Merry Christmas!

So Christmas is almost here, so I thought I'd lighten the mood in preparation for the holidays!
Here are some rock Christmas songs!

Front Cover Progress

This is my front cover so far.
I've decided to flip the main image so that the page can be split into the rule of thirds and also in the rule of 'Z'. This allows more space on the page. I've added cover lines, a new tag line an anchoring for the posters included. I've also changed the quote that Angela says, as the previous one didn't match the main image.

Industry Professional Feedback

I received feedback from and industry profesional on how to improve my magazine.

This is what he said:

-Flip invert image so that copy all runs from left side
-Copy is disorganised and so challenges image- need to balance page more
-Clear genre through and great image

How I responded:

With thanks to this advice I have chosen to remove several copy images and place them at the bottom-right corner of the magazine with the anchor 'limited edition JB2 posters'. My readers can then look forward to two of possibly many posters inside.
The invert image has indeed been flipped, this allows a 'Z' effect on the magazine, organising what is place where and it has helped with point above.

Front Cover & Double Page Spread Re-Draft

I believe that there is always room for improvement. Which is why I have decided to completely start from scratch with my double page spread and front cover.
Admitedly there were a few photographic issues with my previous design and it was living up to expectations.
So here they are:

Production Plan Update

Musical Interlude Part 3

 Another example of rock music!

The Story So Far...

Currently I am polishing my almost finished work. As you can see there is a colour theme of red, black and white.

Here is what my front cover and double page spread look like so far!

Lights, Camera, Action!

I had the fabulous opportunity to use lighting!
I like this because it gave my photographs some dimension and made it seem professional
My model is named Angela, and she has been asked to model in London
Here are a few photos I took.

Double Page Draft

I made this in my spare time a few weeks ago, just to get a rough idea of what I wanted.

Warning! The above image is heavily photoshopped!

Dress to Impress

Angela's costume



For Angela's photo shoot I specifically asked her to wear this outfit.

I liked this dress because it has skulls and roses on it, connoting something good strangling something bad, or them both becoming intertwined. This was perfect for this genre as there is a good side and a dark side to see of Angela and rock as a whole.

I asked her to wear a top hat, so when she poses she can invite the audience into the magazine. This can also bring a sense of tradition and elements from the past into the present and future of rock.


Make up and piercings

Angela wore dark make-up around her eyes. She has piercings on her eyebrow, lip, and septum.
The image above connotes darkness and denotes modern fashion associated with rock.

I use a white background, connoting all secrets revealed and secrets will be shown. Two bright lights stood either side of Angela so they shine onto her which went with the white background well.
The mise-en-scene of this photo shoot can connote something evil in the middle of a good world; and as the topic of her magazine appearance is 'I'm not listening', it can mean something bad getting her down and she is aiming to be successful.

Ideas: Social Networking

As I am working on how to make my magazine different to others, I felt the need to involve social networking because teenagers and my target audience are influenced by it everyday.

So I have decided to involve Twitter in the making of my project.

I have asked various 'Tweeters' and 'Face bookers' to give be honest and reliable feedback on my contents page flat plan and my double page spread flat plan.

Here are all of what I received:

 

@ItsMissHyde I love the layout of the words, images and title of both the contents and double page spread.
— helen ✌ (@ChrisPedroTache) November 30, 2013

Further messages will be uploaded.

Production Plan Update

This is my progress so far. I am currently editing my front cover, contents and double page spread.

Ideas: Fan Photos

As I surf the internet on a regular basis (constantly!), it's not unusual to come across fan art or fan photos of gigs they have previously experienced. And as I have mentioned before, the internet has a heavy influence on today's youths; websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. All design for sharing specific moment in an individual's life.

So this was something I have considered using in my magazine.


Joe Hottinger and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)

Zachary Myers (Shinedown)

Production Plan Update

I have enjoyed the magazine-making process so far. So here is an update on the work I have completed.

Photo Shoot Complete!

I had fun taking photos for my magazine! I asked my friends Janet and Johanna to feature in it as members of a rock duet.

I took some silly and fun photos as well as dramatic and serious ones too.
We used props such as guitars, chairs, and even had the opportunity to use a green screen!

I am prepared to do some editing and am looking forward to the final outcome.
Here are a few examples:

Do Not Cross!

Janet and Johanna

Johanna

Johanna (left) and Janet (right) 

Johanna looking off into the distance

Ideas: The Masthead

I designed 5 different mastheads for my magazine and asked members of my class which one they thought was best on a rocka magazine.
The 3rd one down in bold black with the three tallies next to it was the most popular. So I will be using this for my magazine as it was the most demanded.

Musical Interlude Part 2

Enjoy!

Photo Shoot and Risk Assessment

By doing this I know how to set up a safe photo shoot for me and my model(s) so I don't fall behind schedule.

Mise-en-scene Research

Album Cover

This is Shinedown's Amaryllis album cover. I have made a simple animation displaying my mise-en scene research.

(Watch in full screen)

shinedown cover by 9mawj on GoAnimate

                                                                  Article Photo

 I have made another animation explaining the mise-en-scene for the above double page spread. While working on this I have been able to learn what to include and expect from my double page spread.

(Watch in full screen)

-

mcrcover by 9mawj on GoAnimate

My Mise-en-scene research has helped me because now I know that certain photographs and pictures and put in magazine for a reason, because they mean something.

I am now able to construct and plan a photo shoot so that my photographs can link into the text that I put into my double page spread.

 My deconstruction of an album cover has helped me to know what attitude a band has and how to bring it across to my audience which could help with connoting with colours. For example, if they had a happy attitude I could use yellow and orange and if the opposite then I'd use red and black.

Double Page Spread Flat Plan

I have designed this flat plan  to introduce a new rock female duet. There are questions and answers, and an interesting photo to intrigue the reader.
I have had positive feedback with the people I have shown this to.
However something I would definitely change is that I'd put a large, interesting quote amongst the text, to entice the reader to read on.

Contents Page Flat Plan

This is the flat plan that I have designed for my contents page. It's full of information, pictures, and an editors note, and winners of competitions!

Front Cover Flat Plan

I have made several versions of a front cover flat plan to try out new ideas.
Here is one of them.
Please excuse my drawing!
So far I have had positive feedback. Things I would change is to make the masthead larger, fill in the blank gaps with more sidelines and create a tag line.

Photo Shoot Plan

Here are two examples of my photo shoot plan. I explain in writing to why I chose to do the photo shoot in this style.

Launching My Magazine

Greetings to you all!

I would like to wish you all a warm welcome into the first edition of FREAK. I am honoured to invite you all on this journey through out rock, it's past, present and future. Updating you on the latest rock gossip, uncovering the deepest darkest secrets of the rock and roll world, and informing you on the hottest bands around!
FREAK is a brand spanking new, fashionable and affordable music magazine specially made for you!
So, all aboard the FREAK train and stay with us through our rock and roll experience.
Speak to you soon my little freaks!

-Maddie

Audience Profile

 

Zak, 15, Wales

Meet Zak. Zak's hobbies include playing the guitar in his band and performing at local venues. His goal in life is to be in a successful punk rock band and tour all over the world. He would also like to take up new instruments such as the drums and the piano.
Zak's favourite artists are Green Day, The Killers and Blink 182 and would never miss a day of listening to them blasting from his docking station in his bedroom!

He would also love get involved in new activities an meet new people with similar interests.

Production Plan

I have made a bubbl.us mind map of my production plan. I aim to follow my plan to keep track of what I have done and what needs doing. I will post updates on the completion of my tasks regularly.

Musical Interlude

I hope you've had fun so far!

Pitching My Magazine

Dear NewBay Media

I would like to offer you a once in a life time opportunity to recognize my brand new music magazine idea.

freak magazine is an original, cutting-edge music magazine, specialising in all sub-genres of rock.
From heavy metal to piano, synth to classic, I hope to attract an audience of mainly young adult, or musically interested persons.

I am writing specifically to you because, during my research, I came across the infamous company that publishes world-wide successes such as 'Revolver', 'Guitar Player' and 'Radio' that is NewBay Media. And as my business proposal is in your field of expertise, music magazines, I thought you should be the first to know.

My aim in this magazine is inform our young audience on the world of music, keeping them up-to-date with the latest new of their favourite artists, and to encourage young people to have a more diverse range of hobbies and interests.

I absolutely feel that NewBay Media is the right choice for freak magazine as you are one of the most
successful broadcasting, gaming and educating companies in the world.

Kind regards,

Madeleine Williams.

Audience: Who Are They?

Classifications:
Audiences are split into two different categories; passive and active. An active member of the audience would be someone to get involved in what they are experiencing. They will ask questions and make judgements. However, a passive audience will do the opposite, no questions are likely to be asked or judgements.

My Audience:
During the start of my magazine making process, I have learned that my audience will be passive, as they are reading and understanding, not watching and experiencing.
I will be aiming my magazine at mainly young adults, although I shall aim to make it suitable for a younger and elder audience. I want everyone to read my magazine!

How will this information help me?
This information can help me because I can now aim to make my passive audience experience something that maybe is not found in magazines or books. To make my reader want more, to make them feel something different went they turn over the cover page of my magazine.
In my vox pop video I have asked 3 young women to ask 3 questions: When I say 'rock', colours do they think of, what do they think of in general and what do they look for in a magazine.
In the male version of my vox pop video I ask the same questions.
This has helped me to learn about what the audience wants and what they look for.

Audience Research: 3 Male Opinions

This is a vox pop of 3 males sharing there opinions in the answers to my questions.

Audience Research: 3 Female Opinions

Here is a vox pop of the teenage girls answering questions for my audience research.

Naming My Magazine

Here is a mind map I made containing words and colours associate with my chosen genre, rock.
I have also included some ideas of what I may use for my magazine masthead.

I have chosen to name my magazine 'freak'. I have chosen this name because I feel nowadays, youths strive to be different from everybody else and they want their own identity. And this is also what my magazine aims for, to be divergent from other generic rock magazines.

I had also come up with other names after finishing my brainstorm such as 'Renegade' and 'Loud'. However after my research into this I have learned that there are already existing magazines with these titles.

100% of the young adults I asked like this name and think it is eye-catching.

My Chosen Genre

After researching many genres of music such as Parody, Musicals, Classical and Rock I have chosen to make a completely original rock magazine.
I chose this because, as a regular reader of rock magazines, I feel I know a lot of information on the style and contents of rock magazines. As part of the audience, I know what is looked for.

I am a fan of classical music, and was contemplating doing classical magazine. However, I did change my mind as I haven't read a classical music magazine and wouldn't be able to offer anything the audience would look for. I also have lots of ideas for my rock magazine!

Here are 2 examples of generic rock magazines:


               

Cover, Contents and Double Page Spread Deconstruction

As a task, we were set to deconstruct a cover page, contents page and a double page spread. I chose do deconstruct 'Kerrang!' magazine because I am a reader of this magazine and have never looked into the work and reasoning behind the design of each issue.

Classical Music Presentation: Codes and Conventions

This is my classical music presentation featuring codes and conventions.
This power point also displays my research in this genre.
It had occurred to me that, even though I am a fan of classical music, I had to do a vast amount of research while putting this presentation together. My lack of knowledge towards this genre helped me to choose the genre I have: rock.

Kerrang! Deconstruction

Here I elaborate on the front cover, contents page and double page spread.

Rock Music Research Animation

Here is the class to take you through the basics on rock and roll. Enjoy!
rock research by 9mawj on GoAnimate

research2 by 9mawj on GoAnimate

(Please watch both animations in full screen).

Mojo Deconstruction

Mojo Deconstruction on PhotoPeach

Rock Mind Map

This is my bubbl.us mind map on the genre of rock!
From doing this, whenever I think of rock music, I think of all the things associated with it. For example, the instruments, sub genres of rock, and who would be attracted to it. Whether they are the fans or the musicians themselves.
I have learned that there are specific things linked to different genres of music. I know what the potential readers of my rock magazine will look for.
If they were to see, for example, an amplifier, they would instantly come to the conclusion that it's a rock magazine without the need to flick through that pages to identify itself.

Main Task

Main Task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine.
All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate, minimum of four images per candidate.

What are you being asked to do? Write or record what you think this means

I am being asked to make a completely original music magazine for a genre of my choice. This will include making cover page, contents page and a double page spread from scratch.

What are the criteria for this (what must you do?)

I must make an original music magazine containing a front cover to attract a reader to pick it up. I must make a contents page to guide the reader through the magazine so they can find their specific interests. I must also make a double page spread; I aim to include a captivating story and lots of pictures to intrigue the reader!
I must use my own material, such as words and photographs and non taken from the internet or elsewhere.
There is a minimum of four images per candidate, so I plan on using as many as is appropriate.

What are you not allowed to do?

I am not allowed to use copyrighted or previously used material from the internet or anywhere else. This would include stories, images, or other candidates ideas. I am also not allowed to use under four images.

What do you think is going to be involved in doing this?

I think there is going to be a lot of research in finding the right genre for me to make a magazine as I need to have enough understanding of the contents of the magazine and the audience. I think there will be a lot of computer based work and editing such as Photoshop. I also think that my photography skills will be taken to the next level as I need to find appropriate photographs to include in my original magazine.

Mood Board: Musicals!

As homework we were set to make a mood board on a genre of music and to use this as research.
I chose musicals and did a lot of research into it.

School Magazine: Contents Evaluation

Preliminary Task
My Magazine Contents Page and Evaluation

School Magazine: Front Cover Evalutation

Preliminary Task
My Magazine Cover and Evaluation

Preliminary Task

Using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program.

Musical Prelude

Welcome to 'Maddie's Media', where I take you through my media making adventure!