Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Evaluation: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluation: How did you attract/address your audience?

From the research I conducted I feel that my magazine has been quite successful as it fits into the genre of the magazine I tried to create very well. To attract the audience I used banners, sells, and pull quotes, I also used quite a bold colour scheme, however I used a colour scheme that through research I discovered was used a lot in this genre of music magazines. I used cover lines on the front also to advertise features inside the magazine. The images that I used would attract the audience as on the front cover I used a mid close up shot, with the same model on my contents and double page spread looking directly into the camera. I also used photos of 2 well known celebrities that you would associate with this genre on the contents page which would hopefully attract the audience as fans of their music would perhaps want to buy my magazine to read the features about them. 

                                                         

I asked a small group of 16 year old girls, several questions about my magazine, and how they thought it fit into my genre and for their opinions on several parts of my magazine. The general response was really positive as they said how my magazine resembled a pop magazine by the features I used in it, and the images that I used. They also particularly liked the use of the red white and black colour scheme, as they felt it help bring attention to the magazine as a whole. They also said how they liked how I used the same model throughout my magazine front cover, contents and double page spread to keep it looking consistent.  One thing that one of the girls thought I could improve on is the use of the columns in my magazine as I used  different columns on each page, so to make it laid out a bit better I could have used the same amount of columns on each page, this could be taken as an oppositional reading.  I was extremely pleased that they mostly took a preferred reading to my magazine, as it meant that I have been successful in creating my pop magazine and that it suits the target audience well, and that through the research I did before creating my magazine I have been able to use most of the typical conventions needed to create a pop magazine, and have represented my magazine in a way that you would associate with pop magazines, as my target audience said (see video). 

Evaluation: Who would be the audience for your media product?

Audience Profile

The audience for my magazine will be mainly interested in pop music, however other genres of music come into my magazine slightly too. They will mainly be females, aged 16-24, however possibly younger aswell. They listen to all kinds of artists such as Ed Sheeran, Florence and The Machine, and Lawson. They would most likely live in a big city and be very sociable and enjoy going out with their friends to general places like the cinema or the shopping centre, however they also enjoy going to concerts a lot, whether the gig is big or small. They would dress fashionably and shop in stores such as New Look, Topshop and River Island. They would spend a lot of their money on clothes and concert tickets, aswell as new music and albums. 

They would enjoy watching soaps like Eastenders and normal shows like Waterloo Road. Their favourite films would most likely be comedy's or romance films.They would most likely read other magazines like OK magazine to get the latest celebrity gossip and use sites like Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with their friends and keep up with their favourite celebrities. 

Psychographics

 The audience for my magazine would fit into achievers and aspirers in terms of psychographics, as the genre of my magazine is quite mainstream, however also quite up-market. 

Jicnars Scale

If my audience were to be placed on the jicnars scale I would say they would be in either category C1, C2 or D, as my audience could be a wide range of ages, meaning a wide range of professions, placing them into different categories on the jicnars scale.                                                                                                                                                

Similarities and Differences

Since doing my audience profile in my research and planning I have found that it has not really changed and I have kept to what the audience wanted (poster pages, editors message etc). I have kept to the audience profile I created when planning my magazine as that was the kind audience I wanted to attract. To attract the audience I used things like pull quotes and sells. I also used the banner at the bottom to show things that are inside the magazine that would hopefully gain interest from the audience. I also used stories on celebrities as this is what my audience would most likely buy the magazine for. 

Evaluation: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My final double page spread

My final contents page

My final front cover

Photoshoot

For the front cover of my magazine, I wanted my model to look quite suttle, not over the top. I used Ashleigh as my model for this and these are a few of the results:

This was the photo I was originally going to work with, however, there is a slight shadow behind Ashleigh's head so I decided to re-do the photoshoot to avoid that happening.

Possible front covers

For these images I used a reflector, lighting and a white backdrop to help highlight Ashleigh's face, and I am very pleased with the results. These are the four images that I will potentially use on my front cover. I wanted to keep it looking as natural as possible and I feel that I have done, whilst also making the photography look professional. 

Due to a few complications we could not do the photoshoot for this as we intended too on the 10th November, however we got a few shots on the 12th November, which we felt were not as high standard as we would like them to be, therefore we retook these photos on the 14th of November. I am now behind on my timeplan, however I aim to have my front cover finished by Monday 19th November. 

  

Contents Page Photos

For my contents page I aim to include a few photos as through my research I discovered that magazines of my genre tend to include photos on the contents page. 

 
These are a few of the photos I would like to feature on my contents page although I have not took them all yet. The 2 photos to the right are photos of Ed Sheeran that I took at his concert on the 29th October 2012. I would like to use them as they are relevent to some of the information on my contents page. I will be taking the photos for my double page spread, and a few more for my contents page on Friday 16th November.

Locations & Health and Safety

Permission

All of the photographs used in my magazine will be taken inside my house, or in my garden. To do this I asked my mum for permission if I could photograph my models here, in which she said that I could, and that it would be fine to take the photos on Saturday 10th November.

Risk Assessment

There are several things that I need to be aware of when taking my photos.

When taking my photos inside I will need to be careful of the radiator and the wire underneath it. If my model was to trip over this she would potentially be seriously harmed therefore I will make sure that it is well out of the way. 

Just behind the radiator there is a multiple plug socket. I will have to make careful that none of our props get caught in it, or if water was to be poured on it by accident. I must also be careful that no one gets an electric shock, as this could be potentially fatal. 

I will have to be careful with the lighting that I use as it can cause shadows against the wall, therefore I will have to use the curtains to shut out the light to avoid this happening.

Against the wall in the living room there is a door stop, which sticks out. If any of my models were going to stand there they have to be careful not to hit it, or trip over it as again that could cause accidents. Therefore I will make sure my models are aware of it and are careful of it to avoid this happening. 

In the garden by the wall there is a row of stones, some of them quite sharp which could potentially cut someone, therefore I will be careful and make sure that my models have suitable shoes on to avoid this problem. 

Models, Costumes, and Props

Models

For the front cover and for several images inside my magazine I have decided to use 2 of my friends as models for the pages in my magazine.

Lisa




I have decided to choose Ashleigh and Lisa as they fit into my target audience and are easy to get hold of, also this magazine would be something that they would possibly read, as they all listen to the genre of music I am using. For the photos I will potentially use one of them as the main model for the front cover, and perhaps the other two for the contents page. The model I use for the front cover will also be featured on my double page spread.

I would like the model on the front cover to look quite glamorous yet also formal, to do this I would like her to wear a dress, and I would also like to visually be able to see her listening to an ipod or some sort. For the photo on the contents page I would like it to be of my model looking happy, and excited after just coming home from a concert or about to go to a concert. I would also like that photo to be quite formal so that it keeps my magazine looking professional. The model I use for my front cover will also be featured on my double page spread.

Costumes and Props

Costume/Prop Item	Source	Potential Cost	Person in charge
Glow sticks	Poundshop	£1	Me
Dress	Ashleigh has one	Nothing	Ashleigh
Ipod	I have one	Nothing	Me
Earphones	I have some	Nothing	Me

 

Details of the photoshoot

The photoshoot will take place at my house on Saturday 10th November (Front Cover and Double Page Spread), and another photoshoot on Saturday 17th November (Contents Page), as this is when my models are available.

Research and Planning: Audience Profile

The audience for my magazine will be mainly interested in pop/chart music. They would listen to a range of artists such as Olly Murs, Ed Sheeran & Taylor Swift and bands like The Wanted & Lawson, however they would also listen to more mainstream artists such as Rihanna and Beyonce. In terms of psychographics they would most likely be achievers, and would like to achieve their goals in life. They also would not take themselves too seriously and would take each day as it comes, however they try their hardest at everything they do. They would fall into B-C on the jicnar scale. The gender of my audience would mostly be women and would be aged 16-19 or are teens.

They have a good fashion sense, and they shop in places such as New Look, H&M, River Island and Topshop, as they tend to follow the latest fashion trends however they try not to follow the crowd too much. They enjoy socialising with their friends by going to parties, going shopping or just going out, however they would also be more than happy to sit down and watch a film or sit and read a book. They would choose to wear make-up however this would be a minimal amount to keep their look natural.

They like to go on trips to big cities such as London, or Birmingham. This would be for shopping or just general site seeing. They like getting out of town every now and again as they like to go somewhere different for a change. Even though they like to go shopping they would try and save as much of their money as possible as they feel that it is important too. They try to keep fit and healthy by eating fruits such as apples and strawberries however every now and again they indulge themselves with a takeaway or some chocolate. They may also take part in dance classes, or enjoy going swimming regularly.

They would attend about 4-5 concerts each year, and enjoy watching things like iTunes festival and T4 on the beach on the TV. Their favourite films would include Bridget Jones Diary and The Inbetweeners Movie. They enjoy watching soaps like Eastenders and music channels like MTV and Capital TV. They would read magazines such as OK Magazine or Heat Magazine as they are interested in the latest celebrity gossip and would also spend a lot of time on social networking sites such as twitter and tumblr as they like to find out what their favourite celebrities are up too.

Qualitative Research

To do this I asked a group of people in my target audience, to look at my ideas by using the social networking site Twitter. Through this they have said that my ideas for my magazine look clear, professional, simple and relative to what my magazine should be about (genre etc.) They also said that I have planned to include everything on the cover that they would like in a magazine, therefore it would definitely appeal to them.

Things they said I could improve:

• Maybe advertise some poster pages on the front cover, as a lot of people buy magazines for posters of their favourite artists, therefore it would appeal to my target audience more. 
• Include a message from the writer/editor of the magazine on my contents page.

Therefore on my front cover I will advertise some posters to appeal to my audience and include a message on the contents page, as this seems to be a good convention of a music magazine. 

Ideas for cover stories, the title of my magazine and the DPS

Front Cover:
For my magazine I have a few ideas of what to call it:
- Music City; as I want it to have something for everyone in it, but mainly things based on pop music.
- ML magazine (standing for Music Life)

For the cover story (splash) I would like it to be of a female solo artist, perhaps promoting an interview inside. For this I would use a pull quote on the front cover to interest the audience.
Possible cover lines to feature on the front cover:

• Album of the month! 
• Interview with......
• What do you know about ....? (10 facts about a new artist)
• Live! Review from......
• Poll: Who do you prefer ........... or ................?

I don't want a lot of cover lines on my front cover as I want to look quite simple and professional and not chaotic. Therefore I will only use about 3/4. I want my front cover to have a set colour scheme of preferably red, black and white, as these seem to work out well, and through researching magazines I have discovered these are the best colours to use. 

Contents:

For this I am going to include 3/4 different sections, including cover stories, a music section, news section, and perhaps a 10 ten albums of the month section. I will also include pictures as through my research I have discovered that most contents pages include pictures linked to the stories inside their magazine. 

Double Page Spread Ideas:

I would like my double page spread to be based on the story that will be on the front cover. This means that it will either be an album review, 10 facts about an artist, or an interview. I will also use images that I have taken on the double page spread.

Typefaces

Throughout my magazine I would like to try and use a serif font to make it look upmarket and professional, however in small amounts I may also use sans serif font as this will fit in more with my target audience. I will also make use of bold font on the cover lines, and masthead. I will also use up to 2 typefaces to also keep it looking upmarket. 

"Don't use too many typefaces. Too much variation will end up looking a mess. It's best to limit yourself to one font, and variations of it." - Chris Frost.

Rough Ideas: Layout

How will my research influence my planning?

The research that I have collected shows me the different conventions that are used in a typical music magazine. They show me a lot of the things that I should include and the way I should lay out my pages. After researching the genre of magazines that I would like to create I am now aware of the kind of images, and stories that I can include on the cover, contents page and double page spread of my magazine. Due to my research I am now aware of the kind of layout I should have on my pages aswell.

Time Plan

1. How will my research influence planning? Write about how they have helped show me the different conventions needed for my magazine, and how I intend to use them.  -  Deadline: 25/10/12
2. Rough sketches of how I intend my magazine to look (the front cover, contents page, and double page spread) Also think about what I would like to call my magazine, and possible features to put on the cover and contents page, and think about ideas for the double page spread. Also sketch rough ideas for the layout. These will then need to be scanned into my blog. - Deadline: 28/10/12
3. Research Target Audience: to do this I will use social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. I will also need to create an audience profile of the audience I wish to target. I intend to create a focus group of people in my target audience and discuss with them the kind of magazine they would like, what features they like the most and discuss features of the magazine I would like to make. - Deadline: 5/11/12
4. Performers and Casting: Decide who the models for my magazine are going to be, think about reliability, who is suitable for the genre, and who is available. Take photos of the potential models, and write how I intend to use them and why I think they are suitable. - Deadline: 5/11/12
5. List of costumes and props: Think about ways to make the clothing and props suitable to the genre I would like to create, and make sure it suits the models. Upload a table to my blog stating the costume/prop, source of the item, potential cost, and the person in charge. - Deadline: 5/11/12
6. Locations + health and safety: Get permission to photograph in the location I intend to. Complete a detailed risk assessment prior to the photoshoot. Include written permission or details of phone calls used to gain permission. Include photographs of the group in the location doing a 'recce' and risk assessment. Take photos of the key dangers and key details. Upload this to my blog. - Deadline: 5/11/12
7. Arrangements for the photoshoot: Arrange a suitable time and place for my models, make sure I have given them to correct clothing and any props they will need for the shoot. - Deadline: 6/11/12
8. Photographs for my magazine: Take the photographs for the cover, contents and double page spread of my magazine, in the location I have chosen, and on the date I arranged for my shoot. - Deadline: 12/11/12
9. Chose the images that I would like to include in my magazine. Use photoshop to airbrush photos that need to be edited. - Deadline: 12/11/12
10. Use photoshop to create the front cover of my magazine. First of all crop the main image so that it is the size of a normal magazine. Put in the masthead and banner. - Deadline: 13/11/12
11. Sort out the cover lines, using a set colour scheme of red white and black and a mixture of a sans serif and serif font. - Deadline: 14/11/12
12. Put on the headline, and subhead, and also the barcode and price. - Deadline: 15/11/12
13. Use InDesign and photoshop to create my contents page. To do this I must use a sensible layout, making the page look professional. I should explain how I have developed it, using printscreens, and commenting on how my skills are developing. - Deadline: 23/11/12
14. Use InDesign and photoshop to create my double page spread. I must use a sensible layout, and use my research and planning to help me create my double page spread. I will use images on my pages so I will use photoshop to airbrush them and edit them. Comment on the development of this page and how I am keeping to my time plan. - Deadline: 30/11/11
15. Print my front cover, contents page and double page spread off. - Deadline: 30/11/12
16. Answer the 7 questions set by the exam board, using a range of technologies, and in good detail. - Deadline: 20/12/12

Music Magazine Research: NME Magazine

Music Magazine Research: Billboard Magazine

My Contents Page

Whilst making my student magazine cover, I have learnt:

• how to take good medium close up with a digital SLR
• how to use photoshop effectively, this being airbrushing the image, adding the masthead and cover lines, and how to use a lot of the different features of photoshop 
• a lot of the different aspects of a magazine cover

I have found making my student magazine cover fairly easy, as it was all quite easy to pick up and construct. I have enjoyed making my magazine cover and think I have used all the different conventions used on a normal magazine. 

My Student Magazine Cover

Schedule for Production

• First of all I will take photographs for the main image on my front cover. To do this I will find someone who is willing to be photographed. To take the photographs I will go outside for better light, and will photograph my chosen model to be happy, and looking confident.
• I will then select a few of the best photos to manipulate in photoshop. In photoshop I will airbrush, change the lighting, crop the photo etc. 
• After that I will then choose the appropriate cover lines, masthead and graphics. All of this text will be written in a serif font so that it looks professional. I will make sure that nothing overlaps to also make my magazine look upmarket. 

Difficulties I may face

I think I may find using photoshop difficult as I am not particularly familiar with the software.

My Ideas

How I will communicate my connotations

To communicate my connotations to my audience I will use a range of signs. The images on my magazine will be of people smiling, looking happy. In most of the images they will be of people on their own making them look independent. The colours on the front of my magazine will not be too bright, they will be neutral as to not make the cover look chaotic. The cover will be quite simple, to make it feel slightly relaxed.

Connotations I would like to communicate to my audience

• happy
• Confident
• Relaxed
• Intelligent
• Fun
• Independent

My Audience Profile

• You are a female
• You are 16-26 years old
• You enjoy listening to music a lot
• Your favourite music genre is pop
• You like to shop in places like New Look and River Island
• You live in a big city
• Your favourite colour is purple 
• You like to socialise with friends
• You drive a stylish car
• You watch programmes like The X Factor and New Girl

Psychographics - 

The type of people who would read my magazine would be aspirers and achievers. 

Jicnars Scale - 

The type of people to read my magazine would be in the C1 category on the Jicnars Scale.

Magazine Analysis

This magazine is a student magazine aimed at university students aged 18-25. The splash on the front cover is of a young looking student, wearing a graduation cap which is a sign that this is for university students, one of the cover lines also makes use of the word 'campus' which can also be used to suggest that this is for university students. The main colour scheme of this front cover is blue, black and white, which are quite neutral. The masthead of this publication has been overlapped by the main image of the woman. The masthead and the cover lines on this publication are all written in a serif font, and the price of this magazine is included in the top right corner of the cover however it has not been placed largely which I think makes it look like a professional,  upmarket magazine. The woman in the main image has been represented as a happy, confident, and intelligent looking woman.

Magazine Analysis

This magazine is an american magazine aimed at students aged 16-25. The masthead of this magazine is written in a sans serif font, with the main image on the front cover overlapping it. The colours used on this front colour are yellow and black, which are just quite standard and universal, however there is also a splash of pink on the right suggesting they used a different colour to attract our attention. The cover contains quite a lot of cover lines, all written in a sans serif font which doesn't particularly make it very professional looking. The cover contains a barcode and a price, quite small in the bottom left corner. The splash (main image) is of a male, who looks like the age of a student, holding books with the title 'Law and Society' written on, with the . He is represented as being happy, and hard working, suggesting the kind of people who read this are of this nature.

Magazine Analysis

This magazine contains a Masthead in the top left corner of the front cover. The masthead contains the word 'Campus' which suggests that this magazine is aimed at university students, aged 18-25. The main colour scheme of this front cover is Pink and Black with the exception of the yellow banner on a slant near the bottom of the page, which I think draws your attention away from the main focus of the front cover (the image). This colour scheme would suggest that women would read this magazine. The layout of the magazine is quite overlapped with the main use of font being Sans Serif, however there is also a slight use of serif font being used on one of the cover lines. The main use of sans serif font and the fact that this magazine is free (noted in the top right corner) suggests that this may be a slightly down market magazine. The main image is of a well known, rather popular celebrity, being represented as happy and confident, which can be used as a representation of the students who may read this magazine.
                                                                                 

My First Post

Hello

My name is Sophie Price and I am studying AS Media Studies at Worcester Sixth Form College :-)