How do we consume music in the 21st century? What are your attitudes to paying for music vs. downloads?

It is obvious that music consuption trends have changed greatly since the 90's. We listen to music in a profoundly different way than we did in the 20th century I believe that a reason to explain this is the introduction of Apple products. Althopugh they didnt invent the portable music player, the vision of Steve Jobs and his company of designers and engineers changed our listening landscape dramatically in 2001 with iTunes and the iPod. Concerts and merchandise are obviously still big favourites with music fans everywhere however their popularity is having no difference - or very little on the revenue of the music industry. Therefore I believe it is essential to focus on the consumption methods which are deeply affecting the music industry, whether that be driving profits up or creating a loss. I don't ever believe there will be a time when music is not listened to or enjoyed, however we need to recognize that there are changes occuring in how we listen to and enjoy our music. As digital music consumption increases and becomes more varied, it is important for artists and consumers to find new ways to engage with the digital landscape - for example, digital music services such as Spotify. They are helping drive this argument by providing a musical discovery and sharing platform which caters for modern consumers, while suppporting the artist and driving increasing revenues back into the music industry. However while we can see that services such as Spotify aim to increase revenues, this is infact not the case, it has shown that sales, especially in albums between the period of 99 and 09 have fell 8% each year. With revenues falling to $6.3billion in 2009, a huge difference compared to the $14.6billion of 1999. The actual sale of music has also proven to have fallen with only 44% of americans who pay for music online believing that that music is worth paying for. Also the volume of anauthorized downloads is not showing any sign of slowing down, as it represents about 90% of the market (according to online download tracker Big Champagne). Music artists are not oblivious to this volume of illegal downloads. Dan Ingala the lead singer of band Plushgun said, 2People will steal music regardless, so it's not worth trying to fight against something where the fights already over." Indeed, he is talking from experience, as when his band released its album on popular site What.cd, it was the most downloaded track with more than 10,000 illegally downloaded tracks. So, for my personal opinion. With some rsearch and examination of graphs illustrating these topics and my own personal experience, I believe that consumption of music has most definitely changed in the 21st century, many will put this down to the double recession we experienced, however I would say that the reasons for this change in comsumption trends has happened simply because the greater platform through which we access music. The only change the 90's had to experience was that from cassette and vinyl to CD. As a teenager, I would most likely agree, that downloading music is a much easier, stress free, cheaper way of getting music, rather than attempting to go the through the process of purchasing it. Therefore, in conclusion, I believe that while consumption trends are changing, consumption levels will not change and that downloading music - legally or illegally is the future. However, no one can predict the future, if we could we would all be millionaires!

Props

Props are defined as things which help support a bigger structure. So, in film terms, a prop is a small object which helps to support the bigger structure - the actor. The technical definition is as follows 'a small object such as a book, weapon etc, used by actors in a play or film'.

Costume and makeup.

Costume is defined as 'a style of dress, including accessories and hairdos, especially that peculiar to a nation, region, group, or historical period'. While makeup is defined as 'the total ensemble of cosmetics, wigs, costumes, etc., used by an actor or other performer'. I think these are used in order to make a scene or drama more interesting and appealing for an audience.

Set Design

Set design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Above you can see set designers putting up a set.

Studio

A studio is a room, building, or group of buildings where movies, television shows, or radio programs are produced.

Location

A location is a site away from a studio at which part or all of a movie is shot. We can see a different location being used above at 1.04. I believe that different locations are used to add a bit of variety to the programme, instead of it being all just filmed in the one place.

Production Design

Production design is the overall look of a film that illustrates the setting and visual style of the story. Includes the design of the sets, location choices, choice and supervision of props. Above is an example of production design. Obviously this is a sketch of how the producer/director sees the scene being set out.

Ambient Sound

Sound which is recorded on location and then added to the soundtrack. It is demonstrated in the above theme. By using the beep sound from a heart monitor, obviously taken from the location of the event, and adding it to the soundtrack, it creates a more poignant theme, and more relevant to the drama.

Themes and Stings

Themes - music that always accompanies a particular programme or particular character and suits its mood or themes. An example of a theme. This is most often associated with Holby City. Also through various undertones it reflects the theme of the general programme. Stings - musical stings are short bursts of music. An example of a sting is used above at the very beginning of the clip. It was obviously used here in order to create a mood for events which are to follow.

Incidental Music

Incidental music is any music used within a TV programme or film. An example of this at 0.16 in the above clip. I think it was used here in order to show really how mad what is going on. Also the music is used would more than likely be associated with teenagers and therefore reflects the situation which is taking place - a teenage fight.

Score

A score is original music written to accompany the film/tv programme it was written for. The score forms part of the soundtrack which will also include dialogue and sound effects. Scores are written by composers under the direction of the director and/or producer. It is used in the above as it gives a definite end and beginning to the drama, also creating interest for the viewer.

Sound Perspective

Sound perspective is the sense of a sound's position in space,created by volume, timbre and pitch. At 0.19 the car drives past the camera, we hear the sound of the car amplified the closer it is to the camera, however as it passes, it gradually lowers until no longer audible. I think it was used here in order to provide a sense of reality within this fictional drama.

Sound Mixing

The process during the post-production stage of a film or a television program in which the collection of recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels along with adjusting the many attributes of the sounds such as the source signals’ level. It is used almost immediately in the above example. I think this was in order to create an atmosphere which also extended to the audience.

Mode of address/direct address

Mode of address is the way in which a character interacts with the audience. Direct address is when they interact directly with the audience, for example, looking directly into the camera. It is used from 2.50 in the above clip. Although he is not talking directly to the audience, it is placed as if he is looking directly at the camera. This may have been done in order to make the audience feel more included in the action.

Voice Over

The voice of an unseen narrator, or of an onscreen character not seen speaking, in a movie or a television broadcast. It is used at the very beginning of the above example. I think it was used here in order to create a mythical atmosphere which is what the story of this drama is mostly based on.

Dialogue

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie. It is used at 1.00 in the above example. It would be a regular occurrence for most TV shows. I think it was used in order to make the scene interesting and realistic.

Sound Bridge

A sound bridge can lead in or out of a scene. They can occur at the beginning of one scene when the sound from the previous scene carries over briefly before the sound from the new scene begins. Alternatively, they can occur at the end of a scene, when the sound from the next scene is heard before the image appears on the scene. It is used in the above clip from the beginning, where the sound is carried to different scene at 1.37. I believe it was used in order to provide continuity to the scene.

Sound Motif

A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea through the film. It is used above beginning 0.14 and continuing throughout the conversation. While Moriarty speaks, we can hear a very subtle, dull sound - quite ominous. I think it was used here, because as a listener we would most often associate this type of sound with bad events or characters. This therefore emphasises the idea that Moriarty is Sherlock's enemy.

Sound effects

A sound other than speech or music made artificially for use in a play, movie, or other broadcast production. It is used in the above clip at the beginning when the fire bursts out of the building. We can here sounds of glass smashing. I think it was done here because it helps to create a sense of fear and makes the scene more real for the viewing audience.

Asynchronous sound

Asynchronous sound effects are not matched with a visible source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate atmosphere. It is used at the beginning of the above clip. We can hear the sound of the ambulance before we know the action is taking place in an ambulance. This could have been done in order to provide suspense for the audience because we associate urgency with the sound of an ambulance siren.

Synchronous sound

This is sound that appears to be matched to certain movements occurring in the scene. It was used in the above clip at 0.08 where the choir mouth movements is synchronised with the sound of the singing. This was done obviously to make it realistic.

Non Diegetic Sounds

Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action. Examples of non diegetic sounds are narrator's commentary, sound effects or mood music added for dramatic effect. Non diegetic sounds are used throughout the above clip. I think this is to do with the genre of this upcoming series and therefore helps to create a 'spooky' atmosphere.

Diegetic Sound

Anything that is part of the story that you can see being made on the screen.For example a tiger thumping his paws against the ground would be diegetic. Diegetic sounds are used throughout the above example. I think this would be the most common and used in most drama. By using this, the scene is made to be a lot more realistic.

Visual Effects

Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film. They are used above at 0.08. I think they are used because they make scenes more realistic and therefore make them more appealing for the audience.

Post Production

Post Production is the final creation phase of a show during which all editing and finishing work take place. Also referred to as editing, editorial, or post. Postproduction is followed by the distribution and exhibition phases of the movie. All TV shows would be an example of post production as they are the final creation of all the editorial work put in.

Expansion of time

When you expand time in a video, you are making the duration of the video sequence longer than real-time. This is relatively rare — it's not often that you want your audience to see something more slowly than it actually happened. Slow motion is an example of expansion of time. It is used above at 0.04. This helps prolong the dramatic effect, holding the audiences attention for longer.

Elipsis

This is a form of editing which makes screen time shorter, than story time by cutting out unnecessary actions. It condenses time by inferring total actions we only see in part.It is used above at 2.06. I believe it was used as it creates a greater feeling of fear and panic which would not be present in the whole shot was included.

Slow Motion

Also known as 'slo mo' this is an effect where the pace of the action is decreased from what occurred in reality in front of the camera. This retardation is accomplished during editing. Opposite of speed up. It is used in the above example at 0.04. Its obviously used here to prolong this dramatic scene and make it more effective. It thus will create a sense of suspense.

Long take, short take

A shot that continues for an unusually lengthy time before it transition to the next shot. The average length per shot differs greatly for different times and places, but most contemporary films tend to have faster editing rates. In general lines, any shot above one minute can be considered a long take. In the above clip examples of long and short take can be seen. I think it was used here, due to the nature of the programme, to provide suspense for the viewing audience