Final Magazine Double Page Spread

This is my final product of the double page spread for my music magazine as my main task.
Firstly I inserted a grainy textured background image and then used 'colourise' in Image Effects to make it lighter shade of cream. 

I then inserted the different sized triangles using the 'shape' tool and rearranged to the suited position. Consecutively, I converted the shape object to an image frame and inserted the model images I had taken previously.

For the lower right image on the double page spread, I had to rearrange the photos within the frame in order for the model in the triangles to match up.

I filtered 4 of images to 'grayscale' through Image Effects.

With the remaining images, I have adjusted the brightness to -8 and blurred the images to 1.0 radius to give it that more mysterious, 'hazy' effect in relation to the artist's name. 

I then inserted the artist's name logo image, which had been used on my contents page, to the upper right of the double page spread, as it is a major insert of text. However, I altered it slightly by blurring the image to add the effect of haziness.

I drew 3 lines which run across the double page in different directions and on occasions aline with the triangle frames and/or the text. I altered the shade of black on the two lines and changed the other line colour to a lighter blue. I also went onto Windows-Properties and chose the add an end and start arrow; a triangle and a circle. 

Using the text tool I inserted the 'New Artist' bold headline and adjusted the colour, varying the shade of black as well as the type of font which is consistently 'Letter Gothic Std.' 

Having pre-wrote my article, I copied and pasted the large quantity of text into different text frames by paragraph in order to work around the triangle images. I changed the font to 'Letter Gothic Std' and changed the introduction to the article to 'bold'. I also changed the colour to light pink, of the quote that appears in the centre of the article to show its relevance.

I inserted another text frame in the lower right area of the double page spread to insert another quote from another magazine and changed the font to show its disconnection from the main text having not been taken from the 'supposed' information from an interview with 'Haze'. 
I inserted an image frame for the quotation marks taken from the internet. 

Final Layout for Double Page Spread

Film Production

Film Production from reigatemedia

Idea and Development

Management

Scheduling

Decided by the First Assistant Director in tandem with the Director. Only the director knows how long he or she will take to pull off a movie, and according to this, the schedule is drawn. A schedule outlines the basics: Where do we meet? What do we do? Who has to show up? And When do they have to show up?

Budgeting

Based on all the other factors, a full detailed production budget is drawn up. Big budget studios can afford to overrun their budgets, independent filmmakers cannot. Underestimating the budget is one of the greatest causes of production failure, and it is usually the result of the inability of the filmmaker to acknowledge reality. The responsibility of preparing the budget lies with the Production Manager. 

Production Management

Production Management is the running of day to day operations of a movie. The person on whom this responsibility is thrust is the Production Manager.

Meetings

Meetings are the most time-consuming parts of pre-production. People from every department have to meet

Administration

Legal and accounting

Every production must have a solid legal foundation. At the end of the day all debits and credits will flow through certified accountants, who will minutely inspect every detail. These are checks and balances that are in place to ensure everyone’s doing their job, and no money is being wasted or robbed

Permits

Permits will have to be obtained from locations, individuals, agencies, governmental organizations, private organizations, and so on. These are legitimate documents valid in the eyes of the law; usually prepared by the legal team, and enforced by the production team

Writing

Screenplay/Script

Before this happens, scene numbers are etched in stone, and then never changed. If more scenes are added, they are given new numbers or letters (like 3a, for a new scene between 3 and 4, and so on); this draft will be scrutinized in minute detail by many individuals

Breakdowns

A script is ‘broken down’ into the following documents: Location breakdown; Cast breakdown; Crew breakdown; Scene breakdown; Effects breakdown (if any). A breakdown is just a list of items of that particular type, organized, sorted, studied and tabulated for easy understanding and review

Research

At every stage of the production, the research ‘team’ finds and distills information to ‘scannable’ form for the director or writer, especially where detail is necessary

Previs or Storyboarding

Storyboarding is the art of drawing or rendering frames as visualized by the director; usually done by a storyboard artist. When it is done on computer, you call it Previz, or pre-visualization taking the form of still frames, presentations, motion, 3D animations etc.

Shooting Script 

Numbered list of shots, with a description of the framing and other details such as focal length and camera movement 

Pre-Production

Casting

Casting directors find actors who match directors specifications and hold auditions

Locations

Contact film location scouts who find candidates for your location

Script Breakdown

A move producer identifies every item needed for movie’s shoots including location, props and effects

Tech Scout

Purpose is for the director to visit every location with the heads of department and precisely explain what each shot will entail: where the camera will be; details of camera movement; what the actors will be doing; and what the look of the scene must be

Timetabling by the first Assistant Director

1st AD uses directors shot list to draw up schedule for each day of the shoot. Schedules shots in order of lighting or camera set ups

Production Design

Production designer designs and oversees the production of set pieces and arranges the procurement of anything that needs to be purchased; plants, furniture etc. costume designer does the same

Production

Rehearsals

Blocking the shot-walk the actors through the shots and determine what they do in relation to the camera. Directors viewfinders around to refine and tweak shots; choosing focal length, camera placement, actor’s marks etc. Changes can still be made without loss of time and money

Setting up shots

Director tells cinematographer where to put the camera, which lens to use and details of camera movement

Checking the take

The director reviews the takes on the video monitor and tweaked and repeated until satisfied. Reviewing is taken into the editing room where every single detail is noticed and possibly improved

Post Production

Editing

Editing all the materials that were gathered during shooting, thus assembling it into a fluent, consistent film. This is also time to insert the overlay of adjustments and effects that creates the full cinematic experience you have envisioned. Going through the footage, cutting and re-arranging it, discarding what is not needed and making sure that what remains tells the story clearly. Color corrections are made and sometimes a narration is added. This is the time to title the film.

Sound Mixing

Involves adding any necessary sound effects, setting the level of each soundtrack and making the soundtrack as seamless as possible 

Music

Hire a composer and direct him/her on when a music cue must stop and start; instruments to hear; whether it should be happy or sad; and its speed.

Test Screenings

When you have first cut of movie, including music, test screening with small number of people who feedback what was good and bad, deciding what needs to be improved or cut.

Representation of Ethnicity

Jules and Jess have lots in common:

• They are the same age.
• They both share the same dream – to play professional football.
• They are both attracted to the same man.
• They both come into conflict with their mothers because they are not ‘feminine’ – they don’t want to cook, wear make-up or frilly underwear.

Although they come from very different cultures, it is the similarities between them, and their experience of growing up, that are highlighted by the film’s language.

Wedding to Football  

The jump cut between the wedding scenes and the football match highlights the contrast in ethnic normalities; the costume and actions oppose each other. The non-diegetic sound in this scene, however, links the two races together as it is suited to neither of the shots specifically and represents the idea of multi cultural societies. 

Indian Culture 

On the other hand, at other times in the film, when there are scenes of Jess’ house or family, or even Indian food and decoration, Indian style music accompanies the shots, either as diegetic, for parties and listening to it, or non diegetic, as a transition between relevant shots.

British Influence 0:24

There are a number of Sikh religious references made by Jess’ family and in laws but, especially by Jess and her sister, there is definite evidence of being a British Asian having an impact on the way the younger generations speak, act and think. Although Pinky and her friends are Indian by descent, they’re very British and language primarily reflects this. Jess’ sister insults Jess and her future mother-in-law by calling them cows; unusual language for a Sikh who is supposed to be a tight community.

However, the Bhamra family continues their extremities of religious belief as it impacts their daily decisions and opinions more so. In order to believe their own daughter if she was homosexual or dating a British man, as believed to have been seen by the future in law family at the bus stop, jess had to swear on Babaji; the only worshipped God by Sikh’s.
Swear to Babaji 

Inspiration for 2 page spread

Here are some photos I would like to base my 2 page spread on:

Evaluation

Question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I think that I have managed to try and keep the style and conventions of my magazine consistent to the traditional style and conventions of other Indie genre magazines, focusing mainly on comparing the layout and structure of the real 'Indie' magazine to my own. However, rather than setting my masthead as the largest text, I have made the main cover line stand out the most to challenge the conventions of the stereotypical front cover.

On the other hand, I have used the idea of block colours used on other Indie magazines by using a greyscale filter on the majority of the main image and allowed colour to the most important feature of the image; that being the retro radio to highlight the fact it is a music magazine.

The use of unusual and old-fashioned props are common in other indie magazines, so in this sense I have developed the forms of Indie photography and structure in relation to the front cover.

I have also used the idea of block colours on the colouring of the main cover line, other cover lines and masthead.

The fact I used greyscale for the majority of the magazine front cover also challenges the conventions of real indie media products because, for example, the actual 'Indie' magazine usually consists of numerous bright and bold lighting in the images. Although this contrasts with the 'Indie' magazine, the use black and white and greyscale filters on images match the genre of other indie products and images.

On most Indie magazines, there is only one image; that being of the main cover story, so I similarly used the same technique and only inserted one main image on the front cover. The number of people in the frame varies but usually not many artists are involved so I minimalistically used two models.

Although the masthead usually overlaps the main image, I challenged this form of layout and instead put it to the side of the main features of the front cover but as one of the largest attributes as well as the most colourful and outstanding.

Also, on Indie magazines, there doesn't seem to be many cover lines displayed on the front cover so I used this technique and only inserted one cover line along with the main cover line.  

Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My front cover of my magazine represents the indie music social group. Therefore the need to dress my models in a particular way, use specific props and thoroughly think about the choice of background was vital to meet the representation of my target audience; I think the choice of model gender is also important. The colours of my models are insignificant as the image is black and white but the outfits worn are of value to the genre.
Denim is a popular indie material, as well as leather and many Indie social groups are encouraged to buy from stores considered to be related to the indie style; for example, Levi's, Urban Outfitters and Lazy Oaf.
I wanted my models to both wear these materials and I was able to use the brand Levi's due to the denim jacket, which adds to the precision of the representation of the Indie social group. Also, both models wear baggy woolly jumpers which are also a repeated outfit worn by the Indie public. The use of masks, specifically animals, represents the idea of hidden identity and a mysterious sense which many stereotyped Indie groups are perceived to have; they stereotypically come across unfriendly and isolated.
The background is a part of a deciduous forest which represents the Indie social group by the link between the chilled feel of the music produced and the calming sensation of nature.
The style of font used for the main cover line is quite scruffy and rough which represents the careless and tough identities of the stereotypical indie groups.

Question 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I believe that my media product could be distributed by independent companies as well as possibly quite mainstream companies and businesses due to the increasing interest in Indie music. Currently, Bauer and Time Inc. UK are the main magazine distribution companies and I think, if my magazine was as successful as NME and Uncut, Time Inc. UK would be the most likely distributor of my magazine due to the magazines they already produce are similar to the one I have aimed to create.
Independent companies are likely to distribute my music magazine because Indie is an abbreviation for 'independent' so my media product would be ideal for their business, if applied to music. This would boost the independent companies reputation due to the increase in popularity of the Indie genre; partially due to the development of social networks such as Tumblr. 

Question 4
Who would be the audience for your media product?

Due to my research into the Indie genre, the audience for my media product would focus obviously on the Indie social groups but more specifically at the younger generations, possibly ranging from approximately 16-26. The ideal target audience would broadly associated within the middle class, young Bohemians who reside in gentrifying neighborhoods category; also known as 'hipsters', however I would prefer a range of social classed and indie styled buyers than particularly the interest of 'hipsters'.  

Question 5
How did you attract/address your audience?

I think that the aesthetics of my magazine, majorly helps attract my audience. It has a very strong colour theme, the features compliment one another due to position and shape and the layout of the magazine highlights the valued details. The distinctiveness of the brightly coloured texts and masthead would significantly draw the audiences' attention as well as the large central main image that uses animal masks and having been set in a forest location, would attract readers more so due to the unusuality and contrast from the urban regions, stereotypically wear indie social groups are spotted.    
I have also attracted my audience by the minimal cover lines on the front cover as not to reveal too much information so they would want to find out what's inside but also as it folllows the conventions of a typical indie music magazine as the primary focus is consistently the main image and cover line which is easy to spot and read. The selling line at the top of the magazine is what will make the audience want to buy it; 'Top Festival Bands Uncovered'. This cover story will allow the reader to find out the, to be, highlights of the festival season and discover the most popular and upcoming artists for indie music.
The masthead gave the magazine the continuity of a colour scheme but being the brightest, makes the title of the magazine memroable as well as intriguing due to the vagueness in relation to music and founded point; it's called 'Moon'.

Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

My confidence in using and understanding technology of all kinds has improved dramatically due to the number of different equipment and programs we have had to use in order to produce our magazine. My learning is mainly focused on photography, the shooting and editing, but formatting and transferring knowledge of typical conventions of a magazine genre onto my own work  in order to produce a high quality media product has also been noticeable personal achievement of mine.
Before I constructed this product, I was familiar with using a professional camera and taking macro style photos. However, using the camera for the photoshoots for my magazine was a much harder task as I had to use the knowledge of  angles and use of props to follow the indie styled images. 
I also wasn't as knowledgeable about the difference changing the camera setting makes as well as the improved quality of photos by using the smaller view screen rather than the digital preview.
I had never used Photoshop, for leisure or professionally, before I began AS Media. I am very confident in using this program after several hours of using the software to edit, position and create my front cover. 
I am able to do numerous edits to my images including transparency, detailed physical changes to human faces and features using the pen tool and filter tools and the ability to manipulate images whether it be colouring, positioning or shadowing. 

Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I feel like I understand the conventions of magazines better than before due to the more advanced research and analysis of particular genres of magazines, whether it be for school or music. It is clearer to me how magazines are laid out in ways to suit their audience and style as well as what is put in/on the front cover to more directly attract buyers. 
I believe my preliminary media product was a lot less professional compared to my main media product. I think this is mainly due to the improved understanding of Photoshop as I am more aware of the programs' abilities which has made it easier to use; in the preliminary task I stuck to using the basic tools as I wasn't confident with the unknown tools. I was also able to edit the photos in my main magazine front cover far better than in the preliminary task due to the better usage of Photoshop tools.
I also think that my photoshoots for main task went much better than the ones in my preliminary task. The reason for this is because I planned what shot types I was going to use and analysed the possible impressions I would like my magazine to give to the audience through the different camera angles and and types of shots, as well as the importance of  props, models, costume and positioning. 
In my main task, the colour scheme was much more noticeable and stricter in comparison to my preliminary magazine which had more of a variation of colours; this added to the non-professionalism of the school magazine. I believe I have used the colours in main task to help relate more to a target audience whereas in my preliminary task, the colours were less direct and attractive to a specific audience.

Marketing

Marketing from isobelbowdler