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)

Further planning images

I have done research into using close up images on the front cover of magazines, and these were the results that I found. Generally the backgrounds of the images are simple, or have been edited out. Therefore I think it is best for me to hold my photoshoot in the photography studio against a black or white background - oppose to my original idea of filming in a rural scene. I think this will help me during the editing stage of the photo and will allow me to alter the background easily later on, to give a more flawless and professional look.

Planning images

On the front cover, I want something really bold that stands out. To challenge the conventions of a magazine of this genre I will experiment using a range of shots including close ups and midshots, using mis en scene to establish a style. I will use a female model to challenge the conventions as they are less commonly seen, and she will be wearing alot of abstract make up. Her hair will be styled and her clothes will be appropriate. She will be in an outside rural scene, so the styled look contrasts with the natural background. Maybe she will have a flower in her hair, and other such props that help to frame the shot. I want it to be bold and eye catching so that the reader is drawn in from a glance at the cover.

The other images will be more recognisable as band related. Props such guitars/keyboads/microphones may be used to help establish this, but still following the eery style. I will use a couple more models to play 'band members' or other artists. Generally the band shots will be longs shots, but I will use a variety of different shots throughout the magazine.

Research and Analysis

I found that the most suitable price tag for my magazine would lie in the £2.00-£2.50 range.

Research and Analysis

I found that there were quite alot of attraction factors that made people want to buy a indie/rock magazine. The most popular were; bands, pictures, articles and news and interviews. Therefore I will try to meet in particular these 4 conventions in the designing of my magazine.