Update 3: Contents page text edit

26.11.2014 Double Page Spread Contents Layout

Update 2: Front cover masthead, main coverline edit and model picture edit.

21.11.2014 Front Cover Image Edit Session 2

Update 1: Front cover photo editing

20.11.2014 Front Cover Image Edit Session 1

Photographs

These are the un-edited photographs taken in the college photography studio to be used in my magazine.

Photos that won't be used in my final magazine:



.Front Cover Photo:

 

Contents page photo:

 

Double page spread photo:

 

 

Audience Research

I have created a survey on www.surveymonkey.com to research into my potential audience and what they would like to see from a new music magazine.

Audience Research

Location Recce

1.    Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects ) There will be no potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk because the photo shoot will be taking palace inside a photography studio that has already been risk assessed.

2.    What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised? There will be no risks in need of being minimised within the photography studio. Although health and safety will be taken into full consideration at all times.

3.    Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this? No with the studio being inside the only consideration I will need to take into the account is the lighting within the studio.

4.    Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want? Within the studio I am going to use a relatively plain background to ensure that I can edit the image easily and cut out my model using photoshop.

5.    Have you considered lighting? What about the ‘problems’ of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect? With my photos being taken within a studio I will have full control of the lighting and natural lighting will not be an issue.

6.    Do you need to book time in a room (eg the photography studio)?  Yes I have booked the college photography studio in advance.           

7.    Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B? I have arranged to photograph a friend and we are both aware of the appointed time and where the studio is. In terms of props I will not be using very many and I am not reliant on them. My plan b would b photographing myself if my model did not turn up.

Double page spread deconstructions

Double page spread 1: XXL





Layout

This double page spread follows the convention of having the main image on the left hand side page and the body of text on the right hand side; although the placement of the image does break convention slightly as it continues over to the right hand side page leaving very little space for the body of text meaning the size of the text is relatively small. The body of text is placed on a white background image of a scrap piece of paper; this gives the article a rough and edgy feel that links with the style of the artist the article is based around. Conventions such as pull quotes and drop caps are used both with an old English font; this again gives an old fashioned, rough look to the article and portrays the style of the artist to the audience, suggesting that he has an old fashioned, classic and rough style of music, specifically rap. This double page spread also breaks conventions numerous times. Firstly the double page spread doesn't include a headline only the name of the artist in a larger font above the body of text; this suggests that the artist is established enough not to need a headline or an introduction. This may also explain why the most of this double page spread is dominated by the image of the artist because he is the main focal point.

Images

The single image used conveys the same tough, urban feel of the text again linking back to the style of the artist and the genre of their music. In terms of mis en scene the choice of location being an old boxing gym with props used in the background such as punching bags and weights has connotations of fighting, tough, hardworking people suggesting that the artist is like a boxer with those traits. It may also suggest that the artist has had a tough background in which fighting played a part or a metaphorical fight to gain musical success.

Language

The font used for the main body of text is relatively small although the drop caps and pull quote used are both in larger old English font. This has been done by the institution to draw the focus and attention of the audience so that the pull quote is read and gives the reader the intention of reading the whole article. The old English font used has connotations again of toughness and grit; the font is very popular within the rap culture and conventions with use in tattoos. These connotations again link back to the urban, tough persona that the artist is portraying. The text is written from a 3rd person perspective with a relatively formal register although there are informal phrases used particularly within the quotes from the artist rather than the article itself.

Double Page Spread 2:Vibe

Layout
In comparison to the previous double page spread this magazine follows the layout conventions of musical magazines in a more strict fashion with the main image being confined to the left hand side page without any crossover.  The emblem to represent the artist is placed at the top of the page above the body of text; this is similar to the previous XXL cover although the XXL cover uses only the artists name. The strapline used "How High" has connotations of smoking in partnership with the main image in which the artist is smoking. However this double page spread does break convention due to it not including a pull quote from the artist.
Images
The main image used is a headshot of the featured artist in which he is smoking with an indifferent expression. The image carries connotations that link into the conventions of the rap genre and will appeal to the target audience of the magazines; these connotations include subjects such as smoking, drug use and having a laid back attitude. In terms of mis en scene the use of the black background ensures that the main artist stands out against it as well as the choice of costume with the yellow cap complimenting the black coloured background.

Language
Once again like the XXL magazine double page spread the main article is written in 3rd person with quotations from the artist throughout. The body of text uses a relatively small font and comes across a lot larger than the previous XXL double page spread. A colour scheme of black and yellow is kept through the text, this coincides with the colours represented in the main image and also is the name of the featured artist's hit song "black and yellow". Once again the register of the text is relatively formal apart from the quotes from the artist much like the XXL double page spread.
Double page spread 3: The Source

Layout

The layout of this final double page spread breaks convention featuring the main image of the right hand side page rather than the left like the previous two magazines. The main body of text like the previous Vibe magazine also contains a large body of text using small font. Unlike the previous two magazines this article uses a title that is not just the artists name or a representation of it. The strapline is placed under the article title this is the first time the name of the artist is mentioned; this suggests that the previous two magazines included artists in which their names spoke for themselves and carried a reputation therefore no real title was needed as the target audience would have read on regardless. Similar to the XXL magazine double page spread a pull quote is used, this is placed under the main body of text as the XXL pull quote is also.

Images

The main image used by the institution has the artist posing in a seductive manner implying sexual connotations; the reason this has been done by the institution is because the theory that 'sex sells' so this image appeals to a male audience from this view of it and also a female audience because it could be said that the artist has taken an empowering pose. The institution has also took mis en scene into consideration when following this 'sex sells' theory because the featured artist is wearing revealing clothing that highlight features of her body.

Language

Once again this final double page spread uses a 3rd person narrative with some inclusion of quotes from the artist; this is a convention that has been followed throughout each magazine. The formal with touches of informal register has also been followed throughout each magazine.

Summary

I am going to take inspiration from these three deconstructions by using constantly followed conventions such as the use of a 3rd person narrative throughout. I am also going to place my main image on the right hand side like the first two magazines that I have deconstructed because I believe that this convention is necessary because the image will be the first thing that is seen by the audience and then this will ensure that they read on to the article. I am also going to include drop caps and pull quotes as these are essential to making the article look professional and engaging the audience.

Main Task Flat Plans and Written Rationale

Front cover flat plan:

For my front cover I am going to follow the basic conventions of a music magazine cover. I have decided to firstly use a skyline above my masthead to incorporate a catchy line to outline my magazine's unique selling point. My masthead will fill the width of the page and will be placed behind the head of my model in my main image. Also my masthead will be in old English font to provide a rough, urban look and appeal to the conventions of my chosen genre. My main image will be a mid shot of my model in the centre of the page with a minimalistic dark background. I will include essential information such as the issue number and date in the top right below my masthead in also a dark font so that attention is drawn to the masthead first rather than this information. I have chosen to follow convention by including a main coverline in a central position with my subheading placed directly underneath to provide emphasis on the coverline and elude to the main article. I have also followed conventions of music magazines I have analysed; specifically rap magazines such as XXL to include coverlines to the left hand side of the front cover including a list of artists that are included within this issue. Finally I have chosen to place my barcode in the bottom right of the page as this also follows convention of music magazines.

Contents page flat plan

I have chosen to follow conventions for my contents page from a music magazine contents page that I have analysed, XXL. It follows a minimalistic style with an image of the artist from the main article to the right hand side and numbered contents to the left hand side. Each feature including a brief description to prompt the audience to read on further into the full article. The masthead will again be placed the same position as the front cover masthead filling the width of the page. A convention that I have picked up on from magazine contents pages that I have analysed is using another word to replace contents as the masthead, The word that I am planning to use is 'Features' this gives a modern feel to the magazine. Finally I have chosen to include links to social media on the bottom left hand side of the page as this is a convention that has grown recently and increased interaction with the target audience and makes them feel more involved in the magazine.

Double page spread flat plan

Again for my double page spread I have chosen to follow convention firstly by having the dominant image on the left hand side page including only a pull quote on that page to add emotion and emphasis to the image and to allude to the main article. I am going to include my main body of text on the right-hand page with the article title at the top. I am planning to use a font with the article title that will stand out against the main body of text and the strapline so that it is the first thing other than the main image that comes to the attention of the reader. I have also followed the convention of using drop caps to being the main article as it gives the article a professional look and makes the beginning of the article easily identifiable.

Preliminary Task

Front Cover

My front cover of my preliminary task follows magazine front cover conventions accurately such as including a masthead, main coverline, subheading, coverlines and essential information. Although the text could be improved by using different fonts to ensure that text stands out and is eye catching to the audience. I also feel as if the image I have used is strong and very relevant to the target audience although the quality of the image could be improved by using a better camera and planning the photography beforehand. I could also improve the image by using Photoshop to edit the image and add more effect and impact to it.

 

Contents Page

 



My contents page continues to follow conventions accurately although I could improve my body of text and layout by ensuring that I do not use capital letters when not needed. Again my text could be improved by varying the fonts that I use to become more eye catching and interesting to my target audience. The image I have used follows convention in terms of the layout although improvement is need in the quality of the image and the editing; for example the cutting out of the right hand is distorted and makes the image look unprofessional.

Areas of development for main task

I am going to use what I have learnt from my preliminary task to improve my main task music magazine. In my main magazine I am going to include a variety of fonts and effects within my text so that it appeals to my target audience and stands out against competitors. I am also going to ensure that my main magazine is more visually appealing by including sharp and clear images that will be relevant to my target audience. I will also plan my photographs in advance so that I achieve the best possible result with professional quality images.

Photo shoot planning document

Photo shoot planning

 

What emotional impact do you want your photography do have upon the reader and how will you achieve this?

My photography will have an overall dark theme creating an ambience and portraying an urban, grunge feel.

 

What personnel do you need? Who are you going to photograph?

I am going to photograph one person and focus the main article on them.

 

What props will you need?

I am going to use a minimal amount of props. I will use props such as a microphone and other various music industry related props.

How are you going to emphasise colour?

 

Have you briefed your personnel/models?

Yes; I have briefed my model informing them that I will be taking the photographs within the photography studio in college.

 

What lighting will you need? Any other equipment?

I will need relatively low lighting to create a dark ambience and an atmospheric photo.

Where will you shoot? Will you need a backdrop?

I am going to use the college photography studio and use a plain white background so that the emphasis is on the model and the style of the model.

 

Mise-en-scene - Make-up? Costumes? Props?

I am not going to use any make up as it does not fit into the conventions of my chosen genre. In terms of costume my model will be wearing their own clothes to illustrate their style and also follow the fashion conventions of my chosen genre. I will use minimalistic props such as a microphone and other items such as speakers that relate to the music industry. I am going to use low lighting to create a dark, gritty atmosphere linking this in to the lyrical conventions of the genre.