TARGET AUDIENCE

The target audience and market are just as important as the actual product itself. Without knowing who the product is aimed at, it would be difficult to make it successful.

From my understanding, the target audience refers to the specific group of people that a media product is created for. The target market, on the other hand, refers to the broader marketplace where the product exists, including the people who are already interested in or consuming similar products. This market can be divided into different groups based on their needs, preferences, and behaviors.

Market Segmentation

• Geographical Factors
  The market can be divided based on location, such as a particular region or country. This helps in tailoring products to fit cultural differences and local preferences.

• Demographics
  People can also be categorized based on factors like age, gender, nationality, and occupation. These divisions also include social classes, such as upper class, middle class, and working class, as well as people working in different industries, like corporate (white-collar) or labor-intensive (blue-collar) jobs.

• Psychographics
  This refers to lifestyle choices, values, personality traits, and interests. Psychographic segmentation divides consumers into groups such as aspirers (status-driven individuals), explorers (adventurous and open-minded), reformers (focused on social change), and traditionalists (those who prefer stability and routine).

• Behavioral Factors
  While behavioral aspects might not seem as influential, they still play a role in understanding consumer habits. Factors such as how often a customer buys a product, their loyalty to a brand, and how price-sensitive they are all affect purchasing decisions.

By understanding these elements, a media product can be designed in a way that effectively attracts and engages the right audience, ensuring its success in the market.

CODES AND COVENTIONS OF POP GENRE

As my music video falls under the pop genre, it will follow the common conventions seen in most pop music videos. Pop videos are mainly designed to entertain and engage the audience, with a strong focus on the protagonist's image and performance. The goal is to make the song visually appealing and memorable while promoting the artist’s brand.

Mise en Scene:

Pop music videos typically feature:

• Bright and vibrant colors to create an exciting and energetic atmosphere.
• A fun and upbeat mood that keeps the audience engaged.
• Makeup, stylish outfits, and various props to enhance the visual appeal and match the theme of the song.

Editing Techniques

To enhance the visual quality and overall aesthetic, pop music videos often use:

• Color tints and filters to make the visuals more striking.
• Photo editing and retouching to give the artist a flawless, polished look.

Camera Angles and Shots

The way the video is filmed plays a key role in making it engaging. Common camera techniques include:

• Close-up shots of the artist’s face to emphasize emotions and expressions.
• Long shots of dance and having fun scenes to showcase movement and energy.

Unlike other genres that focus on storytelling, pop music videos are often performance-based rather than narrative-driven. The main objective is to entertain the audience through singing, dancing, and dynamic visuals, rather than telling a deep or complex story.

By incorporating these elements, my music video will stay true to the pop genre’s conventions, making it visually appealing, energetic, lively and engaging for the audience.

MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS - PART 2

"Black Skinhead" by Kanye West

The entire concept behind the music video revolves around aggression, rebellion, and transformation. It portrays a man trying to redefine his image, showcasing a raw, primal energy that challenges societal norms. The result is a video with dark, moody aesthetics and a heavy use of shadows.

The color palette is almost entirely black and white, giving the video a stark, high-contrast appearance. The visuals are minimalistic yet intense, with a fast-paced editing style that enhances the chaotic feel of the song.

Opening Shot

The video begins with a dark background and flickering lights, setting an eerie tone. The camera slowly zooms in to reveal a muscular figure moving in the shadows. His face is hidden, adding mystery and making him appear larger than life.

The Mysterious Figure Appears

As the video progresses, a shirtless Kanye-like figure moves aggressively, his muscles flexing under the dim light. The high-speed movements and distorted visuals create a sense of unease, making it hard to tell whether he’s human or something more monstrous.

Symbolic Imagery and Religious Themes

In a close-up shot of his chest, a cross necklace is visible, hinting at a connection to faith or inner conflict. The imagery is symbolic, suggesting a battle between light and darkness, good and evil.

Transformation and Chaos

At a key moment, the camera pulls back, revealing that the figure is no longer just human his features distort, his movements become unnatural, almost animalistic. This transformation represents a shift in identity, as if he is shedding his old self.

The Only Well-Lit Shot

For a brief moment, the video cuts to a fully lit shot of a pack of wolves, staring straight into the camera. This moment of clarity emphasizes the theme of raw instinct, power, and survival, tying into the rebellious message of the song.

The Breaking Point

Frustration builds, and the figure begins to thrash and move wildly, as if trying to break free from something unseen. The distorted camera angles and flashing lights make it feel almost like a nightmare sequence.

Repetitive Wardrobe Symbolism

One shot reveals a line of identical black hoodies, symbolizing how fame forces repetition the idea that artists are expected to perform the same role over and over again.

Unconventional Dance Sequences

Even in the chaos, Kanye integrates sharp, aggressive dance moves, almost like a ritualistic performance, adding to the video’s intensity.

Final Scene – The Transformation is Complete

The last scene shows the figure running at full speed, disappearing into the darkness. A sudden cut reveals a gigantic black wolf standing in his place. The transformation is complete a metaphor for breaking free and becoming something untamed and unstoppable.

Conclusion

The dark color scheme, high-contrast visuals, and chaotic movements make this music video one of the most intense and symbolic ones in Kanye’s career. It explores themes of identity, rebellion, and transformation, all while maintaining a unique and artistic execution.

MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

Someone You Loved is one of my favorite songs, and its music video has a deep emotional impact. The video tells a powerful story about love, loss, and grief, with a concept that unfolds gradually, revealing an emotional connection between two characters.

Unlike most pop music videos, this one takes a cinematic storytelling approach rather than just performance-based visuals. It uses soft, muted colors and a realistic, almost documentary-like style, making it feel more personal and heartfelt.

Opening Shot

The video begins with a scene of an older man going about his daily life, seemingly lost in thought. The lighting is natural, and the camera work is steady, creating a quiet, introspective tone right from the start.

The Concept is Carried Throughout the Video

As the video progresses, we see flashbacks of the past interwoven with the present. These flashbacks contrast with the loneliness of the present moment, showing the difference between having someone and losing them.

Emotional Setting

The setting alternates between a hospital, home, and outdoor spaces, reinforcing the idea of love and loss. The lighting is soft and natural, with a warm glow in the past scenes and colder tones in the present scenes, symbolizing the shift in emotions.

Match on Action Shots

The editor uses smooth transitions between past and present moments, making the memories feel seamlessly connected. This continuity effect enhances the emotional weight of the video, showing how grief and love exist together.

Symbolic Transitions

One of the most powerful transitions happens when the main character looks at his hands, then the shot fades into a memory of him holding his loved one’s hand. This small detail makes the loss even more impactful, showing how everyday actions remind him of the past.

The Emotional Breaking Point

The climax of the video comes when we realize that the older man is receiving an organ donation letter the heart of his late wife was donated to a younger woman, connecting their stories in an unexpected yet touching way. This twist adds depth to the video’s meaning, showing how love can still be felt even after loss.

Final Shot – A Powerful Ending

The final scene shows the man meeting the woman who received his wife’s heart. The moment is silent but filled with emotion. The framing makes it appear as though the woman and his wife are connected, reinforcing the idea that love never truly disappears.

Conclusion

The cinematic storytelling, natural lighting, and seamless transitions make this video unique. Instead of a traditional love story, it explores loss, memory, and human connection in a way that resonates deeply with audiences.

DIGIPAK ANALYSIS

 I'll go with analysis of Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour, as it shares an emotional depth, classic aesthetic, and timeless feel.

FRONT:

The front cover is not overly busy; its simplicity creates a raw and intimate feel, much like the emotional vulnerability Sam Smith is known for. This reflects both the personal nature of the songs and the artist’s persona.

The artist’s face and name are the focal points, making it clear who the album belongs to and what is being offered. The dark color palette, mixed with soft greys and muted tones, gives it a contemporary yet classic look. The blending of old and new styles could reflect Sam Smith’s musical approach modern yet deeply rooted in traditional soul and pop influences. The use of black and white tones adds a vintage, timeless feel, suggesting longevity and depth.

Sam Smith’s body language is reflective and melancholic, fitting with the themes of heartbreak and longing present in the album. Unlike many pop covers that engage directly with the audience, Smith looks down, deep in thought. This reinforces the personal, introspective nature of the album’s lyrics. The dark clothing ensures that nothing detracts from the artist’s face, emphasizing their role as the central figure.

The typography is clean and modern, using a simple sans-serif font. The white text contrasts sharply with the darker background, ensuring visibility. The subtle placement of "In The Lonely Hour" beneath the artist’s name allows the title to support rather than overpower the main image. The design choice reflects the album’s stripped-back, emotional honesty.

There is continuity with previous works though this was Smith’s debut, later albums maintained a similarly minimalist yet expressive visual style, reinforcing their brand identity.

BACK & SPINES:

The back cover continues the moody and minimalistic theme. The track list takes center stage, reinforcing the importance of the music itself. Additional details, such as production credits and legal information, are positioned at the bottom in a much smaller font, similar to a film’s credit block.

The color palette remains in black and white, maintaining the album’s consistent aesthetic. The lighting focuses on the center, naturally drawing the viewer’s eye to the text.

The spines are simple and in line with standard industry practices facing inward so the album aligns neatly when shelved. The artist's name and album title are presented in the same font as the front, ensuring brand consistency.

KEY DETAILS:

The record label’s logo is discreetly placed in the bottom corner of the back cover, along with the copyright and licensing information.

• ℗ represents the sound recording copyright.
• © is the copyright symbol for the artwork and packaging.
• The Label Code (LC) identifies the record label Capitol Records in this case.
• The barcode is horizontally positioned at the bottom left, following industry conventions.
• Both Sam Smith’s website and the record label’s website are included, ensuring accessibility for fans.

The spines are plain black, making the album easily identifiable when stored. The catalog number, used for tracking purposes by distributors, is also printed here.

DISK:

The CD design takes a different approach compared to the exterior. Unlike the black-and-white aesthetic of the outer packaging, the disk itself features a sleek silver finish with bold white typography. The album title is displayed in a handwritten-style font, contrasting with the structured, clean text used elsewhere.

This design choice reflects Smith’s personal and raw songwriting style while adding a contemporary twist. The youthful, fresh look of the CD contrasts with the vintage feel of the cover, reminding listeners that, despite the timeless themes, Sam Smith was still early in their career at the time of this release.

Standard legal and label markings such as the logo and copyright details are present on the CD, following industry norms.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF DIGIPAK

I researched a few existing digipaks to understand common features. Most digipaks are used for special or limited-edition releases, often including both a CD and a DVD of concerts or behind-the-scenes footage.

Common Features of a Digipak:

• Main Image – A key visual that represents the artist or album theme.
• Artist/Band Name – Clearly displayed so fans can recognize them.
• Album Title – Shown on the front cover and spine of the digipak.
• Tracklist/DVD Content – A list of songs or what’s included on the DVD.
• Artist Background – Sometimes, basic information about the artist/band.
• Reviews – Occasionally, reviews from media outlets like NME or music magazines.

Front Cover:

• The main image is usually a photo of the artist/band or something meaningful to them.
• The artist's name and album title are in large, clear fonts to grab attention.
• The color scheme reflects the genre or mood of the album. For example:
  • Rock/Alternative albums often use darker, monochrome colors.
  • Pop albums use bright, bold colors.
  • Reggae albums feature red, yellow, and green tones.

Spine & Back Cover:

• The spine has the artist’s name, album title, and record label’s name.
• The back cover usually contains:
  • The tracklist in a readable font.
  • A continuation of the color theme from the front.
  • Copyright information and a barcode.

Inside the Digipak:

• A plastic holder for the CD/DVD, often transparent with artwork behind it.
• Additional content such as:
  • Song lyrics
  • Band/artist background information
  • Personal messages from the artist

Folds & Layout:

• Digipaks fold out into square CD cases and can have different numbers of panels depending on the design.
• The front and back covers are the most eye-catching, while the inside is usually more simple and subtle.

Conclusion:

The design of a digipak depends on the music genre:

• Pop albums tend to be colorful and feature the artist.
• Indie/Alternative albums may not always show the artist and instead use artwork or symbolic images.
• Rock albums are often dark and moody, while hip-hop albums may use bold, urban visuals.