Choosing a Brief

Link to brief - http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/465770-unit-h409-03-04-a-level-media-studies-making-media-nea-briefs.pdf

I am going to be doing the following brief:

You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing the front cover and one contents page for each of the first two editions of a new fashion magazine that is being launched by Bauer and the working website for the magazine. Bauer intends to sell the magazines in retailers.

Planning

minimalist?
what style?
lots of cell lines?
alignment?
fonts and colours?
language that fits the audience?
vibe from model?

Camera
Low ISO e.g. 100 preferable, not above 400
Use digital zoom
Hold camera portrait
Keep an eye on the focus
Keep arrow of light meter in the middle - make sure it is on the right part of the photo
Use tripod
High shutter speed is best if you are moving a lot
Low shutter speed for more light but need to be very still

Hippie/Boho theme for magazine

1st Cover - Lily, relatively plain background - plain top, quirky, flowery trousers, anklets? rings? necklaces?

2nd Cover - Amy, hippie clothes, sunken gardens in Westgate, use sun for naturalistic lighting, mid to long shots, no close up shots. costume - colourful dresses/interesting trousers and plain top, accessorize with rings and round glasses  

Camera Skills Research

Aperture

Like the iris, the bigger the aperture the more light goes in the camera

Large Aperture = bright image

Small Aperture = dark image

HOWEVER

Large Aperture = blurred background (shallow depth of field)

Small Aperture = all in focus (deep depth of field)

F-Stop/F-Number

Written in the format f/8 for example. This shows how large or small the aperture is.

Small numbers are large apertures. Big numbers are small apertures.

To change ISO (sensitivity of sensor) - click ISO button then use scroll thingy next to it (low number=dark, high number=bright) although the higher the ISO, the more grain/noise

To change shutter speed (how long camera is exposed to light) - use scroll thingy (low number=slow shutter speed=captures motions, high number=fast shutter speed=freezes movement)

To change f/number - half hold down button, hold Av button, and use scroll thingy (big=bright=small number, small=dark=big number) (big=blurred background, small=sharp)

Drafts

Research - Codes and Conventions: Magazine

Research and Planning 

Codes and Conventions

* Hippie fashion style

* Very colourful, tye-dye(?)

* Title will be big, and in your face

* Not necessarily bold text

* Direct mode of address from both models potentially

* Naturalistic lighting, use sunrise/sunset (?)

* Title will be at the top of the magazine, will be over the photo of the model if needed

* Colourful colour scheme, draws attention 

* Both in outdoors settings

Mood Board

Text Layout Ideas

Contents Page Ideas












Ideas of what to write on covers and contents 

Lily's Cover (#1)

• Title, month & year underneath on right hand side
• Barcode
• Something about it being first issue

“Your complete guide to hippie fashion”

“Lily Collier on her modelling debut”

“16 must haves for this season”

“Exclusive interview from ___ inside” (selling line)

“Do all things with kindness”

“Radiating positive vibes/Radiate positivity”

“Don’t worry be happy”

Amy's Cover (#2)

• Title, month & year underneath on right hand side
• Barcode

“Learn how to meditate from these simple steps”

“48 new looks you’ll love forever”

“___ tells all about his new book”

“How to wear colour with confidence”

“Collect 5 copies and get your own 60’s hits CD”

“____ tells us what’s hot and what’s not”

Contents Page Ideas

• Need the word contents
• Logo
• Link to the website (maybe in some sort of bubble)
• Page numbers

• “Your fashion plan - must have dresses, shades and shoes”
• “Stress test - how to tell if you’re headed for a burnout”
• “The real ___ - no makeup, no photoshop and no regrets”
• “Great hair in under 10 minutes - discover your style”
• “Secrets to better sleep”
• “Yesplus give us their best Meditation tips for beginners”
• “Hot hits from the 60’s”
• “Footspa - tips for how to keep your feet in the best condition”
• “How to reduce your waste output”
• “The best wrist wallets to suit your budget”
• “Learn the basics in the art of wood carving”
• “How to wear tye dye to suit your style”
• “12 gorgeous dream catchers to suit your style”
• “All things drums”
• “Your Questions to our agony aunt answered!” 

Questions to ask Uncle David for interview, for original audio

intro - hi I'm Dave and I'm here shooting for the cover of new magazine Boho

1. What was your favourite thing about the 60's
2. What would you say, for you, was the song of the 60's?
3. What would you bring back from the 60's?
4. Who would you say your icon was in the 60's and why?
5. How do you feel about being on the cover of Boho? (e.g. looking forward to working with the company again, a pleasure to be picked, great team etc.)

Statement of Intent

How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief?

Product 1: (Fashion Magazine)

I am going to be creating a magazine that targets a sophisticated 16-25 year old audience and is aimed at both genders. To appeal to the audience, I will be focusing the attention on the 60's style fashion and use of colour. My audience research suggests using models the same age as them, I also intend to use models from two opposite social groups to represent the inclusivity of my magazine, and to allow me to fulfill the brief ‘At least two models representing at least two different social groups.’ My focus will be on attracting an audience who are interested in the style so they can identify with it. My audience research suggested I included content such as punchy sell lines and articles with major and relevant celebrities. Most magazines feature high end fashion, and the iconography is mostly airbrushed. However in recent years, the more sophisticated audience I am targeting have started to reject these representations, so by using more realistic representations I feel it will appeal to them more fittingly. My magazine is not something that appears on the Bauer website as part of their group of magazines however I feel as if it would add to their portfolio and target a younger audience than is currently within their fashion demographic. 

Product 2: (Accompanying Website)

My website will be designed to act as a supporting media product for my magazine, but with some extended features, such as exclusive content for online readers. On the home page of my website, I plan to have articles, different to those in my magazine, as this appears to be a convention of fashion websites. In addition to this, I will include features, such as points of contact in the form of social media pages and feedback forms to create a relationship with my readers, this forum will encourage audience participation by asking multiple questions about the brand. The website will also include individual pages for my model interview and behind the scenes page. I will have a clear and concise mission statement, which will feature at the top of the homepage as a way to connect my audience with my intent. For the audio visual element, I will produce a behind the scenes of the studio photoshoot, this is to help my readers identify with the magazine creation process and feel a part of the production.   

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? 

I intend to make a clear connection between my two products by creating a consistent House Style across both my magazine and website. My masthead will be eye-catching and I will feature elements such as interviews with my models that are featured on my magazine with a wider range of images of the same models from the shoots to create a clear cross-over between the two products. I have put my media company logo and company logo for Bauer on both of my magazines. In addition to this, as stated in the brief, my magazine covers and contents contain a call to action for readers to visit the website. My website should reinforce the clear link between the two through use of a forum section as the aim is to make audiences feel as if they are a part of the production process.