This is my contact sheet for my second photoshoot. These photos will be used in my double-page spread in my music magazine. I decided to shoot with two different models first in front of a green screen and then next I went around the school to take some photos in different locations to get a bigger variety of images to be used in my magazine. I tried to organize the models and props used to make sure that the magazine looks interesting and engaging to help attract my target audience.
I think my photoshoot went well and I have picked out an image to use in my double-page spread.
I have created a Production Meeting Agenda for my second photoshoot. I will use this to ensure that my photoshoot goes smoothly and I use my time efficiently. I have also included what costumes I would like my models to wear so I can prepare the outfits and props before the shoot.
In the future this will help me plan good photoshoots so that I am prepared for them and use my time wisely.
Exclusive interview with Guille as he discusses his latest record-breaking album
Andrew Guille has taken the world by storm with the release of his latest album “Cowboy blues” which has reached top charts in both America and the United Kingdom. We sat down with him to discuss the future of his music and the inspiration behind some of his greatest songs.
What got you into music in the first place?
Well my dad started teaching me to play guitar when I was 9 and I started writing my own little songs when I was 13 and eventually I released my first single “Summer Song” when I was 19 which went viral on Spotify and helped me sign a record deal to release my first full album.
Who would you say has inspired you the most?
I’ve always been inspired by some of the greatest country artists of all time such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson but as for who inspired me the most I would say Hank Williams as I really enjoy his music and the creativity behind it and I try to emulate that as much as I can within my music.
How long does it take you to write each of your songs?
I usually take a few hours to write the basic lyrics and tune and then in the studio with my guitar and my producer we work out the overall tune and rhythm and flesh out the rest of the song. Overall the whole process from start to finish can take anywhere from a few days to two or three weeks depending on the complexity of the song.
If you didn’t start writing music what would you be doing now?
Well originally I was planning on going to trade school and becoming a carpenter and working for my dad at his carpentry business but he always encouraged me to follow music and that’s what I did.
If you could do a concert anywhere in the world where would you perform?
I’ve always wanted to do a concert at the O2 Arena in London as I went to watch Ed Sheeran live there a few years ago and it was absolutely amazing and I would love to perform there myself one day.
If you could meet any modern country singer, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Blake Shelton as I really enjoy his music and he seems like quite a nice guy. I especially like his song “God’s Country” and I would love to make a song with him as I feel like he has a very good voice for country and is a good songwriter.
If you could meet any classic country singer, who would it be and why?
As I said before I have always been really inspired by Hank Williams and his music and as he died so young in the 1950’s I think it would be really interesting to meet and talk to him to see what he thinks of my music and the legacy that he left behind.
Do you have any tips for any fans out there that might want to learn how to write their own songs?
The only major advice I can think of is to keep trying and no matter how hard it is at the start, eventually it will slowly become an easier process to write songs.
Guille is planning on releasing his next album in March which he promises to be filled with some of his best songs and hardest work yet which he hopes will cement his place as one of the first breakout country stars of the decade.
By Daniel Gordon (Classic Country)
Amended Version:
Exclusive interview with Guille as he discusses his latest record-breaking album
Andrew Guille has taken the world by storm with the release of his latest album; “Cowboy Blues”, which has reached top charts in both America and the United Kingdom. We classic country sat down with him to discuss the future of his music and the inspiration behind some of his greatest songs.
What got you into music in the first place?
Well, my dad started teaching me to play guitar when I was 9 and then I started writing my own little songs when I was 13 and eventually I released my first single “Summer Song” when I was 19. This went viral on Spotify and helped me sign a record deal for my first full album.
Who would you say has inspired you the most?
I’ve always been inspired by some of the greatest country artists such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. But as for who inspired me the most I would say Hank Williams as I really enjoy his music and the creativity behind it and I try to emulate that as much as I can within my own songs.
How long does it take you to write each of your songs?
I usually take a few hours to write the basic lyrics and tune and then in the studio with my guitar and my producer we work on the overall rhythm and flesh out the rest of the song. Overall the whole process from start to finish casually takes anywhere from a few days to two or three weeks depending on the complexity of the song.
If you didn’t start writing music what would you be doing now?
Well, originally I was planning on going to trade school to become a carpenter and work for my dad at his carpentry business but he always encouraged me to follow music and that’s exactly what I did.
If you could do a concert anywhere in the world where would you perform?
I’ve always wanted to do a concert at the O2 Arena in London as I went to watch Ed Sheeran live there a few years ago and it was absolutely amazing.
If you could meet any classic country singer, who would it be and why?
As I said before I have always been really inspired by Hank Williams and his music and as he died so young in the 1950s, I think it would be really interesting to meet him and talk about his music. Other than him, I would love to have met Johnny Cash before he died as I feel like he was a very interesting and complicated person and talking to him about his music would have been great.
If you could meet any modern country singer, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Blake Shelton as I really enjoy his music and he seems like quite a nice guy. I especially like his song “God’s Country” and I would love to make a song with him as I feel like he has a very good voice for country and is a good songwriter.
Guille is planning on releasing his next album in March which he promises to be filled with some of his best songs and hardest work yet which he hopes will cement his place as one of the breakout country stars of the decade.
I have analysed an article and the techniques and language used in it to understand the general layout and way that articles are written.
Please Click on the image to see the PDF
Language Analysis
‘Cash For Questions , Alt-J, Paul Stokes’
In the article there is evidence of the 5 ws and an h as the article starts by describing the band and their history and then putting in a quote from one of the band members.
The article is a q and a with the band and is structured with a small introduction describing the band’s history and then launching directly into the interview. I am also aware of the presence of the journalist through the questions he asks, however, he remains relatively anonymous as he is only telling other people’s questions. The article is written in 3rd person and this makes the reader focus on the questions and the band’s answers. There is also a clear introduction at the beginning of the interview but not much of a conclusion.
The location is clearly mentioned in the interview as it is joked about by one of the band members “I know being photographed in a library isn’t a good place to play down our bookish image,” which makes it clear the location of the interview. The library fits with the apparent reputation of the band as well as the questions that are asked as the interviewer tries to figure out if they are as nerdy as they seem or if they are troublemakers.
Throughout the interview the journalist represents the band mostly in a positive light as they seem genuine and polite throughout the questions as they joke with each other and the interviewer about seeming bookish and talk about how they were afraid to get told off in school. They also seem nice as they talk about how they wanted to take their parents out for dinner with their awards prize money. Overall the aim of the interview was to ask the band questions from their fans to allow the readers to learn more about the band and what they are like behind the scenes.
In the future, this will help me write my own articles as I now know more about how articles are written and what they generally include.
What type of shots have been used to create a variety of shot distances and how has the camera been used to communicate meaning?
Only one type of shot has been used in the contents page, so by adding extra images a greater meaning will be created for the target audience. A mid shot has been used to communicate the country genre, the stance of the model enhances the country atmosphere created by the hand positioning and crouch.
What choice of Mise en scene is appropriate for the star image and genre?
I think the costume successfully highlights the country theme, the hat and jacket further emphasises country. The background colour also connotes the country genre, however I believe that the lighting could be changed to improve star image, as the model seems slightly blurry.
How far is the font used readable and reflects the genre?
The word ‘contents’ is written in a clear font but also conveys the genre very well and I think that the font colours also reflect country. The headline fonts also convey country, however I think that black strike could be added to the white writing to enhance the emphasis on the name and make the writing clearer.
What technical conventions of a Contents page are present and used effectively?
Page numbers, cover lines and images have all been used in the contents page to present the key features of the magazine. I think that more images could be added to improve the page.
How has Indesign been used to layout the page to convey a brand?
I think that the layout of the magazine is good, but some of the headlines could be shifted slightly to the right to shape the model more and make the writing clearer. The title is not central, which makes the layout asymmetrical – not sure if it’s intentional ??
How well have the text and visuals been integrated together?
The positioning of the writing allows the model to be shaped well. But I believe the title could have improved positioning to make the contents page flow better.
Where has photoshop been used to manipulate the photos to enhance the star image or genre?
Photoshop has been to cut out the image and create the country theme. I think that the lighting could be played with in photoshop to improve the country theme.
How is the language used appropriate for the genre and target audience?
The language is appropriate for the target audience as country names have been included to convey the genre. The headlines are short which makes them quick and easy to read for the audience.
Fails to convey, lacks, insufficient, minimal, satisfactory, functional, adequate, staid
High C grade
5 Targets:
Use a font that is easier to read with the names
Add a black strike to the white writing to enhance the emphasis on the word Contents
Use photoshop to edit the image to be less blurry and have better lighting.
Make the contents title more centered at the top of the screen
Move the number 29 article further away from the model as it is a bit obscured.
Contents pages are made up of many aspects such as the images surrounding the titles and coverlines as well as the general format of the page and information on it. I have analysed several contents pages from other music magazines and then come up with my own designs for a contents page.
Next, I have come up with 5 different catchy headlines that would appeal to my target audience by either entertaining them or attracting them using something that interests them. Here are my catchy headlines:
Johnny Cash’s never before seen interview
Get started on playing guitar in 3 simple steps
The life and legacy of Hank Williams explained
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani discuss their recent marriage
Dolly Parton’s favourite country song of all time
I have come up with headlines based around the AIDA process and trying to get the readers to want to take action by reading the various articles found within the magazine. Contents pages also include an index and page numbers to help their reads navigate the magazine correctly.
In the future doing this will help me make a good contents page that fits within the general conventions of my genre while containing everything that contents pages generally include.
Whilst making the first draft of my front cover I made sure that my magazine fit the conventions of the genre that my target audience had come to expect from country music magazines. This will help it appeal to the uses and gratifications theory of entertainment, information, social interaction and personal identity. You also need to make sure that you think about the attention, interest, desire and action process to allow the audience to remain interested with the magazine. I think I did a good job at paying attention to these things in my first draft but some things I would like to improve include: including some form of interaction for the readers and giving them some kind of action to do.
In the future what I have learned will help me by helping me think about my work and make sure that I fit the specific requirements of my genre while also making it appeal to my audience and keep them engaged in the magazine.
These are my contact sheets from my photoshoot with Kai Townsend in the black studio. I like how most of them turned out and how they suit the genre of country music and I like my model’s body language in several of the images. I adjusted the lights a few time and experimented with some darker lights but ended up preferring a brighter look as I though it went better with my model’s western-themed outfit to fit with the country brand. I used a hat and waistcoat from the media room as well as some jeans, a belt and some boots that Kai brought himself. I think these props come together well to make him a more convincing country star. Here are my favourite two of the photos:
I like these two as the body language and outfit he’s wearing come together to give him the star image of a country star and I think these two suit the genre the best. In doing this I have learned how to do a photo shoot as well as how to use the camera’s correctly, book a photo shoot and work with a model which will be very helpful in the future.
My magazine is called Classic Country and now that I have decided on a name I need to design a masthead. I also need to make sure the masthead has a good design and fits with the genre. I chose a specific font to fit with the country brand and general conventions associated with the genre. While designing the masthead I made sure to keep my audience in mind and make sure the design appeals to their interests while also catching their attention and appeals to them to get them to want to take action and buy the magazine. Here is the design I created:
This is the design as its the one that catches my eye the most and its also fits into the country music genre. By completing this task I have used by design skills to work with my genre and its helped me design a major feature of my music magazine front cover.
I have found ten different front covers of other magazines that I think look good:
The front cover of a magazine is easily one of the most important aspects of a magazine as it is the first part of the magazine that is presented to the target audience. I especially like the font shown in the magazines on the top left as well as I really like the choice of the colour pallette in the bottom right as I liek hwo it displays the cover model. I think the graphics of the cover in the middle bottom is well done as they used photo manipulation to bring colour to the graphic of Hank Williams who died in 1953 before the magazine was made. I also really like the coverline of the one second from the bottom right as I think it catches the audiences eye and makes people take notice with it’s boldness and simplicity.
By analysing these other front covers I have gained a higher understanding of how to layout my front cover and how to make my star appear in my own music magazine.
