Thursday 15 March 2012
Evaluation
http://prezi.com/dxoyto-h93po/media-evaluation/
Overall, I was pleased with the result of my coursework. If I had Photoshop at home perhaps I would have done a better job, instead I used a different tool. The Preliminary task gave me a head start and an idea of how to produce a magazine. I feel that I followed the colour scheme well for the Preliminary task and that the image itself was appropriate for the work. For example, as it was a school magazine cover I made sure the setting was in the school library, and that the girl in the photo was doing some kind of written work. She was 'concentrating' yet 'happy' in the photo to show she was enjoying her studies. This would give students a positive view of the school when they saw the magazine. The colour scheme also gives the magazine a positive feel (yellow, black, white). I feel I could have included more on the front cover by making the font a smaller size and adding more cover lines.
For my Research and Planning, I am pleased with the amount of work I produced. The other magazines took a long time to analyse but gave me more of an insight into things to use in my magazine.
Thursday 9 February 2012
Thursday 8 December 2011
Research and Planning
Front covers
The main
band title is in capital letters as it is the dominant subheading of the cover
and the central image is of this band. The text is in capitals to signify
loudness, this creates an attention grabbing effect for the audience. The font
style is sans serif and is less formal as the magazine is mainly aimed at
teenagers. The layout of this magazine is cluttered to signify mess and anarchy
as this is the typical stereotype of rockers. Also, the layout follows the
route of the eye as the bands faces are at the top, the band’s name in the
middle and the ‘free poster special’ written at the bottom. It also follows the principle of thirds as
there are interesting things all over the cover. There are more images than
text which shows it is more creative and less formal. Colours used include
black, yellow, white and red. These colours are associated with rock music as
they give impressions of death, blood and danger. A mid shot is used to show
the characters faces, and also the costume and props they are using to
represent the rock genre. For instance, here they are holding crowbars and
chains, and their costume is black tops/jackets with jeans. The props give an
impression of violence and danger, as do the colours used. Words such as ‘sex,
drugs, violence’ are used to signify to the audience that the rock genre is
quite rebellious and angry. The language used is quite loud and aggressive as
capital letters are used. The style of writing is informal as well which shows
it is aimed at teenagers.
The font style used is sans-serif which is informal, showing
the typical target audience of the magazine to be youths. This makes the
audience relaxed as it is not a serious magazine. The layout is cluttered as
the Headline is at an angle. This makes a sense of creativity which is often
associated to the indie genre. The route of the eye is followed as the central
image is seen at the top of the cover, the Headline is in the middle and more
cover stories are at the bottom. There is mainly an equal image to text ratio
which shows the intelligence of the magazine, not childish but not overly
formal (which is a trait a classical magazine would have). Colours used include
red, yellow, black and white. These have been chosen to show energy and
loudness, which is the personality of many Indie bands. The shot type used is a
Mid-shot which again means that as well as the bands faces being seen, any
additional props and costume can also be seen clearly. The costume used is
stereotypical indie clothing. Swearing is used such as ‘dicks from Big brother’
as quotes from the cover band. This shows they are very outgoing and perhaps
angry. The colours look cartoon like as well which also shows creativity.
For this pop
magazine, sans serif font is again used for informality as pop is aimed at
teens and in this case many girls. Capitals are again used to make the words
louder and clearer. The layout is cluttered which connotes the magazine is less
formal and aimed at young people. It also follows the route of the eye as the
Magazine title is at the top, next is the celebrity photo of lady gaga and at
the bottom more photos of lady gaga, clearly showing who the magazine is about
for this edition. The text is large and seems to cover most of the magazine,
however there is also a very large central image and many smaller images at the
bottom of the cover. White is used for the background and text is in black, red
and sometimes yellow. Red and yellow relate to romance and sunshine, these are
quite happy, bright things. The shot type used is a mid-shot which shows most
of her body and the angle is the side of her body. This gives a provocative
effect to the image, making people more interested in the magazine. An image of
lady gaga standing normally wouldn’t be as exciting. Her clothing also adds to
this aspect, as it is a tight leather outfit. Her hair colour also matches the
background of the magazine. The magazine speaks to the audience with an
exciting personality, cover lines are used such as ‘THE CRAZY CLOTHES’ and
‘INSIDE THE MAD WORLD OF LADY G’ slang is used to shorten her name and sound
cool.
Double page spreads
For this double page spread, sans serif fonts are used which connote informality again. As this is a rock magazine, rock is stereotypically seen as loud and angry. Capital letters for pull quotes and headlines are used to give the effect of shouting as you read it to yourself. The layout here is quite ordered as the articles need to be readable. Equal image to text ratio balances out information given so it isn’t too overpowering. Colours used include black background, white text and some reds. Black connotes death and darkness whereas red and black show anger and rock. The white outline on the photos makes them stand out more, so does the red around the ‘celebrity quotes’ at the bottom right of the page spread. A high angle shot is used in the central image to show that all the fans are reaching up to the band member, showing fame and power. The location used is in the concert to relate the image to the article. The large red capital ‘H’ is used as a kicker to attract readers to the article. In one of the pictures a prop used is a guitar and microphone which connotes they are musicians on stage together and in other photos the bands fans are shown. The red font used creates a difference between the numbers and the words at the top of the page spread. Language is also used such as ‘awesome’ and ‘crazy’ which is typically related to words spoken by rock fans/artists.
Sans serif fonts are used which suggests informality as this is a rock magazine rather than a classical magazine. The effect on the audience will be fun rather than feeling bored, showing this is mainly aimed at young people. Capital letters are also used to make the article exciting to read and ‘loud’. The layout is cluttered as there are pictures are everywhere and text on either side rather than together. There is much more image than text which connotes that more is happening and people don’t get bored reading halfway through the article, a downside of this is that you may just glance at the pictures and spend less time on the page, then go onto the next article. Black and white is mainly used to show darkness as it is a rock magazine. It also makes the images stand out more than the text as they have more colours. Lots of low angle shots are used on the band singers and guitarists to show they are on stage performing. Props used are microphones, keyboards, guitars etc. to show they are in a concert playing music to the audience. This also shows that this page is a review of a concert. Costume used includes black t shirts and shorts which shows it is hot on stage. Language used such as ‘how was it for you?’ asks questions to readers of Kerrang! that have been to this concert and written a review.
Double page spreads
For this double page spread, sans serif fonts are used which connote informality again. As this is a rock magazine, rock is stereotypically seen as loud and angry. Capital letters for pull quotes and headlines are used to give the effect of shouting as you read it to yourself. The layout here is quite ordered as the articles need to be readable. Equal image to text ratio balances out information given so it isn’t too overpowering. Colours used include black background, white text and some reds. Black connotes death and darkness whereas red and black show anger and rock. The white outline on the photos makes them stand out more, so does the red around the ‘celebrity quotes’ at the bottom right of the page spread. A high angle shot is used in the central image to show that all the fans are reaching up to the band member, showing fame and power. The location used is in the concert to relate the image to the article. The large red capital ‘H’ is used as a kicker to attract readers to the article. In one of the pictures a prop used is a guitar and microphone which connotes they are musicians on stage together and in other photos the bands fans are shown. The red font used creates a difference between the numbers and the words at the top of the page spread. Language is also used such as ‘awesome’ and ‘crazy’ which is typically related to words spoken by rock fans/artists.
Sans serif fonts are used which suggests informality as this is a rock magazine rather than a classical magazine. The effect on the audience will be fun rather than feeling bored, showing this is mainly aimed at young people. Capital letters are also used to make the article exciting to read and ‘loud’. The layout is cluttered as there are pictures are everywhere and text on either side rather than together. There is much more image than text which connotes that more is happening and people don’t get bored reading halfway through the article, a downside of this is that you may just glance at the pictures and spend less time on the page, then go onto the next article. Black and white is mainly used to show darkness as it is a rock magazine. It also makes the images stand out more than the text as they have more colours. Lots of low angle shots are used on the band singers and guitarists to show they are on stage performing. Props used are microphones, keyboards, guitars etc. to show they are in a concert playing music to the audience. This also shows that this page is a review of a concert. Costume used includes black t shirts and shorts which shows it is hot on stage. Language used such as ‘how was it for you?’ asks questions to readers of Kerrang! that have been to this concert and written a review.
Sans serif font is used all over the double page spread
suggesting this magazine is informal and aimed at young people. The layout is
cluttered as there are articles all over the spread and in the central image
there are things all over the place. This gives an effect of a messy rocker who
is doing gigs a lot of the time so doesn’t have much time to stay tidy. There
is more image than text as the background is all one big image. Colours used
are pink, white and black for fonts/text. There are many colours in the central
image, mainly including black and white. Black and white suggest death and the
dark pink colour connotes anger, commonly associated with rock stars. A wide
shot is used to show the rock star and his room, props included are his dog and
all the items on his wall and floor. His costume suggests he feels very casual
as he is in his home. The picture is
taken in his room as the articles are about his room.
Contents pages
Serif font is used for this magazine, this connotes that the magazine is more formal as it is a higher class rock magazine. The layout is fairly ordered as the contents page numbers are on the left hand side, the main image is used on the right and the mast head is at the top. Colours used include black, white and red. Red connotes anger and black is used for darkness, common conceptions of the rock genre. A mid shot is used to show the main artist of the featured band. His costume includes a fancy suit and sunglasses to show he is a rock star. The page uses quite formal language, no swearing or rude words. This suggests an older generation may be more interested in buying this. Children, teenagers and young adults may prefer Kerrang! Magazine
My survey:
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J22VDQC">Click here to take survey</a>
Draft text
Draft magazine cover
Draft contents page
Draft double page spread
Contents pages
Sans serif font is used
all over the page which connotes informality. Capital letters and
punctuality such as exclamation marks are used to represent loudness.
Colours used include black, white and yellow. Yellow and black are
commonly associated with danger or caution. The layout here is quite
cluttered as there are many images all over the page as well as text
and page numbers. There is also an advertisement in the bottom right
corner for the magazine, ‘GET K! DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR FOR JUST £6
PER MONTH!’ This is in capitals and partly red to stand out from
the rest of the contents and draw attention to the audience. A low
angle is used for the image of the band ‘Green day’ at the top to
show they are famous and of high authority. The contents page
includes text such as ‘HOT SHOTS’ and ‘GET READY TO HIT THE
ROAD’ these are also all in capitals to signify loudness and using
rock slang words to make it more exciting.
Serif font is used for this magazine, this connotes that the magazine is more formal as it is a higher class rock magazine. The layout is fairly ordered as the contents page numbers are on the left hand side, the main image is used on the right and the mast head is at the top. Colours used include black, white and red. Red connotes anger and black is used for darkness, common conceptions of the rock genre. A mid shot is used to show the main artist of the featured band. His costume includes a fancy suit and sunglasses to show he is a rock star. The page uses quite formal language, no swearing or rude words. This suggests an older generation may be more interested in buying this. Children, teenagers and young adults may prefer Kerrang! Magazine
Sans serif font is used to signify that this magazine is
less formal. Modern rock magazines tend to be less formal than classic rock
magazines. The layout is ordered as the contents page numbers are in order on
the right and the central image is included on the left.
There is more image than text on this page, as there are no articles the space is filled in to make the contents page more interesting. A disadvantage of this may be that people just skim through the images and turn the page rather than reading the ‘letter’ featured at the top. Colours used include red, black and white, these are typically used in most rock magazines as red and black are quite dark colours and red shows blood/anger. A close up is used for the central image of a band member. The caption for his photo ‘in a strop’ draws readers in as it is short and concise but doesn’t include much information, making readers want to turn to this page and read the full story. His makeup makes the image more interesting and he is leaning on his hands, this fits into the caption.
There is more image than text on this page, as there are no articles the space is filled in to make the contents page more interesting. A disadvantage of this may be that people just skim through the images and turn the page rather than reading the ‘letter’ featured at the top. Colours used include red, black and white, these are typically used in most rock magazines as red and black are quite dark colours and red shows blood/anger. A close up is used for the central image of a band member. The caption for his photo ‘in a strop’ draws readers in as it is short and concise but doesn’t include much information, making readers want to turn to this page and read the full story. His makeup makes the image more interesting and he is leaning on his hands, this fits into the caption.
Production Plan
Image
|
Date
|
People
involved/props
|
Mid shot for front cover
|
20th January
|
Me, Becky, rock style clothing
|
Long shot for contents
|
25th January
|
Becky, background wall
|
Wide shot for double page spread
|
28th January
|
Becky, background wall, skinny jeans
|
Font styles
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
Colour schemes
Black Silver White
Black White Red
Black Blue White
Black Yellow Red
Black Yellow White
My survey:
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J22VDQC">Click here to take survey</a>
Questionnaire
results summary
From the
first question, I can see that most of the people who took the questionnaire
are teenagers aged 14 – 17. This will mean the other ‘most popular’ answers
will be based around this age group. The music genre that appeals to people the
most is ‘Rock/metal’ so I have decided to make a rock magazine for my main
task. The main reasons that people buy magazines according to my questionnaire
were a tie between Celebrity gossip, posters and concert dates/reviews. These
are some of the main features my magazine will include. Lots of people also
want exclusive information included in their magazines according to the
question after. As for the prices question, there were no votes for ‘under £1’
or ‘£4+’ suggesting I should keep my magazines price range between £1 and
£3.99. The main colours people had suggested for a rock magazine were black,
white and red. This was the most commonly suggested answer. A lot of people
wanted a male band/singer but people also wanted a mixed gender band or female
singer. Only 1 person voted for musical instruments/items to be displayed on
the cover. For camera angles, most people wanted a mid-shot to be used on the
cover (9/15 people). 9 people out of 15 also voted for informal language to be
used rather than formal.
Draft text
Interview with Becky Coulson – Lead singer of The Locust
Question 1 – How do you feel about becoming popular so quickly?
Well, it came as a bit of a shock at first, but you sort of adjust to it. We had just uploaded our first few songs onto youtube and overnight the views had increased dramatically. We decided to get our album officially published and within a couple of months we were starting our first tour. I never thought our band would become such a big hit.
Well, it came as a bit of a shock at first, but you sort of adjust to it. We had just uploaded our first few songs onto youtube and overnight the views had increased dramatically. We decided to get our album officially published and within a couple of months we were starting our first tour. I never thought our band would become such a big hit.
Question 2 – What inspired you to become a musician?
Bottom line is, I've always loved music and I've been trying out various instruments since I was young. In the end I tried singing and loads of my friends at school said I was really good, I started a band with Claire and we've been working on playing for about 3 years now.
Bottom line is, I've always loved music and I've been trying out various instruments since I was young. In the end I tried singing and loads of my friends at school said I was really good, I started a band with Claire and we've been working on playing for about 3 years now.
Question 3 - What is your favourite band?
Favourite? Well I don't really have just one - there's a lot of bands I tend to listen to. Don't think I'm the type to stick to one genre, though. You'd be suprised by some of the stuff on my iPod.
Favourite? Well I don't really have just one - there's a lot of bands I tend to listen to. Don't think I'm the type to stick to one genre, though. You'd be suprised by some of the stuff on my iPod.
Question 4 – When is your next tour?
Question 5 – Do you prefer to be relaxing at home or out on
a tour rocking out with your fans?
Question 6 - What’s
your favourite colour?
Draft magazine cover
Draft contents page
Draft double page spread
Preliminary task
Front cover analysis
The font used is sans
serif which makes it more formal which fits in with a school magazine. It is ordered in such a way that makes the cover interesting and follows the line of sight. The headline is included at the top of the cover. The colour scheme is
red, black and white. This is followed throughout the cover of the magazine and
makes the font stand out. These are also typical, formal school colours which
again gives the effect of a school magazine. Some of the clothing
the boy is wearing is black and white, and a lot of the shadow is black which
matches the colour scheme and makes the words stand out. Mid shot was used for
the main image of a student in the sixth form. The effect given is the student
is sitting down in class listening to the teacher. the style of writing
is very youthful but formal at the same time. For example; ‘Can ‘YOU’ live up
to ‘EM??’ is deliberately misspelled which creates an effect that the magazine
speaks to the audience.
The cover is well structured as the headline and coverline are not in random places. Words are not scattered all over the cover which gives an organised impression of the school itself..The style of font used is sans serif which creates a bolder, clearer use of typography. It is also less formal than another magazine, as it is only aimed at students. For the central image a two shot has been used of the students in the library which is relevant to the central image. One of the people in the shot are smiling as they read the book suggesting school enjoyment. The typography is very formal yet uses punctuation to speak to the audience, which are school students. Blue and white are used which are quite cold colours, suggesting this is a winter edition magazine. The tag line is relevant to the central image. Correct grammar is used and it gives an insight to the contents of the magazine. the students are holding books and standing in the school library. The clothing they are wearing, blue, black and white fit in with the colour
scheme nicely instead of clashing and making the cover look horrible.
The punctuation and use of capital letters stands out to a young age group, in this case school students. The letters are canted as well. ‘Strictly for students!’ this informs people the magazine is only for school students which are of a youthful age. There is lots of punctuation and words in capital letters which again stands out to the audience. The girl is looking directly at the camera and the shot type is a mid-shot. The colour scheme doesn’t match as there is only black and purple for the font, then grey, white, brown etc. for the background and main image. The girl is wearing glasses and a lab coat which shows it is in a science lab, she has a name tag round her neck which shows she is a student in school. The background isn’t very good as it is only grey which is not very interesting. Things are all over the place which makes the magazine cover look less formal than it perhaps should be as it is for a school.
Contents page analysis
The first photo is an
interior shot and the second is an establishing shot. As this is the contents
this is relevant as it shows what the school looks like.
Serif font is used
and the font also looks very childish which makes it harder to read. The colour
is also slightly hard on the eyes. The vocabulary is not very broad and the
grammar could easily be improved as there are spelling/punctuation mistakes.
Serif font has been used which makes it more formal, the font itself looks quite fancy. It also looks ‘fun’ for the audience to read. It is not strictly formal and clearly aimed at students. It has a ‘your say’ bit which shows it is reaching out to the audience. The first picture is a long shot of a girl sitting down, with some work. It is taken at an angle, so it shows the side of her body. The colour scheme used is white, black and yellow. These colours go well together and make the magazine look very informative. Props are used such as the work in the first photo, and the location is on a bench outside showing it may be a spring/summer magazine. In the second photo, goggles and equipment are used to show it is a science lab. This links in with one of the page titles to the right of the photo. The page numbers are in order and the photos are not in random places as they fit in with nearby page titles. The email for the magazine is at the bottom which is very typical of a magazine contents page.
Summary of school magazines
School magazines mostly use
sans-serif font, as it is less formal and looks more exciting for students. The
layout is mainly a central image with a masthead, cover lines and a slogan at
the bottom. The language is aimed at young people – under 18’s so it is not too
formal and the words are quite simple. The colour schemes mainly fit in with
school colour schemes, or include black and white as well as another colour.
This makes it formal but not over the top as it needs to catch the audience’s
attention. Mainly medium close ups and mid shots have been used for the central
image. Props are mainly books, pens and other school related items, and the
scenery or location is usually in a school classroom or library. The costume is
uniform or formal college clothing.
Sample fonts
Neale wade
Neale
wade
Neale
wade
Neale
wade
Neale
wade
Colour scheme
Red, Black, White
Yellow,
Black, White
Blue, Black, White
Orange, Black, White
Red, Orange, Yellow,
 |
| Finished school magazine cover |
On my magazine cover, different
conventions I have used include the layout of the cover. For example, I have
put the masthead at the top of the cover and the cover lines aren’t in random
places. I used sans serif font as most school magazines seem to use this, it is
less formal and more interesting for school students to look at. I included a
medium close-up of a sixth form student doing work in the library to add
verisimilitude to the fact the magazine is school based. The pen, book and
table in the image were used to give the effect of the student doing work, and
the location is in the school library. I also included a slogan at the bottom
to relate to the school, and a barcode and price tag to make it more realistic.
I edited the central image on PhotoScape at home and made it look darker and
more yellow to fit in with the colour scheme (yellow, black, white). I increased the
contrast and changed the brightness and darkness. The layout I used was
intended to follow the line of sight as the masthead is at the top, the student
in the central image and then a cover line at the bottom. The mode of address I
used is informal as I used lines such as ‘tasty new cafeteria’ to interest my
target audience. I have developed skills such as using shot angles, learning new
terminology and how different magazines speak to their target audiences.
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