Scouting for Girls - CD Cover

 

 

Scouting for Girls – Everybody wants to be on TV

Image

Mise en scene

Props – The main prop that is used on the cover is an old fashioned television. This has connotations of fame. However the television may be significant because it is very old which may suggest that the band don’t necessarily have a care for being the most ‘current’ band around. Furthermore it could indicate that they prefer to break away from the norm and produce a different type of music.

Colour – Red is the main colour used on throughout the CD. Red has many connotations but in regards to the band perhaps the connotation of red is the passion and love for music. Another colour that is significant is blue, which is the colour used on the actual CD. The connotations here may be masculinity because the band is made up of boys and they may be putting across their lad’s attitude to life. It may also connote calm, which may be significant as the band want people to relax and enjoy their music.

Positioning - The woman on the front cover is on top of the television. This is significant because it may suggest that the band have a respect for women. However the bands name is positioned above her showing that they are still the most important and significant. The fact that the bands name is at the top of the cover shows that the band are supposed to headline it and be the focal point of the front cover.

Camera Shot

The image is a long shot because we can fully see the woman’s body on the front cover. The effect of a long shot allows the audience a clear image of each of the separate things within the frame. The front cover is simple which could suggest that the shot as a whole is laid back. This therefore may be a reflection on the band themselves who want to be seen as laid back without having an overcomplicated front cover.

Copy

Font – The font used on the back cover, front cover and the CD cover is the same. This anchors the idea that the band wants to be simplistic and not too showy in their approach to music. The font is also neat and elongated which may suggest that the band want to stretch beyond the boundaries of the norm and go with their own style of music. The neatness suggests a confidence in themselves and self-assurance.

Colour – Most of the font is in white, this maybe because the band do not want to commit to one colour or just one style. But instead they want to be broad and open in their approach to music and the colour white reflects this. The other colour used is red, which is for the title of the CD cover. This is perhaps used because this needs to stand out and represent the love and passion that the band have for the CD and their music.

Genre

The elements communicate the genre of indie successfully. The use of colour is important as we see colours like white, which gives a sense of freedom and the band not committing to one style. Also the use of red is significant to represent this passion for music which is common with indie artists – the focus tends to be on the music and not the fame or fortune. The genre is anchored by the elements, in particular colour and font in this case.

Target Audience

The band seems to be trying to appeal to both males and females. For example the fact that the band reinforces their masculinity by having the disc itself as blue. Also the sexy woman on the front cover would appeal to males. Then for the girls they would be interested in male bands, and the vintage TV appeals to this vintage fashion where vintage things are ‘in’ at the moment.

Mode of Address

The girl on the front is the only person on it, however because she looks directly at the audience then its addresses them directly. She is smiling which makes her welcoming and friendly. The tone seems to be most obvious on the front cover as this is what will be drawing people in. The sense of tone we get from the front cover is this simple and basic cover with quirky images – this also relate well to the genre of indie.

Tagline/Title/Name

The name of the band “Scouting for Girls” is significant because the band based the name on a scout’s handbook. This is significant because it shows that the band want to get away from the typical adult lives that the have and get lost in their music and just relax and enjoy it. The covers therefore try to put this across.

The name of the CD is “Everybody wants to be on TV”. This suggests that their attitude towards fame is that its perhaps overrated in the sense that people only strive for the fame and ignore the important part, the music or talent. Which is true because in reality we see many massive artists out there in the charts who in fact are awful/average singers.

Blurb/Inlay

The band has no text or blurbs where there are people giving there opinions or lots of little badges with album of the year or anything. Instead this suggests that the band is something different and perhaps understated and away from the limelight. Therefore the people that will be interested in this music would seek it out or be going for something a bit different. It also suggests that the bands attitude is along the lines of accepting them as they are like them or hate them. They don’t hide behind ratings and reviews they just put themselves and their music out there.

Representation

Gender – The woman on the front cover is definitely represented in a stereotypical way. The red dress connotes lust and seduction and this is simply anchored by the fact that it is short and low cut revealing cleavage. She is in an alluring pose and inviting attention to be on her as something to be looked at. This idea of women being something pretty and sexual to be looked at is a dominant ideology about women and the front cover of the CD anchors this idea.

Enigma

The enigma is created by the colour white because it’s a non-committal colour and leaves us thinking so what is this band about? Therefore the audience are more likely to take interest and buy into the band. Also the woman and TV. These quirky images will leave the audience questioning the significance of them to the band and they will therefore be more likely to take more interest in the CD. The quirky images also make it eye catching on the shelf when amongst other CD’s. It also stands out from the crowd – like the genre of indie.

How are these ingredients common within the specific genre/subgenre?

The quirky nature to the CD is something that is very common within the indie genre. Its all about making a statement and not conforming to chart music and what everyone else is listening to.