Planning Summary

Over the course of the research and planning stage, I have been recording my progress into the following table, and it has acted as a guideline towards bringing the best out of the production stage later on. 

Possible Locations

We have come up with a brainstorm of potential locations that we would like to have our photoshoots, because of the way that they influence the meaning inended to be created. The use of the brick wall and the graffiti patterns will create a very grunge atmosphere, bringing an edge to the Pop/Rock genre being presented. 

We would like to create a variation in images and the subject of the image, which is why we will be taking pictures of performances and crowds, as well as music artists modelling especially for the picture. This shows a variation in images, and maintains the conventional style of a music magazine. 

Shotlist For My Photoshoots

We have come up with a list of potential shot types that we will be taking for the magazine photoshoot, with each of them creating meaning through the impact of the image. We have prioritised which shots will be most appropriate for each page, but other shots will be taken as a backup, in case we see some potential in them for other aspects of the magazine. By taking a variety of shots, the spectrum will be broadened, and we will have more of a selection, and will be able to understand what kind of meaning is being created from each image, and therefore finalise the best one. 

Test Shots Creating Representation

Using props and makeup, along with planned camera shots and angles, we have been able to take some test shots. The style of these images have brought about inspiration for us and how we later want to take pictures for our final production, acknowledging the kinds of shots and angles that would be relevant for each page. 

The costume, particularly, is what has contributed towards creating meaning in these images. The contrast of red and black creates a very edgy atmosphere, which is something we would like to explore in a Pop/Rock magazine. As well as this, the skull ring is also the centre of attention, presenting the female to be quite grunge. This comes across to be very anti-stereotypical of females, in the sense that she appears rebellious, rather than sweet and pretty, and goes against the sexualisation of females in magazines. 

These shots are also important in creating meaning, because they show that the female is able to carry herself in a way that she seems independent and not so vulnerable. The long shot in particular presents this through the emphasis of her body language. Again, the clothing and accessories contribute to present this confidence from a female. 

In general, when these shots were presented to members of our target audience, we were given feedback and constructive criticism. Audience members liked the edgy look that we intended to use, and felt that these shots conveyed this style of Pop/Rock conventionally and therefore effectively. However, members of the audience commented on the use of costuming and props, saying that they could be used further to construct a much better image that truly creates a Pop/Rock atmosphere. 

Therefore, we will have to acknowledge the use of props when taking our final images on the photoshoot, along with much more dramatic costume and makeup - possibly brighter colours to contrast with the plain background, not only in this image, but also because of the backdrop that we will be using for the front cover. 

Model Profile - Ashleigh

The person that I have chosen to model for my magazine in Ashleigh as she seems as though she will be able to present a good look for my magazine, and reflect the Pop/Rock genre through her images. 

She is also a big fan of the Pop/Rock genre, which is good for me as she shows an interest in what she is modelling for, and will therefore have more of an understanding of how she should present herself in the magazine. 

As well as this, because she is a white female, she will be conventional on the cover, as most magazines for this audience show a white female, and because she is British as well, she effectively represents the brand which I am trying to establish with my magazine. 

Because she conforms to this, I will be keeping her name as Ashleigh Weir on the cover, knowing that it suits what I am going for. 

DPS Layouts and Feedback

When planning out the layout for our DPS, we decided to design two layouts, and consult members of our target audience, so we know what kind of layout is most appropriate. These layouts were inspired by other DPS images that we had gathered from our research. 

For the double page spread, I intended to go for something which is bright and powerful, with a contributing image that stands out as looking fresh and edgy. These designs helped to achieve this. 

After asking various female adolescents, who were unaware of the project, we were able to conclude that the second design was the best one to use. Girls commented saying that the first design was too busy and crowded, and the second design was better as it remained simple and allowed more focus on the band being featured, suiting the main purpose for a double page spread in general. 

Conclusion On DPS Pages

After conducting my research on DPS pages from my preferred genre, I have found that in order to conform to the Pop/Rock music magazine genre, images must be bold and need to make a statement about the music artist(s) being presented. This makes the feature seem much more dramatic, and therefore attracts the target audience to the feature, because of how the artist is being presented through the image. 

In addition to this, the colours used must maintain the magazine's house-style, although it can be flexible depending upon what is trying to be convenyed upon the presentation of artists in that music genre. In general, though, colours would be bright and contrast with the image, to appeal to the target audience, for the variation in colour makes the page seem much more eye catching. 

The DPS is usually a feature on a music artist of that genre, and my magazine generally features currents and upcoming artists in the Pop/Rock genre, and so I intend to make my feature on an uprising artist, and their adjustments to fame. Although this is my general idea, I will need to confirm this through audience research, and understand whether my target audience would like to read something like this in a magazine, and also, what other features can be a part of the magazine that would interest them. 

The Teenagers DPS

This NME DPS of The Teenagers uses the colour scheme of blue very well, and the image alongside it makes the artists stand out, with the intention of attracting their target audience. Again, the band members are looking right into the camera, so the audience connects with them on a more personal level, and makes them stand out from the scattered pictures on the wall in the background. 

The use of the bright blue as this feature's theme colour makes elements of the page stand out, and the audience is curious as to what is trying to be presented to them. Rather than the use of bubbles and stars, a blue paper ripped from a notebook is used to give a brief description on the band, which is something quite original and unique. I would also like to adapt something like this into my magazine, because I think that this is a very original idea. 

As well as this, the side banner on this page is a good element that I would consider using in my magazine, because on this DPS, it is quite eye-catching, with the use of images and banners, and it brings more excitement to the page, with little snippets that go outside of the actual feature. However, if I were to use this, I would not like to overcrowd my banners with images and small features, because it would take the audience away from the purpose of the DPS, which I would not want.

Lady Gaga DPS

What's good about this DPS is the use of the one, bright red letter L to draw attention, along with the powerful image beside it that is celebrating Lady Gaga's success as a female artist. The red letter makes the overall feature very dramatic alongside the black and white picture, giving Lady Gaga some stature, along with the fact that  the use of black and red makes it bright and enticing. 

I like the way that this female artist has been presented as independent and powerful in the music industry, along with the necklace celebrating her femininity and contributing towards her style. I would like to incorporate this into my magazine, by establishing my model's style through the image, as it would greatly appeal to my particular target audience. Although, I don't like the fact that the DPS is too simple, as this may disinterest my target audience. 

The Vaccines DPS

The DPS for this magazine comes across to be quite eye-catching, particularly through the use of the image, rather than the text. The fact that the band members are looking right at the camera, with the lead singer also being quite close to the camera, attracts the audience on a more personal level, due to the eye contact. This makes the audience curious as to what the feature on the band is all about, and so they choose to read it.

As well as this, the simplicity of the image, in terms of the use of colour, contrasts with the theme of bright blue that is a part of the magazine's house-style, making the image seem even more appealing. The use of the colour-contrast generally makes the page stand out even more, because it gives the page an edge.

The text remains black and bold and sans serif, which is conventional of music magazines. There is also the small logo of a blue guitar in the corner, allowing the audience to recognise the magazine as a brand, because of familiar symbols and logos. 

The impact of the image in this DPS is something that I would like to adapt to my magazine, because it is the image that makes up the entire page, in terms of the fact that it is taken to contrast with the text, and the use of eye contact allows the audience to feel connected to the music artists presented. 

Potential Contents Page Layout

For our magazine, collected research showed that in order to appeal to our target audience, the content of FUSE. Magazine needed to be fun, fresh and colourful, and have a quirky style to it, to appeal to our target audience without seeming boring and serious.

After looking at top magazines in our genre, as well as other inspiring contents pages of music magazines, I have created this generic layout of a potential contents page for my magazine. The colour scheme will remain the same as that on the cover, to create a house-style and emphasise a brand image. As well as this, the font sizes and styles will vary on such a page, to attract the audience to the many features of the magazine. 

I have adapted conventional elements into this sketch, as well as having rough ideas of bringing originality to this magazine. I now need to work on choosing appropriate magazine features that will appeal to my target audience, and interest them.