Progression of My Magazine

This is my second draft, I have made changes to my initial draft by adding a yellow bar strip along the bottom (this is a common theme in pop music magazines) and therefore I have added it for realism purposes.

My First Draft of Magazine

Research and Planning: Production Documents

Research and Planning: Sans-serif v Serif

I have looked at the difference between each font and I have discovered that on my double-page spread I must have the font as Serif as it is a lot easier to read for the audience of my magazine; it is practically a rule in magazine making.
Also, I have found out that the rest of my choices of fonts for the magazine can be sans-serif, but for my articles etc it must be serif as it must look sophisticated and professional.

Research and Planning: My Double Page Spread

I am thinking of having my double page spread as an interview with my model and also make it an exclusive interview as 'Mia' will be pretending to be the new 'next big thing' in pop music. I am going to have 3 images of my model (different places on the double page). 

A brief draft of this: 

Interviewer: Since the X Factor Final, your life has changed completely hasn't it Mia? 

Mia: Gosh, yes. I am so thrilled, it feels like a dream. 

Interviewer: What was the best thing about partaking in the X Factor for you?

Mia: So many things. I think what was the most humbling and therefore the best would be when I sang with One Direction in the final - they are all so kind and encouraged me so much...

Interviewer: Are you still in contact with One Direction?

Mia: We speak a few times. I recently attended one of their shows at the O2 arena in London which was fantastic! They are lovely boys, I am a big fan of theirs.

Interviewer: In various interviews that you have done, which you also spoke about a lot on the X Factor, was the bullying that you used to be subjected to. Do you think that has shaped you better as a performer in any way?

Mia: It was a time in my life that taught me so many things. I think I learnt a lot about how strong I can be and how I can get through certain situations...In this profession which is so public and intense, on social media sites I constantly see people who are purposely trying to get me down and make me want to quit; I think that, without my experiences at school, I wouldn't cope with it as well as I do now. It definitely gave me a thicker skin.

Interviewer: You have many young fans that attend school...do you have any advice for some of those fans that may be going through bullying?

Mia:

Research and Planning: Double Page Spread - Language

I am going to examine the difference between a typical pop music magazine double spread and a rock/indie magazine double spread:

Immediately we can see that the mise-en-scene is completely different; the background behind the artist in the pop magazine is light and warm-looking, although when we compare that to the rock/indie magazine it is only a white canvas. 
Also, the artists makeup and costumes are practically opposites; Pixie Lott is wearing a girly dress whereas Lilly Allen is wearing a checkered red shirt and her makeup is heavily dark and gothic. 
Another key contrast between the two double spread is that the pop magazine is a lot more calm looking and not bold nor extreme. However, observing the rock/indie magazine we can see bold, messy lettering to emphasise the extremity of rock/indie music.
The nature of the articles themselves are clearly different - the title of the articles are different; the pop music one says 'How perfect is Pixie?' which immediately tells us that it is a lighthearted article praising the artist. On the other hand, 'People think I'm an attention seeker but I'm just honest…' is entirely different as it insinuates that the artist is quite rebellious and nothing like Pixie Lott.
I have also noticed that on the pop magazine there are more images of the artist (3) than there is on the rock/indie one (1).

Research and Planning: Double Page Spread Initial Ideas

I could potentially successfully create any of the following:

1. Interview
2. Gossip
3. Event Fashion Article; 'What was worn at the Grammy Awards this weekend?
4. Photo shoot with brief interview
5. Festival Article

Research and Planning: DLSR Test Shots with Evaluation

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

It is clear that by looking at the differences between flash and non-flash that the quality of the images changing depending whether flash is on or not. I have noticed that when a photograph is taken outside, the quality is much better when the setting of the camera is flash off. However, when taking close-up photographs outside, the quality is better with flash on. For example, the close-up of the flower, in my opinion, looks much nicer with flash, whereas my photograph of a person is better without flash. 

Research and Planning: Plan for the Week

This week I am going to complete certain tasks, these will be: 

1) Double Page Spread Initial Ideas - a brief draft?
2) Model Test Shots
3) Model consent form signed

Research and Planning: What costumes/outfits should my model be wearing?

Due to the fact that my magazine is aimed at young girls, I think that the outfit for my model should be similar to what young teens wear, but also I think it is highly important that the outfit is suitable and sensible for young girls to look up to for what they wish to wear; for example revealing clothes would be a major NO.

Research and Planning: What types of mise-en-scene is associated with my genre?

The setting is usually a blank canvas to make the artist stand out on the front cover. Also, props would usually be microphones/headphones. Makeup would be feminine and 'cute'. Facial expressions/Body Language would be friendly and happy. Costumes would be young and relatable to the latest fashion trends.

Research and Planning: What look does my model need to have?

My model needs to look very 'girly' so that young teenage girls can relate to her. My model will have to look friendly and welcoming, and because of this I will make sure that she is smiling.

Research and Planning: What artists would I associate with my genre?

I would associate artists such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Jessie J, Miley Cyrus, and many others to my genre as they are all aimed at young teenage girls and sing pop songs.

Research and Planning: Publication Plan

Name: The name of my pop music magazine will be 'HOT IN POP'.


Price: I am going to price my magazine at a price of £2.00


Positioning Statement: My selling line will be 'the hottest source of everything pop'.


Distribution: I will distribute my magazine in supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco. I have a  very large number of target audience and therefore it is more sensible to sell it in supermarkets as they are obviously the most popular; it will be easy for my audience to access my magazine.


Frequency of Publication: Through my research I have found that most pop music magazines are sold weekly, and therefore, for realism purposes, I will do this also.


Rationale: The purpose of my magazine is to attract the readers attention so that they want to buy it weekly for the latest news, gossip, fashion and exclusives.


Style/Layout/Colour: My audience is young teenage girls, and therefore the colours will be light (pink, yellow, light green). However the layout will be semi-sophisticated as it is still a published magazine and has to look professional.


Regular Content: My regular content will include a weekly fashion tips, reviews of released music singles, tour dates and also a gossip article.


Featured Content: I will place competitions in this section, as the prizes will be spectacular and therefore rare so they will not be in my magazine weekly which is why they are featured. Also, I will have featured interviews with pop artists.

Research and Planning: Publication Plan Research

Name: I have looked at many different pop magazines and noticed that all of the masthead names are short and sum up the magazine; such as, 'Top of the Pops' and 'We Love Pop'.

Price: Due to the fact that my magazine shall be sold weekly, I have noticed that many of the same type of magazines as my own are at the selling price of £2.00-£2.50.

Positioning Statement: I have looked at pop music magazines and observed that many of the 'selling lines' sum up the magazine in one simple sentence i.e. 'Everything you need to know about pop'.

Distribution: I have observed where it is most likely for pop music/gossip magazines are sold and have found that they are usually sold in supermarkets e.g. Asda.

Frequency of Publication: Due to the fact that pop magazines are extremely popular (because pop music is the most popular music genre).

Rationale: Pop music have a purpose to grasp their readers attention and keep them intrigued so that their readers will keep on reading each issue of the magazine, they do this by: Including the latest gossip, up-to-date fashion tips, exclusive interviews, competitions etc.

Style/Layout/Colour: The target audience of pop music magazines are young teenage girls, and therefore the appearance of the magazine is very typically 'girly'. This means that the designs are pretty and pink, light-hearted, obvious and friendly.

Regular Content: Pop music magazines are typically known to have reviews, tour dates, posters, fashion tips, interviews and gossip.

Featured Content: Many pop music magazines have a 'feature' cover line on each issue per week; and this is a special article for that particular week e.g. an exclusive interview.