JH - How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The combination of our main product and ancillary texts is extremely effective in terms of creating the correct image for the band relating to the genre of music. There is one key image that we used for one of our adverts and for the front of the digi-pack which reflects the ideas that went in to producing our main product and they are as follows.

Step 1 -

• Firstly there are obvious linguistic signs embedded in this cover, one of which is his name, Boyce Avenue, at the top of the cover and secondly is Drops of Jupiter. This of course you can't see in the video.

• There are also a number of iconic signs included which consists of the photo in general which denotes him standing holding a rose. His clothing in general and the rose itself are shown in both the video and print work. However in the image the head has been cropped out and therefore no facial expression it opposes breaking the forth wall and first person mode of address. This of course is not the case in the video and the use of first person mode of adress is extremely well used.

• In the print work the font is also included in this and how it is positioned. The name of the band is in the biggest font, followed by the name of the album underneath. This allows you to start at the top of the cover and follow his name down to the album name and to finish with the picture. The font seems to be of an original and authentic design and in white, matching the other strong bold and basic colours of the cover.

• This authenticity is reflected in the video, as are the colours in terms of the costumes involved as he is wearing plain suits throughout.

• The other images in the digipack, aswel as Olis advert work well in terms of creating an authentic band image. Olis advert is more revealing and suits the genre of the music and video better. The image of a street in london is also extremely effective and works well with the video as it highlights the genreal location of where the narritve was shot.
  

• There are no non - representational graphic signs in the printwork or the video.

Step 2 -

• The overall image combined with the text adds to the stars meta-narrative and seems to be telling his own story. The idea of him standing in a suit holding a rose connotes that there is a specific event and reason for this. This may be a wedding, however due to the black suit and fact that he is holding a rose of all flowers makes it more likely to be a funeral or something associated with death.
  

• The video confirms these ideas and therfore works well with the ancillary texts in this perspective.

• In the print work there is little non-verbal language, however from what we can see it suggests he is slightly anxious and expresses a degree of uncertainty due to one hand being in his pocket and the fact he is holding the rose close to his chest could show it is sentimental to him. The lack of first person mode of address again opposes Dyers paradoxes. As there is no gaze it seems like he is only absent to us and rather than creates this paradox, creates a feeling of mystery. This is also evident in Oli's advert where his face cannot be seen either.

• This however is juxtaposed with the video as Dyers paradoxes are extremely apparent in it, with use of first person mode of address and the gaze.
  

• This idea of juxtaposition could work well in terms of the mystery from the anxillary texts, which draws in the user making them want to watch the music video, intruiged to see what it is really about.
  

Step 3-

• There are certain social myths and ideologies present in the print work and video that may appear subtle but do connote some meaning. Firstly his clothing is of an important nature as he is wearing a smart suit and tie connoting a sign of wealth and style. This could reinforce the common ideology of pop stars being wealthy and therefore being able to afford the latest fashion trends whether it be clothing or accessories to add to their star image, however due to the images mystery is unknown as to whether the man in hand is actually from the band.

• The artist however perfoming in the video and also the man walking away in Oli's advert is obviously from the band and his clothes certainly do support the band image.
  

• The colours in the cover add to the authentic nature being fairly bland and plain, which could signify the unhappy and seriousness of the event in question. The rose being the only object in colour allows it to stand out in the centre of the picture suggesting its importance and meaning.

Step 4-

• This overall image of style, star quality and wealth is attractive to many of a particular audience. This image however doesn’t relate to the genre of music which would be seen as slightly more casual, but at the same time the smart and stylistic image in hand may encourage people not only to buy in to his music but also to feel like they are buying in to his image when purchasing his album.

• This star quality is shown to the left as Oli is performing.
  

• This creates a strong indexical sign and due to the overall representation of fashion, trend and good taste may encourage audiences to believe that by listening to his music and buying his albums allows the artist and fan to connect and share similar values and beliefs as well as the style and image that is signified.