Examiner Message

Hello examiner,

In this blog you will find my research and planning of my magazine. You can also find the production of my magazine. Also the evaluation of my music magazine will follow after.

I hope that you find my blog interesting and enjoy reading.

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

The is a video above explaining the difference and what I have learnt through making my college magazine and my music magazine. Because if the bad quality I am going to write out everything that I said about it.

The types of technology that I have used for my college magazine was Photoshop and a Canon DLSR camera to the pictures. I have used the same technologies for my music magazine allowed me to create the bullet shot effect on my masthead for my music magazine and has allowed to have high quality imagoes for my magazine.

The use of technologies has allowed me to implement different and creative fonts like on my music magazine masthead. Whereas on the college magazine I have used standard Photoshop fonts which make the magazine not creative at all.

My cover lines form the college magazine are the same size which doesn't give an edge on creative and doesn't catch the readers eye. Whereas on my music magazine the cover lines have specific information popping out which shows which stories are the more important ones and which ones the magazine mainly focuses on.

Doing some research has shown me that natural light produces more vibrant and light filled images such as my model images used in my music magazine. The gesture of the model on the college magazine he had just a smiling face which shows little convenience whereas on my music magazines he has his arms closed to show his dominance and power.

I have included more information on my magazine such as banners and a freebie to help attract the audience to my magazine over other magazines. Whereas my college magazine doesn't include a lot of information to excite the audience.

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

During the creation of my magazine I have used all types of technologies to help produce my magazine. These technologies could be technologies that I physically use and ones that are computer based. I have used technologies which are completely new to me like ishowu where I have used technologies which I am familiar with like the DLSR camera.

Physical technologies:

Canon DLSR 1000D camera:
The DLSR camera was used to take high quality pictures for my music magazine. This was a key piece of equipment used for my magazine as I was able to take pictures of my models so I could complete my magazine. The camera is something which I am familiar with, however with the features such as auto focus help make my pictures look more professional for my magazine.

Apple Mac:

The Apple Mac was a completely new experience for me as I had never used one before. I found it tough to use the Mac at first as it is different compared to a Microsoft computer, for example the scrolling on the mouse is different on a Mac compared to a computer. Therefore, at the start of my Media course my teacher helped me improve my skills in using the Mac in order for me to make my music magazine. My skills have improved massively on programs such as Photoshop and InDesign, which have helped to build my magazine.

Computer based technologies:

Adobe Photoshop CS6:

I have used Photoshop to help produce my magazine. My skills on this Photoshop has improved massively which has involved using many different tools to produce my music magazine. These skills need improving at the start but I have slowly progressed and skills have improved drastically. Here is a video from ishowu showing my skills on Photoshop.

Abobe InDesign CS6:

This software was something that I had never used so it was a new experience in using it. I had to use tutorials and help form my teacher in order to get use to the tools in InDesign. The sofware is useful for producing contents pages, this is because you can't be creative with this software, unlike Photoshop where you can be. It is more of a professional software.

 

Blogger:

Blogger has been useful to me as I was capable to portray my research into different magazines, the planning of my magazine and the production of my magazine which has been shown to the public. Blogger was new to me but it wasn't complicated to use as it is a basic website, but I learn't how to links and HTML's. This is useful as I could link people to my podcast which was done on Voicethread and it also helps for my evaluation as I am using Prezi and Flickr for my evaluation questions. I am going to show a video below to show how I use blogger.

Flickr:

I used Flickr for another evaluation question so that people form the public are able to see my cover, contents page and my double page spread, this also allows people to comment on them as well. This website deals with high quality images that people can post.

Prezi:

Prezi is another publication website which produces presentations which the public can viewas it is a free website. I also used it for one of my evaluation questions. I have never used Prezi before so I had learn quickly to use the tools for my evaluation question. From using Prezi I now know that there are different ways to portray a presentation in a more appealing way rather that using Microsoft Powerpoint.

ishowu:

ishowu is a screen recording software exclusive to Macs. It allows the user to record what is on there screen whcih is useful to make tutorials and to show what you have done on your Mac similarly to the videos that I have created for this evaluation question and also for other evaluation questions.

Evaluation Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

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

The image above is a drawing of typical target audience member. I believe the character to be a stereotypical rap music fan.

 

The character that I have drawn is around the age of 18-21 years old. He would be a person who has just finished college and possibly wants to start working full time, or just starting university. 

 

The clothes that he is wearing are stereotypical clothes that rappers wear. He is wearing a black leather jacket with a white t-shirt underneath, this is what rappers such as Eminem and Chris Brown wear. He is also wearing a snapback. Almost all rappers have been seen wearing a snapback and if they are not wearing snapbacks they are either wearing a bucket hat or nothing at all, and most of there haircuts are shaved heads. This is to give the hard man look that all rappers portray. He is also wearing skinny jeans which is the norm for everyone.  Finally he is wearing trainers. Most people that are in my target audience all wear Nike or Addidas trainers, or if thyey wear shoes it is usually Timberland boots.

My stereotypical target audience member has also got tattoos around his neck which is also used to show the hard man look and to show individuallity form others.

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

Click on the image above to view my Flickr page and slideshow presenting the different reasons why I have chosen the specific distributer and publisher.

Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I have created a Photoshop document placing an image of one of my models located on the double page spread of my magazine, next to an image is a picture of Eminem on the front of a VIBE cover. This helps to create observable comparisons when the two images are next to each other, aiding in evaluation.

Gesture: Both the models have a similar pose by crossing there arms. The crossing of the arms creates a strong gesture which generates dominance and power, these are key features that a rapper aim for. They aim for these features because rappers sing about death and violence and if they don't portray this in their looks and gestures, their listeners won't believe their lyrics.

Costume: The clear differences in the costumes are that my model is wearing a black jumper, whereas Eminem is wearing a tank top. The reason behind my model wearing a black jumper is because black could represent death and violence, therefore portraying that he is a violent person this is due to most rappers being violent. However, by choosing to wear a tank top, Eminem is showing off his tattoos which could portray him in being tough and having a "bad-ass" look about him. Although he is still wearing black clothing which still emphasizes that he is still violent.

Shot Type: Both of the models have the same shot type, which is a Mid-Shot. I used this shot type because this type of shot allows it to focus on the models facial expression, but also on the gesture (arms folding), this is to give the tough man effect. Another reason I have chosen this shot is so that you can see the arms. The VIBE example has used the shot type for a similar reason as the model is also expressing a pose that is important with the design therefore with a close-up of the face to show the expression on the models face.

Expression: The two models are showing a serious facial expression. I decided to make my model choose such a facial expression because the serious expression is an expression all rap artists portray. This helps for when my target audience notice the magazine as they will see the model is being serious and associate this with the rap genre, therefore knowing the magazine will be based on rap music.

Lighting: I took my images outside as natural lighting is bright and creates little glare. However, the images produced from VIBE would have most likely taken place in a studio meaning many artificial lights surrounding the studio, I believe the VIBE image looks better as the artificial lighting has created little shadow on the model where as the natural lighting used in my image comes from one angle therefore shadows appear on the models lower face which is unprofessional.

Hair: I believe that the model for the VIBE magazine (Eminem) has the better hair to represent my target audience. Most of my music magazines audience has shaved heads or shot hair on top, whereas my model has his hair brushed to the side which is more of a hair style which could be aimed to a Pop genre.

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

Cover:

Contents:

Double Page Spread:

 

 

My final music magazine

Research and Planning: Social media feedback on my double page spread

Here is my social network feedback for my double page spread. I did this so I could get feedback on the image that I have used for my double page spread.

Research and Planning: Re-draft of my contents page

I have decided to change my the layout of my double page spread by having one image and the text on another side. This is due to other double page spreads that are associated with my genre of music having a similar layout.

Research and Planning: Inspirations for my double page spread (Title)

Here is my inspiration for my title in the double page spread. This helps on introducing the story in the double page spread by telling the audience what artist is going to be involved. The also make the name stand out with the red text for Jay-Z. When I come to produce my double page spread I want to make Lil' Chris's name stand out so the audience know who the interview is about.

Research and Planning: Inspirations for double page spread (Story)

Here is the story layout on another magazine related with my genre of music choice. I have chosen to take ideas of this by adding a huge letter like this magazine has with the J for Jay-Z, so I have implemented this idea on to my magazine by making a massive C to represent Lil' Chris. I wanted to to put this into my magazine to make it look unique and different but also to make the magazine aim towards an older audience and with this it makes it look different compared to a magazine who is aimed at a younger audience. The text is also laid out in columns which makes it look professional and I want to make magazine look professional aswell.

Research and Planning: Double Page Spread Story

My story was an interview between the magazine (AUTHORITY) and Lil' Chris. This is my story, Lil’ Chris has stormed on to the rap stage with his latest song “Blaze It”! He has caught the eyes of famous rappers such as Eminem, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre who all want to sign him up to there record label. We sat down with Lil’ Chris and asked him some questions about his emense start to his career so far.

First we asked Lil’ Chris who are his inspirations for
becoming a rap artist?

“Well when I was growing up I was contantly listening to Eminem because he has been through tough times which I can relate to the harsh life he had to deal with. His music made me happy and got me through the harsh days at school. So he has to be my
inspiration.”

We then asked Lil’ Chris if he could do a collaberation with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

“Oh, thats a tricky one. I xould choose, I would have to pick three and they would be my dream collaberations. My first one would hvae to Eminem, just because he was my inspiration and the reason that I became a Rap artist. My second choice would have to be Jay-Z due to the fact that he is one of the biggest faces to ever grace rap and he knows how to make a sick track. And finally my fthird choice would have to be Bruno Mars because he has an awesome voice and I haveheard that he is a quality lad and easy to get along with.”

IIf you could choose any of the three rap artists that have caugfht eye of you which are Eminem, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, whos record lable would you choose to join.

“I would personally love to join Shady Records (Eminem’s label) but he has never produced any artist with any quality. I would have to join Roc Nation Label (Jay-Z record label) because he has produced artist such as Rihanna and Rita Ora who are very talented and he knows the buisness inside out, so I would have to choose him.”

Are you planning on touring the world and where do you want to start touring?

“Yes, of course! I plan on touring for all my quality fans out there and especially for all the girls. I want to start my tour where my career all began in Manchester, England to give back to all those who supported me when I was in the city centre rapping and earning money busking  to earn money to make my way through life and also for all those people who helped me in my personal life, I would like to give back to them aswell.”

What do you like to do in your pass time?

“Well when I get chance I liketo go to mental parties with my friends and go pulling all the lucky girls. But when I am home I like to relax by practicing my rapping so I can improve and I also like to play video games as I aspired to be a games designer before I became a rapper and when I was at college I was studying games design, but I pushed myself to the limit as I wanted to achive my dream.”

You said that you like video games, is there any in particular that are you favourites?

“I have a few favourites but the one I sent the most time on as a kid would have to be Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox 360. It was just the standard life in my teenage years.”

One last question, Have you got any plans for an up coming album for the future?

Yes I do! I plan on having the album out for Winter. I have wrote all the lyrics for my songs just need to record them and get them produced hopefully by Jay-Z if I am able to join his record label. With the album I plan on starting the tour for the folllowing year.”

Well Lil’ Chris that is everything. Thanks!

WWW.AUTHORITY.COM
to check out all the give aways and the other exclusive interviews we have with other artists.

Research and Planning: Double Page Spread 20/03/2015

Here is my double page spread that I have produced on Photoshop. This is my double page spread which is complete.

Research and Planning: Double page spread from 02/03/2015

Here is my double page spread so far

Research and Planning: Double page spread from 13/02/2015

Here is the start of my double page spread

Research and Planning: Contents page from 30/01/2015

Here is my contents page that I have nearly finished on Photoshop. I may come back to my contents page if there is any adjustments that are needed to be mage to improve the contents page. I have added all my stories onto my contents page making the contents page complete.

Research and Planning: Contents page from 23/01/2015

Here is an update on my magazine. I have added a black background behind the text where the black background is. I have then added more text and stories and I am coming close to finishing my contents page.

Research and Planning: Contents page from 22/02/2015

Here is the second update on my contents page. I have started to include stories on my magazine and add text.

Research and Planning: Contents page from 20/01/2015

Here is the beginning of my contents page for my music magazine which is produced on Photoshop.

Research and Planning: Inspirations for my contents page

Here is the magazine contents page where I got my inspirations for my contents page for my music magazine.

I ideas for my magazine from this magazine. The ideas I have got was the masthead, how the contents have been included and the UK's No.1 music magazine. I thought that these ideas would fit for my music magazine contents page.

From the masthead on this contents page, it includes the name of the magazine and this week because the magazine is released weekly whereas my magazine is real eased every month there for on my contents page I am going to put "This Month".

On the NME contents page they include information about the main image on the contents page. This makes it clear to the reader that this is what the magazine is focused on. I am going to use this idea for my contents page when I come to produce it.  

Research and Planning: Ideas to include on my contents page

I have included four subtitles on my contents page. They are News, Interviews, Featured and Tours. This is so I can include different stories on my magazine. I would include 4 stories in News and in Featured. I would include 3 stories in the Interviews and Tours sections.

The ideas that I had for my news was the latest and controversial news about the artists that are associated with the music genre of my choice. For example Eminem saying that he is a "Rap God" and also saying that one of the female artists are pregnant. For the Featured section I am going to included the artists that I have mentioned on my front cover. The artists would included Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z etc. In the Interviews section I will also include the artists that are on the front cover as they are being interviewed by the magazine. Then Finally there is the Tours section of my contents page. I will include the artists that I have included on my cover in to this section as well, for the artists who are touring in 2015.


When I include my contents, I need to add a sentence about the story itself underneath the contents so that the reader has an understanding about the story itself.

Research and Planning: Music magazine contents page so far

Research and Planning: Music magazine front cover complete

Here is my music magazine, which I have produced on Photoshop. My front cover is now completed and I will make any changes to it if necessary to make the front cover better.