Fall Out Boy's UK Marketing

Website
http://www.falloutboyrock.com/
- Merch shop
- fan list emails
- Q&A
- Photos
- Journal
- Competitions

Friends Or Enimies
http://www.friendsorenemies.com/
- Photos
- Journal

Buzznet
www.buzznet.com/tags/falloutboy/
- Photos
- Community
-

MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/falloutboy
- Music
- Bulletins
- Blog posts
- Add as a friend
- Fan codes

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fall-Out-Boy/
- Become a fan
- Videos
- Wall posts
- Photos
- Song clips

Clandestine Industries (Pete Wentz's clothing company)
http://www.clandestineindustries.com/

Magazines
- Frequently in Kerrang! - posters, interviews, reviews
- Had an NME cover
- Rock Sound cover and pull outs
- Teen girl magazines eg Sugar

TV
- Interviews on several Channel 4 shows eg Popworld, Transmission
- Performances on above shows
- Prize giveaways

Live shows
- Tours at least once a year
- Summer festivals eg Reading & Leeds (usually)
- 2007 Decaydance festival

Other stuff
- Free online EP for limited time with release of 3rd album
- Radio interviews
- Online adverts eg MySpace

Everything online aims to create a sense of community for fans and with adverts places on popular web pages they are able to attract new fans.

Reflections on this weekend

I think this weekend was a great success. The locations Angelie & I found on Sunday were amazing (some of them) and we walked 5 miles according to Google Maps (shows some serious dedication seeing as it was like 28c outside or something like that)
Then today (Monday) we took a lot of shots for our storyboard and some photos for us to practice changing to comic book style and it only took us a couple of hours.
But anyways I think this weekend was really good, we had fun as a group and got a lot of work done. We plan on being able to shoot asap when we get back to school so will be doing our storyboard on the 1st September to allow that

Also, there hasn't been any new posts on my blog because I've been completing old ones and I go away tomorrow night so won't be posting for another 2 weeks =]

Toodle pip!

Layout

Heyyy same as james. I missed a media lesson and copied the way you set out one of the marketing pieces of work. Is that ok? =P
-Cat

Pendulum's MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/pendulum

The top of Pendulum's MySpace has three rotating images that portray images of the band in a professional photography studio, performing at Reading and a picture taken from their album art. Beside this is another image of the band set as their profile picture. Beneath this are the usual links seen on MySpace pages; send message, add to friends, IM, add to group, block user, add to favourites, forward to friend and rank user. Under this information are links to Pendulum's pictures and videos, the URL for the MySpace and Pendulum's genre of music (Drum & Bass/Rock/Electronica). Above the main section of the profile is a banner advertising their "tour of the Americas" being on sale now.
The main profile is split into two columns. On the left is a video of them performing 'Granite' at Reading which visitors to the page can watch. Under this is the "general info" section which contains the following information:

Band Website - Pendulum.com
Fan Website & Forum - Pendulumlive.com
Pendulum TV - Pendulum TV - You Tube
Sounds Like - A Wall of Sound
Band Members:
- Rob Swire (vocals/synth/producer)
- Gareth McGrillen (bass guitar/DJ)
- Perry ap Gwynedd (guitar)
- Paul 'El Hornet' Harding (DJ)
- Kodish (drums)
- Ben Mount (MC)
Record Label - Ear Storm
Management - Jho Oakley
Agents :
- Solomon Parker (Live)
- Obi Asika (DJ)
Webmaster - Ollie Martin

Below this information is another link to buy tickets for the tour of the Americas, followed by a poster advertising the tour dates and locations with numbers to call for tickets. Following this is a link to buy tickets to the 'In Silico' tour 2008 in the UK which is accompanied by the tour promotion poster which again contains the dates and locations of the tour as well as the relevant information to call for tickets.
The remaining section of the left hand column under general info contains a link to the Band's merch store with moving images of products available followed by the logos of all the festivals Pendulum are appearing at in 2008.
This section is followed by a box where fans can sign up to the mailing list or read the band's biography which may be of interest to many visitors to the page.
The right hand column starts with the mini player which has 5 songs in it; 'Radio 1 Mini Mix', 'Violet Hill Cover', 'Other Side', 'Propane Nightmares' and 'The Tempest'. THese tracks cannot be downloaded from the page which forces fans to use legal services and pay for downloads (although some may use Limewire). Below this is a comprehensive list of events which includes times, dates and locations of gigs as well as the venue of the gig which fans can use to identify any near them. This is followed by a blog box which contains links to and titles of the latest three posts. Pendulum's "top 8" friends are below this (which appear to be written by one of their PR team as opposed to the band themselves), showing links to all band members' personal MySpaces as well as a Pendulum community MySpace.
The final section of the page is the comments left by fans and spammers. These have been set to the left to fall in line with the left hand column of the page.
The page itself is very impersonal, none of the band have revealed anything a bout themselves and the images used are all professionally shot. Interestingly, there are no links to sell stuff for the band except the merch. Usually there are links to iTunes for downloading, YouTbe for viewing videos and press quotes about bands, however none of this is present on pendulum's page.

Here's your group work on Marketing!

Hi Emma, do you mind if i use your layout for your album cover analysis. When i first saw them i thought that the your group were given a sheet so i did them the same as you. If you dotn want me to use your layout i will change it.

Thanks

James

BLK feedback

good postings recently Emma; try and get some of your analysis work completed soon

Reflections on our feedback

In last night's feedback session there were several issues raised (see group blog).
One of these was an issue concerning having a black indie singer despite saying we were aiming at a predominantly white audience, which I can see is a valid point yet caused issues within the group as a result. I personally feel that it would be most beneficial to the group if Jennfier was to play the hero because it suits her personality. I also have concerns over using Jennifer's friends as the other actors because there is a chance the filming may turn into disarray with nothing being done. This would also then lead to the whole issue becomming even more of a "race row" as having all actors not being white would be racist towards them, so either way we lose. If we were able to get Jazmin to be our performer I think it would work well as she looks the part and we would be able to work with her. In light of this I think that we need to rethink our choices of actors and reach a new agreement before the summer.
However I am glad that there was positive feedback regarding the idea of comic books and the idea as a whole, I just hope we can resolve the issues.

Video Analysis 2

Christina Aguilera - Beautiful



Performance & concept based
Concept of others finding beauty, developing throughout the video (relateable to our own idea)
Focus on facial expression - CUs
Quite a dark mise-en-scene
ELS show isolation within room (eg 24 seconds)
Not necessarily singing to camera
Slow paced - fits to music
An everyday kinda look - no high budget sets/locations
Message of being proud of yourself
Editing changes pace as music does
Frames within frames eg mirrors
Idea of people watiching & judging either themselves of being watched/judged
Lyrics kinda illustrated by visuals, people aren't letting themselves be brought down by the end
Typical focus on performance

Video Analysis 1

My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade



Performance
Concept of "The Patient"
Establishing shot
Frames within frames (TV at start)
Notion of looking - TV screen, nurses around bed etc - continues album's concept of "The Patient" watching the world
Focus on lips
Changes pace
Focus on facial expressions
Black Parade enters on lyric
Lyrics usually contradict visuals
Black & white & red
Money shots of the band, focus on Gerard Way
Band playing instruments - sticks with image
Typical OTT actions of Gerard - poses etc
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a major influence
Totally different from previous videos in terms of concept but still performance based

Our new idea

I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really like the new idea we have. I think it's much simpler and easier to shot but would have a better end result. I'm really, really, really, really, really, really, really excited by the idea (which tbh I wasn't really by teh other one, more just kinda liking it).

One of my friend's outside of schoool said he would be willing to be our Superman. He's about 5'7, has brown hair and is a swimmer so quite muscular. I'll post a picture of him up later =]

See the group blog for a post about the new idea!
http://musicvideogroup32008.blogspot.com/search/label/idea

BLK feedback

good work Emma.

I know you're posting like mad to the group blog, but try and post up your own responses to whatever is happening in the group so you keep a (brief) running commentary on this blog.

also some independent music video analysis using the framework we've done in class would be good when you get the chance.

The Chemical Brothers - Elektrobank

EDITING
Cuts
Cut away to coach/father/judge/crowd/other athlete
Footage slows to fit with music
Fades between girl & coach – 5min
Cross dissolve at last jump

LIGHTING
Natural appearance

CAMERA FRAMING & MOVEMENT
Establishing shot
Doors frame a lot of shots
POV of first girl
Hand held footage of father/guy with thumbs up – idea of watching
High angle – shows scale of location
Tracking girl’s movement – shows distance travelled
Focus on girl’s face
A lot of long shots

SFX
Slowed down footage to emphasise action

MISE-EN-SCENE/COLOUR/COSTUME
Blue & white costumes – can differentiate between her & competition
Red ribbon – stands out
Gymnastic competition – blank surroundings, small crowd make it realistic

NARRATIVE
About 1:30 of a plot before the song
Story of girl trying to win

GENRE
Electro dance

AUDIENCE
Over 20 to maybe 30ish?
Male

“OTHER STUFF”
Concept based – gymnastic competition
No obvious lyrics therefore not illustrative/amplifying/contradictory
Band isn’t featured
Idea of gymnast being watched by crowd & other competitors but not sexually

Eminem - Stan

EDITING
Straight cuts
Shots from various angles – Stan writing letters to Eminem
Fades at the start before anger kicks in – cuts signify Stan’s anger
Lots of lingering shots on Stan
Shorter shots on Dido
Fades between storylines
Cut to beat & lightning on the beat
Quite long shots – writing letter

LIGHTING
No obvious studio lighting for Stan – Lightning effect
Dim light in basement

CAMERA FRAMING & MOVEMENT
Focus on images of Eminem
Camera placed inside the car when it breaks through barriers - POV
High angles – surveillance effect
Movement gives idea of surveillance cameras watching the room
Camera still when focusing on Eminem replying
Pans around Stan’s room to show volume of Eminem images
Tracking shots of Stan & Dido walking
First shot of movement in through a window creates the idea of entering into someone’s life without them knowing
A lot of shots framed by mirrors or doors – notion of looking

SFX
Lightning
Warped vision of them meeting/reflections
Mirror image (1:53)
Snow machine/rain machine?
Car plunging into water
Stan watching through window at the end

MISE-EN-SCENE/COLOUR/COSTUME
Dark, only brighter colour is red – relates to the album it came off, The Eminem Show has a red cover
Colours also reflects Stan's social situation - not rich surroundings to contrast to Eminem's plush surroundings
White t-shirt for both Eminem & Stan
Posters - shows obsession
Wooden floorboards, flaking paint, dirty tiles - reflects wealth

REPRESENTATION
The song creates a less violent image for Eminem. The lyrics (on his part) are less about violence and more about helping his fans in a way. It also presents an idea bout how his life is as a celebrity.
Highlights the problems with celebrities being seen as idols & fans becoming obsessive
Shows helplessness of girlfriend who can't cope with Stan's obsession

NARRATIVE
Relationship between Eminem & Stan - informal - "Dear Slim" & talking like they were good friends at times
Stan’s life & death/funeral
Eminem replying
Relationship between Stan & Dido
Story of obsession
Each verse builds up to an explosive ending

GENRE
Rap

AUDIENCE
Eminem & Dido fans
Younger people – young teen to mid 20s?
Mainly males?

“OTHER STUFF”
Visuals illustrate lyrics – meeting brother after show, writing letters etc.
Visuals amplify – make the situation and anger real
References to other Eminem songs - 'My Name Is' & ''97 Bonnie and Clyde'
References to other songs - 'In The Air Tonight'
References to Eminem's life - Uncle Ronnie & killing Kim & father walking out
Stan's a reoccurring character in Eminem songs - 'Guilty Conscience'
Idea of looking e.g. watching TV, being in the crowd, surveillance like shots etc.
Performance & narrative

Possible Location

The surrounding park bit:

The view down the river:
Bridges:

A Discussion...

Basically, today Angelie & I were talking in class (with Cat) and well we realised that our idea might not work. Miss B suggested that we have Jennifer as the main star of the video in which case we'd need a song to match her, which I think could be the song that Angelie's found (Holding Out For A Hero?).
If we were to do that song I have an idea of using a rose garden (there's one at Forty Hall and also where my dad works, and I can drive us to both...I can't think of anywhere else like that) or alternatively using Ally Pally. But her being in there being chased by her "hero" who is unable to catch up with her until the end when the girl is revealed to be imaginary. We'd also have a performance by Jennifer which I thought we could do in a plain walled room where we could hang fairy lights and have a nice backdrop.
I know a couple of people who would like to play the guy, although one might not be here for the shoots, and I'll have to double check with the other to make sure he's still interested.

New Song Idea

An idea for our new song could be Johnny Sniper by Enter Shikari

http://www.mediafire.com/?1mwhmftk9ln

However, it is 4 minutes long, and has already got a video (although it is very different to our idea and isn't a mainstream video)

Alternatively, The Firework by Cajun Dance Party might also work

http://www.mediafire.com/?iw4p9mxmzlq

It is 3:36 long but has not been released as a single therfeore having no video (nor are there plans to release it)

Or, Totem On The Timeline by Klaxons might work.
It's 2:42 long and has no video

Orrrrr, Blood Sugar by Pendulum?

First Proper Meeting

In our first proper meeting we didn't like any of the songs that we pitched however we did create a video idea that we are all happy with.
This idea includes having multiple superheroes that all atempt to complete the same mission but 5 fail with only 1 succeeding (I think?). We'd use split screen to show the different outcomes

Someone else in my group has probably explained this better, so I'll edit this post when I've clarified it all again so it makes more sense and is better written!! However our aim for the next meeting was to try and find a song that we think would work with the idea

BLK feedback

Fantastic work to date Emma - great progress on album covers, marketing end especially track ideas - I can see the direction you're going in!

Marketing Strategy Reflection

What did I miss out/what would I change?

1 - Below the line marketing, we could have used more
2 - Better TV shows for the band to be featured on (not Jonathon Ross!)
3 - Marketing campaigns that would be more accessible to a wider section of our audience
4 - Would use stranger PR stunts, not 'generic' ones that everyone does
5 - Wouldn't use typical associations such as Girls Aloud, I'd pick lesser known people

What have I learnt?

1 - USPs help to promote a band & is needed to stand out
2 - Merch can be produced cheaply at home
3 - You can break conventions and still have a successful marketing campaign
4 - It isn't as straightforward to get onto the radio as I first thought
5 - You can be clever when you release material eg the day after people get paid
6 - Space is an asset rather than something that has to be filled
7 - An image for a band has to e carefully constructed, it doesn't just come together on its own
8 - Artists do not automatically play big venues, they can choose to remain in smaller venues
9 - Carefully constructed line-ups are aimed at several ethnicities
10 - Timing is everything