FINAL PRODUCT. Cover, Content, Double page spread page one, Double page spread page two.

EVALUATION QUESTION 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
After looking at many different varieties of magazines from fashion, such as VOGUE and ELLE to music, Q, Interview, Billboard to free paper magazines, cooking and even housing magazines, I found different elements i was inspired by and from which i developed and put into my magazine. Firstly, i was attracted to the idea of having a odd and edgy magazine to what was already currently available. I wanted to created a mixed magazine which would include the three main media institutes that the world is always judged by, but also inspired by. These are Music, Fashion and Art.  

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? on Prezi

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My cover artists is Vladana, she is a old teenage/young adult. She is dressed fashionably in a white polo shirt, a back and white spotted blazer over the top, a pleated skirt with her hair is effortlessly curled along with a smoky eye look to blend in with the dark sophisticated look she gives off whilst also enhancing her eyes and creating a mystery about her. This image and styling of the artist will attract the target audience and reflect the stereotypical reader of this magazine. I wanted to be creative with the shot on the cover to represent the quirkiness of my magazine. I tried lots of different shots; such as - with props, using a tea mug, sitting down on a chair, holding flowers and leaning with a light. Also, Downward and Upward shots, Full body shot, Close up, Mid shot ect. (https://picasaweb.google.com/115835603471050886051/MediaPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCNGVsZ7apouFTQ)  For the cover i ended up choosing a simple but effective shot. It doesn't follow the conventional rules of being a mid shot because its a close shot but because it challenges the conventions of a normal magazine it shows the difference between them, making mine stand out. My artist has a very simple expression on her face however you are attracted to her eyes because they have direct contact which would pull in the reader. Also the attraction you get to such a simple photo is effective because it reflects my artists personality and story which is then shared in the double page spread. 

Throughout my research process i discovered that the look i origninally wanted to go for, a really wierd and arty cover shot would be hard to achieve with the materials i could get myself in the space of time. From this learning curve i went down a route of then changing the idea of having my magazine really abstract and computer edited, to being simple but effective. By doing so i had to think up a new look for my artist which lead to more sinister. My artist is a old teen which is at the starting age of my target audience but she is shown in a mature way which will then still attract the older audience too. Also because my target audience is at women, because my artist is a young adult, she will still aspire to many. 

I think that my cover artist, Vladana is similar to Lana Del Rey. Lana Del Rey is a new up and coming artist who first time hit it big with her single Video Games, which is the story I was inspired by for my artist. They both look rather alike, with an almost old fashioned twist to them which gives a mysterious feel and edge to them both. They both have brown, natural curled hair which gives them the girly feel with then, interesting defined facial features which makes them unique and unusual but defiantly beautiful in their way. This is good for my magazine as it's fighting against the usual and putting across the weird and wonderful which is shown through the style which runs throughout, incorporating art.  
The differences would be the angle of which the artist is facing. Vladana is facing straight on but her face is positioned away to the corner but her eyes are left dead on to the camera, almost like her attention has been grasped for a split second which then shows an intriguing side to her whereas Lana Del Rey is standing diagonally then positioning her face slightly down to the have her eyes slightly looking up toward the camera which creates an innocence to that shot. The serious expression on both of the artists face gives them also a sexual appeal too which will also engage the male audience too. This adds to my artists personality as she isnt a 'flaunt it' sexy but its her mysterious and unusual ways which make her attractive too. This will win my audience over too as the women wont feel intimidated by her as she is represented as pretty 'normal' so the target audience will be able to relate to that making them feel close to the artist and the magazine. 

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?


What Kind of Media Institution Might Distribute Your Media Product and Why


A publishing company like  Prometheus Global Media was formed by the sale of the entertainment and media division of Nielsen Business Media in December 2009. The company's CEO is Richard D. Beckman, previously an executive at Condé Nast and Fairchild Publications, and former publisher of magazines GQ and Vogue, would be good to publish my magazine because it is a big publishing company and they have past experience with different genres such as vouge which will be good as my magazine ties with fashion, art and music. 

Prometheus Global Media recently changed it's name from e5 Global Media. Prometheus was originally formed when Pluribus Capital Management and Guggenheim Partners jointly acquired a handful of publications from Nielsen Co. Under CEO Richard Beckman, a former Condé Nast and Fairchild Fashion Group executive, the company has taken a consumer-oriented approach to some of its publications. For instance, Janice Min, formerly editor of US Weekly, was named editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, the company has reduced the frequency of the publication to weekly and has courted a broader audience to attract more consumer advertising. 'The company is all about engaging people and marketers at the intersection of culture's most powerful forces -- music, media and entertainment.'
This shows that the change in the recent name was to uplift the company and to give it a new start bringing in new members to the business to help lift it higher. Successful writers are now working for this company in which they also have a lot of experience with different genres which will help create my own, Forward magazine and take it the the high quality standard which is needed to be published by this company .

PGM publish; Adweek, Back Stage, Billboard, Film Journal International and The Hollywood Reporter. These are different varieties in genre which is another way in which i believe that Prometheus Global Media would be suitable for publishing Forward magazine also. 
' The Hollywood Reporter is the definitive interpretive voice of the entertainment industry. Informing, engaging and empowering content is delivered across a multimedia platform that includes: a weekly magazine, bi-monthly special reports, quarterly glossies, a Website, a daily news PDF, iPad app and events. The Hollywood Reporter is read by the most powerful people in the entertainment industry and the most influential consumers who follow it – those who shape desire, set trends and ultimately drive culture – providing an unmatched level of access and influence.'
Is said about Their magazine, The Hollywood Reporter. This shows the high quality and standard they set for their magazine in which they publish which I think Forward magazine reaches. 


I believe that this is a good publishing company to distribute Forward magazine because it already runs very successful, high end and appreciated magazines of different genres and in my own Forward magazine it incorporates a mix of genre (Music, art and fashion) to give it an inspiring twist which i think will work very well with Prometheus Global Media.

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Abbey Brighty is a 16 year old girl who lives in Leicester; she is studying Dance at college, Studio 79. She loves listening to the newest, funnest and most popular music before anyone else. As a dancer music is an important part of her life as she has to be inspired and connect with music. She has to have a good knowledge and understanding of different genres and styles of music so she can apply that knowledge to her dance works. Because of this she has to listen to a wide range of music but her favourite genre is defiantly the most 'pop'ular music tied with r&b. Abbey is a fun, daring and adventurous girl who loves socialising with her friends whenever she can, she enjoys going to party’s with loud music and shopping the latest trends. As a dancer she also has an individual look about her, she doesn’t follow the crowd of being 'indie' but she wears what she wants. Abbey is a brilliant example for a target audience member for my magazine as popular music is a big role in her life, but so is her individual appearance and expressing herself which is what my music magazine, tied with arts and fashion is all about. She would buy FORWARD magazine as it features everything she is interested in with a different new twist. Forward magazine is aimed at female’s young adults (16-28) with an interest in the different side of materialism and music. She would be able also relate to the Artist as they are both a similar age so this would appeal to my younger target audience. The article is all about the newest celebrity and her raise to fame which would definitely interest Abbey as she is a performer herself. In the issue I have created for FORWARD magazine overall it includes the popular, London fashion week, download lists, up and coming music, inspirations, an interview with other popular artists, fashion pages and articles with fashion designers and artists.  

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

The main technological item i used throughout making my product was Photo Shop CS5. I was lucky enough to also have this at home this way i could easily send home work i did in school to carry on with at home and vise versa. I learnt from using Photo Shop about the different layers needed to be used at all times when creating a new section, this way you don't get confused and work doesn't get lost within the process of making the product. From using Photo Shop in my own time i didn't struggle with figuring out how to work it because I have used it a lot before, this was a good advantage as i didn't have to waste time trying to pick it up and learn about it.



I used picasa to upload the images that I took and to view them all together. Picasa is a quick, simple and easy way to upload and view photos. It was easy for me to see in sections the different style of photo i took because the layout is so clear. I then needed to share my pictures and out them onto my blog but taking 293, this could have proven difficult. I think remembered you can use Picasa Web Albums with a google account so i easily figured out how to create a web album which i then linked onto this page to view my photos.

A problem i faced was not having a camera at the time i needed to take the photos. However I ended up using my iPhone 4s with an eight mega pixle camera. Also on the camera there was a setting to use the important camera grid and apply the rule of thirds to my photographs. The more I did with the grid the more i got use to it with fitting everything in the right place to create a correct photo. The quality of the photos was surprisingly really good and not having a proper camera to use didn't effect me in the end!  

 Scribd is a good way to upload word, publisher documents to your blog by uploading them which then automaticaly transforms it into a Scribd document which you can then easily embed onto your blog. Its easy to view from and helped me clearly see the work I had done after being embedded.

 I really like Animoto, I think its a new and different way to share and explore work. I created a mood board on here which was fun because it edited it all for me in a funky way which was good to watch. It allowed me to upload images and add text along with music to help bring together my magazine idea and really show it through for an audience to watch. I then easily embedded it onto my blog which was then able to view any time after for a quick reminder of my inspirations. I would definitely use this again.

Prezzi is like a slide show of a mind map. It was interesting to get the hang of but after i had gotten use to it, i managed to create good work on it. I like the easy flow throughout the slide which is good for an audience to watch because its continuous. This is a lot more visual but it can be edited and changed to many way to keep it original and fun. 

EVALUATION ACTIVITY 7

Looking back at your preliminary task (the school magazine task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?



Looking back at the work I did from my preliminary task of the school magazine, I can see a big improvement. The school magazine was really rough, just exploring different ideas with fonts, colours, sizes and shapes that i put together to create a mishmash of a magazine. I definitely didn't follow the magazine conventional rule of using 3 fonts, you can see that it looks messy and not appealing to look at. Also the tag lines I used in all four corners are all out of shape and different. Nothing is equally level or symmetrical like it should be. My model, Danny, is looking down at a folder creating no eye contact what so ever, and a quarter of his face is hidden by hair and shadow which is not good for a front cover photo as you want to interact with the target audience. The cover lines aren't clear and 'Danny Medland' is blurred into the other Cover Lines when he is the main story. On the other hand, you can see a big difference in the use of Photo Shop used to create my final product of forward magazine. I found out you could use rulers and grids on Photo Shop to make sure everything is even to create a professional look which I used throughout the course of making my product. I knew i wanted a close shot for my front cover which would challenge the conventions of a normal magazine but it was to create the look I was going for - odd and different but classy and mature.


Throughout the making of my magazine I have had a clear idea of where I was going with it and what I wanted to represent through it. I knew it would be challenging to try and successfully create a different genre of magazine whilst still keeping it focused on music. I did this by just referring to my research, inspirations and then making sure i took good use of the information and research I found out. I feel I did well creating a new vibe magazine with twists and an edge to it. I am happy and pleased with my overall media product of FORWARD music magazine and I am proud of myself for the effort I put into creating it and the improvement I have made along the way.

FINAL MOCK. COVER, CONTENT, DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD PAGE ONE, DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD PAGE TWOe spread page two.

Final changed i need to make are
Cover:
- Change so main focus is music
- 'Love of fashion' change to music because first thing you see and it is a music based magazine.
- Add real artists at the bottom - strip line.

Double page spread 1:
- Make text level at the bottom of article colum

Double page spread 2:
- Add make-up and hair by... styled by... Words by...

Contents:
- Change the pictures at the top

- Make bottom two picture mirror size
- Add more music to music section
- Sort out layout/sizing

Over all:
- Check spelling!
- Check all symmetrical spacing/layout

EDITED PHOTOS

MOCK UP 2

DRAFT OF LAYOUT

PHOTOS

PLANNING - NEW COVER AND CONTENT PAGE IDEA

This layout is a lot more grown up, smarter and more magazine like than my previous mock up. I think when i have tweaked this a bit more and added in the actual text and photos then this will look really effective and smart and like a proper professional high end magazine. I think this because of simplicity that I will be using. I will be using conventional aspects of a magazine such as Cover lines, Masthead, Main image, strap line at the bottom and key features like a bar code, date and price. My magazine is starting to look a lot more professional now i have decided defiantly where i am going with it.

PLANNING - NEW IDEAS FOR DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

Inside Vladana Dps Pgf

Inside Vladana Dps2 More PDF

I have chosen to do something like this for my double page spread because i really like the classy, formal and neat look it gives which will appeal to my target audience of women. This layout is simple but its effective because it is different and it keeps a mature and sophisticated feel. 

AFL EVALUATING PEER WORK - EVALUATION ON FORWARD MAGAZINE

AFL EVALUATING PEER WORK

PLANNING - NEW IDEAS FROM MAGAZINE MOCK UP NUMBER 1

Contents:
I want to try and maybe have a double page contents? as because my magazine is split into three different areas (Music, Fashion, Art) I think it would be good to have three different sections for a contents page. and stick to three colours for the different section background and two font colours which will be like to the cover fonts and colours.


DoublePS:
I want to have a whole page with a photo on it of my artist and then on the other side base it on the katy perry rolling stones article. I couldn't work out how to fit into columns on Photoshop so this is something i need to work on to make my DPS look alot more professional as it's currently all over the place and looks a mess.


Cover:
I want to keep a big main face close up image of my model and artist (vladana) and then create text around that. I like the idea of having black and white background image and then add vibrant colours into the inside of the magazine and then also the colours on the cover will contrast. I need to play around with what would look best though.


Overall:
I need to get my photos taking to then be able to tell where i am going to go with the magazine, also i can then know where i am editing the photos to make a good arty feel as this will take some time and i need to do it asap.

PLANNING - MY PITCH EVALUATION

I think my pitch went really well. It made me come up with more idea and ways to develop my magazine whilst explain aloud to others to content and meaning behind it. I got asked good questions and the response I got toward my magazine was good afterwards as it is different and unlike most others. My animoto could of been slightly better with facts and figures of whom my magazine was aimed at, as this was a question raised in my pitch.

PLANNING - MY PITCH

MAGAZINE FIRST MOCK UP FEEDBACK

As Draft Feed Back Sheet Emma 12b

I knew that the first mock up i produces wasn't good because I didn't have any photos of my own and i still hadn't decided whether to go for the bright poppy art look or the mysterious and sinister look. After receiving this feedback and seeing how much hard work it will be to find appropriate props and lighting and costume for the bright and edited idea, i am going to change my mind and create the darker one. 

MAGAZINE FIRST MOCK UP

ARTIST ARTICLE

Who is Vladana?

Vladana / r&b pop / Glamorous, adventurous, original, vibrant.

Vladana. You know the name. You’ve seen her face. You recognise her beauty and style. Georgia Perry slade rise to fame is serious, discovers Emma Kerr.

Vladana, a.k.a. 19-year-old -Georgia Perry Slade is the new biggest star hitting the charts. With her debut single 'On and On' hitting a place in the top 10 on the charts and then rushing straight to number 1 second week, it's hard to believe that this time last year she was at BRIT school enjoying her studies into music. Vladana is sure to be a pleaser. Despite being a teenager, is defiantly a brave young women excited to be stepping into the music world, which she has always wanted.

So who really is this quirky new star? Forward Magazine interviewer, Emma Kerr, spoke to Vladana over a Hot latte in Covent Garden. Wearing an exclusive pair of louboutins and rocking out a pair of skinny jeans with a baggy sweater, Vladana defiantly is showing her chilled side but in her own fashionable way, ready to talk about her rise to fame and up and coming events.

So Vladana, how are you feeling?
 - Very well thank you. I'm extremely happy right now 27/4 it's just brilliant. How could i not be?!

We know, we are interested in your sudden success, how did it all happen?
 - Well, it's been all a bit of a big blur really, but i remember it all still! Ha. In my free time when not studying at BRIT school, (which i was so thankful for), i liked to go to pubs and bars, open singing nights and competitions to get experience and be involved as many ways as i could in performing. Anyway, i was singing and that is what i love so why wouldn’t i take any chance i could get!? One night I was singing at a open night in Birmingham at Braha, and just so happened my now Producer, MAC C, was there and said he was extremely interested and wanted to sign me up. I went and did some studio times and we had a few creative sessions and then soon after he offered me a deal!

Wow, sounds like you do absolutely love everything about singing then. What got you into it in the first place?
 - I remember having my first singing lesson when I was 7. I pestered my mom about it for months and she always reminds me of it! I just stuck at it since and my love for it grew and I guess, well… here we are now!

Your right! What does your mum say about it all, as we know you are very close? Do you get to see her a lot still?
 - Yes defiantly, I get her to come along to most of my gigs, interviews and photo-shoots. She enjoys it just as much as me! She’s so proud of me and what’s happened in the last year or two, even more than usual. I would be no where without my mum because she always kept believing in me and pushing me to achieve what I wanted. I owe her a lot because she’s got me to where I am today. I have a lot of support from my family and always have.
That’s very nice. So how are you coping with all the massive media rush and press?
 - At times it can be very forceful and ‘up in your face’, but I knew that it would have to be something I would have to come to terms with. I do have some absolutely brilliant fans already though, they are so lovely and it’s so sweet to see how many people believe and love what you do as much as yourself.

Big question; what influenced the name ‘Vladana’?
 - Vladana means to rule with greatness, to rule with peace or to rule. I think it’s a beautiful thing to be a positive role model for people and to always keep in mind the positive and that’s what I am about.

Interesting! How did you start to form ‘Vladana’ and create your new image?
 - I’ve always knew who I am inside, who I am really, even if at times it didn’t seem that way or show. I’ve always been edgy, different and a bit odd so I haven’t changed a lot; it’s just more fitting into my skin as a way I want to be seen.

We have noticed your exclusive Louboutins! We are very jealous.
 -  Ha-ha! Yes they are beautiful and I cannot believe they are mine. I am so lucky!

So we also hear a little rumour you may be supporting Rihanna, can you give us any more on that?
 - Unfortunately I can’t right now! I’m not 100% sure myself!

Oh well we hope you are, Rihanna and Vladanna, what could be better!
 - Ha well thank you very much! Yes it would be amazing if I could support Rihanna, she’s amazing.

You are headlining at Summer Festival this year aren’t you as your debut album, ‘Kisses and paper’ will be out 14^th May 2012.
 - Yes! Oh my I cannot wait! It will be absolutely amazing, I’m counting down the days, And I’m so excited for my album to be realised so my fans can hear more of what I am about!

We cannot wait for it either! What else is coming up in the future? 
 - well I am starting to create some new stuff with other artists which I am looking forward too!

Oooo! Well we hear that big things are expected of you and we all know that you will be able to reach then and more! We wish you all the best of luck in your busy up and coming few months and best of luck with your album. Catch up after the mad summer rush!
 - Yes that would be lovely! Thank you so much I’ve had a great time talking!

PRACTISE PHOTOSHOP EDITING

Theese are quick edited practise photo test shots i have done on photoshop. I just wanted to see and experiment with diffrent effects which will help give across the odd,quirky and artistic look i am going for. I like the bottom photo as its still the same just with colours slightly added in to it to create a neon and vibrant look to it. This is something i think i will look into when im actually creating my final photo on photoshop because i really like the extra edge it gives to the photo and i believe its not to bold but it is noticable so it will mesh well with the actual arty photo i will use without looking to much.

PRACTISE TEST SHOTS

These are my practise test shots i have taken to get an idea of how i will set out my model in proportion to the page and props. I found it hard to do test shots at school as i couldnt do the weird makeup, use props or correct background i will want to be using. I found it useful though to think of poses for my model, the model i will use is a dancer so she will be more mobile and more expressive. As a dancer she will be more confident and facial expressions i want to create she will be able to do and with effect. I will be using material and props such as flowers and birds to give an edgy odd look. I like the diffrent positions and poses we created with liv (above) and i think these will be effective when added props and photoshop editing.

I will still use weird positions though if i am going for the dark, dungey style too because this will then still give off the odd and arty feel I want for my magazine.