Double page spread - Stage 2

This is the second stage of my double page spread. I have added text - in a consistent style but with slight variation in font, size and boldness where appropriate. I have tried to adapt to the correct language for my audience and used 'slang' in places. The band title (GREEN MIND) is done in a completely separate font, as i found that this was commonly done in magazines so that bands can establish their own logo and be quickly recognised by it. I have kept to a simple colour scheme so that the page is not too busy, and the focus remains on the model. I have added page numbers, captions with the picture, sub headings, etc which all add to the 'magazine look' which I am aiming for. This is my almost-finished prouduct.

Double page spread - Stage 1

This is my initial stage in the double page spread process. I have added a large mid shot image which is the main focus of the page. As the model is female, I have done all I can to draw away the girly, or fashion aspect of the model and bring out a rock style. I have done this by getting her to stare into the camera and bare her teeth. Her body is slouched and in a casual, oppose to a "posey" position. This gives a more laid back, or even aggressive feel to the page which matches the genre and challenges the conventions. I have minimised erasing slight imperfections such as freckles, because I feel this brings a more gritty and realistic style to the page rather than it being mistaken for glamourous. I have used brightly coloured mis en scene such as flourescent, eye cathing pink make up and clothing which I have edited to stand out as much as possible. This brings away the dullness of the page and stops the model blending in with the background. It also contrasts with the realistic style I have tried to create. The background is coloured black as I found the general pattern for double page spreads was a one colour wash, and black was the most suited colour as it creates a sense of mystery and darkness. I have added a catchy title- in a suitable language for the audience- in bold capitial text for maximum attraction.

Double page research

These are influences to the double page spread I wish to create.

Double page research

I have researched into double page spreads that use female models. I found these to be particually rare, however I have collected some examples. I want to use a female model because I feel it will challenge the typical conventions.



I have found the typical conventions to include; A large image of the female placed over a whole a4 side (typically the right hand side)/ The model posing in an abstract way that draws attention to the image/ A write up in an 'interview' style where the magazine asks questions to the star/ Text placed in collums over the left hand side of the double/ Text to be consistant however some variety in size and boldness/ A caption next to the image placed in a small box/ Text following the 'slang' style language throughout/ Interesting quotations placed in large, bold font toward the top of the pages/ A '>>' sign indicating to turn the page for more/ A well edited, framed image with carefully placed mise en scene/ and more to follow.



I will try to follow and in some cases challenge these conventions throughout my making process.

Contents page - Stage 2

This is my nearly-finished product. I have continued to follow the text style and included everything that was advertised on the cover. I have added 2 smaller images - both long shots to show different gestures and actions and create variation in my shot types. I have also added an advert which offers a magazine subscription, as my research shows this was very commonly found on contents pages of such magazines. Another colour (green) has been added to the layout to make it more interesting and challenge traditional conventions. I feel white was a suitable wash for the background because i didnt want to use too much black. This allowed me to use black text to complete the 'black/white/red' colour scheme.

Contents page - Stage 1

This is the initial layout of my contents page. Here i have added a title - conventionally placed in the right hand corner of the page. My image is an englarged version (to draw attention) of the smaller image on the cover, as seen done in an issue of Kerrang! I have challenged the conventions by using black and white to make the image extra bold. This effect also removes the ordinarity of the room and makes it seem more suited to the rock style.

I have began to add text, following a consistent style and a simple black/white/green colour scheme. Again capital letters and fonts are used appropriately, and I have tried to use suitable language in the titles.

Contents page research

Conventions of a Contents page

- 1 large image, followed by 1 or more smaller images.

- The main image is interesting, it could be an action shot and often involves mise en scene such as musical intruments.
- A large 'Contents' or 'This week' title at the top to establish the page, generally in the right hand corner.

- A list of sub titles including headings such as 'News', 'Reviews' and 'Feedback' etc.
- An advert to promote subscription to the magazine, including a phone number, price, picture of the issue, etc.

- Page numbers varying up to around 50-60.

- A simple black/white background often enhanced with red or yellow colours throughout.

Cover Stage 2

This is my nearly-finished product. Here i have added text, smaller titles and images. I have tried to keep the font to a consistent level but still use variation. I have looked into the language used and tried to match mine to the conventions. The majority of the text is in capital letters to match the convetions of the genre. I have used shapes and colours appropriately, challenging the conventions by adding a blue colour to the layout. I have used mis en scene (instruments; guitars, drum kit) to help establish the genre and have tried to vary the types of shots used. I have used a two shot to try and establish the relationship of the band members, and a high over the shoulder shot to define the drum kit. I am happy with the overall layout so it is on it's way to being finished.

Cover stage 1

This is my initial stage in photoshop - here i have cut out, edited and fitted the image appropriately. I have began to layout my page by adding coloured panels where the title and sub heading will be placed.

This is my second stage in photoshop. I have began to add detail such as a title. The title is in a large, bold, capital black font. It is placed across the top of the page which i generally found matched my chosen conventions. I have chosen 'AVENUE' out of a selection of words, with aid of a vote as i found it nicely represents the style of my magazine.

I have also added a sub heading reading- 'LOTTIE MORRIS.'

I have generally found that sub headings are in capital letters and are of a different font to the title. I have used the text inside blocks to make the sub heading interesting, as i was inspired to do this by an issue of NME starring Lily Allen.

I have made sure to stricty stick to the colour scheme. A bar code has been added for a more realistic magazine effect.

Images

Cover image: I have chosen to use this as the main image on my cover because I found it was very bold. My actor was carefully chosen to match the style of my genre is leaning towards and staring into the camera so the main focus of the picture is her face. Her expression is mysterious and fits the conventions of my indie/rock genre and therefore is perfect for a cover image. I found the use of subtle mis en scene; bright lighting, subtle make up, and naturally styled hair help to match to the conventions. I have taken care to ensure that the colours of the photo are a black, white and red scheme. I will enhance these colours by editing the photo (playing with contrast and brightness) so that i get the effect of a very pale face, darker eyes and hair and red clothing and lips. She is located in a photography studio against a plain white background, because white contrasts with the colours she is wearing and will help me to separate the figure from the background during the editing stage on photoshop.

Contents page image: I have chosen to use this as the main image on my contents page. I found it was conventional to have an "action" type shot on the contents page. I chose to challenge the conventions by using an over the shoulder shot oppose to a mid/long shot which makes the image seem more interesting and frames the shot well, aswell as balancing the different types of shots I have used. My actor is male, this is to balance the gender of actors in my magazine - too many females I found is unconventional to the indie/rock genre. I have used mise en scene (drum kit) which is appropriate to the genre of the magazine and helps to establish it. I have chosen the costume to be black/red/white baggy clothes as this fits the genre and conventional colour scheme of my magazine. It was inconvinient for me to take a drum kit into the photography studio, so instead it is held inside a room against a laminate floor/white wall, similarly so that it will be easier for me to play around with the background during the editing stage. The lighting is bright to allow me to play with the contast on photoshop to give a bold effect.

Double page spread image: I have chosen to use this as the main image on my double page spread. I have used a female actress (this is quite rare but I have found examples) which slightly challenges the conventions. I have used a midshot/close up which is conventional and my actress is staring into the camera, pulling a slightly agressive face. This helps to establish the rock genre and brings away any 'girlyness' about the image which may give the wrong idea about the genre. For mise en scene, I have used a guitar which helps to establish the genre and bold clothing and make up which make the image interesting. I want to have alot to look as because the image is going to be large (over an a4 side) to draw maximum attension to the image. I have used bright lighting again which will allow me to play around with contrast.

Contact sheets (experimenting with shots)