Band Identity

Name: suffer-gettes
How many members? three/four
Genre of music: electro-pop/electro-rock
Fashion style: unique, alternative, funky

The name:
We came up with the name in one of latest meetings. I brainstormed all night once trying to decide on a name for our suited band. The Rogue Traders are our inspiration for our video, and so we looked at their inspirations for 'Voodoo Child' and the rest of their album. With true consideration to our theme of female control and power, we thought back to the suffragettes, who have a history of fighting for women's rights, and all the trouble they went through to get us females to have a vote. Without copying their name, we knew we wanted something similar, which is when we came up with 'Suffer-Gettes'. I personally felt as though the name of our band fitted in perfectly with our theme and so therefore contributes well to our creative ideas and hopefully our final product.

How many members?
We do not have a definite amount of band members, although three is our main target. We planned on using a rock band set, instead of real instruments, to contrast with our serious theme of female control
 by using 'silly' props. The performance set we are using includes: drums, guitar and a microphone, so we need three members, the singer already cast as being me.

Genre:
The genre of our band/song changes per person you ask, but the original band itself- The Rogue Traders- self evaluated their genre as cross genre of: electro pop, electro rock, dance and indie. This genre is something we have taken carefully into consideration while planning our video. We also have carefully thought of costume and fashion choices, trying to avoid negative stereotypes and 'normal' circumstances. In this case, we have chosen to altar our style slightly, by using Grease references in our aid.

Chloe Shaw: promotions

Audience Questionnaire

1)    What is your gender?
Female

2)    What is your age?
15

3)    What is your occupation?
School student

4)    What area do you live in?
Wandsworth

5)    What genre of music do you listen to?
a) Rock [X]
b) Top 40
c) Alternative [X]
d) Pop
e) Country
f) RnB
g) Rap
h) Dubstep [X]
i) Other

6)    What radio station do you listen to most often and why?
XFM- because it plays everything I like and surrounds my life

7)    If given the choice to listen to only one music channel 24/7 for the rest of your life, which music channel would it be and why?
Kerrang

8)    Do you think that a music artists background should be represented in their music video?
Yes

9)    Do you think that negative stereotypes are portrayed in popular music videos?
Yes

  10)  What appeals to you most about music videos?
that it relates to the song

  11)  What is your favourite music video?
I don't have a specific favourite but I do like The Wanted- glad you game
 
 12)  How often do you watch music channels?
Not very often

Audience Questionnaire

1)    What is your gender?
Female

2)    What is your age?
49

3)    What is your occupation?
Teachers Assistant

4)    What area do you live in?
Motspur Park

5)    What genre of music do you listen to?
a) Rock [X]
b) Top 40
c) Alternative
d) Pop
e) Country
f) RnB
g) Rap
h) Dubstep
i) Other [X] (swing, classical)

6)    What radio station do you listen to most often and why?
Absolute- plays the sort of music I enjoy

7)    If given the choice to listen to only one music channel 24/7 for the rest of your life, which music channel would it be and why?
Kerrang- the only channel I know the name of

8)    Do you think that a music artists background should be represented in their music video?
No

9)    Do you think that negative stereotypes are portrayed in popular music videos?
Yes

  10)  What appeals to you most about music videos?
A strong narrative

  11)  What is your favourite music video?
Always- Bon Jovi
 
 12)  How often do you watch music channels?
Not often

Audience Questionnaire

1)    What is your gender?
Male

2)    What is your age?
51

3)    What is your occupation?
Art Worker/Advertiser

4)    What area do you live in?
Motspur Park

5)    What genre of music do you listen to?
a) Rock [X]
b) Top 40
c) Alternative
d) Pop
e) Country
f) RnB
g) Rap
h) Dubstep
i) Other

6)    What radio station do you listen to most often and why?
Absolute, Planet Rock & The Arrow, because it plays the music I enjoy listening to.

7)    If given the choice to listen to only one music channel 24/7 for the rest of your life, which music channel would it be and why?
VH1, because it plays rock and classic rock hits.

8)    Do you think that a music artists background should be represented in their music video?
Yes I do.

9)    Do you think that negative stereotypes are portrayed in popular music videos?
Yes.

10)  What appeals to you most about music videos?
Creativity levels, camera angles and editing techniques.

11)  What is your favourite music video?
Aha!- Take on me.

12)  How often do you watch music channels?
Rarely.

Star Image: One Direction (1D)

other media texts that influenced me

Themes from:
Books: (house of night, 50 shades)
Films: (grease, grease 2, hairspray)

The 'house of night' novels are written by combined authors PC and Kristen Cast, a mother and daughter duo. The main narrative of these books are of vanpires and the supernatural, but the themes from the main character Zoey Redbird, relate to those we want to use in our music video. For example, Zoey has a strong character, she is looked up to and idolized, which our main star will be too.

Similarly, 50 shades of grey have similar themes that we are focusing on in our music video, only we have initiated a role reversal. In the book, Christian Grey is the character with the power and has control over Ana Steele, whereas in our video it is the female with the dominant role. (Obviously 50 shades is an inappropriate book to focus on, we are just relating themes to our video.) My group and I have just related certain themes from the previously mentioned books to our music video, in a minor way.

50 shades mainly, but also the 'House Of Night' novels, also include a variety of voyeuristic traits, which we also wish to relate in our video.

We had the idea to use intertextuality in our music video, and for this we have decided to use similar themes and costumes and settings from Grease, which we know was a popular era/decade and would also broaden our target audience by inviting a new type of spectator to enjoy our themes. By using similar costume/clothing to Grease in our video, we are introducing a specific type of consumer to become a part of something inclusive.

Goodwin's theory

Sammy Adams- only one

Genre characteristics:
Sammy Adams is an American rapper and recording artist from Massachusetts. His song 'Only One' fits into many genre's, having his influences be from many types of music, including: classic rock, rock, classical music, and blues. This song specifically is a cross-genre from hip hop/urban with an edgy/rocky beat.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals:
The running theme throughout the video, via visuals, is the typical party scene, a summer evening, with friends and having a good time. The lyrics link in with this because they initiate the idea and convey the theme of having a fun time with your mates, and living life to the fullest. The song title of 'Only One' implies that it will be a video about love and romance, although that is not a main theme, it is a sub theme, with the use of pretty girls and good looking guys, to act as a 'party love'.

Relationship between music and visuals:
The theme in the music video being 'party-ish' and 'living while you're young' fits with the beat and edginess in the song, and also, me personally, would definitely play this song at a party, knowing it gets people in the dancing mood. The party in the video typically has the male brawl, which I interpret as being over the blonde girl that Sammy is showing affections for. The visuals in the video link with the music by being upbeat and fun, something that would be played at a party anyway, thus the relationship between the music and the visuals is clear and relevant.

Close ups:
The use of close ups in this video are very important, considering that Sammy Adams is an uncoming star, and so the use of the close ups give the audience a personal relationship with him, getting to know his face and his name. Personally watching this video, I can tell that Goodwin's theory is important and incredibly accurate. The close ups used in 'Only One' show a set motif for Sammy, showing off his 'hard' attitude, making sure he will be type cast with performers and artists such as Professor Green, Dappy and The Kixx- not jsut because of a similar genre, but because of similar attitudes and music styles.

Voyeurism:
The voyeurism is not too obvious in this video, although it is there. Sammy is obviously interested in the blonde girl, and although her sex appeal is limited (minimal make up, doesn't show much skin), so personally I suspect the voyeurism is used on Sammy himself (who plays himself) to attract girls to their target audience, making it broad and not 'type-cast'. The blonde girl is very pretty, and it shows the natural side of beauty, instead of the usual half-naked and heavily made up girls that are usually portrayed in music videos. In addition, this also sends out a positive message to those watching, especially the younger generations.

Intertextuality:
There is no intentional intertextuality used in this video, although the fights and street fights are reflective of society and seen in other films and videos. The audience would be hooked on the girl and Sammy's relationship, wondering if anything ever comes of it, what happens next etc. And this happens without the need of intertextuality- the story line itself manages to create enigma in the audience regardless. The narrative is strong, with visuals, music and lyrics all in connection, giving the video and strong meaning and easy message to convey.

Our Pitch:

Song Title/Band name/Genre: Rogue Traders- Voodoo Child (dance-rock, electro-rock, electro-pop)
Idea: The thought that women are just as powerful as men, and can take control of any situation just as well as a man can. Our idea focuses on the concept of a young man being infatuated with our main star (me). We will use voyuerism with both characters, with a strong but provocative women who is a matriarchal figure. The young man is genuinely under her spell and entirely besotted with her. The idea of voyuerism will be portrayed through the characters clothing, actions and choreography. We will also use intextuality, with an underlying Grease/1950s theme, using actions, clothing and mise en scene suited to the genre.

The USP: Our unique selling point is heavily influenced by the theme of the woman being in charge. Considering recent films/books that have been released (50 shades of Grey), we have decided to break that stereotype and have the woman in charge, which would appeal to an audience of all ages and genders. The idea of pro-feminism also links with historical accounts, as women are taking control of a situation, which opposes the natural stereotype of men being in charge. Also the woman constantly subverts the stereotype of men being the stronger sex, and takes the eyes away from the male and brings them onto her. Although there is obvious sexual tension between the two characters, the woman is obviously playing with the male, instead of it being the other way round.

Choreography: We had planned to use basic choreography, with both characters, to extend the stereotype and theme, having the woman in control of the dance and the male eye following her. We planned to use controlling mannerisms and devilish stares to emphasize who is in control.

Cast: Female lead (Josie) Male lead (undecided) Our band (2 other females)
Setting/Location/Props/Costume:
Setting: A club opening or party atmosphere, but all the privacy for the two of them.
Location: Black back drop- drama studio.
Costume: 1950s/Grease, black clothing, revealing, tight.
Props: Chairs, Tables, Glasses, Water Gun, Cards etc

Star Image of Taylor Swift

After researching the original artist, i knew that she would be a tough stereotype to brea. i knew it was important not to copy her look, style or passions, because that can cause copyright and problems. we chose to base our character on an innocent, love struck teennnnager who gets herself into a sticky situation, whereas our main star is completely different, she is hip, she is edgy and in some aspects quite indie, and this is the complete opposite of Taylor Swift.