Category Archives: Component 1

1st Draft of DPS

This is my first draft for my double page spread. After doing my first draft of my double page spread using my location shoot photos I have things I can add and improve on to make it the best it can be for my magazines final result.

(click on image to see bigger)

My Targets:

  1. Add more effects to the text to make the text more readable and noticeable.
  2. write a byline (and photography)
  3. drop capital is where the article starts
  4. sort out line spacing
  5. get rid of hyphenations
  6. edit main image in photoshop
  7. caption the inset
  8. backing box of the quote
  9. no punctuation in the headlines or quotes
  10. continuity with the columns…some justified some not
  11. more space after the stand first..
  12. play with some graphics…jazz graphics?

 

Second Shoot Contact Sheets

This was my shoot for my contents page and double page spread. The location of the shoot was Castle Cornet which I think was a good location as the setting and scenery was a good match for my jazz theme.  I used the denotation of a young teen models to encode my unique selling point which is ‘inspire people of all ages to listen to jazz’ as I think by using a young model it will make my magazine relatable to the younger generation. I used mise-en-scene to connote a jazz genre feel. I used costume to do this, I used a basic white suit shirt, suit trousers and black tie for the male model to make him old-school and classy. For the female model I dressed her in a flowy, 60s dress with knee high boots and pearls as accessories to again give an old-school and retro feel to the magazine. 

I used my knowledge of camera skills and photography to get the best photos possible. I used the rule of thirds to help draw attention to the models and catch the viewers eyes. I also used the auto-focus feature to make sure my models re in focus so I can get the highest quality photos. If I were to do this shoot again I would keep the costumes and props the same however I would go to more locations around Castle Cornet to get a bigger variety of photos. I would also get the models to do more poses as they all are in the same positions throughout the photos.

  

After doing my shoot I looked through all my images and these are two of my favorite photos. I like the way that I have used the rule of thirds to get the best framing for the photos to make sure they fit the magazine pages well. I like that I have a lot of area around the models so that I can put text there for example my article for my double page spread. I also like the lighting in both pictures as they aren’t too under or over exposed. I also think it helps show the colour scheme of the jazz genre by having either a plain background such as the wall or a more colorful background such as the garden.

Language Analysis

Reference

This is a Q&A article released in 2017 called Cash For Question interviewing band ALT-J. The interview is written by Paul Stokes and Photography from Adam Lawrence and features the band answering questions asked by the journalist and the public.

(click on image to see bigger)

Structure of the Article

The article starts with a paragraph about the band and introduces them. It mentions where they met – “Having met at Leeds University, the trio have over three albums”. The intro also mentions what their music consists of and mentions famous artists such as Miley Cyrus – “A shape-shifting hybrid of indie, folk and electronica that takes in both Miley Cyrus samples”. Near the end of the intro it also adds some dialogue from the band itself talking about their nerdy image – “I know being photographed in a library isn’t a good place to play down our bookish image,” jokes singer and keyboard player Gus Unger-Hamilton”. After the introduction the journalist starts the Q&A with the band, writing the questions in bold and answers in lowercase with then initials of which member of the band answered placed before the answer. There is no official outro for the article with it ending with a last question and then on the next page of the double page spread a photo of the band and a singular quote in large from one of the band members – “We played Kendal Calling and they mistakenly listed us as ‘The Triangle Band’”. The colour scheme for the article is mainly black, white and red; white as the background, main text in black and certain texts in red.

Presence of the Journalists

The journalist is barely mentioned in the article with it mainly just being dialogue from the band members of them answering questions. There is a slight presence of the journalist before every answer to questions as it is him asking the questions however apart from this and the journalists name in the header of the article name they are barely mentioned. This sort of technique when writing an article could be used to give the reader a more relatable and personal connection to the artist/star making them feel more involved with the magazine.

Sense of Location, Event, Person Being Interviewed

Although ALT-J’s success is highlighted in the article – “2012’s Mercury Prize-winning An Awesome Wave, 2014’s chart topping This Is All Yours and this year’s Relaxer” the band are portrayed as ordinary, down to earth people which again, could help the magazine when trying to make the readers feel connected to the artists/star. There is no negative, hard hitting subjects involved or asked in the Q&A which is good for the band and the magazine as it portrays the band as happy, positive people which will remind the readers of a positive feeling when hearing about the magazine or reading a future article.

Conclusion

Overall this is a good article. The star (ALT-J) are represented in a joyous way making the reader match the positive emotions. The journalist is rarely mentioned or interrupting the stars dialogue giving the readers of the magazine a closer connection and personal feel to the artist/star.

Draft of Contents Page

(click on image to see bigger)

My 5 Targets:

  1. Use more music related language – starting to look like a fashion magazine
  2. Make page numbers bigger and bolder – try justifying coverlines
  3. Get a better photo of the model – use Photoshop to cut her out, brighten complexion
  4. Use a different layout that isn’t as simple
  5. Use a bigger variety of colours – potentially less reds

What is a Contents Page?

All magazines need a contents page to tell the reader what is inside the magazine and where what they are looking for is for example a page number will tell you where to find the article you are looking for. I researched different contents pages from music and fashion magazines to help me when I design my own contents page. When researching I noticed the contents page consists of six main things:

  • Editors hello
  • Page numbers
  • Hyperbole and superlatives in headlines
  • Images and word clues
  • Graphic illustrations and designs
  • Reminder of the magazine’s name and mission statement

Below is three draft contents pages I drew that will include page numbers, information and images to interest and attract my target audience to read my magazine.

(click on images to see bigger)

When creating a contents page you are also going to want to use catch headlines to attract an audience and keep them reading. Below is five catchy headlines that I could use in my magazine to target my preferred audience.

  1. The Top 5 Secrets to Becoming The Next Hot Star
  2. Are You Using The Right Beauty Products? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
  3. Daily Habits You Need to Start Now
  4. Exclusive Interview With Bella Monroe
  5. A Shocking Confession From The Members of Sax

Researching headlines is vital when making a contents page as it is the headlines which is going attract and give the audience a sense of desire to read the magazine. For example by using a word such as ‘secrets’ in a headline gives an idea of mystery to the reader; the word ‘exclusive’ makes the reader feel a personal connection to the artist and could remind the reader of something relatable when reading the magazine making the magazine successful and helping it attract an audience.

First Shoot Contact Sheets

These are my contact sheets from my first shoot for my music magazine front cover. Overall I am pleased with how they came out and I think the match the general look of a jazz magazine front cover. I used the denotation of a young, teen model to encode my unique selling point which is ‘inspire people of all ages to listen to jazz’ as I think by using a young model it will make my magazine relatable to the younger generation. I used the conventions of mise-en-scene (composition, props, actors, sets, costumes, and lighting) to help show this as well. For example I used 60s old-school costume and makeup such as sequins and a feather boa and 60s eyeshadow to highlight the jazz element.

I used my camera and photography knowledge to help get the best possible photo as well. I used the auto focus feature to make sure my model was clear and not blurry at all so the viewers can see their full emotion. I made sure the camera settings were all correct as well, by changing the ISO to 100, F stop to F8 and Shutter speed 1/60. If I were to do this shoot again I would keep the same or similar costume and props however I would probably try the black backdrop or turn the lights down to give the photo more depth and a different narrative. I could also change the costume and makeup to encode a more modern jazz narrative instead of classical, 1960s jazz.

So What Am I Up Against?

For my magazine to be successful and attract the correct target audience it is essential for me to research the competition in the industry. Doing research on other magazines and competition is useful as it allows me to see what I am up against and what conventions I need to use in my music magazine in order for it to be consumed by my target audience and be successful.

 

 

Loading...

Loading…