Generic Research: Websites

Website generic research from AyaahBachri

Music Videos using Intertextuality

 Ariana Grande - Thank U Next 

Within this Music Video Ariana Grande pays homage to a series of films which includes:

- Mean Girls 

- Leagally Blonde

- Bring it On 

- 13 Going on 30 

She does this by incorporating iconic outfits, dance moves and settings which audiences with a high cultural competency can easily identify.  

Childish Gambino - This is America 

Within this music video, intertextuality is evident from the references of gun violence and the lifestyle of African American citizens. It also makes direct references to Jim Crow poses, Minstrel show faces and the gunned down choir massacre in 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. There is also a direct link with the 2017 film Get Out, the sunken place is portrayed when Gambino is desperately running while being chased down by a mob of strangers during the video’s final scene. 

Demi Lovato - I Love Me 

During this music video, Demi Lovato drew inspiration from her Disney Channel roots, her family, her relationships and her overdoses. One of the main intertextual references os the use of the Fabletics logo that appears in the video. This is to reference Lovato’s collection the came out in 2017 and a reminder of that she starred in several commercials. Another scene shows a women with shorty, dark hair dressed in all black attire and accompanied by bodyguards, this is a reference to Demi’s confident era and album that she released in 2015. The outfit is to resemblance to an ensemble worn by Lovato during her tour. As well as this, she walks by a girl and three boys who are playing instruments on the street, this is to mirror her starring role in Disney Channel movie ‘Camp Rock’ in 2009 with the Jonas Brothers. During the video she also makes references to her near fatal accidental overdose in 2018, this is demonstrated by a girl being but on a stretcher into an ambulance. 

Universal Music Group Industrial Context

 UMG is a global music corporation. It is the biggest music company in the world and is known to be one of the three big record labels, along side with Sony Music and Warner Brother Music Group. As of 2019, UMG is known to be one of the most innovative music companies in the world due have over 400 platforms worldwide and including artists of all different music genres, styles and abilities. Universal Music Group co-developed Vevo, a YouTube channel designed for music videos, which allows free as supported streaming of videos and other music contents. They engage with a broad array of businesses in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.  

 

History:

-        Formerly known as Decca Records (1934-1971)

-        Turned into MCA Records (1971-1989) as MCA inc merged with American Decca 

-        December 1996 the company was renamed as Universal Studios and its music division was renamed the Universal Music Group, MCA continued as a label within the Universal Music Group 

-        2004 UMG was cast under a separate management from Universal Studios as it merged with MBC Universal 

-        2007, UMG created hie entertainment merchandising and brand management division

-        The company started to represent artists such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Kanye West 

-        2008, UMG agreed to make its catalog available to Spotify for use outside the US

 

Social Responsibility:

Universal Music Group believe that it is their responsibility to nurture music and to foster artistry and self-expression. In a world that desperately needs to find more common ground, they believe that music is the best way to provide this. They also stated that using the power of their passion ant community of music lovers, which ranges from employees to artists to fans, they support and partner with organisations around the globe that are working towards meaningful positive change and social responsibility. 

 

Universal Music Group identifies and develops recording artists and songwriters. They also produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain their fans around the world. Their vast catalog of recordings and songs stretches back over a century and comprises the largest, most diverse and culturally rich collection of music assembled. As digital technology refashions the world, UMG are committed to lead in developing new services, platforms and business models for the delivery of music and relayed content empowers innovators and allows new commercial and artistic opportunities to flourish. 

 

Example of artists under UMG music label:

-        Ariana Grande 

-        Taylor Swift 

-        5 Seconds of Summer

-        Shawn Mendes

-        Seventeen 

-        Alex Aiono 

-        Billie Eilish 

-        Bob Marley 

-        The 1975

-        Queen

And many more 

5 Things I’ve learnt from the Photoshoot

 1. You have to constantly adapt your pictures to the lighting and environment of where you are taking the photos 

2. Models have to be confident in their looks and feel comfortable in order to produce high quality pictures

3. To take pictures from a variety of angles and take multiple shots 

4. Backgrounds must compliment the model and to make sure it doesn’t draw attention away from the model 

5. A direct mode of address is helpful to create a forceful impact from the photos 

Photoshoot images