Planning artist image - Miss Georgiou

Although music videos are most recongnised for promoting the song they are made for as well as it often being viewed as their main job, music videos are also important for representing the artist. Even if the artist doesn't appear much or even at all within the music video the video is still thought to be a representation of them as it is thought to be their work which they have a lot of creative input in as well as the video putting an image to the artists song/lyrics hence the audience picture the artist with this. Also if the artist decides not to display much of themselves within the music video it connotes a fair bit about them. Hence music videos are important as they provide the artist with a platform to represent/promote themselves in a creative fashion almost as they please when considering restrictions from record labels, censorship etc.If a music video was produced which the general public where to perceive as boring this would reflect negatively upon the artist as the music video is branded with their image hence being created as a part of their image as a 'star' reflecting back to Dyer's theory of them being seen and treated as a product rather than a person.

Many artists have been able to use their music videos so to help them portray differences within their career style:

Here is an image of lead singer Alex Turner from indie rock band 'The Arctic Monkeys' from their music video 'Crying Lightning' 2009:

Here is another image of Alex Turner from the bands music video 'R U Mine?' 2012:

The two images represent contrasting styles highlighting the turn in the bands change as they developed through the years hence this was something they wanted to bring across as it showed the development they had under-gone to they're audience as was able to help them to reach out to new audience members they were aiming towards. Music videos are a good way for artists to take control of the publicity they receive as provide their own message to the media away from the tabloids. Often artists such as Michael Jackson take this opportunity to hit back at the tabloids.  

 Planning my artists image 

Planning my artist image was important as I wanted to create an image around the artist which was conventional towards the soul genre, however I wanted it to appear natural and by no means over done, as this would take away from the quality and experience of the music video as well as capturing a rather comedic feel which would make the music video appear less professional creating a mockery of the artist. The stereotypical image of an artist of the soul genre being one which suits the image of women throughout the 1950s- 1960s in America as this is the time period in which the soul genre generates of which it hasn't developed much as it's fan enjoy the genres elements of being classic hence portraying women within the soul genre throughout this style is conventional as it refers back to areas of the genre which the soul audience know and love. This is beneficial as it helps the artist to aim their work towards their audience ensuring that they are producing work of a quality which their audience shall be interested in as they are able to use the codes and conventions capturing the genre as a guideline.

Examples of how this image can be recaptured within modern times:

Mise en scene is a major part to consider when planning the artists image as there are so many elements within it. As inspiration taken from Amy Winehouse I decided that it won't be a good idea to focus on the artist's hair so to conform to the soul genre however I opted against following Winehouse completely and copying her infamous 'beehive' hairstyle as this was somethin uniquely recongised to the artist which wouldn't suit many people hence playing the artist myself I knew that it would appear rather comical on myself. So I decided that it would be a good idea to have a big back combed yet smaller than Winehouse's quiff as this wouldn't appear over the top whilst still fitting to the genre.

I have also decided that as the artist I should display the kind of music you would expect of soul artists so like that of Amy Winehouse and Duffy I shall wear fairly basic quite plain make up with the added extrvagant extras which you would expect from soul artists including the winged eyeliner, rosy cheeks and red lips. I shall be putting a modern twist on this however as it would be hard to suit it perfectly to the 50s/60s which the conventional soul looks generates from and keep it looking professional so I deicded to go for a modern spin on the look which will also suit more to modern views. This shall be achieved by simply not exaggerating the make up so much so slightly smaller winged eyeliner like that of Duffy.



Costume is yet another important element of mise en scene which conflicts to the artists representation. As they will be a range of different scenes the artist shall showcase a variety of different scenes show to highlight this and keep the audience from getting confused via the narrative. This all provides for the chance to demonstrate more about the artist through the use of costume for instance at the house party scene the artist shall be wearing jeans, pumps and a dressy top which consists of a nice pattern which suits to that of the genre with an almost corset styled pattern down the middle the top is convnetional as it displays elements of the kind of styled clothing you would expect women of the period to wear yet it doesn't appear dated as it is still well styled to todays fashoin and shall be woren in a modern way paired with the rest of her costume. This demonstrates the unique style and ways of the artist to the audience helping them to set her to the soul genre in their minds hence showcasing that she isn't just setting herself to the soul genre as she is able to sing within that tone and can make money from doing so as well as achieveing fame but that she has a genuine passion for it which the audience respects and helps them to build a relationship with her through. Hence once the audience feel this relationship they are more likely to remember the artist as they felt this connection with her keeping her relevant in the minds of the audience for longer as well as making them more likely to purchase her albums as they become bigger fans of her and unconsicously hope for her to achieve higher levels of success.

The image I am creating for the artist helps to present her as rebelious, unique, different, dangerous, exciting and a party girl all of which is relevant and important to both the music video and the narrative we are basing the music video around as it builds upon the storyline and creates an interest in the character as she appears more than just the usual girl the audience is use to seen being portrayed throughout the media the typical 'pretty blonde cheerleader/prom queen type.' Hence they are intergued via her as she appears to be something fresh which they are excited by therefore they want to discover more about her. Benefiting the representation of the artist as they message is then emboided upon her real life personna aiding her in maintaining a general interest from the audience.

The typical image of young females which the audience are used to being demonstrated throughout the media:

For 'the walk of shame' scene the artist shall be wearing a fairly short party dress to highlight that she has been going out partying this suggests that this is something which has been being involving herself in a lot of late conveying her as this lost party girl creating yet further interest as well as conveying hints of sympthy for the audience to pick up on as they wonder why the artist is putting herself in postions where she finds herself in such states time and time again. This scene will be key for conveying the mental state of the artist through the use of her apperance as we will be able to mess up her hair, make her dress in a rather permissucous fashion with smudged make up all of which conotes someone who isn't exciting the states they find themselves in as much as they make out. All of which is conventional towards the genre of soul because the genre is recognised for it's artists singing about subjects which are closer to their hearts and have a lot more meaning to them as well as providing narratives which are more relateable to the average person as they don't focus on their own fame or the advances which come with this as well as keeping things closer to their lives before they achieved this fame. This also adds further to the storyline as it displays the strengths of the artists old fame love for her as they are still so obsessed with her when she so clearly doesn't care for him and is in such an unattractive state that it is questionable how anyone could love her. The concept of the artist providing a narrative behind their music video also urges the audience to rememeber them more fondly as they were invited into a different experience with the artist one which they likely hadn't gone down before.

Although the elements of Mise en scene which I plan to use for the representation of my artist shall be used throughout they shall be highlighted further throughout the party scene and the performance scene. This works well as it contrasts that of the apperance of the artists throughout other scenes. For instance it signifes the much cuter and sweeter image the artist illustrates throughout flashback scenes creating a jutxaposition between that and the relationship between the artist and her love interest now which helps the audience to more clearly understand the struggles between the two. As well as contrasting that of the 'walk of shame' scene as she appears to be able to care for herself more and appears much more attractive and together. This is important as it conveys that the state of the audience within the scene is something which she has found herself in over time coursing the audience to want to think about what may have happened to take her here creating a further relationshp between the audience and the music video as they find themselves in engaging with it more as they desire answers for their questions. A memember of our group has agreed to do my make up for the music video which is the best case scenerio as it means that we shall have someone who is relyable as we know that she will make sure she turns up, on time and is trying to her best to capture the looks we are hoping for as well as having someone who truly understands the different perceptions of the artists we are trying to create as she has been involved in meetings and dicussions involving the topic.

Within the performance scene with the artist shall be performing on a stereotypical soul/jazz themed stage hence fitting codes and conventions towards the genre she will be fitted more so to the genre. So less of the modern styled make up and a lot closer to that of the time as it wonn't look strange in the setting meaning it would stand out and take away from the effectives and efforts put into creating the world set within the music video for the audience to enter as they would become so focused upon this. Working within the same manner if a character was holding a bag one minute and then isn't without the audience viewing them put it down it becomes distracting and reminds the audience of the fact that what they are experienceing isn't real ruining the effects of it. However in this scene these added make up extras will simply add to the conventional themes of the setting and location hence being benefical as the audience are more able to fit the artist to the chosen genre as they view them enjoying themselves in such an element. As well as the artist having an opputrunity to prove to the audience that they really are what they claim to be without this they may be viewed as a fraud hence the audience would loose respect for them as an artist. Therefore the artist also needs to wear something which would suit this scene so we have opted for the artist to wear a black off the shoulder dress from another audience member again this is another reliable source as we know we will reiceve the dress on time in good condition as the team member has the motivation of wanting the music video to do well. This is convnetional as it displays and captures that image women of the period demonstrated of wearing slightly revealing and suggestive clothing yet not showing too much as the dress is fairly long keeping that classy image connected with the genre and period in tact.

I also plan to represent the artist via a voyuersitic approach. This suits the lyrics as Winehouse refers to a previous relationship with a lover which has now become on her part an entirely sexual one; "Wish I could say it breaks my heart like you did in the beginning" Winehouse is informing the lover she is singing to in the narrative that for her this relationship no longer contains an emotional hold over her. Hence the artist is portraying herself as a fairly sexual character therefore it would be beneficial to portray this element to the character within the music video as it creates a relationship between the lyrics and the music video, thus helping the audience to understand the artists work more easily therefore creating a further connection with both the artist and their work. One way in which the artist shall be portrayed through this theme is through the use of close up shots of the artists face where she looks attractive therefore aiding this representation. This is a technique which is widely used throughout the music industry and has been for many years although close are ups are almost always demanded via record labels they are not always used for this reason. This does not mean that I am sort on inspiration as to how I shall create this look as Winehouse herself opted for in throughout a variety of her music videos. As have done other female artists.

Amy Winehouse 'Stronger than me'

Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black'

Amy Winehouse 'Tears dry on their own'











Examples of other artists: 

Billie Piper 'Walk of life'

Britney Spears 'Toxic'








Planning the artists important too the finest detail is crucical as not only could it damage the effects of the artists representation within the narrative and therefore the narrative but it can also apply negatives on the artists image within the industry outside of the music video. However it isn't only important to prevent damage but it is also a good element to consider when trying to trying fit to codes and conventions and represent the artist in certain ways helping to achieve a relationship of sorts between the audience and the artist whilst also possibly building  upon the artists likeability.