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

As I had done media at GCSE I knew about some of the conventions of magazines, which helped me with the preliminary task. I wanted to use a direct mode of address as I think it draws in the reader. I also understood that when a magazine is in a shop, sometimes the only thing that can be seen is the masthead so it must be distinctive and eye catching. I researched a few other magazines for layout and made a brief sketch of what I wanted to do before creating the magazine. From the preliminary task I learnt that planning and research was very important and so is audience feed back because when making the school magazine I did not plan fully and therefore did not create a realistic magazine cover. For my music magazine I made sure that I planned each page, although as I went through I made a few changes and improvements. I also took audience feed back and changed some of the design and text so it was more appealing to my target audience.

The picture I have used for the preliminary was very rushed and not edited well, it helped me understand that editing was a vital part as the image is a main selling point of a magazine. I made sure that I edited the photo on my front cover well to give it the correct look I was after for my magazine. The layouts of the magazines are quite similar although on the front cover the preliminary task there are not as many articles. The music magazine cover looks more realistic in terms of layout and is busier making it more interesting to look at. The fonts used on the front cover are specifically aimed at the audience of 11-18 years and the fun bold masthead reflects this. The rest of the fonts are quite formal and easy to read. For my music magazine I wanted to use striking fonts that made an impact and were bold. For the rest of the copy I wanted to use something more relaxed and fun. I learnt that you need to make sure that all the elements used on the front covers must be appropriate or aimed at you target audience.
I also understand that the two magazines had very different purposes and that the school magazine would probably have been independently distributed for free by the school.

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

I used my digital camera to take pictures for my magazine. I can use my camera with ease, however I did learn about the shutter speed and how to change it on my camera. I also learnt how to change the setting if you are outdoors, if its sunny, if your indoors etc to make the maximum of the light available.

We were given Mac computers to use for this task and before this I had never used a Mac computer and was very nervous in doing so. After a few basic tutorials I was able to use it with ease and through out this task my confidence has grown and I am capable of using quite a few of its features. I have learnt how to change preferences, move documents from desktop to memory stick. In particular I have learnt how to use Photoshop and InDesign. I had used Photoshop a little in GCSE and could do basic image manipulation but when editing the images for my magazine I learnt how to use filters, healing brush tool, burn and doge tools, blemish removing tool and how to download and install brushes using www.myphotoshopbrushes.com. I had never used InDesign before the preliminary task and found it a very useful programme. I learnt how to use layers effectively and create a professional looking magazine. I learnt about the leading and kerning and how to change the stroke around the text. I downloaded some fonts from www.1001freefonts.com and used them in my work. Through using InDesign I now understand why it is used to make magazines in the print industry.

Another skill I learnt was blogging using www.blogger.com Through this project I have learnt how to post text, videos and pictures. I also learnt how to make slideshow and post them on my blog using the image hosting site www.photobucket.com. I was surprised at how easy it is to set up and use blogger and think it is a good way to display work. I used a Flipshare video camera and found it was very easy to use and was very useful for short video clips of analysis.

5 How did you attract/address your audience?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49310714@N03/4561339088/

4 Who would be the audience for your media product?

• TopShop
• Vintage
• Scrubs
• Charity shops
• Black coffee
• A love of festivals
• Gigs
• Smokes
• Itunes

A recipe for a typical BeatThief reader’s weekend:

Ingredients:

A pinch of high street chic

Pouch of tobacco

Money (and lack of it)

BeatThief

As much alcohol as you can handle

Gigs

Student attitude

Added vintage style

House parties

Step 1

Take one pinch of high street chic and add a sprinkling of vintage style and blend together with charity shop know how. Allow several hours for preparation (for males and females). Locate a house party, douse liberally with alcohol and arrive late but looking amazing. Roll and smoke some cigarettes. Add more alcohol. Dance to music. Have a good time.

Step 2

Mix trying to find a taxi and being drunk at 6 am, finish with stumbling through the front door and getting into bed fully clothed. Take not getting up before 2pm, mix with a bacon sandwich and 2 paracetamol. Place in bed for the rest of the day.

Step 3

Read BeatThief for latest music news and watch a bit of TV as they are running a back-to-back Friends marathon. Book gig tickets for next week, even though there is no student load to pay and you are going to have to use the overdraft.

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

I would distrubute my magazine through MMC (Magazine Marketing Company) www.mmcextranet.co.uk making it avaliable throughout the UK and in large WHSmiths stores. I would also want it to be distributed in the shops, pubs, bars and places where my target audience would be. I would also run online subscriptions so that the targetaudience could read the magazine on line and also be entered in extra competitions and receive exclisive material.

2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?

These images show similar images of young women. They both have flowing long hair that is swept across their faces. They both have a direct mode of address. The model on the front cover of Wonderland is turned slightly to the right and her hair is parted on the right where as my model is facing straight on and has her hair parted to the left. For my image I edited her skin to remover all blemishes and even out her skin tone. The Wonderland model is in black and white except for her eyes and lips.

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

Final design

Work in progress

Splat

Edited Photos

Photos for double page

Layout for double page spread

A slide show of layouts for the double page spread will go here

Examples of double pages:

This is the finished article for my magazine. I have made it more about the music as my target audience said it was not very informative about the artists music history and inspiration, although they did find it humorous.

Alex Amos
His debut album went platinum in 3 weeks, his song Antique Bitch is the most played on radio ever and girls go weak at the knees when his name is even mentioned. Here in a frank interview we find out what’s really behind the man.
How’s life as a famous musician?
Pretty amazing thanks. It’s a bit like a super charged tornado; at the moment I seem to be everywhere.
If you weren’t a super star what would you be doing?
I’ve always wanted to do something really dangerous, like robbing a bank and being chased by policemen like in the movies. That would be cool
And also totally illegal.
Weren’t you spotted having lunch with a certain brunette TV presenter and model?
Erm No… maybe, No comment. He blushes profusely. Giselle’s lovely but we’re just friends.
Who is the most interesting person in showbiz that you’ve met so far?
Jonny Deep. I met him the other week at a party, although he didn’t say much: I find that people who talk a lot can have amazing stories to tell but it’s the people who don’t talk at all who are the most interesting. There’s something mysterious about them.
If you were a cake what cake would you be?
Can I be an ice cream?
Yes
I’d like to be Rum ’n’ Raisin please.
That’s very rock and roll. How about a Kebab?
No, they look like elephant legs. And smell like them.
So tell us about rebellion.
Well my dad was born into money but my mum earned hers so she has always taught me if you want something, get it yourself. I wanted to do music; my dad wanted me to be a lawyer. I guess that’s rebellious.
Parents! Pah! Anything else? Go on tell us something bad.
When I was a young teenager I used to baby-sit my next-door neighbours son. When he was asleep I would go into their bedroom and go through their bedside drawers. I found a packet of condoms. I put a pin through the middle of each of them, and thus ensured myself another 5 years of babysitting.
Smart Kid. Best part time job?
I worked in laundry for a while when I was 19. People always forgot things and there was this big basket of unclaimed items. I took all the socks home and put them to good use…
How did you get into the music business?
I was playing in some really dingie pubs and bars in Hampstead and someone approached me and the rest, as they say, is history.
How do you feel about being voted Britain’s seventh sexiest musician?
Excited, it means I now have an excuse to walk around my house naked all the time.
Why do you wear a wonder woman cape when you’re performing?
Year 5. Lunchtime confronted by bullies I hastily broke into a Wonder Woman routine, hoping to frighten the big goons off. But considering I was a scrawny runt of a boy, it didn’t go down too well. My music is kind of a backlash at them, proving to them I’m not that kid anymore. And I wear the cape so they know it’s me.
What’s in your pockets today?
Rizzla, tobacco, Led Zeppelin lighter, my phone, 20p, filters, a red button, an old tube ticket
What was the inspiration for you album?
Late night conversations.
Alex Amos’s debut album “special needs” is out now.

1st Draft

This is the first draft of my magazine article.

Alex Auld super star DJ and genuine human being words by Ali White Pictures by Pev
How’s life?
Pretty amazing thanks. It’s a bit like a super charged tornado; at the moment I seem to be everywhere.
If you weren’t a super star what would you be doing?
I’ve always wanted to do something really dangerous, like robbing a bank and being chased by policemen like in the movies. That would be cool
And also totally illegal.
Weren’t you spotted having lunch with a certain brunette TV presenter and model?
Erm No… maybe, No comment. He blushes profusely. Giselle’s lovely but we’re just friends.
Who is the most interesting person in showbiz that you’ve met so far?
Jonny Deep. I met him the other week at a party, although he didn’t say much: I find that people who talk a lot can have amazing stories to tell but it’s the people who don’t talk at all who are the most interesting. There’s something mysterious about them.
If you were a cake what cake would you be?
Can I be an ice cream?
Yes
I’d like to be Rum ’n’ Raisin please.
That’s very rock and roll. How about a Kebab?
No, they look like elephant legs. And smell like them.
So tell us about rebellion.
Well my dad was born into money but my mum earned hers so she has always taught me if you want something, get it yourself. I wanted to do music; my dad wanted me to be a lawyer. I guess that’s rebellious.
Parents! Pah! Anything else? Go on tell us something bad.
When I was a young teenager I used to baby-sit my next-door neighbours son. When he was asleep I would go into their bedroom and go through their bedside drawers. I found a packet of condoms. I put a pin through the middle of each of them, and thus ensured myself another 5 years of babysitting.
Smart Kid. Best part time job?
I worked in laundry for a while when I was 19. People always forgot things and there was this big basket of unclaimed items. I took all the socks home and put them to good use…
How do you feel about being voted Britain’s fourteenth sexiest man?
Excited, it means I now have an excuse to walk around my house naked all the time.
Why do you wear a wonder woman cape when you’re performing?
Year 5. Lunchtime confronted by bullies I hastily broke into a Wonder Woman routine, hoping to frighten the big goons off. But considering I was a scrawny runt of a boy, it didn’t go down too well. My music is kind of a backlash at them, proving to them I’m not that kid anymore. And I wear the cape so they know it’s me.
What’s in your pockets today?
Rizzla, tobacco, Led Zeppelin lighter, my phone, 20p, filters, a red button, an old tube ticket
Your preferred choice of cigarette?
Rolled.
Alex Auld’s debut album “special needs” is out now.

Research of other articles, including links, scan in some vice stuff and write some stuff

Contents page development

I thought the first contents page was very plain and needed a back ground. I used some paint splats on my front cover and decided to use photoshop to create a background in grey so that the photo stands out.

Contents page layouts

Contents
News
Editors letter
Contributors
Royal Mail
Behind the scenes

Band Crush: Meet me in Saint Louis. It's official, we love them.
Black Magic. The dark new sound of Bridson&White
Icon: Dreamcatchers on Manic Street Preachers
Othello: Come back, we miss you.
We want answers! Josie & the jing jang jong
A series of fortunate events: Three Fires let loose about their debut album

Fashion
T-shirts and the absence of t-shirts
Pock & Roll: Roll your own and cigarettes; two different kinds of habits.
Catch me if you can: Gingers rule ok? An insight into the latest trend.
Runway: Friends & highlights of the catwalks and streets
Flo Mo: Florence and the fashion

Features
Hard stuff: A new kind of AA meeting; an interview with Alex Auld
My Monday: Gabriella on Love, sex and getting pissed in libraries.
Sticks of rock: The brighton Boys celebrate their 1st brithday.
I'm a big fat fucking rockstar: Hazel Francis-Hill aka Death and Glory's Dick- doesn't like other peoples music of her mum.

Radar
Culture club: status update
Under covers: Cover art, your style.
Capital: Londaon gig guide.

Finished Front cover

Front cover development

On the front cover the main stories/articles are going to be:

• Happy Birthday, Brighton Boys
• Hazel Frances Hill, the attitude explained
• This months icon, Manic Street Preachers
• Alex Amos exclusive, 'robbing a bank and being chased by ploicemen'
• Reviews: Othello, Three Fires, Josie JJJ
• Florence and the fashion machine
• Gabriella, Not so innocent now

For the masthead I wanted to use something dramatic and arty. I liked the idea of using a picture for the letters instead of having plain black text. I experimented, using photoshop, with different images relating to the target audience of my magazine. I finally settled on the idea of using grafiti and this is my finished masthead.

Masthead designs

Masthead Analysis

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid785.photobucket.com/albums/yy140/GingerRogersAW/Mastheads/VID00018.flv">

Edited front cover photo

Shortlist of photos

http://w785.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw785.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy140%2FGingerRogersAW%2FFrontcover+Photo+Shoot%2Faa1965e8.pbw" height="360" width="480">

Front cover photos

Frontcover Mockups

What's in a name?

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet' A name is very important to a magazine and needs to be simple yet rememerable. It needs to capture the audience and tell them what is in the magazine at the same time. For my magazine I brainstormed different names that I thought would be appropiate for my target audience.

I asked my target market which name they thought was the most appealing to them and concluded that Beat Thief was the most pouplar, therefore my magazine will be called: BeatThief

Reader Profile

My Reader profile

The reader of my magazine:

• Lives in an urban area
• Has been to or is currently studying ay University
• Spends a lot of time online
• Has all forms of social networking
• Likes going to bars, cafes, galleries, markets, clubs, resturants, festivals, cultural & historical places
• Smokes
• Is a trend setter rather than a follower
• Loves music
• Prefers black coffee to tea
• Is aged between 17-24

Magazine Competition

The main source of inspiration for my magazine was from 'Vice' magazine, 'Notion' and ''Wonderland'. These are also the main competition my magazine would have.
92% of the audience of Vice magazine is over 18 with the majority (38%) being aged between 18-23 and male, either in or completed a university degree. Wonderland reader is described as 'creative-followed-affluent-individual-fun' and the majority of readers are women aged 25-34 who have a high income. These links are to the Media pack for each of the magazines and contain the full reader demographic.

http://www.viceland.com/issues_uk/VICE%20Media%20UK.pdf
http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/downloads/wonderland_mediakit.pdf
http://www.notionmag.com/downloads/notion_media_kit_10_hires.pdf

Music

My magazine will feature a mixture of bands and artists, mainly focusing on Indi, Rock, pop & Techno, with special emphasis on new tallent. Along with music I would like celebrities such as Pixi Geldof, Daisy Lowe, Alexa Chung, Agyness Deyn, Nick Grimshaw & Henry Holland to feature in the magazine. Also, I want my magazine to feature culture and fashion like 'Wonderland' and 'Notion' magazines.

Moodboards

http://w785.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw785.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy140%2FGingerRogersAW%2FMoodBoards%2Ff80ba592.pbw" height="360" width="480">

I made some moodboards to create inspiration for my magazine featuring magazine covers, images of celebrities, images of people who I would want to read my magazine and images that I hope the style of my magazine will reflect. The moodboards are bright and edgy which is the look I want for my magazine, I also want it to be arty and individual to reflect the reader profile.

Front cover analysis

Magazine Analysis

Magazine Analysis

Analysis of Mixmag