The Artist we decided to use for our music video was from Britney Spears. 'Shattered Glass' is taken from her 2008 album, 'Circus'. After a long history of top twenty singles and five hit albums, she has made herself a world renowned artist.
Britney Spears first started by joining the highly popular kids TV show, 'The Mickey Mouse Club' and was joined by such other artists as Justin Timberlake, Christina Ag, JC Chasez (N Sync), etc. After a successful period of time on the show, Britney returned to college to study for a year and also joint a female pop group called 'Innosense', but then after sending out a demo of her singing at her neighbours wedding to talent scouts/record labels, she was called in to record a demo. The label liked her voice, her dancing abilities, but if anything more her image, as she has been seen as the girl next door character, which they knew would work well if marketed right.
After recording her first album '...Baby one more time' with the likes of Max Martin producing and writing hits such "Hit Me Baby One More Time', 'Sometimes', '(You drive me) Crazy' etc. She then went onto do her first world tour, 'Baby One More Time Tour' and was recieved well by critics for her performance. After the commercial success of her debut album and performances on such award shows as the VMA's, etc, she released her second album, 'Oops I did it again' which was released in 2000 and marked a more mature artist, again the lead single was the name of the album and did moderately well in the US, and got to number 1 in the UK. After the success of Oops I did again, Lucky, Stronger, etc this proved Britney Spears as more than a one hit wonder, with her breaking records for being a female solo artist to get two debut number 1 albums. In promotion of her album she again went on a US tour, 'Crazy 2K Tour' and then a world tour 'Oops!... I did Again World Tour'.
Three years after her debut album, Britney came back again with her third album, 'Britney', again she employed the help of producers/song writers such as Max Martin, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and was her third number one album in the US.
In promotion of her 'Britney' album, Spears went on a World Tour being based on the famous Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'A Dream Within A Dream', with the concept being at the start with a video montage of Britney falling off the top of a Las Vegas hotel roof top and cuts to Britney on stage. At the end another video is shown of Britney waking up and saying "It was just a dream" (referring to the tour/performance), therefore meaning that she dreamt about the tour, in a dream of her dream.
After two years touring with her 'Dream Within A Dream World Tour' and having a HBO special recording of her tour, she went on to record her smash hit album 'In the Zone' which she had a lot more control over the production side of her album, having writing credits on seven out of the twelve songs on the album, including hits such as 'Everytime', 'Touch Of My Hand' and most notably 'Me Against The Music'. Also with her most star studded album to date with R Kelly, Bloodshy & Avant, Max Martin, P Diddy, Kara Dioguardo, Madonna and Moby to name a few.
The 'In The Zone' album also promoted a new image for Britney, who was desperate to break out of the 'girl next door' image. Also her music style was changing, instead of her regular Bubble gum pop, she was more daring in the choice of genres for her songs, adding in a lot of RnB in her album.
For the album Britney appeared at the VMA's with Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot. The publicity and controversy from the performance was high due to an extremely risque performance of Madonna's hit 'Like A Virgin' but with a twist of oxymoronic content due to them singing about innocence, but their dancing being the opposite.
In promotion for 'In the Zone' Britney went on another World tour, 'The Onyx Hotel Tour' but was cut short due to a knee injury Spears picked up whilst filming her music video for 'Outrageous', which in the end, was never completed. Although not highly publised, this had a huge affect on her career, especially her performances, due to Spears not being able to do as well because of the strain of her knee. Spears stamina was slowed down, she could only dance for small periods of time, therefore putting out any chances of going on tour for a long time. Therefore even on her current 'Circus' tour the dancing is not the same as pre 'Onyx Hotel Tour' due to this injury. Britney would not go on tour again for another 4 years.
After a three year absences from recording an album, Britney starred in her own tv reality show called 'Chaotic' with she starred in with her then husband, Kevin Federline.
Also within those years she had two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, two years between the two, and also at the birth of her first son (Sean Preston) was born she reported that she would be leaving the religion of Kabbalah (as shown in her music video for 'Everytime' where she is wearing a red braclet) after becoming involved in it after being introduced to it by her fellow artist, Madonna, but stated on her website: "I no longer study Kabbalah, my baby is my religion".
Moreover in these years of absence from the music industry, a remix album was released titled 'B in the mix' which was a collection of her most popular songs remixed by famous producers/DJs. Spears tried to ease her way back in by releasing a 'Greatest Hit's' album, with two new singles. It also had all of her singles, apart from 'The bottom of my broken heart'. Britney's singles faired well, 'My Prerogative' reaching number 3 in the UK charts, and 'Do Something' reaching number 6.
Spears returned in 2007 with a new type of sound with her album 'Blackout', her first album not to reach number one. It was a commerical flop, but is a popular choice with her fans, and also won a MTV Europe Award for 'Album of the year', with hit singles coming off the album such as 'Gimme More', 'Piece Of Me'(Which also won a VMA for best female music video), 'Break the Ice' and 'Radar' (Which was also on her 'Circus' album). In promotion for 'Blackout' Britney performed on the 2007 VMA's, where she now had a reputation for putting on show stopping performances. When it came to the performance, she was reportedly drunk by tequila shots to calm her nerves and fell out with the designer, so refuses to wear his clothes, going on stage in just a bra, pants, boots and tights. You can clearly see by the reaction of the crowd how bad she was, with half hearted dancing, and at one point she forgot what she was actually doing, as shown at exactly 3.06. This was marked as one of Britney's lowest points in her musical career, and did not perform on stage since then till November 2008.
In early 2008 she was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after she "appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance",though blood tests tested negative for any illicit substances. She was held for psychiatric evaluation for two days. On January 31, a court placed Spears under temporary co-conservatorship of her father James Spears and attorney Andrew Wallete, giving them complete control of her assets. It is also speculated that the reason for Britney's problems is due to her being bipolar,therefore making her hard to control.
After a long absence Britney returned at the VMA's 2008 and also pre-recording skits/adverts with Russell Brand and Jonah Hill, in promotion for the awards. One of the adverts involved Russell Brand and Britney sitting on a sofa in front of an
elephant talking about the award show, the elephant in the room was meant to represent Britney's 2007 performance. This shows her willingness to not pretend it never happen, but instead of seeing it negatively, putting a comic spin on it. This was marked as one of Britney's comebacks, due to it being her first public appearance since the disaster of 2007 VMA's, although she still hadn't performed on a stage since.
Britney also appeared at the European Music Awards 2008,picking up two awards, one for 'Album of the year' and one for 'Act of the year', adding to her ever growing award collection and also inhancing her new image.
On the 26th September 2008 Britney released her comeback single, 'Womanizer', after being first played on Z100 radio station, it became a internet hit, and previously being leaked online. The lead single from her 'Circus' album was a over produced dance hit, and when the video was released only added concrete proof that Britney Spears was back. Here is the video for Womanizer, which is also similar to our video for Shattered Glass. With at the basis of the video a female heroine trying to get revenge, it defiantly played a role in inspiration for our video.
It also reached number one in the UK and the USA, where she had previously not had a number one since her debut single, 'Hit me baby one more time'. Even though commercial success and outstanding record sales, Britney still was yet to perform live since the VMA's 2007. Therefore in promotion for her album/single, Britney performed at the Bambi awards in Germany, this was highly antisipated due to it being nearly two years without her performing at all. It was a success her performance, although she did lip sync, her image was a lot better and performance was more together than at the VMA's 07. One gossip site (www.perezhilton.com) picked up on the amount of walking in the performance, and how it was easy to flashback to the VMA's 07. The song was performed on November 29 at Star Academy and the following day on The X Factor (Picture below with Simon Cowell after performance). This performance was watched by over 13 million UK citizens, making it the most viewed episode in the show’s history. On December 15 and December 16, 2008, she performed it in Japan at Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ and NTV Best Artist 2008. All the performances were slightly changed in terms of staging, costumes and choreography.
On the 2nd December 2008, was the release date of her highly antisipated album 'Circus' and performed 'Womanizer' and 'Circus' on 'Good Morning America' (as shown on the video below), it was also Britney's 27th Birthday. Although still lip syncing, Britney's energetic performance drew millions of viewers and positive reviews.
'Circus' went to number one on the US album charts, which was her 5th album to reach this feat.Also Spears announced that she would be going on a World Tour again, this was a shock to the media, due to it being so soon after her breakdown, and her last tour being cut short in 2005 due to a knee injury.
'Circus' was similar to 'Blackout' in the sense it was well produced pop music, with the likes of Max Martin, Danja, Boodshy & Avant, The Clutch, etc. After 'Womanizer', 'Circus' was the next single off of the album, also doing well in the charts reaching 3 in the US and 13 in the UK.
The next single was a fans favourite and was chosen on a poll on www.britneyspears.com but although it's popularity, it caused a lot of controversy for Spears due to it's explicit lyrics. If U Seek Amy was banned from a lot of radio stations due to when said fast, it spells out F-U-C-K me, therefore was complained about, even reaching CNN news, where it was critised for it's non parental rating. Therefore Spears decided to go back into the studio and record a radio edit version, where she would say 'If U See Amy'. This angered Britney's fans, who mostly believed it to be ridiculous especially when there are songs such as 'Sex On The Beach' are allowed on most radio stations.
This brought Spears a lot of media attention, and after this Spear's released 'Radar', a single that was also on her 'Blackout' album. The music video was highly antisipated, and filmed over two days in between Spears North American and European legs of her tour. In the video Spears is watching a polo match and falls in love with the loser of the game, instead of going for the stereotypical option of the winner. Throughout the video Spears promotes Candies, wearing only their clothes, and in the end the music video appeared to just look like an advert. There was no creativity in it, just shots of Spears modelling in her clothes, which in the end came off looking tacky and thoughtless.
Spears 'Circus World Tour' was seen as her 'comeback' as it marked her first tour in 4 years, and was a incredible show. With Support from the likes of the Pussycat Dolls, Ciara, Sliimy, Ciara, Cascada, Kristina DeBarge, Jordin Spark, etc. Also with the Big Apple Circus performing just before Spears performs onstage and also within her set, adding to the promotional image of it being a Circus/Freakshow. Britney got good reviews for her tour, but drew negative critism's for lip-syncing the whole concert apart from 'Everytime' which she sung sitting down. It was only on the 5th September Spears added 'You Oughta Know' by Alanis Morissette, which she sung live and was also dancing. This is seen as a major acheivement for Spears, as this shows her confidence is building as a performing artist.
Spears also picked up best pop video at MTV VMA's 09, and again has recording an advert with Russell Brand, which see's him reading her mind.
Shattered Glass
The song we decided to use for our media video is Shattered Glass, which is off of the 'Circus' album, and is speculated to be the next single released, due to it already reaching number 93 in the billboard hot 100, even though not being released yet. Shattered Glass was not included in the setlist for the 'Circus World Tour', but would probably be added to the Australian dates of the tour if it was released as a single. A Dr Luke produced song, has haunting beats, with a strong sense of anger as heard in the lyrics and Spears voice.
Future Projects
Britney comfirmed herself via Twitter that "She was in the studio with Max (Martin)" which shows a lot of promise due to the long history of hits crafted between the two, for example:
- Hit Me Baby One More Time
- Oops! I did it again
- Stronger
- If U Seek Amy
- (You Drive Me) Crazy
- Lucky
- Overprotected
- Im Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman
Also In November 2009, Britney is set to release a 'singles' collection (boxset, as shown below), which is all of her previous singles, with one new songs (called 3). Unlike most compilations, they are all going to remixed, extended, familar, but different, therefore making it a must have for fans. There is also to be a DVD within it, which will have all of Britney's previous music videos, and special features.
Therefore with a singles collection there is speculation that she could be going on a greatest hits tour, after her current 'Circus' tour is over. There will also be a single CD (as shown below) release for people that just want the original singles.
TV/Film appearances
Spears first break came through The Mickey Mouse Club, making her familar being infront of the camera, where every week she sings/acts/performs.
Britney's debut into the world of film was the critically panned film, 'Crossroads', also starring Kim Cattrall (Sex And The City). Britney, 19 years old at the time, was criticised for her stereotypical role of her being the 'girl next door' character and lack of acting skills. When at the premiere, fans lined up for hours to meet Britney, but arriving late to the premiere, walked straight into the cinema, not signing a single autograph, this also adding to her bad press.
In 2006 Britney appeared in 'Will And Grace' (as shown below) making a cameo appearance as a closeted lesbian, but never returned to reprise her role.
In 2008, Spears guest-starred on CBS's television show How I Met Your Mother playing a receptionist (as shown in the picture below). She received positive reviews for her performance as well as bringing in the series' highest ratings ever. Spears reprised her role in May 2008, leaving the storyline open for a future return.
In 2009 Britney presented the Top Ten List on David Letterman in August. The Top Ten was "Top Ten Reason Why Britney Spears Should Be President" She presented her points in a bikini and promoted her new perfume 'Circus Fantasy' within her appearance.
In 2010 a new album is set to be released after the number 1 single '3' (US Billboard Charts) with Bloodshy & Avant, Danja and Max Martin all on board with the production of her 7th studio album.
