Demographic Profile Questionnaire

I devised my own quantitative research in the form of a questionnaire that I will be asking 10-15 people to complete. I will ensure that these people are within my target audience. By doing this I gain an insight into the interests, opinions and activities of my target audience so that my magazine reflects these qualities and is suitable and enjoyable for the audience. Here is the questionnaire that I will be handing out.

Preliminary Photos

I took a variety of images as possible images to use in my preliminary task. It wasn't until the actual production of the magazine that I chose which images I felt where appropriate and which weren't for my magazine. Below are the images that I used in my magazine and contending images that I decided not to use with reasons as to why I chose not to use them.

I decided to choose this image (on the left) as my front cover image because the background was kept clear and nothing was distracting from the model. Although the lighting is better on the other photo (on the right), I felt that the background of the other photo was distracting and would be hard to add text over. However, with the photo that I chose, the white background allowed me to add text easily so that it could be read and understood easily and bright colours could be used, unlike on the other photo. Also, the model uses an eyeline match that attracts the reader's attention and the "super smiler" pose too would appeal to most audience members, especially teenagers.  I felt that I could be more creative with the overall look of the
front cover by choosing this image.

                                                                             

 This image (on the left) was selected for the top of the contents page. I chose this image because the model uses a "super smiler" pose that would attract an audience. I liked the naturalism involved with the smile too that makes the magazine more relatable for the audience. Also, the positioning of the model enables the audience to clearly see the figure, as well as the college logo that establishes who the magazine is for and where the articles are focused from. This gives the magazine an immediate identity. Background is minimal and doesn't clash or obstruct any of the dominant codes such as the model and logo.

This image (on the right) was eliminated from the selection of photos for a number of reasons. First of all, the model has hair obstructing her face which makes it harder to see the model's face- one of the most important things! The pose of the model is unidentifiable as it looks as though she was caught off guard which I didn't like. Secondly, the college sign is hidden by the model's arm which makes it harder for the audience to establish where the magazine is focused on. The background is too varied (brick and glass) which would be hard to work with when adding text. Also, the glass is reflective and ergo shows things that wouldn't be appropriate for my magazine (eg. cars).



I decided to choose this image on the left for one of my contents page images mainly because of the lighting. As you can see, the lighting in my chosen image is much brighter than the other which enables greater clarity on the faces of the models and a lighter background which isnt distracting and can be edited to have text written on the top of it with ease. The use of a low angled shot creates a different dynamic amongst the other images to give the magazine readers something different and interesting to look at. The image on the right however uses darker lighting that makes a distinctive background which is harder to work with and restricts the colours and effectiveness of captions added on top. The shadows cast from the light don't support the "happy" look I was aiming to achieve from the magazine and would ultimately give the contents page a darker look (something I wasn't trying to achieve!)

This image (on the left) was the image that I decided to use in my contents page. The image on the left is clear of any background clutter and is set against a white background that would maintain the overall professional look of my magazine. I liked this image because it is theonly image that doesn't have an eyeline match but instead focuses on the laptop which was the main focus of the article. However, the image on the right has too many examples of clutter such as the board on the wall and the stool in the background. This makes the creating of the magazine harder as focus can be distracted and it effects the overall quality of the image. Also, the pose used by the model isn't distinctive enough for me satisfaction and has mixed connotations of happy and displeasement at the photo being taken. This wouldn't help identify what the article was about and I decided to choose the image that best represented the article content.

Preliminary Task

Before half term, I had to create a 'College Magazine' as a preliminary task before creating a final product. The preliminary task involved me taking my own photos, choosing locations to shoot and using them to create a front cover for the college magazine in addition to a contents page using Microsoft Publisher. All of this had to be completed within the 2 hour time limit that we were set. I found this particularly frightening at first yet managed to hand in a finished product. Below is the feedback from my lecturer as well as my own areas that I intend to improve from the feedback given and how I will undergo these improvements.

Here are two images of my front cover of my preliminary magazine alongside the contents page. This design achieved a Grade C with I hope to improve upon largely in my final product. I have highlighted above how I will do this.

Recce

As you can see below, I have answered the "Recce" worksheet that enables me to think about potential problems at/with my photoshoot and what I intend to should any arise. I believe that I am prepared for any hazards and problems that should arise and am feeling confident for the professionalism and approach that I will be taking to my photoshoot.

For my photoshoot, I organised booking the venue off my own back in my own time to ensure that I was fully in control. Having done previous work at The Customs House in South Shields, I have made contacts who are always more than willing to help. Therefore, I arranged with the box office staff to book their dance studio for a night to set up our own home studio equipment to photograph in. I booked the room for an hour and a half which gave us time to ensure we could take multiple shots should I not be happy with the original photos. 

Here is further evidence of organising props and costume from my models, The Maverick Rejects

http://laurenwainemedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-maverick-rejects.html

Mood Board

In class, I created a mood board of inspirational features of different magazines that I found interesting. Below is the overall look of the mood board and below that you can see images of the different elements up close for ease of reading purposes. I have explained what it is about the cutting that I like and why I might incorporate something similar in my own product. The images are taken from my mobile phone and this may effect the clarity of the writing.