Within August I was still within my time away from college before the year officially began. This meant that I had various plans and arrangements that were organised in my free time, therefore I struggled to complete all of the posts fully. I will therefore make my best effort to complete and improve these posts.
Overall, despite trying to fit my work around this, I was really pleased with the outcome of my posts and how much of my planned work I managed to complete. Next month I am going to include a larger amount of work within my plan. I have almost 5 hours of lesson time a week and free period that will enable to me to get my work done.
My only worry is fitting my work load around my part time job. However, I will make my best efforts to ensure my work is completed according to my plan and to the highest standards.
Wednesday 31 August 2016
Monday 29 August 2016
Masthead Ideas
In order to select a suitable masthead idea for my magazine, I have chosen several of my best ideas, and weighed out the positive and negative attributes of each one. From there I made the decision on which idea would be best to suit my magazine and it's theme. I have embedded a press exploring potential mastheads, and discussing what I like/dislike about each, conclusively allowing me to choose a font. If you cannot view this press, I will paste the link below:
https://prezi.com/shizqpe9h_kf/masthead-ideas/#
https://prezi.com/shizqpe9h_kf/masthead-ideas/#
Wednesday 24 August 2016
Magazine Conventions of a Front Cover
To produce a professional looking magazine, there are certain features and conventions that I must maintain knowledge of and apply to my final product. I have made a note of these conventions below and have also included an example magazine that I have labelled to provide an example of each convention:
Masthead: this term refers to the flag, banner or name of the magazine/newspaper etc. and is printed largely at the top of the front page. It is also usually used as a logo to the magazine and can be used on images belonging to the magazine, on the magazines website or even as a profile picture for the magazine's social media sites. It should be bold and should represent your magazine in a way that makes it memorable and recognisable, but at the same time should be understandable and informative to the target audience. My masthead will prominently cover a large area of the front cover and will follow my house and colour theme in order to maintain a professional look.
Main Image: this refers to the largest and most prominent image on the page. It should usually take up the full front cover with the main feature of the image, usually the model, covering at least two thirds of the cover. The image is usually of high quality and in music magazines, usually employs the use of a popular artist of the magazine's genre. The artist is used as the model and is placed in a way that will produce an effective cover. This usually involves direct eye contact, a position and a costume that fits the genre and draws in the appropriate audience. My magazine will include a main image that makes use of celebrity endorsement of an artist of my genre that is generally popular so that they are recognisable to my target audience and will draw in not only my primary audience, but anyone who likes the artist that is presented on my front cover. My artist will most likely have a serious but desirable look and will make direct eye contact with the camera and therefore the audience in a way that grabs their attention and speaks to them.
Left Third: the left third incorporates the left side coverlines and the masthead, proving them to be very important as they are most likely to be seen due to the typical layout of a magazine stand layering the magazines on top of each other so that only the left side of each magazine can be seen. This means that the coverlines that draw the audience in on the left side, should be attention grabbing and should cause the audience to remove the magazine from this structure and take a closer look. Only part of the masthead is also seen, giving further reasons to why it must be recognisable as it must have the ability to be identified simply by the first few letters. I must ensure that my magazines left third employs exciting coverlines in order to grab attention. At the same time I believe that my colour scheme that I am considering will make my magazine easily recognisable (black and white, with areas of red).
Coverlines: this refers to the small areas of text that give a slight insight as to what is inside the magazine. The are normally in your face and leave you wanting to know more. They can often include a rhetorical question or make use of lexis such as journalese (SLAM, BANG etc.). Usually, a magazine also includes a main coverline which is printed considerably larger than the other coverlines. This main coverline normally links to the main image and introduces the reader as to what this issue's main article is about (usually the double page spread). I aim to use several coverlines in my magazine that will encourage my audience to purchase and read on.
Sell Line/Tagline: the sell line/tagline of a magazine is a short statement that is usually printed near the masthead and tell the audience something about the magazine that will convince you to buy it. An example, in the above image is Rolling Stone's sell line of that issue: 'The best albums and songs of 2012'. This issue was published in December 2012, meaning the sell line is stating that the audience will receive a look back throughout the year at the best albums and songs, making the audience curious of 'what were the best albums and songs of 2012', encouraging them to purchase. I will aim to use a tagline in my magazine, but I would most likely make it less about the issue, and more about the magazine. This would include creating a tagline that states something good about my magazine that will encourage the audience to purchase it, whilst also giving a certain idea about my magazines genre.
Date: the date simply states the date in which the magazine covers. In the above image, the date of the magazine states 'December 20th 2012 - January 3rd 2013', informing the audience of what time the issue covers and also when the next magazine will most likely be published. I believe that a date is a vital feature of a magazine as it allows the audience to keep up to date with when past, present and future issues are published in order to keep up to date with the music within them. As I aim to provide my readers with information on artists that are up and coming, meaning that they will want to keep up to date with the issues in order to be the first to know of these artists (also almost making them the 'trendsetters of music').
Issue Number: the issue number establishes what issue this is. For example, if it is Issue 17, it is the 17th issue of that magazine. In the above case, the magazine is Issue 1172/1173. This gives the idea that the magazine has been around for a while and that there have been many published issues of the magazine, usually giving further understanding of the magazine's popularity and success. I aim to use this magazine feature as it will enable my readers to keep track of which issue they are on, meaning they are aware of any that they have missed.
Barcode: barcodes generally contain information on the price of the magazine, but also allows the stores to keep track of how many copies have been sold through technology, making it easier for the magazine company to produce sales statistics etc. Due to my magazine not being free, I will add a barcode to ensure that if someone were to buy my magazine, shops could easily register the price, whilst also maintaining a professional feel throughout my front cover.
Masthead: this term refers to the flag, banner or name of the magazine/newspaper etc. and is printed largely at the top of the front page. It is also usually used as a logo to the magazine and can be used on images belonging to the magazine, on the magazines website or even as a profile picture for the magazine's social media sites. It should be bold and should represent your magazine in a way that makes it memorable and recognisable, but at the same time should be understandable and informative to the target audience. My masthead will prominently cover a large area of the front cover and will follow my house and colour theme in order to maintain a professional look.
Main Image: this refers to the largest and most prominent image on the page. It should usually take up the full front cover with the main feature of the image, usually the model, covering at least two thirds of the cover. The image is usually of high quality and in music magazines, usually employs the use of a popular artist of the magazine's genre. The artist is used as the model and is placed in a way that will produce an effective cover. This usually involves direct eye contact, a position and a costume that fits the genre and draws in the appropriate audience. My magazine will include a main image that makes use of celebrity endorsement of an artist of my genre that is generally popular so that they are recognisable to my target audience and will draw in not only my primary audience, but anyone who likes the artist that is presented on my front cover. My artist will most likely have a serious but desirable look and will make direct eye contact with the camera and therefore the audience in a way that grabs their attention and speaks to them.
Left Third: the left third incorporates the left side coverlines and the masthead, proving them to be very important as they are most likely to be seen due to the typical layout of a magazine stand layering the magazines on top of each other so that only the left side of each magazine can be seen. This means that the coverlines that draw the audience in on the left side, should be attention grabbing and should cause the audience to remove the magazine from this structure and take a closer look. Only part of the masthead is also seen, giving further reasons to why it must be recognisable as it must have the ability to be identified simply by the first few letters. I must ensure that my magazines left third employs exciting coverlines in order to grab attention. At the same time I believe that my colour scheme that I am considering will make my magazine easily recognisable (black and white, with areas of red).
Coverlines: this refers to the small areas of text that give a slight insight as to what is inside the magazine. The are normally in your face and leave you wanting to know more. They can often include a rhetorical question or make use of lexis such as journalese (SLAM, BANG etc.). Usually, a magazine also includes a main coverline which is printed considerably larger than the other coverlines. This main coverline normally links to the main image and introduces the reader as to what this issue's main article is about (usually the double page spread). I aim to use several coverlines in my magazine that will encourage my audience to purchase and read on.
Sell Line/Tagline: the sell line/tagline of a magazine is a short statement that is usually printed near the masthead and tell the audience something about the magazine that will convince you to buy it. An example, in the above image is Rolling Stone's sell line of that issue: 'The best albums and songs of 2012'. This issue was published in December 2012, meaning the sell line is stating that the audience will receive a look back throughout the year at the best albums and songs, making the audience curious of 'what were the best albums and songs of 2012', encouraging them to purchase. I will aim to use a tagline in my magazine, but I would most likely make it less about the issue, and more about the magazine. This would include creating a tagline that states something good about my magazine that will encourage the audience to purchase it, whilst also giving a certain idea about my magazines genre.
Date: the date simply states the date in which the magazine covers. In the above image, the date of the magazine states 'December 20th 2012 - January 3rd 2013', informing the audience of what time the issue covers and also when the next magazine will most likely be published. I believe that a date is a vital feature of a magazine as it allows the audience to keep up to date with when past, present and future issues are published in order to keep up to date with the music within them. As I aim to provide my readers with information on artists that are up and coming, meaning that they will want to keep up to date with the issues in order to be the first to know of these artists (also almost making them the 'trendsetters of music').
Issue Number: the issue number establishes what issue this is. For example, if it is Issue 17, it is the 17th issue of that magazine. In the above case, the magazine is Issue 1172/1173. This gives the idea that the magazine has been around for a while and that there have been many published issues of the magazine, usually giving further understanding of the magazine's popularity and success. I aim to use this magazine feature as it will enable my readers to keep track of which issue they are on, meaning they are aware of any that they have missed.
Barcode: barcodes generally contain information on the price of the magazine, but also allows the stores to keep track of how many copies have been sold through technology, making it easier for the magazine company to produce sales statistics etc. Due to my magazine not being free, I will add a barcode to ensure that if someone were to buy my magazine, shops could easily register the price, whilst also maintaining a professional feel throughout my front cover.
Friday 19 August 2016
Model Poses (Millum & Ferguson)
Marjorie Ferguson: Female Poses
Recently in my Media Studies lessons, I have learned about model poses within a front cover and their effect on the audience, in order to give me an enhanced understanding of them and also to give me ideas and reasonings behind the choices I will make when I shoot my magazine's central model in the upcoming weeks. I am very pleased with the knowledge I have gained and really enjoyed learning about the way in which different poses can have several connotations and can fit specific genres of magazine.
Below, I have created a Prezi on these poses and some examples to remind me of/give me an idea of how they appear. If you cannot view this Prezi, please click the link below:
https://prezi.com/1gglhvlctax2/model-poses-female/#
Trevor Millum: Male Poses
As we did not cover any male poses within the Media lesson, I decided to take on some independent research, and look into studies on the male poses. I found some research completed my Trevor Millum, who studied various advertisements featuring males, within women's magazines. He found five variations of poses:
- Carefree: within the carefree pose, the models appeared healthy and active looking and were also looking happy and smiling
- Practical: the practical pose embraced a serious, engaged look, in which the models had their mouths closed and often maintained a small frown in order to portray a look of concentration
- Seductive: the seductive pose exuded confidence, with a possible slight smile and eyes that were never quite fully open - Comic: these poses were centralised around humour and were obviously deliberately funny and slightly exaggerated
- Catalogue: within the catalogue pose, the model was vacant looking, with an artificial appearing, blank expression portraying elements of emptiness and lack of personality
As the model I am planing on using is female, I have taken a larger focus into the female area of model poses, but I found it important to consider both sexes within model poses.
Recently in my Media Studies lessons, I have learned about model poses within a front cover and their effect on the audience, in order to give me an enhanced understanding of them and also to give me ideas and reasonings behind the choices I will make when I shoot my magazine's central model in the upcoming weeks. I am very pleased with the knowledge I have gained and really enjoyed learning about the way in which different poses can have several connotations and can fit specific genres of magazine.
Below, I have created a Prezi on these poses and some examples to remind me of/give me an idea of how they appear. If you cannot view this Prezi, please click the link below:
https://prezi.com/1gglhvlctax2/model-poses-female/#
Trevor Millum: Male Poses
As we did not cover any male poses within the Media lesson, I decided to take on some independent research, and look into studies on the male poses. I found some research completed my Trevor Millum, who studied various advertisements featuring males, within women's magazines. He found five variations of poses:
- Carefree: within the carefree pose, the models appeared healthy and active looking and were also looking happy and smiling
- Practical: the practical pose embraced a serious, engaged look, in which the models had their mouths closed and often maintained a small frown in order to portray a look of concentration
- Seductive: the seductive pose exuded confidence, with a possible slight smile and eyes that were never quite fully open - Comic: these poses were centralised around humour and were obviously deliberately funny and slightly exaggerated
- Catalogue: within the catalogue pose, the model was vacant looking, with an artificial appearing, blank expression portraying elements of emptiness and lack of personality
As the model I am planing on using is female, I have taken a larger focus into the female area of model poses, but I found it important to consider both sexes within model poses.
Wednesday 17 August 2016
Pitch
Over the course of the next academic year, my A2 Coursework requires me to create the first four pages of my own original regional magazine. This must be accompanied by two hyperlinks pages from the magazine's website and a billboard advertisement for the magazine.
At first, the brief had me considerably blank on what I could create, however, I tweaked my ideas towards something I am interested in. I feel as though if I steer my regional magazine towards a topic that interests me, I will be more passionate about the project, creating a better outcome.
I will be centralising my magazine around the city of Newcastle with the central focus being art within the city. I am aware of regional magazines, such as The Crack, that feature sections on art, however, I am unaware of any magazines that deal solely with art within Newcastle. This means I will have to be very specific when researching regional magazines in order to steer it towards my topic.
I am going to use this gap in the market to create something modern, original and different, in relation to the art it will feature. My targeted audience will primarily include those living in the northeast due to my magazine maintaining that regional focus. In terms of interests, my target audience will mo likely take an interest in art. The issue of my magazine that I will be creating will be focusing on make-up artistry within Newcastle. Therefore, the issue itself may draw in a majorly female audience. The magazine as a whole has a fairly balanced audience in relation to gender. I am planning on researching further into my specific primary and secondary audiences further in a future blog post.
Unfortunately, there aren't particularly many regional magazines in my area that I would pick up and read, meaning I need to deeply research into this area of the industry in order to gain the resources and knowledge needed to produce a high-quality product.
At first, the brief had me considerably blank on what I could create, however, I tweaked my ideas towards something I am interested in. I feel as though if I steer my regional magazine towards a topic that interests me, I will be more passionate about the project, creating a better outcome.
I will be centralising my magazine around the city of Newcastle with the central focus being art within the city. I am aware of regional magazines, such as The Crack, that feature sections on art, however, I am unaware of any magazines that deal solely with art within Newcastle. This means I will have to be very specific when researching regional magazines in order to steer it towards my topic.
I am going to use this gap in the market to create something modern, original and different, in relation to the art it will feature. My targeted audience will primarily include those living in the northeast due to my magazine maintaining that regional focus. In terms of interests, my target audience will mo likely take an interest in art. The issue of my magazine that I will be creating will be focusing on make-up artistry within Newcastle. Therefore, the issue itself may draw in a majorly female audience. The magazine as a whole has a fairly balanced audience in relation to gender. I am planning on researching further into my specific primary and secondary audiences further in a future blog post.
Unfortunately, there aren't particularly many regional magazines in my area that I would pick up and read, meaning I need to deeply research into this area of the industry in order to gain the resources and knowledge needed to produce a high-quality product.
Tuesday 16 August 2016
Genre & Moodboard
As mentioned in my pitch, the genre of my magazine is going to surround art within Newcastle/the north-east. In this particular issue the magazine will take on a make-up artistry feel, due to Newcastle being a prime region, full of artistic influences through make-up. I have also chosen this genre, because I take a particular interest in the topic and feel that this will allow me to feel more passionately about the project. I have composed a prezi based on the research and planning of my genre and embedded it below. If you cannot view the press, I have also pasted the link below:
https://prezi.com/bexuqci02huk/untitled-prezi/#
I have embedded a video below of one of my favorite make up artists from Newcastle, as some colour inspiration and an example of what Newcastle has to offer within the make up industry:
The incorporation of male make up artist within my inspirations allows the gender neutral element of the magazine to remain relevant. I believe that this is a really important part of my magazine, as it opens the target audience up to both genders, as well as applying my magazine to relevant societal changes and evolvements within gender that are extremely important and are happening every day.
As further inspiration, I have created a moodboard in order to place all of my ideas:
https://prezi.com/bexuqci02huk/untitled-prezi/#
I have embedded a video below of one of my favorite make up artists from Newcastle, as some colour inspiration and an example of what Newcastle has to offer within the make up industry:
The incorporation of male make up artist within my inspirations allows the gender neutral element of the magazine to remain relevant. I believe that this is a really important part of my magazine, as it opens the target audience up to both genders, as well as applying my magazine to relevant societal changes and evolvements within gender that are extremely important and are happening every day.
As further inspiration, I have created a moodboard in order to place all of my ideas:
It is apparent that I have used a variety of colors within my mood board, relating to the layout and color scheme of my magazine. It is also evident throughout my mood board that I have used a mix of gender, relating to the primary audience, whilst also informing them that the magazine is unisex. The artistry I have selected is also highly professional and attractive, portraying connotations about my magazine, whilst also ensuring the the make-up, techniques, looks and products are all of the best quality for my audience.
Friday 12 August 2016
The Brief
To create the first four pages from an original regional magazine (if done as a group task, each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style), together with the following :
- two hyperlinked pages form the magazine's website;
- a billboard advertisement for the magazine.
- two hyperlinked pages form the magazine's website;
- a billboard advertisement for the magazine.
Monday 8 August 2016
Introduction: A2 Level Media Studies Blog
Welcome to my new A2 Media Studies Blog. Here I will complete the coursework set for me within the A2 element of my Media Studies course. This will include various elements of research, planning, ideas, drafts, evaluation and more, creating the ideal basis to document the complete process of my coursework.
Due to my AS Media Studies blog proving a successful platform for last year's coursework, I felt that using my previous knowledge with blogger would benefit me with the presentation of my coursework this year.
Due to my AS Media Studies blog proving a successful platform for last year's coursework, I felt that using my previous knowledge with blogger would benefit me with the presentation of my coursework this year.
AS Reflection
The coursework I submitted for my AS Level Media Studies achieved me an A grade, which I was really pleased with. This secured a high B with the addition of my written exam, which I was happy with, although I felt like I could've achieved that all-round A grade, especially considering I was approximately 5 marks away.
This year, I need to consider that I have the same amount of time for my coursework, however, here is a lot more work that needs completing. I am aware hat I need to ensue that my work is up to he best possible standard to secure as many marks as possible for when I go into the exam.
Regarding my AS exam, I believe I must consider the extra 5 marks that I need to achieve the A at AS. I could possibly resit the AS exam at the end of this academic year, or resubmit my coursework and try to achieve the extra marks throughout my AS blog. I have spoken to my lecturer about it and he suggested that due to my grade already being considerably high, it may be difficult to gather some extra marks. I am still considering resisting the AS exam.
This year, I need to consider that I have the same amount of time for my coursework, however, here is a lot more work that needs completing. I am aware hat I need to ensue that my work is up to he best possible standard to secure as many marks as possible for when I go into the exam.
Regarding my AS exam, I believe I must consider the extra 5 marks that I need to achieve the A at AS. I could possibly resit the AS exam at the end of this academic year, or resubmit my coursework and try to achieve the extra marks throughout my AS blog. I have spoken to my lecturer about it and he suggested that due to my grade already being considerably high, it may be difficult to gather some extra marks. I am still considering resisting the AS exam.
Monday 1 August 2016
August Plan
To get my coursework off to a good start, I plan on completing various blog posts that I am familiar with as my stepping up work. I plan on reflecting on my AS Coursework, and how I will maintain and work towards improving my standard of work that resulted in a grade that I was pleased with.
I will also include the brief of the project in order to ensure that my work is heading in a specific direction, therefore allowing me to go forward and research/explore the type of area I would like to steer my product towards. Research in Model Poses, specifically into Millum & Ferguson's theoretical studies will allow me to explore how I'd like my model to pose depending on the effect I'd like to create. Magazine conventions will provide me with a good basis knowledge of how to construct my product, and then I will be able to consider masthead ideas.
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