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Jodie Jackson A2 Media blog
STAR IMAGE
My artist's star image and promotion
Star image
Star image and the theory on this was explored and stated by RICHARD DYER- He says that pop stars have an identity that isn't restricted. He says that a true pop star does have a 'lasting significance' and has a brand awareness that spreads further and becomes a characteristic that they're known for.
A star's image becomes what they're recognised for and they can use this to their advantage. They can use the fact that they're recognised for this and their image has meaning.
Richard dyer states that a star is constructed and artificial. Stars are constructed and designed to appeal to a particular target audience. Record companies initially nurture and build up their stars to appeal to an audience. They manafacture and shape what they think audiences want and seek.
Stars will promote a certain ideology and will promote this. Their star quality is boosted and respected for appealing to and suiting the interests of the target audience. Stars usually provide audiences with ideas about what they should like or be like, for the mainstream audience. A pop stars/ artists image has to always be adjusted and refreshed otherwise audiences will loose interest or become not as much a fan.
STAR IMAGE MOTIFS- A running and constant theme for the artist
This could be repeating style of font, image or quote. This theme reccures and is present in every media text or performance of the artist/ celebrity.
EG= The red hot chilli peppers including and featuring a star sign in their products/ album/ music videos.
Promotion of an artist generally involves the artist constantly being gossiped about- their images and videos and opinions being on social media and magazines, blogs etc. Promotion is focused on awareness and raising the awareness and popularity of an artist especially if they're new and upcoming. Celebrities can also widen and spread their star image by choosing to participate in adverts 0r a representative/face of a recognised and labelled brand. EG- A car advert, Beauty product or drink. My artist would be promoted through several methods such as social media posts, also interviews, features in magazines, and generally by representing and embracing her star image which will automatically attract a particular audience, who can either relate with the issues and struggles she presents in the music video or enjoy the themes presented in the video/ the symbolism of the video. They may also choose to follow her or read about her or become a fan of her, simply because of her image and what genre of group she adopts and the look she adopts. An alternative grunge individual may notice an advert or magazine cover of this artist and become interested in her style and image, believing that she is similiar to them.
My artist's specific star image
The star image for my artist is that they are an alternative grunge/gothic celebrity who uses an array of motifs and token looks that is associated with her as an artist. The artist I have chosen to shape and construct fits a particular genre and appeals to a particular audience who can associate her personna and motifs with themselves. They are also able to associate and link the motifs the artist constantly presents in her music video, digipack and magazine cover with the artist themselves whenever they would be seen promoted or performing. My artist can be recognised as a symbol/statement for her audience. As a character/personna who is independent and strong and glamourous. However she is also a statement of a broken girl, who is a statement of someone who is vunerable and struggling and in pain. Her star image is also effected by this aspect of her character because this part of her personna is revealed and confirmed by her reputation of chemical abuse,smoking and her grunge dark look and in the past inputting no effort before becoming famous.
Specifically some motifs that are obvious for my artist is her signature dark and heavy eyemakeup. In the digipack, music video and magazine advert this motif is a theme and what audiences will associate with her and recognise her for. Another motif of the artist is the theme of dark colours especially black. In all of the media texts I've created she is clothed in dark shades of clothing or simply black, she would also be known for her dressing in dark clothes and hints of grunge style clothing. The brightest colour I can recall the artist wearing is red and white, which was one occasion and still fits the recognised grunge genre and style, featuring the artist in a thick loose fitted flannel shirt.
One last occuring motif of the artist is not something she wears but a facial expression she adopts and presents.The artist uses this expression as a symbol and connatation in itself. She presents a slight hint of a reassuring smile, which can clearly be recognised by her audiences as 'put on' or 'fake' considering that she is deeply unhappy and troubled by the triggered emotions forced upon her. This smile featured in many parts of the music video reminds her target audience that she is putting on an act and has practised and perfected this convincing expression. This hint of a convincing smile with her piercing calm eyes is also presented in the digipack and the magazine cover,suggesting to the audience she perfects and carries out this facade and act regularly and excessively, and also allowing audiences to recognise her for this expression and possibly copy it or immitate it themselves.
This page displays the definition of star image, examples of star image of real artists/ characters, also my artist's star image
Planning for the costumes/ outfits the artist would wear
When planning for the array of outfits the artist would wear I looked for inspiration from apps like instagram and tumblr. Under the tag or title grunge costumes or outfits, you can clearly see I have been inspired by these images by the presentation of these alternative outfits/costume in the music video and digipack images.
Ripped tights, boots, leather and flannel shirts
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