Preliminary Exercise - Original Photographs

In todays lesson we took our preliminary photographs for the front cover of the magazine and the contents page. These are all uneditted and taken with a Sony Cybershot point and shoot camera.

Front Cover Image

Contents Page

 

This is my image for my main article based on the performing arts department

 

 

Preliminary Exercise - School Magazine - Content

In this lesson we had to plan the content, the features and articles that will appear in our magazine, and mainly on the contents page. I created a list of features and regulars, and these are:

Regular Content

• Interview with a teacher
• Sixth Form article 
• 10 Ways to....
• Review of a subject
• Charity Events

Regulars

• Review of a subject
• Teacher Spotlight
• Charity Work
• Weatherhead TV
• Local News
• Student Competition
• Have your say...

Features

• Free study and revision guides and how to use them
• Frees and the best way to go about using them 
• Are lunch prices too expensive?
• The Music department trip to Holland
• Review of the recent trip to London with the arts department
• Beauty and the Beast
• The new uniform, what do you think?
• Latest news from the Head
• Lights camera action! latest from media and film
• A look into 6th Form life
• Homework homework homework!
• A new food menu
• Ice Radio and its success
• Iris points; are they worth it?
• Follow You Print... follow me what?

Images

• Dinner hall
• The art department (main image)
• Sixth Form  

Rough Layout of Contents Page

Preliminary Exercise - School Magazine - Front Cover

In our lesson today we started the preliminary exercise of the school magazine. Our task is to createa new school magazine front page and contents page. I have started out with the front cover.

Plans for Front Cover

• Title: Term Time
• Mise-en-scene: Mid close up shot of student, with a clock in the distance maybe, school work, in a classroom
• Coverlines: "The year flies by!" "10 tips for success at school" "Frees; are they really frees?" "Free revision and study guides"

Rough Layout

Camera Shots

In this lesson we learnt about the different types of shot. We were given a tasksheet to decide the different types of camera shots, and match them with different images given.

Shot Types

• Mid Shot: Shows half of the body, waist up
• Mid Close Up: Shows head and shoulders
• Close Up: All of the face
• Big Close Up: Larger section of the face
• Extreme Close Up: Single small section of the face
• Mid Long Shot: Shows full body
• High Angle: Camera pointing down
• Low Angle: Camera point upwards
• Tilt Angle: Camera on an angle
• Over The Shoulder Shot: Camera behind the model looking over the shoulder
• Two Shot: A shot with two people
• Very Long Shot: Shows full body and background at a distance
• Long Shot: Full body and background

Camera Movement

• Pan: Camera moves from left to right
• Tracking: Camera on a dolly and following the action
• Zoom: Camera goes closer or further away to the action 

Worksheet 
























After learning the different shot types we were given a task to take specific photographs. These practise shots were:

Codes and Conventions of Contents Pages

In our lesson today we discussed the various codes and conventions of contents pages of music magazines. By looking at different magazines we have come up with a list of general codes and conventions. These codes and conventions are:

Images

• Larger image for the cover story, i main one and the rest smaller, under 10 photos
• Photographer often credited (mainly for the photographs on front cover, as credits are never put on the front page itself)
• All images have supporting texts.
• All images are linked to the magazine and its genre.
• Photos and page numbers are all correct and linked with the captions about the articles.
• There are several subsidiary images that are also used to relate to the articles inside the magazine to interest the reader

Layout

• Masthead is present at the top, a smaller version of the one on the front page. 
• The main word "Contents" is at the top, ranging from being in the middle or on the right/left.
• Around 3 columns that are split into different sections, with a line gap between each section.
• 11 size point font and must be consistent so that it is easy on the eye.
• Around 20 features and regular articles depending on the size of the magazine. 
• Generally around the sides of the page. 
• Definite divison between regular and feature articles
• Consistent font types and colour schemes (3/4) which links to the front page.
• Dates are near the top.
• The page numbers always come before a short introductory text that is usually an artist's name or ambiguous text (that is usually bigger than the average 11 size point font around 12/13). After this is the sublines which gives more infrmation. It is no bigger than 11 point font and is in roman text.

Page Numbers and Contact

• Page numbers are usually at the bottom of the page.
• Websites, email and phone are usually at the bottom, as the least important thing will usually be smaller and at the bottom.
• Page numbers next to articles must link to all other images, and are bigger and/or a different colour to the captions, and will always be to the left of the text.
• Subscription details are on the contents page, making it easier to subscribe to the magazine.
• There is sometimes a short introductory text from the editor of the magazine that welcomes new readers and gives a brief outline of what the magazine is about (e.g. the genre and main cover stories).

Examples

 

Codes and Conventions of Music Magazines

In our lesson today we looked at 5 different music magazines and came up with a list of codes and conventions for the front pages. The codes and conventions I have come up with are:

Masthead

• Large titles, in the top left of the front page or all the way across from left to right.
• Unique font that is easily recognised and different to all the other fonts.
• The positioning statement is above or below the title.
• It makes the genre clear to the audience (e.g. it is clear 'Kerrang' is a rock magazine)
• Fits in with the colour scheme, easy on the eye but still stands out.
• If it is a well known magazine, the image is able to overlay the masthead slightly. 

Central Image

• Plain background makes sure the image stands out and makes sure the image still retains a sense of formality. 
• There is a direct mode of address; e.g the model is looking directly at the reader. 
• The cover lines and all other text is around it anchors the image, so the text does not get in the way.
• Picture - text - cohesion...the image must relate to the cover lines
• Close ups/medium close ups or medium long shots (if a band). 

Cover Lines

• The main cover line is always bigger.
• All other cover lines are the same size font
• Links to the articles inside.
• Around the outside so they do not get in the way.
• Smaller pictures relate to the cover lines (e.g. "also in this issue)
• Usually around 5 or 6 cover lines.
• Text frames the main image by being down the side of the magazine
• Only a few fonts are used (either serif or sans serif)

Bar Codes

• Price
• Issue Number 
• Date
• Website (if relevant)

• Consistent colour scheme, only about 3 to 4 colours used that are aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eye.
• Buzz words i.e. 'exclusive' and 'new' are present attracting the readers attention.
• Puffs = examples of free things in the magazine, also to attract attention.

Examples