My first draft corrections:

I read through my double-page spread article in order to check for any spelling or punctuation mistakes and to also make sure that it reads well. By doing this, I have found some things that I need to adapt and change:

• spelling and punctuation
• sentence structure
• finding adjectives for words so I don’t repeat them
• the natural flow of the article

Second draft:

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Targets for development: 

• be more specific on the location – make it personal to the artist
• add some reported speech to make it a bit more varied – e.g. went on to explain a stpry of her youth (can then go back to verbatim speech)
• mention one of the songs in a little more detail
• comments/observations from the journalist
• add some personal journalist opinion/reference at the end

Below I have done some research and planning on what to include in my double-page spread. The planning I have done can help me in the future, especially when it comes to focusing my thoughts. It will be a good guide to look back on.

Part of the task is to not only take the photos and do the design of the magazine; but I am also required to write the double page article. Therefore, I have analysed an article from a professional music magazine and consider how it is written. I have also considered the target audience and how their needs, uses and pleasure of this media text are fulfilled.

Their needs, uses and pleasures included:

• Up to date information (gigs, trends, available media)

• Fashion ideas / new looks

• Gaining an insight into stars’ lives and personalities

• A reflection of their own values, attitudes and beliefs

My evaluation: 

Click on image to see article

This interview from Billboard magazine (June, 20, 2015) by Shirley Halperin is called ‘Adam Lambert: Don’t Look Back’. The artist, Adam Lambert talks about his experience with music artists and producing music. In the interview, we are not aware that there is an journalist present because Lambert is speaking without being interrupted. This makes us as an audience feel more included, as if we are with the artist ourselves. The interview is written in first person which allows us to feel like we are having a conversation with the artist, making the reader feel more important.

There is an obvious introduction and conclusion which sets the scene for the reader, making it clear when the interview was started and ended. In the introduction, Halperin sets the scene by telling the reader that they are in a penthouse in Hollywood and Lambert is “still searching for his sweet spot”. This makes the audience interested in the artist because they want to see what happens next in the artists life and if he finds his “sweet spot”. The conclusion is similar to the introduction as Lambert says “Life’s about exploring new things”. This positive conclusion portrays that it is always good to look forwards and try new things.

The interview has an informal tone, making us feel like we are getting an insight into our favourite artists life. Throughout the interview there are images and colours which also keeps the reader hooked. The quote “I think I’m searching for some sort of answer” makes the reader feel sympathy for the artist as they see his struggles with the music he produces, however the journalist presents the artist in a positive light as a hardworking and ethical artist who respects and loves his fans, likes to take oppourtunities and who pushes himself to be the best person he can be. The reader learns that Lambert analyses his work and is extremely critical of his music, reinforcing his hardworking nature to make his music perfect. Through the soft tone and the use of the first person, the article presents Lambert as a genuine and kind-hearted individual, making the audience like the artist, enabling them to connect with and relate to him.

Changes made from Draft 1:

• experiment with the background
• make the plug larger
• move the inset

Other changes I have made:

• changed the font of the main cover line to isolate it more
• added captions
• changed the direction my model was facing so that his eyes looked at the information – drawing my audiences eyes there too
• made ’20’ larger so it comes out of the bubble making it pop more
• added a drop shadow onto my inset, pugs and main cover line, giving the front cover a 3D effect

Click on image to see PDF

What I need to do now:

• finish cutting out my models hair
• replace my inset image so that my stars don’t appear more than once
• continue experiementing with the background image
• experiment with different colour schemes

Click on image to see PDF

This is my first draft for my front cover of my magazine. I asked my peers what they thought of it and this is the response I recieved:

• move the right hand inset down so it doesn’t obstruct the face or the masthead
• make the plug larger to attract the audience more
• experiment with different colour and texture background
• cut out the model’s hair more
• the fonts are effective and suited to the genre
• the layout is conventional to the genre

So to improve my frist draft I will:

• experiement with my background colour
• change the colour and layout of the inset
• make the plug larger

Here are the contact sheets from my first shoot:

Below are some images that are my favourite, not only because they are in focus but also because my models are looking directly at the camera and their facial expressions and body language is communicating a fun and friendly tone.

In my shoot, I achieved some of my aims: I was able to get some images in focus and my models used different facial expressions and were posing in different positions. I am definately considering some of these images for my front cover of my magazine.

These are my initial ideas for my mast head designs for my magazine. I wanted them to be bold and simple in order to stand out on a colourful background, whilst also being able to appeal to any gender. My favourite designs are the third, seventh and eighth ones because they are simple but also eye catching and have a pop vibe to them. On the eighth design, I really like the fullstop on the end because it makes it complete.

I have planned my agenda for my first photo shoot. It is really important to plan your shoots so that there is no confusion in what costumes are needed and who is bringing them and what time and place the shoot is taking place at.

Overall, my aims for this shoot is to get some good quality images of my models that I can use for my front cover and my double page spread. I aim to have my models in different positions with different facial expressions and I also aim to have some images of my models in different costumes to create a range of looks for my magazine.

Below are the costumes for my models:

In this task, I researched my competition for my pop magazine ‘Express‘ in order to see where the gaps are in the market and what I need to do to make my magazine successful. It is really important to do this research because it shows you what is conventional of your chosen genre and what you need to include but it also allows you to see what you could include to make your magazine unique so that it stands out to your target audience. Below is my presentation about my competition:

Please click on my image to view my presentation about my competition