Research and Planning: Plan for the week

Plan for the week

Week commencing: 17/11/14

• Complete model test shots and analyse.
• Complete production documents.
• Start planning questions for double page spread interview.
• Start magazine front cover and include social networking feedback.

Reearch and Planning: DSLR test shots

Close Up of person

These first three photos I took as close up shots. The first photo has flash on and the other two don't I personally think the second ones work better since the natural light gives better lighting and doesn't make Rebecca's eyes red.

Long Shot of person

These two photos I took as long shots, the first photo I took with flash didn't work out very well since I didn't manage to get her feet in and is a little blurred. So I moved back a few steps and took the second picture without flash on and it worked a lot better.

Flower

This first photo I took with flash on with the extreme close up setting, but the photo managed to come out quite blurry, so I took a second photo with no flash and the photo became clearer. I would prefer to use no flash outside since it seems to give me better results.

Small Object

The first image of the small pen on the floor inside casted a strange shadow in the top corner, the flash didn't work effectively on this picture.

The second image worked a lot better since the camera focused properly and the flash produced a very clear image with no shadows being cast.

Long shot

The long shot image taken outside is a lot clearer and brighter than the one taken inside, the artificial lighting inside creates a darker and in a sense boring photo. I will not be taking any photos outside.

Other shot-Movement shot

As my extra shot I decided to try and movement shot and personally I think they worked quite well. For the first one I tried a jumping shot and I ended up just taking 1 photo and I was very happy with the outcome. The second photo needs a little bit of explaining Aisha (left) and Annalise (right) decided to become zombies and walk quickly towards the camera this shot also worked out quite well. For my magazine I won't be needing a movement shot but I thought I would test out the different features on my camera (Canon 1000D) in order to get familiar with using the equipment.

Research and Planning: Sans serif or serif font?

For my double page spread story I will need to use a Serif font because it provides a cleaner cut to the text and makes the whole story easier to read. The sans-serif font could be used from my masthead, cover lines and other story titles.

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.