenticity and relatability for the young audience 
• when they are doing the BLM protest they are all wearing black to reflect the message and the power of the message that he is trying to spread across to the wider community and reflecting this in all ranges of ethnicys and ages to show the importance of equality 

• Lighting: at one point stormzy is glowing and he transfers the light to the young bpy showing his internal power and significance and that he wants to spread the light to everybody and help them metaphorically glow 

• Techniacl codes(camerawork): low angle shot establishes stormzy as the hero the first time he meets the boy. the boy is looking up at himm from the corner of the frame, positioning the audience to view stormy as an inspirational role model 

Intertextuality:

• noughts and crosses: hows the book i his video. is a book about racial inequality with the roles reversed to highlight the issues, stormzy has a part in the series on bbc one, could be classed as synergy 
• toy story: built like buzz lightyear , similar movements to him like the flying 
• Little Simz: another black music artist represented as a role model to the girl not only this also to the little kids
• the matrix:

Iconography

• show on the left represents the covid pandemic 
• these two shots also represent the global black lives matter movement going on following the death of George Floyd. this starts at the beginning of the video with the guy graffitiing the wall, and we see other protests throughout the video. there is NO violence in any of the protest scenes, there is diversity in the crowd 
• the hashtag merky is stomrzys brand 
• all the iconography in the video is associated with Black empowerment: placards and raised fists in the protest scene, then the symbolism at the end when he places the world in the boys hand, showing that these young black people have the power ti change the world 

context:

• many references to popular culture chosen to represent the black culture in an empowering way, including rappers Dave, Little Simz and footballer Marcus Rashford 
• noughts and crosses referenced, stormzy appears in BBC ones series of it as it explores racism in alternative 
• use of little simz subverts gender stereotypes, showing her as an equal hero to the other figures 
• Marcus rashford shirt reflects social and political contexts as he successfully pressured the government into reversing their decision of ending free school meals during the pandemic, also the female wearing the shirt subverts stereotypes of gender inequality 

representation:

• subverts stereotypes of gender inequality: little simz as a hero and the girl wearing rashfords football shirt and representing him. young female character with body confidence issues but inspired to embrace her natural beauty 
• stomzy: heroic, role model etc. represented really positively, black role model with power hoping to inspire the young generation. shown as caring , supportive, intelligent and a friend 
•  shows the noughts and crosses book to the police, showing education is a root to empowerment and equality - education yourself will empower you showing the book to the police is a dig at racial profiling and inequality
• men. 'young black king' shown as vulnerable and lacking confidence at the start but by the end is confident after his journey with stomrzy 
• family - psotive representation of family they are all equal and the same they are just as good as each other 

personal identity:

Taylor Swift: information on how to buy or stream her music and even buy her merch theres also information on how to access her other social medias 

Stormzy: there are lot of pictures of him and people might relate to that 

Entertainment: Taylor Swift: music videos or stream songs 

social interaction: taylor swift: people can interact either with taylor swift herself or other fans 

Social Media:

• to adress meet and greets
• to publish a new album
• to intersact with fans 
• to sell merchandise 
• fame
• interaction
• money
• lifestyle

2. engaging with fans:

• direct communnication 
• interacting with fan 

Social media:

1. how can an artist use their Sm profile to promote themsleves: it shows how often they intercat with their fans because you can see if they are live or not you can see there profile follows and who they are following etc which allows us to se if they are further interacting with fans doing collaborations and more. the blurb allows new followers to ger a rough understanding of the charcter and find out who they are and what they are interested in and have to offer with fans. this is also reinforced in their posts so followers are capable to see their everyday lifestyle and what they get up to in their spare time. 

2. how can artists use tweets to engage/attract their audineces - often tweets give informations about pop ups or excusive meet and greets with fans additionally and can also allow fans to view what they are up  to within that moment 

3. what is a pinned tweet/psot and when might it be used - a pinned post is tyo show the best moments of an artists/influencers life for example if they have a baby and threry are proud of this moment they may pin the tweet so its more visible as it is presented at the top of the page 

4. what purpose does tthe porfile picture serve - it serves a purpose of showing character and evryday liffe whihc a lot of the time engages the auieences and fans.