Blog Posting - Music Marketing #2

Crafting the Vision

From brainstorming to making the mood boards, our group has been working to shape Noah Ryan’s identity as a starting artist in the country music genre. Inspired by the mood and themes of Chris Stapleton’s Cold, we’ve designed Shattered to be a soulful and emotional experience for listeners. With every lyric and visual, we aim to tell a story that resonates deeply with our audience.

Marketing Strategy

To make Noah Ryan’s debut impactful, we are using various platforms:

Website: Noah-Ryan.com will serve as the central hub for updates, tour dates, and merchandise.

Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube will showcase behind-the-scenes clips, daily life updates, and creative processes to engage fans personally.

Streaming Platforms: Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music will help Shattered reach diverse audiences globally.

The Video: Building the Story

The Process in Action

The teamwork that went into designing Noah Ryan’s brand.

The behind-of-the-scenes video: 

Shattered Behind the Scenes

Transcript:  

For our music marketing project, we started by choosing a song and developing a new artist. Our artist is named Noah Ryan, and his first song is entitled Shattered. It is a heartbreaking song, so we decided to create a storytelling-type music video. We chose to portray a story that would appeal to the already established country music target audience of middle-aged men and decided to expand his audience by targeting younger adults, too. We had fun creating a marketing plan for Noah Ryan and developing his brand identity, but I speak for all of us when I say recording the music video was our favorite as we got to be creative with how we wanted to tell a story.

Blog Posting - Music Marketing #1

 We decided to recreate the video "Cold" by Chris Stapleton for our Music Marketing Project. We decided to make an artist that is a solo artist and this song is his debut single. His name is Noah Ryan and the song name is Shattered. The personality and how our singer would look are still in progress but we have worked on the mood board a little, which is shown below:

Apart from making a debut single, our artist will also have a few forms of social media to help grow his fanbase and gain recognition from people who like the country genre.

• Noah-Ryan.com
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube
• YouTube Music
• Spotify
• Apple Music

First having a Website will allow Fans to go to a specific place where information about the artist can be found as well as being able to purchase merch like clothes, Stickers, and various other forms of memorabilia. On the website, you can also add Tour Dates and sell them to see how many people click on the website and see if you are growing in popularity as time passes. This can help because a certain campaign is not working, then it's easier to determine the cause and can be used to switch either campaigns completely or change a few tactics.

Second, having Social Media can help promote the music/videos of the songs. It can show behind the scenes of the videos getting made or how songs are created. This will help gain listeners and fans as time progresses without actually having to release songs. Gaining Listeners/Fans through this also allows for different techniques to be used apart from being Strictly Only Music. For Example, they can comment on various other things like what's happening around them or a daily life blog.

Third having Various Listening platforms will help reach various audiences that listen on different platforms for various reasons. Spotify is one audience and then YouTube & Apple Music are other audiences, reaching all of these platforms can help promote and expand fanbases through various platforms to gain people who will support you along the journey.

Apart from this, we have also been working on recording the actual video, throughout the past few days and the weekend one of our teammates was able to record a few shots where various techniques were used to help represent our video more accurately. Today in school more shots and various photos were used with the rest of the classmates to further conduct the storytelling.

Genre Research - Action

Objective: Explore a genre by identifying and analyzing how genre characteristics engage the target audience. 

Exploring the Action Genre 

The Action genre is one of the most popular's genre if not the most popular. Famous Directors like James Cameron, Michael Bay, and Christopher Nolan all use different techniques to make movies thrilling and exciting. Their movies like to keep people wanting to see what is going to happen next, making sure that each scene is created carefully to ensure that it leaves the viewer wanting more. Action films are popular in all ages but especially in young adults, ages 15 - 35. An example of a big Action movie is "Avengers: Endgame", directed by the Russo brothers which made over 2.798 Billion dollars worldwide becoming a huge hit. With all the intense battles and high stakes, it made the movie a favorite for almost everyone. This movie shows how action films connect with their viewers using epic fights and special effects that enhance the movie. 

Genre Conventions: What in an Action Movie 

In almost all action movies there is usually a hero (The Main Character) or a team of heroes who have to fight against someone or have an issue to resolve. The story of the movie could include it being about revenge, justice, or trying to rescue someone who could be in trouble. The Hero's Traits are Brave, Strong having no fear and never wanting to give up until the goal is achieved. Usually, the movie will include pure action scenes, like chases, fights, and cool stunts that look complex or hard to do to give the Hero or Villain more detail about the character. An example of this could be in "The Fall Guy", where the main character is a stuntman who uses his acting skills to get through complex situations to solve a problem. 

Genre Conventions - How They Make Action Movies 

When making an Action Movie it is all about the experience that the viewer gets, making it thrilling and exciting and wanting them to wait for more and more to come. Since these movies use a lot of intense scenes that would cost a lot of money to actually create they use CGI, practical effects, and a lot of camera angles to simulate as if it were all happening at a time to make a shot look more intense. In "John Wick" for example, the fighting choreography is designed so that the viewer can see all the moves done by the "Hero" which makes it more entertaining to watch.

Institutional Conventions - How Action Movies are Marketed 

Action movies are advertised to show how entertaining the movie will be, trailers are like a sneak peek as to what type of film they will be watching if they choose to watch that movie. These previews are usually packed with explosive scenes, close calls, and characters doing incredible stunts which attracts viewers more if they prefer an action-themed movie. Using social media and at some points even using video games to also advertise these films to attract fans from different places. An example of this is "Fast & Furious", their trailers have shown characters returning that were thought to be dead or something important that was believed to be lost or a reason to have another movie, at the same time attracting new and old fans. 

Film Sample #1 – The Fall Guy (2024 Film) 

The Fall Guy is about Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who catches criminals and solves problems using his amazing stunts. The movie mixes action and adventure, showing how heroes use special skills to survive tough situations. It shows The Fall Guy having awesome stunts and effects, capturing the thrill of being a real stuntman. 

 Film Sample - The Fall Guy

Film Sample #2 – The Dark Knight (2008) 

The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is an iconic Action movie with Batman fighting the Joker in Gotham City. It has intense battles, dramatic chases, and lots of exciting moments. Nolan used practical effects, like flipping a truck and building explosions, to make it feel real. Batman’s struggle with the Joker shows themes of justice and sacrifice, making it a powerful Action movie with a big emotional impact. 

Film Sample - The Dark Knight 

More Cool Action Movies to Watch: 

• Transformers (2007) 
  
  
  
• Pacific Rim (2013) 
  
  
  
• Jurassic World (2015) 
  
  
  
• Fast & Furious 7 (2015) 
  
  
  
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) 
  
  
  
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) 
  
  
  

Representation Patterns

I choose to do Star Wars, specifically on the characters Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

    Luke Skywalker: 

• Luke is a boy from Tatooine, who rises to become a Jedi Knight who chooses to fight the evil in the galaxy. His character shows the class character growth as he goes through struggle and then redemption. He goes from being innocent to gaining experience from all the battles, losses, and wins and the discovery of the strength in him. A lot of people can relate to him as he mirrors the typical hero who goes on a journey.

                                  

    Darth Vader: 

• Before he became Darth Vader he was Anakin Skywalker and is one of the most complex characters throughout Star Wars. He goes from being a Jedi Knight to becoming a Sith Lord and one of the most feared in the universe. His character explores the darker aspects of wanting to have more power and ambition for more and more, which shows how a Hero can become a villain. He eventually falls and sees that there is even a slight possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times. 

Representation and Impact:

• The interactions between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader show the forever struggle between good and evil. Luke shows that he searches for Identity, while Vader shows the need for wanting more power, and corruption. This reflects the Greater Theme of Star Wars which is the fight against oppression and the importance of personal choice. The use of both of these characters shows the themes of heroism, transformation, and redemption, making them icons throughout the Star Wars Universe.

Sound Project

We were assigned a Project in which we had to tell a Story using only sound effects and other auditory techniques. These were the instructions:

1.  Brainstorm 1-2 minute, school-appropriate scenes.  This scene should be comprised of action that would occur in a literal 1-2 minute timespan.  What sounds are present within these scenes. Could you convey the plot of the scenes only using sound?  Complete the brainstorming sheet. 
• Scene ideas that are not available: getting ready for school/work, cooking, robbery 
2. Choose the scene that you would like to develop for your project. Create a detailed outline that explains the sounds that will be used to build a realistic representation of your narrative.  You may only use seven words during the scene. Submit this outline to the Canvas assignment titled "Soundscape Planning Outline." 
3. With the aid of online sound effects databases and everyday items, you will create an audio recording that conveys the story of the scene.  No video is allowed. Please use just a black screen or one still shot on your video line.  Your scene must be at least one minute in length but may not exceed two minutes. 
4. At least four of the sound effects utilized must be created by using random objects (cannot use digitized versions of the audio or sounds made with mouth) on a “foley stage.”  Please video the process of creating these four sounds and edit them together into one cohesive video file.  

A Foley sound is a custom-made sound effect that is recorded in a studio during post-production to enhance the audio quality of a film, TV show, or video game.

Since we are doing this close to Halloween, my partner and I wanted to make something that would fit the Halloween theme. We ended up choosing to develop a theme about a little child who visits a circus and an attack by clowns with chainsaws happens. It then expresses the child's encounter with the clown, when things go wrong but the child escapes alive. 

We also chose to use Adobe Premiere as it was a software we were both familiar with as We had both used it in previous projects. When combining both sections of the Project it was simpler than it would have been to use 2 different software.

We used the following Soundscape Planning Outline: Sound Project Outline

We used 4 Different Home-Made Foley Sounds: Foley Sounds

Our Project: Sound Project

OWF - One Word Project

One Word Film Project Steps

1. Brainstorming:

   • Work with a partner to brainstorm ways to convey your assigned word.
   • Develop a story that can be told in 60-90 seconds.
   • Consider using images, sounds, text, symbols, etc.

2. Brainstorming Sheet:

   • Complete the “One Word Film” Brainstorming sheet.
   • Develop a shot list and consider possible editing techniques.
   • Submit the sheet to the Canvas assignment titled “One Word Film Brainstorming.”

3. Storyboard:

   • Create a storyboard with 15 slides.
   • Illustrate the sequencing/editing of your shots.

4. Gather Footage:

   • Collect all necessary video footage (created by group members).
   • Ensure all portions of the project (except audio) are original.

5. Editing:

• Each group member must edit the footage.
• Use only instrumental audio or sound effects (no dialogue or music with lyrics).
• The film should be 60 - 90 seconds long.
• Use Adobe Premiere for editing.

Our word for this Project was Anxious, during the Brainstorming Process, it was a bit difficult as this was the first time I had to create a story without audio and could only show movement and editing techniques. We had to make a story, and we ended up choosing a story where: A Student was going to school and was Anxious to go take a test. Throughout this, they were seen stressing out, drinking a lot of water, and splashing water on their head to relax and not get a headache.

The Storyboard allowed/helped us to choose what locations we wanted to use to create this video as well as choosing what should would be taken at that location. This allowed us to narrow down the places where we had to take the shots for the video, as we only had 2 class periods to record, and then 1 class period to edit the video and make it look perfect. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video as this software was recommended a lot by people in the class including the teacher, Plus it was said to be an easier software to use.

For the Next Project, I think I would like to improve the Editing Techniques used, as not too many different techniques were used. This would help improve the quality of the video. I also believe that as time passes and I learn new abilities to record/edit videos, the quality of the videos will also improve.

Link to Project: OWF_Rivera

Camera Shots/Angles Quiz

This quiz was different compared to previous quizzes I have taken for other classes. This quiz started off with the class being able to work in a group of 2 people, which is something that other teachers don't usually do as quizzes are usually by yourself. We were told to create a story for this assignment and only use 15 shots. A list of 10 specific shots and 5 of our choice were given to use before. We had to create a brainstorm of the shots we wanted to use and what each shot would represent, as each shot was crucial to the flow of the story.

This story is about a mix–up, it includes 2 characters, Homer Simpson and a Cop. It starts by showing the city/suburb where the story is going to take place. Then it proceeds to introduce us to both characters, both standing on opposite sides of streets. Then they start walking toward each other, and as this is happening Homer drops a donut. When they arrive near each other they start talking but the cop is angry as Homer has littered by dropping that donut and not deciding to pick it up. After this Homer gets nervous and starts to run away, while running away he falls next to the donut. As the Cop starts to catch up to where Homer fell, Homer is too nervous to do anything and he just stays there. When the cop gets there, he starts to reach for Homer, but in the end, picks up the donut instead as Cops like donuts. In the last scene, it shows the Cop eating the Donut instead of getting mad at Homer.

I believe that making the story was good as it took us the whole class period (90 minutes). Something that I believe that we could improve would be the quality of the photos, as we only used our phones to take the pictures. If we had a better camera, the pictures would have had a better quality. Which is better, as more quality allows for the shot to have more detail and can tell the story better.

Link to PowerPoint: Camera Shot Quiz (1).pptx