Research into artist - Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey from vita_vercetti

Production diary - week 2

This week I had completed 3 tasks in lesson including: influences of music style, research into the music genre and music video theory. For the influences of music style, I had to research the different music genres including pop, rock, alternative and RnB. This research will help me with discovering the different music styles and will help me to decide what genre of music I will be using for my own music video and how they were influenced. I also looked into the music video theory which helped me look further into the purpose of the music video. This will help me with my own music video as it will help me to see what people are expecting from a typical music video.

research into a music director

Q7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

At the beginning of the year, we had to create a preliminary version of a school magazine. From then and now where I have created my own music magazine, there have been significant changes between the two products as I have developed new skills over time.

Looking back now, I can identify some prominent differences such as the use of images. For my preliminary task, the images were quite blurry and were of bad quality. The images were further of low standard as some of the images were dull and would not of attracted any readers. This differs from the product I have created as with the use of advanced equipment such as lighting and better organization with what the model should be wearing and their body and facial expressions, I have had the outcome of very high standard and appropriate images. Especially because I had used the software of photoshop to make them look more professional whereas before, I had not edited them at all and left it with the use of only the original photos.

With my contents page, for my preliminary I had only used one page for it. Whereas for my actual product, I decided to use two pages as it proved to be more effective because I was able to include more in it including more images and content. With creating such pages, I had used a three grid to help me design the pages. This helped the layout of each page to look more clean and organized. However, in comparison to my preliminary task, the headings and subheadings were not alined and the overall page looked unorganized and unstructured due to the distorted placed aspects such as the features and their headings. Before I had also forgotten to include page numbers beside each feature; this proves that overtime, I have learned to include the appropriate conventions of typical media products onto my own.

The use of fonts was another significant factor, as looking back, the fonts I have used were not eye-catching as they were plain and too simple. After learning to use the website dafont and the program nexusfont, those factors have helped me to discover a wide range of options which had definitely helped boost the interesting look to the layout of my magazine.

Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?

For creating all of my pages for my overall magazine (includes: front cover, contents page and two double page spreads) I have learned to use professional equipment and software. Firstly, I had to create a layout for my pages. To do this, I used the software InDesign which I was recommended to use instead of photoshop for creating my pages as it is easier to use. I first set up 7 pages with 3 columns on each page. I learnt that the three columns would help me to make my page look more organized. Being able to have creative freedom with using InDesign has helped me to learn new techniques with using new software by myself. When I created my pages using indesign, the colour swatches helped me to choose my colour scheme and editing the thickness of the mastheads and other aspects of writing was proceeded using ongoing changing processes which helped time to improve the layout of the pages each time. Before I used indesign, I used the website DaFont.com to help me choose fonts for the writing of my magazine. To then be able to use the fonts onto InDesign, I had to firstly import them onto a software called NexusFont. This allowed me to use the font onto my magazine although everytime I use InDesign to edit my magazine, I would of had to have nexusfont open first so that it will enable me to use the fonts onto my magazine and to edit them.

For the images of my magazine, I had to set up a photoshoot which consisted of multiple equipment such as lighting. The lighting was important as I did not want my images to be too dark. I had used special photoshoot lighting which had umbrella like structures which reflected even more light around the model. I had also used a Nikon camera which was quite simple to manage as I had already owned one myself. I took most of my pictures in the portrait position as I was recommended to do so, so that I could easily include them in for my front cover. Although I did take some landscape photos too for my double page spreads. My images were then edited on the software, photoshop. I decided to use photoshop as the software where I edit my images because it is the easiest one to use. I used diverse ways to edit my photos on photoshop. One way was that I had to cut out the images from the white background. I did this using a video tutorial to help me on the school media multi-skills bank website. I used a colour range to separate the actual image of the model first from the background then I had added a new layer via copy to separate the actual image from the white background. I then smoothed the edges so that it gave the image a more natural look. I did not bother to edit the actual image itself as I was already happy with the results. With some images that I had used for the double page spreads, I added a coloured drop shadow to match the colour scheme of the magazine and to make it look more interesting and so that it matched the genre of a party, club-like vibe.

Using these specific software and equipment has helped me to develop my magazine in a more advanced level. It has also helped to make my magazine look more sophisticated and make it look more like an actual magazine. It has given me a variety of options which I could choose and decide what to use for my magazine. Without using the right software, I would not have been able to make the edits such as the drop shadow.

Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?

My magazine contains certain aspects which will ensure that it will sell. Aspects such as the use of buzz words on the front cover will want people to buy the magazine. For example, on my front cover, I have used the buzz word of 'WIN' in big bold writing as part of my cover lines to ensure people that my magazine gives them the opportunity to be able to win something. This is a selling point as people would want to win something and because my magazine is based on the electronic and house genre, the competition should be similarly related to that specific genre of music. Therefore I decided that the competition is to win tickets to one of London's most popular electronic festivals which is EDC (Electro Daisies Carnival). This is another aspect that will get the magazine selling; that is that the magazine is mainly based on the main purpose of the magazine which is electronic and house music and because the fanbase for this genre is increasing, lots of fans of the magazine would want to buy the magazine to ensure that they get the latest news and information about the genre of music first. Receiving the latest news and information first is evident as the magazine involves a daily news section in its contents page. This leads to the uses and gratifications theory in which my magazine provides all factors which again, will want people to buy the magazine. As already mentioned, information and news is involved in my magazine as it consists of exclusive interviews from artists, daily news and information, articles and reviews which will keep the audience up to date with the latest electronic and house music information. My magazine also helps readers find reinforcement for personal value as they will be able to discover new music and artists as my magazine provides the audience with not only established but also upcoming artists which the audience may able to help identify themselves with as they will be able to discover new types of music from new different artists. Also the articles that are included in my magazine, are based on artists talking about themselves and that enables readers to find out that they are also very real people. The magazine also helps readers to escape from reality as they indulge in reading articles from artists which express a deeper look into their life than what is met by the public eye. My magazine also provides them with entertainment as it involves games and links such as using QR codes which will enable them to connect with the magazine to a next level. This consists of being able to use internet versions of the magazine which includes even more extras and bonuses such as videos and games. Other unique selling points involve readers being able to be featured in the magazine as a little tweet of the month box is located on the contents page where a reader is able to tweet in using the hashtag PPHONIC and could star in the next issue of the magazine.

Q4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

I have completed Q4 for my evaluation. The question was about who the target audience for my magazine was going to be. I have decided to start on this question instead of going in chronological order because I have not yet completed my magazine and some questions can only be completed after I complete it. I thought that this question was one of the only questions I was able to complete and it was also one of the most simplier ones to get over and done with. I have included factors such as demographics and psychographics to help describe a typical reader from my target audience. I went into further detail with their social class, social groups, occupations, genders and age range. Also I talked about what type of persona they have as an individual and how that would be appropriate for the readership of my magazine.

Q3. What kind of institution might distribute your media product and why?

My media product is greatly inspired by the popular dance and electronic magazine MigMag as it covers the same genre as my own magazine. I was also intrigued about how they have laid out their magazine pages in a way which they have represented their social group so well and have successfully met the needs and expectations of their audience due to how well the magazine has focused on the genre of electronic and dance so well.  MixMag was distributed by the company Development Hell Ltd therefore its best that I do not use that specific institution to distribute my own magazine as they have already distributed a magazine similar to my own. Therefore IPC institutions may be the best option for my decision for that specific institution to distribute my own magazine. That is because it is one of the UK's leading distribution institutions, distributing other popular magazines from other areas such as Marie Claire and Teen Now. It also distributes music magazines such as one of the UK's best which is NME. This is a great platform for my magazine because the institution has not yet distributed a magazine such as mine in the specific genre of electronic and house music. This therefore makes my magazine unique as they have not yet had exhibited a magazine as such; this is a reason why I believe the company would like my magazine. Another reason being that the electronic and house music genre is increasing its popularity as people's choice in music is changing over the years due to a new generation. Evidence of the genre's growing popularity is that music from that specific area have been taking over the top 40 charts recently. Also, well-known electronic artists such as chase and status and flux pavilion can finally have their spot in magazines where they are able to be the main features. Their fan base is so big and widespread that IPC should be able to get lots of money out of that due to the expected high numbers of consumers who are willing to purchase the magazine.

Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine represents a certain social group which is of teens/late teens that are passionate and have a liking in the genre of electronic/house and dance music. They may also be referred to as outgoing party-animals as fans of the particular genre fits in well with that particular social group due to the vibrant, crazy vibe and atmosphere in which the music of electronic, house and dance provides to its audiences. I have thought carefully about who I have chosen to use for my magazine to play the role of the musicians as it is an important aspect for each page. Due to the fact that they will be the main feature of the magazine, they must fit and meet the expectations of the particular social group so that they are able to relate to the magazine which is an important factor as part of the uses and gratifications theory. They should be able to relate to them in ways which they are able to present themselves in an ideal image of what the audience is like and/or expecting. Therefore, to achieve these expectations, I have chosen to use a male musician for the front cover and main article for my magazine. Specifically, a male was chosen due to the target audience being 80% male orientated. Also, the way I have presented the musician is significant as his clothing is shown to be casual and laid back but also sophisticated in a way. This can relate to the particular social group of outgoing party-animals, particularly male as this would usually be the way they dress when going to a party. The use of the Dr.Dre headphones are significant as they are popular and well-known to those who have a passion in music especially in the specific genre in which my magazine is based on. It also can relate to the specific social group of outgoing party-lovers as witnessing a pair of headphones like the ones Aaron is wearing, instantly reminds them of DJ's who play in clubs. The blacked out glasses and his body language with his arms crossed demonstrates a dominant figure which my target audience may be able to relate to. His facial expressions express a serious nature which again, can represent the magazine's targeted social group as the particular social group can consist of people in a mature nature. However, the use of confetti on the double page spread can represent the social group as being mature but fun and lively at the same time. The overall tone of the magazine, provides readers with a great vibe as its mature but at the same time can be expressed as lively and outgoing which greatly represents a sociable social group.

Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

FRONT COVER
The front cover of my magazine includes a big, bold masthead which is developed to be one of the most eye catching aspects of the page. This is a typical convention for a music magazine as an audience should be able to identify the name of it. However, the masthead of my front cover challenges forms of real media products in ways of which the name I have chosen is long, whereas the name of typical media products should be short as people identify short names as more memorable. This differs from my chosen masthead as mine is particularly longer than the typical masthead. Although as it is a connotative masthead; which could be shorten down as an acronym (PP) which can still give the masthead a way which could be memorable to the audience. The full-bleed of my magazine meets typical conventions of other media products as it takes up most of the page so that it is eye-catching and it also relates to the genre of electronic and house music. Cover lines are also included along with buzz words such as 'WIN'. This is typical as it entices audiences to purchase the magazine. The color scheme of the front cover consist of 3 colours: yellow, black and white. This again, is another convention of real media products to make the layout of the front cover look more formal and sophisticated.  Other small features of the front cover such as the barcode, price and date are included which all music magazines should include. One the other hand, one other way in which my front cover challenges other music magazines is the use of background. Most music magazines' backgrounds are white and plain although mine is of a concert setting which makes it more unique and interesting. Lastly a main cover line is situated on the side of the page to indicate the main feature of the magazine. Most music magazines includes this aspect on the front pages of their magazines.

CONTENTS PAGE
The prominent masthead of this page should be 'Contents' so that readers are able to identify what page it is. My magazine meets this standard in big, bold letters which goes along with the colour scheme of the overall magazine. This is another factor of typical magazines, and that is going along with the same colour scheme throughout the whole of the magazine. Other factors such as main images, page numbers, the logo, category headings, features, website, summaries and reviews are included on my contents page which are typically found in other magazines. Although, some features such as social media related aspects such as tweet of the month and links to the pages are included on my contents page so that people are able to interact with the magazine in a more advanced level. This makes the contents page of my magazine unique, and the subscription box makes it even more different from other magazines. Also, an artist index is included to make it easier for readers to identify which page their favored artist is at.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD NO.1
My first double page spread includes features of typical music magazines such as a main image, I have used a large image on the first double page spread that takes up most of the two pages as it is an introduction to the main feature. This challenges from other magazines as most magazines do not have an introduction page and just goes straight into the article. My double page spread also includes a short summary of the feature which lets readers know shortly what the article is all about. It also includes a pull-out quote from the article which makes it typical although a way in which it differs from other magazine is that it again, takes up most of the two pages. Another way in which this page makes it unique from others is the fact that it has a pull-out box where readers are able to connect to online features of the magazines. Another difference from other real media products is the background that I have used as the background I have used is Photoshopped to make it look more futuristic so that it could link to the genre of my magazine.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD NO.2
The second double page spread consist of the actual article into 3 columns. This develops conventions of real media products as most magazines are layed out in this way. Along with a main image, a masthead, and a pull-out quote. However, one way in which my double page spread is different from others is the use of a box-out which includes tour dates for the main artists.

final product

Processes - magazine spreads

audience feedback analysis

Audience feedback - draft magazine from marymedranag321

chosen images

These are the images I have chosen to use for my front cover, contents page and two double page spreads. I have specifically decided to choose these particular images because I think they link in well the to genre of the magazine which is electronic and house music. This is due to the use of clothing, the atmosphere, the vibe, the props and the use of models in each one of the images.The concert pictures were particularly used for the contents page as a side image for a preview of a feature included inside. This worked perfectly for my contents page because it has captured the crazy atmosphere in which electronic and house music can be known for playing at.One of the concert pictures is also included on the front cover. I used this image for the front cover because I thought that the white background on the orginal photo was too plain and boring. Using this image made the front cover appear more exciting. I used Aaron as a model because I thought he fitted the image of a typical electronic and house artist. I made him wear normal, casual dark clothing with blacked out sun-glasses because from previous research, I have seen a lot of electronic and house music artists wearing similar things. The pictures with the graffitti background brought an edgy side to the magazine which I thought was fun and unique for readers.

contact sheet

Contact sheet from marymedranag321

Behind the scenes

This short video are short clips and images of behind the scene content. They show how the process of the photoshoot went on, along with the use of equipment and the way I direct my models to pose. Some of the images are of the concert atmosphere which is where I took some of my images. Not only were short clips shown on this video, but it also included the images as finishing results. However I was unable to get behind the scene content with Aaron. This is something that I could improve on, on future projects. That of which is to remember to have another peer in the photoshoot to help take videos on the process of my work.

Sketches

FRONT COVER

This is the sketch that I have designed for the front cover of my magazine. In my sketch, I have included all of the appropraite conventions which you will typically find in any music magazine including a main image, tagline, masthead, sell lines, a barcode, date, price and issue number. I will achieve doing this front cover using indesign to create the actual front cover.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #1
This is my sketch for my first double page spread. As this will be the first double page, spread, this is only the introduction into the main article therefore I have included only a little writing on this page just to introduce the topic of the article. I have also included a big pull out quote so that it fills half of the page. This ties in to introducing the audience on what the article is about. The image I have chosen also takes up most of the page because I felt that it would make it more appealing due to it being so visible to the audience.


CONTENTS PAGE
This is my sketch for the contents page. I have again, included all the necessary conventions typically found in the contents page of a typical music magazine. I have included an artist index, images, headers, sub-headings, page numbers and a subscription box, reviews and links to social media. The links to social media will be useful to readers who use social networking sites and this will help to promote the magazine and get the audience to be more interested in the magazine's content.


DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #2

This is my last sketch for my double page spread that is continued from the first double page spread. This sectioni includes the main article of the magazine along with a main image, a masthead, a sub-heading and a pull-out quote. I have also added a pull-out box with the main feature's tour dates. This is a unique-selling point because it advises readers to be aware of the tour and be the first ones that are able to easily get hold of tickets through the links that are included in the box.

OVERALL

These sketches will help me to have an idea of what each page including the front cover, the contents page and the two double page spreads will look like. It will also help me to make the process of making the magazine quicker because I can just follow the layout of how my sketches look like. Making the sketches was easy because i had the first draft of my magazine to help me to decide on how I want my actual magazine to look. Even though I have not provided a colour scheme to my sketches, I thought it would be easier to choose a colour scheme when I make the actual magazine and after my photoshoot, so I know what colours go best with my chosen images.

Penultimate Magazine Draft

audience survey of first magazine draft

I have made a survey with questions related to my the draft version of my magazine. I have done this in order to get feedback from an audience and from that, I will be able to see what I have done well with the magazine and what I could improve on when it comes to creating my final piece.

Here is a link to the survey and my magazine draft. Click on the words to direct you straight to the websites:
survey
magazine draft