Star Image

Take That / Robbie Williams

Take That first started their careers as a boy band in 1990, with all band members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange & Robbie Williams. Gray barlow as the main songwriter, this singing and dancing boy band had a bit more of a bit than quite most of us had seen before. The band first originated from Manchester, England, and by 1991 -96 the band had sold more than 25 million records. The group reformed as four man version after the split with their former band member robbie williams, for a year and then decided to settle on other important matters in their lives (family ect.) During this time Robbie Williams had left the boy band to set up on his own very sucessful solo carreer by him self, by releasing 11 albums and having 15 brit awards, and six Echo Awards. But then a reuion was annonced in 2005 of the very sucessful boy band, but this time only having the 4 member band.The band on from this realese their new albums Beautiful World and The Circus, going on their two tours so far • Beautiful World Tour 2007 & Take That Present: The Circus Live. So now Robbie Williams coming back from a 2 year break in his career, and is now releasing his new album Reality killed the video star in Nov 2009.

The bands genre of music would be pop; this was very recognisable in their early image in their very first videos. Their early image was of 5 very attractive young males that would have been used to attract young females to their work and stardom. This is typical shown in the video ‘it only take a minute girl’, of the use of bare chests and strong muscles showing to the audience. Also the use of the band members dancing in the fighting ring and the use of dancing hip hop beats shows us that this band is a pop based genre band. Also using a close up image of a stereo, of which people stereotypically would sit underneath their arms in the 90’s, shows us an symbol of pop as well. Their most recognisable video of Take that in that, era was ‘back for good.’ Here their image has changed slightly, still good looking males, but showing a softer and personal side to them. This is shown through the use of coverage on the males that they are full covered wearing coats, the use of a black & white effect in the video and the use of the special effects of rain as well give the video a softer side.

How their image developed later in Take That’s career, is as their fan base has grown up, so has their image and obviously the band members themselves. So as the reunion of Take That in 2005, their image was slightly different than the one we had seen previously. This is shown in their very first reunion video of ‘Patience’ of where the video is set on a cliff/ beach where there is no dancing but all are performing singing. All band members are covered in formal suits and coats showing that the band image has grown up, along with the band members.

Close up images are used within the videos, to show all members off the band and the main singer Gray. How I think the record company used to begin with to sell the band was by their good looks and attraction to females, therefore used to sell their songs. Examples of this would be shirts ripped open, muscles showing, hair gelled back, use of necklaces. But as time has passed the actually band has grown up, so therefore showing the reformation of the band. You can still tell that band is made up, but as men, so throughout time you have actually seen a transformation of boy to man.

The camerawork used in the video ‘The Greatest Day’ medium long shot of the band members are used to show what the band is wearing, the band members wearing smart / causal wear to show their mature. Rotating cameras at a low angle looking up at the band members make the band members seem like with a lot of authority & fame. The pace of the shoots are very slow, giving the video a magical atmosphere.

The reason why people to begging with like the band Take That is because of their youth and good looks, therefore this creates a macho image. So therefore their band was mainly aimed at their female audience, practically the 16-20 year old teenagers.

Over time I conclude that the band Take That have gone through a transformation stage from boys to men. To begin with using a youthful and attractive male image has been used to attract young females to them and their work. Then as fan base has matured so have the band members in their later career. Showing less of their bodies and usage of smart/ causal wear has been used to show the development and change of the band members, therefore showing the transformation from boys to men. This image has been used in their later career to sell their songs and gain fame & lets the band Take That successfully sell albums even until today.