How digital media helps and hinders the music industry

Media companies are using more free to use services like Youtube and Twitter it is easier to create a connection with the fans and create prosumers. This can also create communities such a prosumer community that creates advertisement for bands and artists for free. Media companies can use these advertisements to cut production costs and spread their money out more efficiently.

When companies use services like youtube and twitter it allows the fans to give instant feedback on how to improve, what they liked and what they didn't like. The companies can also message back users to create a unique relationship. Another example of a digital mediums that are used by music companies  are song hosts where users pay for songs or albums digitally, this market is growing massively every year. This allows the companies to cut production costs in other way by not having to create as many physical copies of the songs, although most song hosts do ask for a certain percentage of each song. Music companies influence on the internet makes it easier for fans to find new media for each band or artist, such as blogs, livestreams or images. This can only help create a better relationship with company and fans.

While there is some positives the rapidly growing digital market also has its negatives, pirating of songs is rife and costs the music industry billions a year. Music companies are earning less and less which makes it harder for them to invest into new talent. This causes companies to invest into what sells best and not take risks on artists or bands that break the mainstream pop mold. This creates the argument as to wether music is more bland and stale. 

Question 6 and 7

Syco is a global media production company which is owned by Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. It produces music, televison, film and digital content. Due to Syco having many branches to what it can produce it can easily create synergy between their products. For example if Syco was to produce a teen flick film they could use One Direction’s songs as they signed to Syco, because of One Directions presence in the film it can help boost the films sales and ratings while marketing One Directions songs. This is synergy.

Some of the more notable Syco productions are, The X Factor, Britain's got talent and The X factor USA. The X factor aires in 30 different countries while the got talent tv show aires in over 40. This gives Syco an immediate global market. The contestants could be made to be allowed to sing only syco produced songs, this would market the songs and boost sales. This is also Synergy.

As said before Syco can produce nearly all types of media. Simon Cowell has been quoted saying that there could be a film about one direction. Due to Syco already having the equipment needed to create a film production costs would be dramatically small compared to other films. This means the budget can be allocated to other areas of the film such as location and promotion.

Syco produced a special episode of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, which featured Cheryl Cole who was a judge of X Factor at the time, this boosted X Factor ratings as people found out what Cheryl Cole’s life was so interest grew in her. This is another form of synergy.




Xfactor Scandals

Xfactor first brought out a trailer on the 30th of July 2012 to promote the new series, the trailer only featured former contestants that are Syco singed. Syco done this as an easy way to promote the acts and show for low cost as syco produces the show. This is also synergy.

There was also claims that auditionees were given 5 songs to sing, this 5 songs were under Sony’s conglomerate control. Sony owns Syco who produces X Factor. This is an attempt to create synergy. If an audition was amazing the song that was sung would have a small boost to its popularity, which leads to an increase in sales. This means more money for Sony and its subsidiaries such Syco.

Xfactor placed adverts on ITV channels, as ITV hosts the X factor show. It also placed adverts on youtube videos, as youtube is used by a younger audience Xfactor is trying to cater for every age group. It also has Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote audition locations, behind the scenes footage and competitions. While it may not be Xfactor, Britain's got talent are offering anyone who finds the eventual winner they will be rewarding them 10,000 pounds. This is trying to create a prosumer as the audience is now doing the judges job. Leaving the judges to use their fame to promote the show. This creates a prosumer who does most of the work for free. Ie Music videos or Edited photos.

Xfactor is one of the most viewed shows in the UK, any scandal or incident will be heavily focused on in newspapers and magazines. Any publicity is good publicity.

Consumption habbits in the music industry

Working Class and Upper Class

Editing Mask

Febuary 5th Lesson

During this lesson I started by watching tutorials on youtube on how to add motion tracking text in after effects. I was unhappy with the outcome so I then decided to add text in final cut pro. I watched a short 5 minute tutorial which helped me. I manged to get two title slates done. I also had to edit around the gun scenes while still achieving continuity, which I done successfully.

Individual Edit Mask

Evaluation:

I am quite pleased with how the edit has turned out. Whilst colour grading I decided I had to change the colour of the scenes depending on whether they are inside or outside. Due to the sky being prominent in most of the outside scenes I chose to add a blue tint as it shows a chilling environment. 

During the chase scenes I decided to edit the scenes in a fast pace, this means reducing the length of time waiting for something to happen I.E characters running into shot. Doing this keeps the audience on their toes. Whilst in post production I managed to develop my colour grading skills which is a very important aspect of creating an atmosphere, especially in thriller films. I also manged to correct "pissed shots", having a wonky building during a shot can distract the audience from the plot.

There seems to be some technical errors when exporting the film, at the end of one scene a short freeze frame occurs which was not purposely added during post production.Also during the scene in front of the train station a short cut to a black screen occurs then back to a medium shot, this was not intended, it was supposed to be a match on action.

During the next edit I will be adding motion tracking titles, these will have to be added during the longer shots so the audience can see them, instead of the chase scenes as the slates will only be visible for 2 or 3 seconds. These can be placed on train station signs, walls, top of buildings or even in the sky for example. 

I would grade my individual edit at an A. It has continuity and a clear narrative.Most shots are level except some in London and the whole edit has been colour graded to create a mood/atmosphere .