Research and Planning: Double page spread language comparison.

I have decided to compare the language between an alternative/pop punk magazine and a pop magazine. 

My example of a pop magazine

• Bright colours.
• Informal interview process.
• Simple question and answer like a conversation.
• Gossip style of questions.
• Informal register.
• Limited vocabulary for a younger age demographic.
• More child like.

 My genre of magazine

• Formal register.
• Wider range of vocabulary for an older demographic.
• Includes topics suitable for an older age group e.g.smoking.
• Simple layout.
• Darker colours.
• Interview questions are mixed from sarcastic humour to serious meaningful questions.
• Clearly laid out
• Personal answers

Research and Planning: Double page spread story ideas

I could layout my double page spread in many ways:

Interview

Informative artist profile

Events

Fashion

New album

New photo shoot

Festivals

Below I have included a few examples of magazine double page spreads from the same genre.

Research and Planning: What mise-en-scene do I associate with my genre?

To help out with my test shots and how I use my images in my magazine I have looked into the mise-en-scene relating to my different genres.

Album Covers

These two album covers are by pop punk artists Neck Deep and All time low who will both feature in my contents page. These album covers are very digitalised and colourful which represents the fun, carefree and upbeat genre that is pop punk.

Looking into the rock side of my genre I find one of my favourite bands: Mallory Knox

Their two album covers go as follows:

Both of these album covers are very simplistic. The first album cover uses one shot of the inside of a lighthouse (the sprial steps), this relates to their music since their lead single and most well known song is called "Lighthouse". The second album clearly states their logo with pops of colour. The theme of simplistic single images or logos being used on album covers is very common throughout most alternative rock albums.


Location

I have found that all promotional shots I have found are taken outside not just for bands but for single artists aswell.
For example Frank Iero has released a new solo project and this was the first shot ever released from his new work:

Another example of the outside promotional shot is pop punk band Neck Deep who I have mentioned previously

I think that taking my photos outside will be beneficial since natural light will give me the best results and also include interesting backgrounds.
I have also decided for my location I would like to use a background that doesn't interfere with the main picture so using a brick wall would work well, I want my photos to look quite urban since my feature will be about a rock artist.

Lighting

Relating to my location will be lighting and as I said before I will be using natural light, but making sure I am clear of any other objects casting a shadow across my models face.


Props

In my previous Costume and Props research post I contemplated using a guitar as my prop but for my front cover I won't be needing the guitar since I have decided I will be taking a mid shot of my model so the guitar wouldn't be seen. For my double page spread I may consider using a guitar as a prop just to add something to my photos of my model instead of using very similar photos.

Costume

I got some feedback relating to costume in my target audience videos. I have decided to use what they have said and keep the model wearing mainly black since the colour represents the genre very well as a base colour. Leather jacket, black skinny jeans and a motif top will fit in well with the rest of my magazine.

Research and Planning: Plan for the week

My plan for the week:

• Start my magazine.
• Produce one location recce and risk assessment.
• Begin producing my magazine.
• Start writing your double page spread story.
• Extra genre post.

My personal objectives:

• Begin completing the production documents from folder.
• Produce a model headshots post.
• take a series of test shots using a DSLR camera and evaluate.

Research and Planning: Cover Line Ideas

I have done some research into different cover lines used on magazines of my genre and have adapted some to suit my magazine and thought of some of my own to include in my contents page.

On my front cover I am going to include:

• My feature 
• Paramore 10 year anniversary
• Thirty Seconds to mars unveil new documentary
• Bring Me The Horizon competition
• Fearless Records announce Punk goes Pop Volume 6
• As it is-the first British band to get signed to Fearless Records
• Asking Alexandria and Mallory Knox gig reviews.

Other cover lines which could be used as regular content will feature more on my contents page.

Research and Planning: Publication Plan

I have completed a Publication Plan to summarise my music magazine.

Research and Planning: Re-drawn Music Magazine drafts

Front cover

My front cover will contain a large masthead in a black grunge effect font (Zilipeppo). My main image will cover the whole page but the background will be blurred out so that the text stands out more. The image of Josh will be a clear mid shot and he will be wearing mainly black. The positioning statement will be placed just under the masthead on the left and the barcode will be in the bottom right hand corner. 9 cover lines surround the main image taking up the blank space, these will keep to the black, red and white colour scheme.

Contents Page:

My contents page will include a bold title but in a regular font. Underneath this will be 6 cover lines laid out in grid form and at the side will include an image of Hayley Williams relating to the Paramore feature. Three images follow these cover lines from the left to right they will go: Asking Alexandria, Josh Swindells, Thirty Seconds to Mars. At the bottom of the page the regular features will be presented along with the small feature on Thirty Seconds to Mars’ new documentary.  Reviews and album covers will also be placed here.

I decided not to change anything besides colours to my double page spread draft since my original draft agreed with my target audience. I have decided to include a thin black line border at the top and bottom of both pages with the masthead in small print in each corner. Also I have decided that most of the text will be kept black since it is easy to read but the interview questions will be in red and bold font.