Production Log 24/02/2014 - Focusing on Details

Over the past week, I have focused on improving the minor details of my magazine. This has included the positioning of certain elements, colour and size of text or objects and adding small details that are conventional of magazines.
This has included resizing the captions below/above each image and the size of the website name next to the page number of every page. Furthermore, I have also created small forward arrows to put at the bottom of each page of the article to indicate that the article continues overleaf.
I also decided to change the box out text announcing the album's release date into a sentence at the end of the article with a small square 'bullet point' beside it, as I have observed that release dates are often used to end an article and conventionally look this way.
I am hoping that making this minor improvements will make my magazine easier to read, more organized and more professional - closer to the standard of existing magazines.

Production Log 03/02/2014 - QR Code

Yesterday, I shot a teaser video for my band's music video. I then edited this in Premiere Pro, uploaded it to Youtube and made the QR code above. I will then put this into my magazine article, advertising the fact that readers can scan the QR code to see the teaser for Tigerilla's music video.

Below is the teaser that the QR links to.

Production Log - Selecting and Editing Images

Over the past week, I have been selecting images for my magazine and editing them in photoshop. This has involved removing white studio backgrounds, cropping, removing blemishes and changing the colour/style of the photo.

Before

After

 

Above is a before and after of one of my contents page images. From this image I removed blemishes and smoothed the face. I then placed a black and white filter on to the photograph and cropped it to the size shown above. I then darkened the colour of the lips and the area around the eyes to suggest she has had make-up put on her.

Production Log - Thoughts on Second Photoshoot

On Sunday, I did my second photoshoot. For this, I had all members of my band, and I shot them in the same location as my previous photoshoot. I wanted this to be a continuation of the photos I previously took, so I had 2 of my models wear the same costume as before, so that all of the photos were valid.
Looking at the collection of pictures I took, I decided that they would be most effective as an album cover and screen grabs from the band's music video. Creating an album cover and suggesting that some of the pictures are screen grabs from their music video will add to the realism of the magazine, as artists featured in magazines tend to be successful enough to have both of these things.

Production Log 01/12/2013 - Change to Photoshoot Plans

Today I planned to take pictures of my band, but due to unfortunate circumstances I was only able to take pictures of two members. This gives me some images that I can use on my double page spread. I also intend to take some pictures of my band in other locations and take some studio shots. This is when I will get some solo pictures of the other two band members.

Production Log - 26/22/2013 - Deciding on Names

For my draft article, I needed to consider names for the band members of "Tigerilla", my cover stars.
I have decided on Damon, Dawn, Caleb and Max.

Production Log 24/11/2013 - Using New Media

In the past week, I have been considering how I would use new media for my music magazine.
I have created both Facebook and Twitter pages. I would also have an Instagram feed and a Youtube channel. These functions need to be clearly advertised in the magazine, along with QR codes etc. To target my magazine at a young target audience, new media is incredibly important to the success of my magazine, as these social networks are used extensively by 18-25 year olds, particularly as they can access it 'on-the-go' in the form of apps.

Production Log 18/11/2013 - Considering Image Styles

Over the past week, I have been considering what type of images I would like to take (while completing a selection of image ideas). I will use a combination of both studio and location shots, as this will follow the typical conventions of music magazines - that use a variety of images. I will also need various other artists to feature on my contents page.

From magazine research, I have noticed that front covers always include a studio shot of their cover star, therefore I will use a studio shot of my band 'Tigerilla' for my cover.

My contents page shall include a variety of both location and studio shots to portray the variety of my magazine. 

Finally, in my double page spread I am hoping to include a variety of location shots (one double page spread containing a full bleed image). One idea I had was to take pictures of my band 'behind the scenes' (possibly pictures from Instagram), as this follows the conventions of the genre, being laid back and more 'real'.

Production Log 13/11/2013 - Final Masthead & Band Name

Following creating a selection of masthead designs, I have now decided what my masthead will look like.

The masthead works because it is fairly simple, which will give my magazine a minimalist appearance. This will appeal to my target audience, who are fans of indie music because it conforms to the style of the genre. The simplistic look will match the idea behind their costumes (doesn't look like it has been 'styled' or too fancy).


I have also decided on a name for my cover stars. The band will be called 'Tigerilla'. Many indie bands reference animals (or similar) in their name (e.g. Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Of Monsters & Men etc.). Therefore, using a combination of the animals 'tiger' and 'gorilla' will fit into the genre of music well.

Production Log 09/11/2013 - Observation

In HMV, I noticed that several of the big (and small) posters to buy were Rolling Stones front covers. This shows not only that the brand is 'cool', but that the cover stars are vital to the success of the magazine. 

If the pictures of the celebrities are strong enough to be released as posters, the cover will essentially sell the magazine when it's in stores and make the reader pick up your magazine over another.

I really like the idea of front covers being made into posters and this is something I will consider for my magazine.

Production Log - 05/11/2013 - Attending an Editors Talk

Yesterday, I attended the Hearst Editors Talk at the Millenium Hotel in London.

The talk featured four Editor's, and these were:

Victoria White - Editor, Company Magazine
Mandie Gower - Editor, Zest Magazine
Sarah Bailey - Editor-in-Chief, Red Magazine
Louise Court - Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan
David Moynihan - Editor, Digital Spy (Editor of NME until March 2011)

The talk covered lots of aspects of magazine production, though I found there was a resounding message about how it has changed so much, in such a short space of time.
It seems that new media is vital to anyone in the industry now. Even the editors' personal Twitter accounts have to be carefully thought out (The Company editor feels that posting about her children will use their younger target audience. The Cosmo Editor-in-Chief has been told that she posts too much about the sports team she supports).

Another thing that I felt was important was the mention of "Brand Pillars". I think it's important for my magazine to have Brand Pillars, therefore, I will be considering what these will be.

Production Log - 21st Oct: Cover Star

I am considering using her as the female member of my indie band. My idea is to have a band of four - with one girl. I have noticed that indie bands are male dominant (either all or mostly men). For example, bands Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon are solely male and the band Of Monsters and Men has five male members and one female.

Production Log - 20th Oct: Choosing A Magazine Name

This week in lessons I decided on a final name for my magazine. This was Live, with the tagline "We live sound. We live music."

 I designed a masthead for the magazine, using a distressed font called "Broken Detroit". I think the masthead looks strong and may come to be the final one that I use on my magazine (although I think I will try others out to make sure this is the best my masthead could look). 

Outside of lesson, I have been researching double page spreads. As I aim to put an indie band on my front cover, I looked at an article from NME about the Arctic Monkeys. 

Production Log - 13th Oct - Cover Star Ideas

I have decided that my front cover will feature an indie style band, consisting of 3 guys and a girl.

I spotted a hat, which I think captures the indie style well. I would put this type of hat on my female model along with bohemian/vintage style clothing. 

Ideas:

(Dress)

(Kimono)

Production Log - 13th Oct: Genre, Research & Next Steps

During lessons in media I have been working on planning my magazine.
Firstly, I decided that the genre of my magazine will be Indie Rock Pop (which I have been focusing my research on).

I started on my mood board, because I felt that would help me work out the vibe my magazine would have. Also, it helped me to organize the ideas I had in my head, so I could work with them in the rest of my planning. From this, I realized that the indie genre is very visual (with interesting styling - clothing is important in this genre - and artistic album covers). Again, with rock pop, there is a visual element (e.g. Lady Gaga). This means I need to make sure my magazine is visually interesting to not only capture the audience, but the feel of the genre.

My next step has been to come up with some name ideas, which I will complete next week and decide on which name I will work with.

Outside of lessons, I have been conducting research into existing magazines. This began with research into three front covers and I am continuing with research into contents pages.
I have also been thinking about what my cover star will be like and what sort of styling they will have.