Work In Progress: Evaluation - Question 1

At the moment, I am in progress of drafting up question 1 out of the 7.

Evaluation Plan

So far, I have planned the first 4 questions. The rest is in progress. 

Completed Work

Work In Progress: Completed Contents Page

Work In Progress: Contents Page

Work In Progress Update

Cover page complete.
Contents Page is in progress and incomplete.
DPS is incomplete.

Work In Progress

I re-did my cover page and this is officially the final product. The contents page is in progress. 

Work In Progress: Content and Cover Page

Completed cover page.
Contents page is in progress.

Work In Progress: Cover Page Progress

This is my cover page so far. I need to add more cover lines, add the publishing date and the price.

Work In Progress; Magazine Cover Options

Today, I have been working on my cover page. I have made two cover pages as I am unsure if I should have a girl band on the front page or have a single artist. I like the cover page with the girl band on it, however I feel like it is too filled and takes up a lot of space ,therefore there won't be enough space for a puff, coverlines and a barcode on the page. Next lesson I will be working on my cover lines and deciding which cover page I am going to work with.

Work In Progress: Creating My Contents Page

So far, I have started to create my contents page. I chose to start by creating the layout however i Haven't finished. Later on, I will be making a plan for my DPS article and since I have no pictures yet I haven't started to create the cover page, although i've made a plan for the 3 pages which is shown in my previous blog post. I will take photos on Thursday but later on today I will be making a plan/draft for my DPS.

Magazine Plan

This is my plan for my magazine.

So far, I have completed the plan for the cover page, contents page and DPS.

New Choice Of The Magazine Name

New magazine name:
- Dynamic.

I have chosen the name "Dynamic" because the meaning of dynamic is:

- Positivity in attitude.
- Full of energy.
- New ideas.
- There is a process.

This name will be good for my magazine because the artists who I will be including will be fresh and up and coming, therefore they will be like a "new idea" also being dynamic is being enthusiastic. There are many synonyms linked with the word Dynamic like vigorous, effective and powerful. It sounds raw and could link with the genre of my magazine.

Meeting Anna Smith

Today, we went on a trip to Regents Street Cinema & we had a talk with Anna Smith. Regent Street Cinema was made in 1896, which is one of the oldest cinemas in London.  She is a film critic and mostly indulges in that particular category ,however she gave us some advice about music journalism but she didn't enjoy that type of journalism therefore she went onto film. 

She talked to us about journalism & her career of being a film critic which helped us to see her lifestyle. She has met famous actors and actresses and has written for numerous of newspapers. 

Proposal Feedback Evaluation

I presented my prezi in class before half term and I received some constructive criticism from my fellow classmates. I posted it onto youtube so I could post it into my blog and I watched it over so I could remind myself of the presentation. As a shy person, I didn't present properly and I don't do well under pressure so I wasn't answering the questions that were thrown at me properly.

My Ideas Before Feedback: 
- I was going to call my magazine "Unleashed" , "Official, or "Mainstream" but I liked "Unleashed" more.
- My genre was R&B and Hip Hop.
- My price was undecided.

Feedback:
- Classmates didn't like my magazine name as they thought that it was a bit childish and a bit basic and didn't stand out.
- They asked how my magazine was different from XXL ,since I chose to do the same genre of them, Hip Hop and R&B, and I didn't know how to answer the question since it was on the spot.
- I should think of a price for my magazine.
- Develop my ideas for the contents.

My Changed Ideas Based On The Feedback:
- I am going to change my magazine name from "Unleashed" to "Dynasty" - I have chosen this name because Dynasty means a group of people or family that have power. My magazine will create bonds and togetherness and with the articles I will be writing, I will be able to create a bond with the artists and as an industry, creating links will help me to boost the popularity which will help to increase the power of the magazine that has been created as a team. My magazine promotes power.
- Instead of doing Hip Hop and R&B, I am going to do Grime and R&B - this is because there isn't many grime magazines, maybe even none, and my magazine was too similar to XXL so I changed the genre.
- The price for my magazine will be £2.99 - so it's affordable for students since my target audience is 16-25 as it is the legal age for you to start working and as a person who likes Grime and R&B I know that most people around my age like this genre as well. It is is cheap but not too cheap since the contents will be detailed and well thought through.
- There will be interview pages, competitions, artist profiles, a variety of photography etc..

Hopefully my changed ideas based on the feedback will help me to create a better DPS, Cover Page and Contents Page and was better than my original ideas.

Stay tuned.

My Magazine Proposal Live

Work In Progress: Photography Induction - Videos

I recorded some videos of Scott directing us around the photography studio which I can use for reference if I forget how to use the equipment. Scott taught us how to use the cameras which was a Nikon. For example, he taught us how to use the lights and how you can create a powerful flash or a dim flash - this will help us to create the lighting that we want for our photos, 

 (Videos may not be in chronological order)

Work In Progress: Photography Induction - Pictures

During the photography induction, I took pictures of the photography room and the way it was set out. I took pictures of the Soft Boxes, Scott directing us around the studio and using examples of the equipment. I took the photos differently and some had different filters and a use of panorama so everything in the room could be shown.  

Work In Progress: Photography Induction

Today in lesson, we had a photography induction with Scott and he taught us how to use the cameras, where everything is in the room , the studio flash kit and how to use the lights which are called 'Soft Boxes' - The flash units.


Lights: 
The soft boxes are the 2 square-like lights which help to create a more natural effect for the photographs. The light boxes help to soften and diffuse light. Scott taught us to set the soft boxes to 3 and 1.5 which creates a 2:! lighting ratio and the soft boxes shouldn't be no higher than 4 but if it is higher than 4 then the soft box has to be moved further away from the model since it creates a lot of light/flash. Soft boxes have the ability to extend higher and lower. There is a snoot, which is the small light at the back which helps to focus all of the light.

When you're finished with the session, make sure to manually turn off the lights instead of turning it off at the mains.


Camera:
- Depending on the camera, you should change the settings from Auto to M.
- Make sure you support the camera - don't hold the camera with one hand - otherwise it will be shaky and unfocused.
- If you're taking a photograph for the cover page, take it in a portrait style so you can see everything clearly and the page will be A4.
Auto Focus: Zooming in and out.
Fine Focus: It's locked - meaning if it bleeps then it's focused and will create a shot..
Manual Focus: You can move the lens however you like.


Other Details: The model(s) should sit far from the backdrop otherwise they will just bleach into the background and create shadows.

My Music Magazine Proposal Prezi

Photography Call Sheet

Masthead Tryout

Today in class, we were learning how to use Adobe Illustrator and we were messing around with the tools. So far, I created this but I know there can be further improvements made. I might change the masthead name and the style.

Distribution Of Magazines

There are several ways magazines, any type of magazines,can be distributed. Some are popular methods but some aren't as popular.

Publishers: Publishers are the places that produce the magazines before they are even distributed. For example, in the UK we have 4 large publishers - Conde Nast, EMAP Bauer, IPC and NatMag. But in America there could be much more publishers since that is mainly where all the music is created. A publisher's role is to be in charge of the way a magazine is designed and the content from the editors. They are in charge of advertisement as well and what sort of adverts will be included. They come up with ideas on how certain magazines should be distributed and how many issues there will be. Hence, if it will be a monthly issue or a weekly issue. It is up to them.

Distribution Networks: This is an extension on the publishers role. They manage the magazine from the beginning to the end. From the idea of the magazine to the newsstand where the magazine is showcased, which is distributed by lorries all over the area. Magazines are mainly sold in supermarkets like Sainsburys and newsagents; even WHSmith.

Sale or Return: This is the policy that if copies of magazines are not sold, they would have to be returned to the publisher and the shop owner will not be charged. Therefore, it is an advantage for the shop owner as they won't be charged, although it is an disadvantage to the distributor as they see it as wasteful, especially to the environment since a lot of paper is used.

Direct Distribution: This is the method where magazines are just given out for free. They are mainly given to you directly in busy areas like train stations. Another word for Direct Distribution is 'Freemiums' ,as the customer is receiving it for free however the magazine is paid for by advertisements.

Subscriptions: In magazines, there could be a subscription slip where you can get discounts on the magazine. This is mostly aimed at regular customers who are interested in the magazine. They receive the magazines in the post or an electronic device before the issue actually comes out in shops.

E-Mags (Online Magazines): E-Mags are electronic versions of a hard-copy magazine. These can be used on tablets as an app or a website. They include the same thing a normal magazine would have like page numbers, you can turn the page by sliding and includes adverts too. Most E-Mags are free.

Apps: Since hard-copy magazines aren't that popular anymore; most magazines have created an app for smartphones and tablets which include all the content a normal, physical magazine would have. Most of these apps are free.

Electronic Brand Extension; This means that they have social media networks like Facebook and Instagram. This shows all the information and can help to notify readers what is going on regularly since majority of the population uses social media.

Magazine Newsstand Task

The other day I went to a small WHSmith and I saw these magazine newsstands. 

Looking at the pictures, I can see that here is no music magazine shown on the newsstand however I can see a variety of gossip magazines, kids magazines, wedding & TV magazines along with word searches. This can show that music magazines are not that popular, therefore they don't need to be displayed. Also you can read magazines online since technology has become advanced now which can cause the music magazine business to decrease.

In many shops, there is a section for magazines and they are placed in different categories which makes it much easier and conventional for the buyer to find what they want and purchase it. The buyer is able to find the magazine they want since magazines are placed in a certain way so that the masthead can be shown. Generally, the masthead is in the top left corner of a magazine cover and this is evident in the pictures that I have taken from the newsstand. 

Mastheads are always shown since most magazines are popular therefore they have to stand out and be shown so it can be found and they have to appeal to the audience and make you want pick it up and read it. 

Initial Magazine Proposal

Today in lesson, we were planning our magazine proposal and what is going to be included in my magazine. So far I have planned 2 titles that I could use, the genre and my target audience. But I need to plan the context - like the artists and what cover lines and what articles I will be writing. I will be continuing my magazine proposal outside of class.

Ideas From My Case Studies

There were many parts of the magazines, that I analysed for the case studies, that I liked, which were suitable for my genre. Hopefully, from the ideas of both Mixmag and XXL, I can be able to include the things I like from their magazines, into mine.

For example, in my analysis of Mixmag, I liked:

• The boldness of the masthead and how it stood out from the text. It was a different size and font from the rest. This shows the importance that the masthead holds.  
• The colour scheme: all the colours linked well and matched with each other.
• How the front cover was neat and aligned correctly by using a gutter. This makes it easier to read and is more professional and organized. 
• The way everything was visible and you could read everything clearly. The font wasn't too small or too big - it was easy to read.
• How their was a lot of images being used in the contents page. This makes it look interesting as you can see what they're going to be talking about and it catches the readers eye. There wasn't too much words and the colours on the contents page worked out well. I liked how the contents page was black with a double page spread; this makes it less squashed and spaced out but it also uses a lot of images that are laid out properly.

In my analysis of XXL, I liked:

• How the masthead was behind all the artists, this makes the artists stand out since they're the main focus.
• How the name of the magazine is quite short and is abbreviated.
• The uniqueness of the cover page, it used a graffiti style to link with the genre of music - Hip Hop - which makes it urban.
• The cover page and the contents page had a clear link, the pages consisted of the same colour scheme and had similar images. The contents page was also a double page spread.
• They produced well written articles and analysed well. The writer made the readers feel included and they used popular artists, in this case ,NWA, to drag their attention and read the article. Also, during the article they used all terminology and included images to keep the readers engaged. 

I would like my magazine to have a well thought out cover page that has a unique style and have a clear house style. I would like the pages to link together and have a clear format.

College Magazine - Audience Feedback and Evaluation

Audience Feedback: What went well? - From the comments on my previous blog post, I received some positive feedback from a few of my classmates. One of them mentioned how they liked the cover photo as it looked professional and it was good quality and mentioned that the font went well with the cover photo. Another classmate said that my front cover included all the main requirements needed and that the style and mise en scene of the front cover works well. I mainly got positive comments on the photography and the cover page.

Self-Evaluation: What went well? - For me, what went well was the photography, even though I took the pictures on my phone it still came out good since the models look natural and you can see everything clearly. I created a skyline accurately and the skyline is linked to the college theme. I have included a barcode, cover lines, a masthead, a puff, the price and the date of the issue. These are main requirements in any magazine not just music and I think I did them effectively however there could be improvements. I made the masthead stand out by using effects and tools on PhotoShop; this shows the importance that the masthead has.  The spaces on the cover page were used effectively and I didn't leave it blank apart from a few places as I didn't know what to place there. I like how the cover lines are bold which contrasts against the photo.  Personally, I think that the cover page is better than the contents page.

The contents page is alright looking since I have included a few pictures that all link to education and sports and I have included page numbers alongside the titles of the page. A classmate commented that the contents page has an interesting layout but I could have included more. The contents page is simple and straightforward unlike most magazine.

Audience Feedback: What do I need to improve on? - From the comments on my blog post, I have received some constructive criticism on what I should have done by my classmates.  For example, one of them said that I should have spaced out the cover lines and have more college related cover lines but they also said that for the contents page, I should have spaced the photos out neatly so that there wouldn't be any empty space and use different colours instead of black and white. Although, another classmate said I should have linked the content page to the front cover. 

Self-Evaluation: What do I need to improve on? -I agree with the feedback from the classmates and I need to improve on how to make a better looking contents page since that was my weak point. I didn't know how to structure it and what to add. I could have used different colours instead of black and white. I could have used pull quotes, drop caps and columns to make it look realistic and be effective. I have a lot to improve on.

Key points for development - One thing that could have been developed was the photographs. Even though, I created some good quality photos on my phone camera, it would have looked more professional and better quality if I used a professional camera. Another thing that could have been developed is the structure of my contents page, this is because It looks too simple and nothing like a music magazine contents page, as it wasn't lively at all. Last thing that could have been developed was the cover page. Personally, I think that the cover page was good , however the cover liens were a bit squashed and I didn't create an effective looking puff. Overall, the college magazine practise has helped me improve a bit of my skills but has notified me on what I need to do to improve when I make my real music magazine cover.

Finished College Magazine Cover & Contents Page

My finished pages.. but there is room for improvement.

Work In Progress: College Magazine

Today in class, I was working on my cover page and my contents page. So far, I have made a start on my contents page and almost completed my cover page. I have used both InDesign and PhotoShop to make both of these pages. Later on in lessons and outside of lessons, I will continue to create my pages and improve them further.

Photoshoot

Today, I took some photographs for my magazine cover and contents page.

College Magazine Plan

In class, we have been looking at college magazines and how they are both different and similar to professional music magazines. We are going to be making our own college magazine but it will just be the cover and the contents page. So far, I have planned how both pages are going to look like but when I make the pages, it might turn out differently. 

<-- So far, this is what I planned the magazine cover to look like.

<-- And this what I planned the contents page to look like. 

Let's see how the actual pages turn out..

XXL: Press Pack

This shows the targeted audience for the XXL Magazine and who there readers are and who they want there readers to be.

XXL has created a target audience and this is their rough idea of what they want their target audience to be. They presume that majority of their readers are male and older than 21.