This is my very quick initial mock up of my front cover that I made on www.picmonkey.com, I made this with influences of an NME magazine featuring Florence Welch. I like my variety of fonts as they are appropriate for my genre, although there isn't enough information on the page and there is a lot of space free that I could have taken advantage of. I feel that a big magazine such as NME could pull this off although it is unconventional in comparison to their other magazines. This doesn't work for me as a busy magazine looks more effective, such as Kerrang.
Here is my second mock up made on www.picmonkey.com. This is pretty close to what my final outcome will be. In comparison the the mock up above, there is much more text and visual imagery (boxes, a second plug and secondary images). I have created a footer which is inspired by the 'Featuring' column on the cover above. This takes up much less space leaving more room for stories that are more likely to reel in the readers. I've used feature stories influenced by my 'WAVES' google mock up I created in December. Although I have used the same image as I feel that it is appropriate for my main feature story. I have used the idea of the outlines on the boxes so that there is more colour on the page and also that they don't get lost in the main image. I can contrast the outline cp;our based on the type of feature. This is what I am going to recreate when making my final front cover draft on Photoshop (See below).
These images are taken of my main model, Dionne. She wore the exact outfit I had planned, this is iconic for my genre as it is an individual style. The checked shirt makes the images instantly look more casual as it is worn open, as if it has just been thrown on. Her hair is also 100% natural, I love it because it is wavy and has a nice length which meant that she could play with it in some shots. Because her hair is natural she looks more relaxed, this is just how I want the readers to feel when they see the images. Converse are a rough, comfortable but popular item of shoes. Wearing branded clothing can look good on magazines because if the readers get inspiration to buy the product themselves, then they know that they can research the brand or buy from them almost anywhere. Dionne's make-up was an 'every day' look, this adds to her natural look. It shows that you don't have to try so hard to be beautiful. I hope this message comes across to the reader; I can get opinions on this or include this in a feature story so that it makes sense. I asked her to pose in many different ways that I think will look good on the cover page, the contents page or the double page spread. I used props that either look fun or inviting, or props that I could create a feature story from. For example, the film reel could demonstrate the 'artist' having a song played in an upcoming, known movie.
Here Dionne is wearing another outfit. This floral style is to bring out the more feminine, flirtatious side. Here she is pouting more or smiling innocently. More of her skin is on show here which makes her look more formal. Red lipstick was used to bring out her facial features even more, this bright colour goes with any coloured clothing. I love the image below of her facing the left, holding her hair. This is because it is giving depth to the image, her eye contact is also locked onto the camera. Dionne also looks confident and 'girly' as she smiles. I took many natural shots throughout this photo-shoot because they sometime look more effective as they aren't forced. Although, some were unsuccessful and are blurry - as shown below and previously, my model also isn't centre frame.
Here are the images of my second model, Corey. I took images of Corey so that I could put them on my contents page, or as secondary images on the front cover. I chose props that are more masculine, like the gun and mask. The gun shows attitude, it could tell a story as if the artist is struggling or has been in some sort of dilemma. The mask shows that he is hiding his true identity, I could use this as a deep feature story that grasps the readers attention because it is pretty much an Indie version of a 'gossip' story. Corey could be hiding from the 'haters' or even suggesting that he isn't being himself through the eyes of fame. I could include a feature story of him revealing his true being to my readers. I took a lot of long shots this time because these are usually conventional for a contents page, whereas medium close ups are ideal for front covers. Corey is wearing a black t-shirt with a band design print. This is casual although common for people in the indie genre. He is also wearing hoodies showing that he is relaxed and in a natural state. They also show a bit of a gangster look, especially with the mask. This is not the look I was going for, although the hoodies hide Corey's appearance from the readers, just like the feature story I've just mentioned.
Here are all of my two shots. I decided to take images of both Dionne and Corey so that I have a range of feature stories for my contents page or double page spread there in case I need them. I am also featured in a rare few of these, therefore I could even use the images of me and Corey as if we were a group/band members. I took many informal/humorous images here because they will be smaller on the page, so not as noticeable, also they suggest different types of stories. It also looks fun because there is two people and they are having a good time. This looks more realistic than two people posing dramatically just for a contents page - I found this isn't very common.
Dionne has taken these images of myself. We actually made the unforgettable mistake of not turning the key lights on in the green room, which has resulted in many dark, blurry images. However, most of these images without the checked shirt on were taken incorrectly. I have posted these because it shows our mistakes and our 'before and afters'. They could also be used on my contents page as another feature story. The last collection of images were taken correctly, you can tell by the lighting and the quality of the image. After this happened I took all of the images above. There is a big difference! Luckily we realised and now have a strong variety of original images to use.
Here is a simple, short behind the scenes video made with the app Magisto. It automatically selects parts of the video and merges them. This is to show what location the photo-shoot had taken place and what happened on and off camera. Also, this video shows myself being a model to show what happened behind the takings of my images.
This is my official Behind The Scenes video. I filmed the whole shoot from an angle of the room to get a dimensional view of the white screen and behind the camera. This shows my models posing and how I asked them to position themselves and what props to use. The video was relapsed and muted with the song Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne playing to make it a more professional video - from previous research. It is roughly 15 minutes of footage reduced to 3.
Demographics: Measurable characteristics of media consumers such as age, gender, race, education and income level. The characteristics and statistical information that distinguish a group of people. These characteristics commonly include age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, interests and other quantifiable criteria. A business’ target demographic captures the group of people at which their products or services are aimed. By looking at these characteristics of an audience it helps us understand how to target a product, it helps to differentiate how to appeal directly to an audience.
Why is audience research important? Audience research is vital to any project, regardless of whether it’s a magazine, film, video games or television shows. It gives an insight into what the audience enjoy and look for in a product and ultimately help the producers to bring in as many of their target audience as possible. There are various methods of gathering this information but the most common would be questionnaires/surveys. It allows the producers of the product to ask the questions and get direct yes/no answers. Without audience research, a film could be produced and could completely miss interpret their target audiences’ interests, habits etc. and the film the product wouldn't sell as intended. How is it going to help me when creating my magazine? This will help me because I have opinions from an outer perspective, they will know nothing about my magazine but can answer my questions completely honest and open. This will tell me what other people really want from a magazine, so I can then put their ideas forward for the construction of mine. Questions I asked my focus group:
What is your age/gender?
What levels of education have you completed?
What hobbies do you have?
Where do you hang out in your free time?
Would you rather buy a paper copy or download an electronic copy? Why?
How much are you willing to pay for a magazine?
Do you normally subscribe to any magazines that you like?
Do you enter any competitions if you see them advertised in magazines?
What competitions are you likely to enter?
What do you want to see more of in music magazines?
What costumes/props do you associate with the genre?
What 5 artists do you think of in the Indie genre?
Here is my focus group video. I asked many of the questions above to a small audience; who are all of the same age group as myself. I will put their answers/opinions towards the planning and construction of my magazine.
1. My first look is relevant for my genre because it is a casual style that doesn't need too much effort. The shirt can be worn in several ways paired up with a strap top underneath, so I can take a variety of images based on this same style. A buttoned-up look would show that the model is smart, quite reserved or more girly. If the shirt is unbuttoned then the model would have quite a rough-casual edge, be relaxed and have a bit of attitude. The high waisted jeans are very in fashion at the moment which is great for a modern magazine. Because they are black I can pair any accessory or shoes with them. The necklace is simply to add a bit of style, the model will look a more like an artist wearing accessories. Converse also go perfectly with such a casual look. They are white which are very popular and also affordable. Converse are comfy which makes my model look comfortable rather than in pain wearing high -platform feels. 2. My second look is floral which stereotypically is a girly attire, for example, you rarely see 'tomboys' or 'chavs' wearing floral tops. Daisy prints are also one of the top trends at the moment which is appealing to my target audience as it is for the younger generations. I have used the same jeans and shoes for the reasons stated above. Black is also an easy colour to work with when choosing the colour scheme for the feature stories, masthead, etc. I've also included some bracelets that are what 'Indies' wear. Multiple bracelets often show different memories or meanings, or just look different drawing a line from accessories that any other genre would wear. 3. My third look is very appealing to my audience as it has the floral, girly personality; and the attitude from the black Dr. Martens boots. The shirt is colourful which helps me with the colour scheme and again there is a theme of black going on with the skirt and tights. The velvet skirt was chosen as it shows that my model is a little more dressed up in comparison to the other looks, it also may look more attractive and make a wider audience pick up the magazine. However, the purpose of my image is not to look appealing in a sexual way - which is why the other two looks are more reserved - although I still want to make my image clear and appropriate according to my genre and target audience.
Medium Close Up - I took this image because this is the most common shot used for magazine covers. This means it is important to get it right. Taking this shot helps me understand exactly how I am going to take the medium close ups during the photoshoot for my front cover image. This shot shows their outfit as well as their face, which is important because the outfit completely defines the person - as the reader can only judge from what they see.
Close Up - A close up is used to dramatically show facial features or put all of the viewers focus onto features that we will not recognise from for example, a long shot. I like this shot because if it is taken correctly it is rather flatering, although I do not need this type of shot to be used in my magazine.
Badly Framed Image - This image was taken incorrectly as the top of the model's head is not in the shot. The person needs to be shot in centre frame with their head fully within. Badly framed images can also be taken on slants, which creates a sense or disorientation or distortion. Overall I will not be taking any badly framed shots in my photoshoot.
Long Shot - The long shot includes the whole of the person's body. It is used to capture everything that they are wearing and also to establish the background or location that they are in. This shot is often used on magazine covers although it is most commonly of bands (which is technically a four shot, five shot, etc). I will take many long shots in my photoshoot so that the readers get an image of their full body, I can put the models in any background. They will be useful on my contents page to give diversity to all of the images and a difference from the front cover. I could also use this shot on my double page spread as it will be taken of the same model on the cover, except it will show more of her in comparison to the medium close up.
Bad Lighting - This shot demonstrates how the use of bad lighting can effect the image. If the image is too dark it makes it hard to understand the image, if it is too bright then it takes too much of the contrast away and can often look faded. It can make the image hard to look at, especially if it looks really unrealistic.
Good Lighting - Having good lighting on an image shows the true features of the image. For example it isn't saturated or highly contrasted, which makes it pleasing to look at and more attractive. My model's facial features stand out here as it is natural and realistic.
Two Shot - A two shot simply shows two people in the same shot. It is used to establish something happening between multiple people, or their closeness. Here my two models are linked by the arm around the others' neck. This shows that they are close and it has a positive outcome. I will definitely be using this shot for the images on my contents page.
