2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

I feel that all our products (main and ancillary texts) are very effective. Through the ancillary tasks we explored the theme of wealth and status in very different ways but nevertheless both together still correlate. Within the CD package we included iconic scenes for the background; for instance for the front of the CD cover we included a picture of Tower Bride which has connotations of wealth and status, something that 'Singnature' aspires towards. The use of gold within the copy on the front cover also help promote the idea of wealth as gold is normally associated with wealth and luxury. Within the magazine advertisement we included these themes in different ways but mainly through the pose that we put him in. The way he seated on the chair, showing a profile with an umbrella signifies status mostly as even when he is not facing the camera, the audience still know who he is. In our main product, the music video, we included some connotations of wealth through the locations chosen. We decided to do a bulk of our exterior shoots in Central London, in particular the scene where our main female performer leaves her apartment was filmed in Westminster. By making these connections it creates continuity in our media products which is particularly helpful for the audience as it would aid the artist staying in their mind.

This scene in particular contributes in promoting the theme of luxury and wealth as well through the glistening windows and the swivel door which are normally found in prestige locations.

Brand Identity was created and constant throughout all the media products that we created. The use of typography helped me create a brand identity for the artist ‘Singnature’. The use of bold gold typography is not only seen on the CD cover but is also used on the magazine advertisement as a title. This helps create brand identity as when audiences see this font and colour together they would instantly be reminded of Singnature. Furthermore, the fact that we included the logo for our record label on the back cover of the CD package and on the poster as well helps build the brand identity of that company as well as when seeing it consumers would recall Singnature.

The combination of all our products is effective in promoting the codes of Hip Hop/ R'n'B. The CD package promotes the Hip Hop genre through his costume. He is wearing a hooded jacket and a ‘doo-rag’ which is commonly associated with male artists in Hip Hop/ R’n’B. Furthermore, within the music video we reinforced this as he continues to wear a ‘doo-rag’ and hoodie jacket but we are also able to see him wearing baggy jeans and trainers which are elements commonly associated with that genre. We did this purposely, so that audiences that are familiar with this genre are satisfied as it matches their expectations. On the other hand, with the magazine poster we slightly subverted the codes of hip hop/r’n’b through his costume as he is wearing a white smart/casual jacket which is not typically associated with this genre. We did this purposely in order to provide audiences with a different perspective of R’n’B/Hip Hop artists as we show them as less ‘ghetto’ and not having a deprived upbringing. However we included elements that still correlate to that genre through him having his hair in an afro and him wearing baggy jeans and trainers.

The theme of love/ lust is something that we explored. Within the music video, we explored this through the relationship between the main male and female performer as they got together by the end of the video. We also purposely made our female performer wear a red dress as it has connotations of love. Within the CD cover, this theme was displayed much more subtly through the ponderous mood projected by the main image of the male artist. It can be said that he is thinking of relationships he’s had or lost which links back to the theme of love/lust.

The media products produced all look realistic and authentic. On the back cover of the CD Case we have included track listings, bar code, record label logo, copy at the bottom of the CD case we are elements typically seen on CD packages. On the front cover and magazine advertisement we had put a sign saying ‘parental advisory’ which is seen on most Hip Hop/ R’n’B CD's due to the content and on CD inlays we decided to have a dedication page and lyrics. All these elements combined helped us to create, authentic and effective media products.

Lastly, The combination of the ancillary tasks and the music video is effective in promoting the theme of movement. Within the music video we show this through tracking shots and within the ancillary tasks we promote this through the back cover whereby our artist is walking away. This links in with the theme of Time which correlates with the single ‘Rite on Time’ (Time is also subtly promoted in the music video whereby there is a clock ticking). Movement also connotes moving on in the world in terms of status and wealth which is connoted in the mise-en-scene of our front cover (iconic locations) and the locations we used within the music video for instance Westminster.

(Time is explored in the music video and links in with the lyrics of being right 'on time'. This creates a visual link between the imagery and lyrics making the music video easier to understand and more visual interesting.)

All in all, I feel that all the media products created combined are very effective as they target the audience intended, look very authentic and realistic and are very interesting due to the combination of themes explored which are normally experienced by our target audience.