Researching School Magazines

Researching School Magazines
The magazines name is The Kings School which is probably the name of the school. It is written in bold blue letters in a font that stands out, it is at the top of the cover which is typically where the masthead usually is. The issue number and price are written underneath the masthead so that people clearly know what issue it is and how much it costs. They have used a large feature image in the centre of the page and is of a student standing in front of the school, the image is large as it is the main focal point. There is a barcode on the front of the magazine to be scanned when people purchase it. There is no page reference numbers on the front page of the magazine so therefore the reader will have to turn to the contents page to find out what page each article is on. There is one slightly smaller image on the cover which doesn't draw attention away from the main image but keeps the cover interesting, this is something I may consider when making my own magazine. There are a few feature stories on the cover which will grab the attention of the readers and may even interest people who wouldn't normally buy the magazine to purchase it as they want to find out more. They have also included the school logo on the cover of the magazine so that when people see the magazine they associate it with the school. They have used a simple colour scheme consisting of blue, red and yellow which are neutral colours.


This magazines name is Inspired, like the first one it is at the top of the cover in bold blue letters. Underneath the masthead is a slogan "For all the information you need to know now" when people hear this they will associate it with this magazine. They have only used one main image in the centre of the page, they have kept it simple by only using one image however some people may see it as boring. Like most other magazines they have included their feature stories on the cover giving the reader a taste of what's inside. Also they have included the issue number, date, price and barcode on the cover for people to know that they are up to date with the latest issue. They have kept the colour scheme simple by using blue, red, yellow and green. The layout of the cover is simple however not very eye catching.








The name of the magazine is Twelve and that is very clearly printed at the top of the cover. Similar to the other magazines this one also includes the issue number, price and a barcode this element is something that I will keep in mind when I make my own magazine. There is a large main image of a student doing work with some smaller images around it to keep the cover interesting however sometimes it can look over crowded. They have included a competition where people can win a £10 voucher, this may attract more readers as people will want to know how to enter the competition. Competitions and free gifts are a good way to get more people to purchase your magazine so this is something I feel works well and will be including in my own  magazine. They have used a colour scheme of black, purple and a pale pink.

School Magazine Cover and Evaluation



School Magazine cover and Evaluation
This is my school magazine cover, from my research I learnt that the masthead was always at the top of the page and easily visible so I decided to incorporate this into my own magazine. I also used a slogan "where learning comes first" so that when people hear it they associate it with my magazine. as well as the slogan I included the school logo so that people link the magazine with the school. I decided to use a simple colour scheme of white, black, red and yellow as I felt I could use red or yellow for the points that I want to stand out to the audience, for example my feature stories are written in yellow so that they catch the attention of the readers. As well as this I also offered the chance for people to win a competition as I felt it was a good way of getting more people to want to buy my magazine. Rather than using one main image I decided to use four small images that were all the same size as I didn't want my front cover to look boring and simple. However next time I may use one image to ensure that my cover doesn't look over crowded.

Costumes and Props

Costumes and Props Research

For my research I created a presentation using Prezi.

Representation Of Men and Women

Representation of men and women in magazines

Men and women are portrayed to the public very differently. quite often women are seen as sex symbols that will attract the attention of the male audience, the aim is that the main image will appeal to them making them want to buy the magazine in order to see similar images. They are made to look alluring and appealing often dressed in very little clothes with soft facial expressions in order to entertain the male audience and draw them in. On the other hand some people view the women on the cover of the magazine as an icon. Girls often want to look like famous women that they see on these covers of music magazines as they are portrayed to have perfect skin, hair, makeup and figure.

Men on the other hand are made to look powerful and strong. They stand bold and will have strong facial expressions so that the reader feels like they are staring them straight in the eye. Boys will often look up to them as they are respected. They are also seen as sex icons but no so often as women are.  Whereas women would be doing a seductive stare to get the interest of the male audience.

Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions
All magazines tend to follow basic codes and conventions. An example of this is that they all have a masthead. The masthead will usually be at the top of the page and will often be quite large in order for it to stand out to the audience. As well as this there would usually be a large main image that takes up most of the front cover as this will be the main focal point. There may also be some smaller images around it. another factor they all share is that they will have the date and issue number somewhere on the cover of the magazine.

Different genres of magazines use different types of font. The rock genre of magazine will often use bold block writing that stands out whereas girly pop magazines tend to use more bubbly writing to match the light hearted tone of the magazine and appeal to the appropriate audience.

Magazines will often try to appeal to a larger audience by offering free gifts or prizes that can be won through competitions. This tends to make people more interested in buying the magazine even if they aren't a regular buyer as they may like the idea of a free gift or the chance to win a prize.

Also they will use quotes and pictures from the feature stories in order to give the audience a taste of what is going to be included in the magazine. By reading the quotes it may make them want to read the full article so will therefore buy the magazine.

The codes and conventions will differ as to what genre the magazine is. Different genres will have different colour schemes to match the mood of the magazine for example NME magazine uses a colour scheme of dull colours such as black, white, grey and then a main colour that will stand out like red.

Equipment needed for photoshoot

Equipment needed for my photo shoot
There is not a lot that I will need for my photo shoot. This is a list of all the equipment I will need in order to take my photos ready to use in my magazine.

• Camera to take my pictures
• A tripod to ensure that my photos don't blur
• A Green screen so that I can edit the background later
• Model
• My shot list so that I know what photos I need to take
• Any costumes and props that I have planned to use in my photos

Comparing Two Magazines

Here I have compared two different styles of magazine NME and We Love Pop. I have analysed their colour schemes and layout in order to decide what things I will use when creating my own magazine and what things I think didn't work so well so wont be including in my own magazine.

Music Magazines In Shops

Magazines In Shops

I went into my local shop in order to take a picture of the variety of magazines that they had to offer. They had separated the different types of magazines in order to make it easier for the customers to find what they were looking for. The first thing that I noticed was that most of the music magazines had a bright colour incorporated on the cover, this is something that I will use when creating my magazine as I feel it makes them stand out against other magazines. As well as this people often associate colour schemes to certain magazines, for example NME use red, back and white on their covers so people will see this colours and know that its NME. Also alot of the magazines have used bold font which makes the name stand out and catch peoples eyes as they are browsing. Also the model in the main image will usually be looking directly into the camera so that the readers feel that they have eye contact with the model and can really associate themselves to the story. I also noticed that they have placed the more well known magazines towards the front of the shelves in order for people to be able to access them easily as they walk by. It also might grab the attention of people who do not normally buy magazines as they may see an interesting feature story that will make them want to buy the magazine just to find out more. As well as this most of the magazines offered some sort of competition, special offer or free gift that will entice people to buy the magazine even if it is just for the free gift.

NME Timeline

NME Magazine Timeline
Here i have looked at a variety of different covers NME have published through the years. Starting at 1952 ranging up to 2011. NME magazine has changed drastically through the ages, I feel that they develop and grow as society does. They are very up to date with the current trends in order to keep their magazine popular with a varied age range. Up until 1981 the cover would say The New Musical Express rather than the abbreviated NME as their name was probably becoming known more and more. Their covers have gone from full of pictures to one or two main ones. They keep their covers simple but still affective and the readers will now associate the big red NME with The New Musical Express magazine.

1)1952   5)1979
2)1953   6)1981
3)1969   7)2001
4)1977   8)2011

      

Group Work- Analysing A Music Magazine

 

Group Work- Analysing a Music Magazine

My media class got together to analyze the double page spread of a music magazine. A popular thing that each group commented on was the colour scheme and how it was kept the same throughout the magazine, it also suited the genre of the magazine, in this case it was rock and dark colours such as red and black were used. This is something I will bare in mind when it comes to making my own magazine as i think it is a very important element. As well as this they have kept the layout simple but interesting by using a large main image and a few smaller ones so the page doesn't look over crowded and the focus isn't lost. Another thing we picked up on was that the pictures linked in well with the article. When it comes to making my own magazine I will ensure that my pictures       and story link together and also link to the genre of my magazine. Otherwise when people are reading it they will feel like there is no relevance.  

Typography

This is the font I have decided I will use for my magazine as I think it stands out and people will associate it with my magazine.












Here I have experimented with different styles of font to find one that I feel will link in well with the genre of my magazine. As I have chosen to do punk rock as my genre I feel that a bold font is more suitable, as punk rock is quite a hard hitting genre of music. I also researched different colour schemes by looking at other magazines of a similar genre like NME and Kerrang. For my magazine I am going to use dark colours with one main colour that will stand out for example red. 

Double page spread- Second draft

Double page spread article- Second draft

After months of speculation and whispers of 'he said', 'she said', Sam Martin has confirmed that the band have decided to part ways.

He revealed the news on their website after a lengthy argument with a fellow member of the band. During the argument, the 23-year-old claimed that it was Tim Goldberg, who walked out on group.

The outburst was seemingly triggered by a recent interview in which Tim, 24, said: "I'm not gonna lie. I haven't seen, spoke to or even spent any time with the band for a few months and I feel I am doing so much better alone, they sont care about me anyway if they did they would reach out to me."

Sam took to the social networking site twitter to call his band mate out on the claim, writing: "You know my number mate, I don’t know yours because you haven’t given it to me since you changed it, don’t make out to our fans that we are In the wrong because you were the one who walked out on not only us but also them.’

The tweets stirred a huge response from fans arguing over who was to blame for the row and the breakup. One fan said "I love the band, I am probably their biggest fan, I hate the fact their arguments have caused them to break up they all rock individually and together as a group they were amazing, Im devastated to say the least"

The remaining members of the band; Sam Martin, Lucy Smith and Tony Wilson want to persue the band but leave Tim Goldberg to do his own thing and find himself. Band member Lucy Smith said "He was an amazing person but showed his true colours when he decided to just cut us all out out of his life, he began to believe that he was better than the rest of us and felt he had outgrown the band and that he was able to go on and do better things without us, but that will not stop us from reaching our dreams, even if it means replacing him."

The band have big plans for the future including worldwide tours, new albums and a range of new merchandise. Tony Wilson said "Just because Tim walked out on our fans doesn't mean we will, they mean everything to us and we wouldnt be the people we are today without them! We will continue rocking for years to come."

Tim Goldbergs walk out has inspired the band to work even harder and become bigger and better than they have ever been before. Some may say its a good thing that Tim has left and that the band can now concentrate on making music rather than arguing, only time will tell.

When editing my double page spread story I wanted to make sure that the story linked with the genre of my magazine. I also edited some of the quotes to make sure that they were relevant to my story.