Risk Assessment Forms - 27/02/2011

These are the risk assessment forms for the photoshoot of the bands for my music magazine. The forms were necessary to analyse the possible risks of my models in the areas were the pictures were going to be taken, and how I could control these risks from happening.



Contributor's Release Forms - 27/02/2011

These are the release forms of the people who contributed to my photoshoot by modelling as bands/singers for my music magazine.



Music Magazine Double Page Spread Mock-Up - 27/02/2011

This is the first mock-up of the double page spread for my music magazine. The masthead will stretch across both pages, and will contain the name of the band featured in the spread in large bold letters that will stand out to the reader and catch their eye as they are flicking through the magazine pages. On the left-hand page, there will be a large image of the band with a quote from the article splashed across it. The quote will be from one of the band members and will be emotive to the reader, therefore causing them to read the whole article. I will include a caption in the top left-hand corner of the image giving the names of the band members, and maybe a small joke relating to the image to entertain the reader. On the right-hand page, the article will start with a page lead (sort of like an introductory statement) including a byline of the interviewer/writers name. The article will then be split into three columns (corresponding to the contents page layout) with an image and overlapping caption at the top of the middle column.

Music Magazine Contents Page Mock-Up - 27/02/2011

This is the first mock-up of the contents page for my music magazine. There will be a masthead at the top reading "CONTENTS" in large bold letters that will stand out to the reader, with a dateline above it containing both the date and the issue number. My contents will be split into three columns, with subheadings seperating each block of page numbers. At the top of the first column, there will be a section promoting the purchase of a magazine subscription, which will hopefully encourage the reader to get a subscription for future issues. Underneath this promotion, there will be a contents section with the subheading "NEWS" and will contain a list of page numbers and descriptions relating to this subheading. The column will end with an image relating to one of the magazine articles, and a caption overlapping it with a description of the image and a page number directing the reader to the appropiate page to see more about it. The middle column will be split into three sections, with the subheadings "FEATURES", "FEEDBACK" and "REVIEWS". At the top of the last column, there will be a section containing a message from the editor and an image of her. Under this message, there will be another image relating to one of the magazine articles and a caption overlapping it. Lastly, there will be another contents section with the subheading "COMPETITIONS". 

Music Magazine Front Cover Mock-Up - 27/02/2011

This is the first mock-up of the front cover of my music magazine, which is of a punk/emo/rock/alternative rock genre. I will create a masthead at the top of the page, just below the dateline. The masthead will contain the name of my magazine (which I have not decided upon yet) in a bold font that will stand out to the reader. There will be a pug alongside this masthead giving an insight into another featured article, which will draw readers into buying the magazine so they can read more about this feature. On the left-hand side of the cover there will be a column showing the other main articles in my magazine, that will stand out and hopefully entice my readers into buying it. In the bottom right-hand corner, there will be the price and barcode, as there should be on every magazine. Next to this barcode, there will be the word "PLUS!" in big bold letters to draw the readers eye, and they will read the names of other bands/singers that are going to be discussed in my magazine. There will also be a pug, possible advertising a competition inside the magazine, that will engage the reader and encourage them to buy the magazine because of it. Lastly, there will be an image of the band featured in the main interview/article of the magazine covering the whole cover (with all the other text/imagery overlapping it) with the band name under it.

College Magazine Double Page Spread Mock-Up - 25/02/2011



This is the mock-up layout of the double page spread in my college magazine. It will be an article about the front page feature "DEYES GOES GREEN!" and will have a similar catchy heading in the masthead (which will be in a large bold font). I will then create a page lead under the masthead which will act as an introductory paragraph for the article and prompt readers to go on to read the whole article. The article will be split up into three columns on a single page, with an image at the bottom of the middle column to space out the text more and attract readers with a picture relating to the article. Overlapping this image will be a caption describing who is in the picture with a funny comment to entertain the reader. On the left-hand page, there will be one large image (relating to the article) with a quote splitting it in half. This quote will be taken  from the article, and will be engaging and attract the reader to read the whole article. In the bottom left-hand corner there will be a caption overlapping the picture describing who is in it, along with a funny comment to entertain the reader (like the picture on the other page).  

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Analysis - 25/02/2011





The first double page spread is from Kerrang, which is a music based around the rock/punk genre. The spread fits its genre perfectally, with the red, black and white colour scheme and the costume choice used for the band. The worn-out page edges make the band seem rougher and edgier, which relates to the overall genre of both the band and magazine. There is also a quote from Andy Six (band frontman) on the right-hand page reading "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BAND TO FAIL!" which is overlapping an image of Andy Six gazing up, as if he is forseeing the bands future. This quote is also in the same white font as used for the masthead reading "KERRANG" on the front cover, so it relates the article to the house style of the magazine and makes it distinguishable from other magazines.

 

In contrast, the NME double page spread for The Horrors is a lot more subtle and corresponds to the indie-alternative-mainstream genre the magazine aims to represent. The picture of the band in their cramped and dingy workspace is more relatable to readers, as they may be trying to create their own band in the same conditions - seeing them in their sort of 'habitat' makes the reader feel like they are having a personal insight into the lives of The Horrors. The colour scheme for this spread is very simple with the use of black, brown, white and grey. The colours seem more natural than the Kerrang spread, and therefore makes the band seem more down-to-earth. A quote from one of the band members is overlapping the large image reading "A guy came in and said the drums sounded like they were recorded in Abbey Road". This draws in more readers who like the Beatles, as they might think that The Horrors are the 'next big thing'. However, I think the Kerrang spread is better at bringing in more readers as the stark contrasts of the red, black and white stands out along with the unique looking band costumes. The spread for The Horrors is quite plain and there is nothing that immediately stands out and attracts the eye of the reader.

College Magazine Contents Mock-Up - 20/02/2011

This is the first mock-up to the contents page of my college magazine. I have included the basic features such as the school name and dateline at the top of the page, along with the masthead title of "Contents". I have then divided the contents into four different sections ( with the subheadings "News", "Fund Raising", "Trips" and "Feedback") to give a more clear structure to the contents page, and make it easier for the reader to find the magazine article they are looking for. Underneath these subheadings, there will be the page numbers with a few words describing an article so that the readers know where things are in the magazine. In the centre of this page (between the divided sections) I have created space for images relating to the articles in the contents section, and there will be captions underneath these images telling the reader what it relates to in the contents, and which page to find out more about it on. I am also going to include a quote in the final draft, which will give a positive view on the school and entice readers into becoming more interested. Lastly, I will create a puff at the bottom of the page to entice readers further, and pursuade them into continuing to read the whole of the magazine.

Music Magazine Contents Page Analysis 17/02/2011

The first contents page is taken from Kerrang, and contrasts greatly from the second contents page taken from Mojo. Firstly, the Kerrang page seems to be a lot more cluttered than the Mojo one, as it uses more images and subheadings to separate the different parts of the magazine. The Kerrang page also includes a message from the magazine editor, which may have been done to make a personal connection to the reader and as a way for the editor to thank people who have bought the magazine before (and therefore encouraging new readers to keep buying it). Next to this personal note from the editor there is an image of a previous issue of Kerrang, which may have been used to show new readers what they're missing. All of these subheadings, personal notes and images makes the layout more complex and cluttered than the Mojo contents page.

However, the Mojo contents page is a lot more simplistic and has more of a modern vibe to it. The red, black and purple colour sheme makes it seem more modern, and the less imagery makes the layout significantly less cluttered and more minimalistic. The image itself stands out more as it is the only image on the page, and is also very daring. The picture, along with the quote alongside it reading "As long as we had beer we were OK" creates a moral panic about the typical 'rock n roll' lifestyle. It also contrasts from the typical magazine page by reversing the roles of women as "eye candy" and giving it to an unnatractive man - a man is made to be objectified rather than a woman. Overall, I think that the Mojo contents page is better in attracting readers as it is less cluttered and has an easier-to-read layout.

Music Magazine Front Cover Analysis - 17/02/2011

These images are the two front covers of music magazines: Top of the Pops and Rolling Stones. There is a stark contrast between these front covers in both imagery and audience. I can tell that the Top of the Pops magazine is aimed at young teenage girls due to its colour scheme (pink, white and yellow) and images/feature stories. It talks about typical bands/singers that young girls tend to listen to, like JLS, the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. The magazine also includes a fashion article to entice the sterotypical young girl who wants to shop. This cover acheives in reaching out to its audience, but the cover seems too cluttered with pugs, puffs, text and imagery.

The Rolling Stones front cover contrasts greatly against the Top of the Pops cover. The image of Lady Gaga is extremley provocative to attract its male audience (or the "male gaze" in relation to Mulvey's femminist theory), as the female audience will already be attracted to the pop music made by the artist herself. The colour scheme is very simple and modern, put does not draw the readers attention as much as the hot pink background of the Top of the Pops cover. However, I think that the Rolling Stones cover is much better than the Top of the Pops magazine as it has a more simple and recognisable layout, and is a lot less cluttered than the other cover. 

My Genre Choice - 17/02/2011

I have decided that my music magazine will focus on the punk, rock, emo and alternative rock areas of music. I enjoy this music the most and would find it easier to talk about in my double page spread. These are some of the musical artists that fit into my genre chocie:



My Chemical Romance

Linkin Park

Evanescence

Bring Me The Horizon

Blink 182



My Music Magazine Questionnaire Results - 17/02/2011

These are charts showing the feedback from my music magazine questionnaire. These results will help me when creating my magazine and making it appealing to the target audience.

College Magazine Front Cover (First Draft) - 04/02/2011

This is the first draft of the front cover for my College Magazine. I have used the red, black, blue and white colour scheme consistently throughout to create a sense of continuity. These colours are also the colours used in the school logo, so the colour scheme relates back to the school colours. I then seperated the mastheads and feature stories into seperate blocks to create an easy-to-read layout. The image of Charlotte Williamson releates to the feature story "DEYES GOES GREEN"  (I have provided a caption with the students name underneath this picture). 

I have also included a pug (or 'earpiece') in the bottom right-hand corner to entice readers into reading the college magazine so they can find out about 'Deyes High's New Building'. Another pursuasive device used in this cover is the puff reading "READ FULL AMAZING STORY INSIDE!" This will purusade my audience to pick it up and finish reading the whole magazine, instead of just glancing at the front cover.  

Parts of this cover does compare to my first initial mock-up. I have placed the masthead with the slogan "Specialist Science College" at the top of the page alongside the logo, which is in the same place as it was on my mock-up. The headline with the catchy slogan "DEYES GOES GREEN!" is also in the same place as well, but everything else after that differs to my mock-up. I did not stretch the image across the whole page like I did in my mock-up and instead placed the start of my feature story alongside it, as I believe that this set-up is neater and corresponds more to a professional newspaper layout. I then put the enticing puff in the bottom-centre of the page, as I felt that it would stand out more if it is in the centre. I put the pug (showing the 'Deyes High's New Building!" story) next to this puff instead of it overlapping the image as showed in my initial mock-up, because I felt that the pug would distract from the main story if it overlapped it and would make the page seem more disorganised. I then created a box for the date in the bottom left-hand corner instead of making a dateline at the top of the page, because I wanted the date to stand out so the reader would immidately know what issue this magazine was. Lastly, I added a caption underneath the picture which I didn't do in my mock-up, as the caption would establish who is in the picture and would relate it to the featured article.

College Magazine Front Cover Mock-Up - 04/02/2011

This is the first mock-up of the front cover of my college magazine. I will include a masthead at the top of the page with the school name and slogan ("Specialist Science College") in it, and a dateline to define when this magazine was issued. There will also be the school logo alongside the masthead to relate to the school's name and attract readers who will recognise the logo immediately. Underneath the masthead and logo, there will be a catchy headline relating to the image below it. There will also be a pug overlapping this image, giving an insight into another feature story within the magazine and enticing readers to open the magazine and find out more. At the bottom of the page there will be a box containing the start of a story relating to the headline and large image, but it will only show part of the story and say something along the lines of "Story continued on page 7" in order to entice readers into wanting to open the magazine and finish reading the whole story. Lastly, there will be a puff pursuading readers to open the magazine and read more.

College Magazine Front Cover Analysis - 04/02/2011

These are the front covers' of two college newsletters: Deyes High School and St Ambrose Barlow. The Deyes cover is very bland and boring compared to the bright white-on-red masthead of St Ambrose, and St Ambrose tends to stand out more to the reader than the Deyes newsletter. The Deyes cover uses only black and white, which is not eye-catching or interesting to the reader at all; and there seems to be no clear anchorage - it looks as if the pictures and text were just randomly thrown together at the last minute! Also, there are three different types of fonts used on the Deyes cover, and it is unneccessary for the tiny amount of text there is. The 'DEYES HIGH SCHOOL' heding uses a formal serif (edged/lined) font, and then suddenly changes to the sans serif (rounded) font of comic sans which is quite an informal/unprofessional and childish font in contrast to the previous serif font.

Despite the St Ambrose cover being more bright and eye-catching, it still has it's flaws too. This cover uses the sans serif comic sans font in its masthead too, which creates a lack of professionalism. The yellow sun-shaped puff in the bottom left-hand corner of the cover also looks like it was just put in the magazine as a way to fill in empty space, as an after thought, and looks childish and unprofessional compared to the rest of the newspaper-style layout. There is also too much text, which causes the cover to look more like the inside of a college magazine rather than the front cover. The reader is not going to be able to read the whole text at the first glance in contrast with the Deyes cover where there is so little text that the reader instantly knows what the newsletter is about. However, this large amount of text can make the magazine look more like a professional newspaper rather than a magazine put together at the last minute. The layout is also easy to read, and the contents column lets the reader know what to expect throughout the magazine. Therefore, I think that the St Ambrose Barlow cover is better than the Deyes High cover.  

Mood Board - 03/02/2011

This is the mood board for my music magazine. I have included images and words that relate to the chosen rock/emo/punk/alternative rock genre of my magazine.

Media Vocabulary - 03/02/2011

There are several specialist terminolgy to describe the different parts of a music magazine front cover. They are:

• Puffs - Small boxes that promote features inside the magazine
• Strapline - A slogan (e.g. "Life is Loud" for Kerrang)
• Banner - Text which stands out from it's background (usually at the bottom of the magazine cover)
• Copy - The main feature story of the magazine
• Anchorage - The particular layout that "anchors" the magazine (e.g. a picture)
• Pugs - Also known as the "earpieces" because they are placed in either the top right or left hand corners of the cover. Promotional offers are placed in this earpiece in order to pursuade people to buy it
• Motto - A memorable piece of text relating to the magazine brand
• Headline - A (often catcy) title for the magazines main article
• Sell Lines - Text on the magazine cover that helps to sell it to the audience
• Caption - Description of the image (often placed under the image itself)
• Masthead - Name of the magazine
• Dateline - Line reading the date of the magazine issue
• Lead - The introductory paragraph of a magazine article (sometimes in bold to make it stand out to the reader)
• Drop Capitals - Larger letters that start a paragraph
• House Style - A magazines individual style that distinguishes it from it's competitors
• Buzz Words - Enticing words that stand out to the reader, such as "Wow!" and "Free!"