Determining who will buy the magazine and where is critical to creating a magazine. In order to determine this, market research and consumer behavior should be used. Being common in general business, when considering the consumption of a product, these methods could prove to be useful in the print industry. The genre and look of the magazine builds the target audience.
Maslow’s Pyramid of human needs can be useful in segmenting your market. A magazine may fall under the self-actualization level of the pyramid. People who buy a magazine may be wanting to expand their knowledge. Esteem could be another reason, for example wanting to be well-versed in current events from a news magazine or desiring make-up advice from a beauty magazine. It is important to note that magazines do not fall under basic human needs, so they would need to be more advertised and distributed appropriately to appeal to people.
Once you have segmented your market, by identifying which human need or want the product fills, which people that are being targeted must be selected. The wider the range, including multiple market segments, would need to be more widely distributed. While this can have benefits in terms of revenue, it could be more costly and require more effort. It is important to stick to core customers that are loyal, which yield the most profits. Expanding beyond this market segment can be difficult and could even cause core customers to discontinue buying the product, which should be kept in mind.
Images from Dissent Magazine, TIME magazine, Slate Magazine, The New Yorker
This collage includes political photos from multiple magazines, and each conveying a message to readers. The revolutionary tone of the magazines attracts attention to the topic. It is inspiring by spreading the importance of a political issue. This is critical to consider for the distribution of any print. Being relevant to current day issues and impacting readers is a strong goal to accomplish, which professional and well-known political or opinion magazines accomplish.
-Insert collage/ album and videos of inspiration photos
-Photography tips and examples of quality photos
-News
-Video of production of magazine
-Genre of magazine I would be doing for final task (news/opinion/political)
Questions on the production of Preliminary Task #2 provided by my media studies teacher are given as follows:
Rate on a scale of 1-10 how did your group work as a team. Support your rating. What could have made it a 10? Since I worked individually, I cannot reflect on working as part of a team. Being on my own to get my work done allowed me to focus and be creative with my own imagination. However, I did have to work with my subject to take the photos. This was an excellent experience, since I was able to connect with my subject and take photos when they were comfortable to.
Explain how you organized and prepared for the project. What went well and what could have been improved? To plan for the second preliminary task, I asked my old friend if I could take photos of her for my media studies class. She agreed, and we set a date to take the photos. I chose specifically to take the photos in later afternoon while the sun was still out yet not too harsh as to create too high exposure. Using natural light, planning this time was critical. It worked out well because the
What difficulties did you encounter? How did you overcome them? Difficulties were faced during the shoot if the setting was not right. The aperture was not set right, or the light setting (bright light, indoor, etc.). However this was simple to overcome by simply changing the setting. I have read most of the manual for my camera, a Nikon D300. Therefore, I am aware of the many functions of my camera. This required a lot of time and practice, which I have acquired before beginning this class.
What difficulties did you face when editing? Editing required time and patience. I had to go through all the photos taken on my computer and decide which could be the cover. Then a bit of editing was required, including removing small skin flaws, lighting, colour. By editing, the feel of the photo was made. Being inspired by TIME magazine, I changed the photo to black and white, for a more classic and serious look.
If you were to repeat the project again, what would you do differently? If I were to repeat this same project, I would bring in another subject to allow the cover picture to be more intriguing. Since my topic featured a page with ‘teens on social pressure,’ having two or more teens in the photo would improve the project.
Analyzing the final production, what aspects are you happy with? What could have been improved? Overall, I am happy with the photo quality and organization of elements on the cover of magazines. It was mostly what I had imagined and was a great production for the time constriction and lack of advanced photo editors I have access to. The cover could have been improved by having a photo that is meant to be more portrait than landscape, to create a professional look.
The codes and conventions of a magazine are critical to its success in attracting customers. Without a bold cover, the magazine would not bring the attention needed to ensure the sale of magazines. Above, the different elements on the cover of the example magazine demonstrate use of typical print codes and conventions. The classic masthead is displayed to the left, not a common way of formatting magazine covers. There is a unique skyline with colourful text font. Lana Del Rey, the celebrity featured on the magazine cover, is centered on the magazine. Her name is written in large font to the left of her, in bright pink. This, alongside other pink writing, indicates it is a magazine targeted towards younger audiences and in particular women. The text at the bottom left of the page, stating ‘so what’s so bloody good?’ is a English way of speaking, meaning the magazine is sold in England or targeted towards audience there. It may be to increase awareness and popularity of Lana Del Rey even more, or excite audiences who are already interested in her music.
3 – 12 November 2019 As a preliminary task for this course, I have published a magazine cover. This included research, taking professional photos, editing the photos, and formatting a photo to a cover with text. The photo shown is the final product, following experiencing researching and creating. With classmates completing film as their focus throughout this course, I have produced this work on my own. The sole contribution from others are the subjects being photographed to be used in my print.
Evaluation: As a preliminary task, I put much effort to produce this cover. It involved photography and editing, culminating many roles to produce a single product.
Text Styles: A relatively plain font was used for the text. This is easy to read, attracting a wider audience. However, the slight cursive appearance creates a
Photography: The photography itself was the most time-consuming, since it required ample communication between myself and my subject. Finding the correct lighting and camera settings while the subject posed appropriately was challenging. Below are a few photos taken as trials and were potentially used as the cover.
Practice shot following the extreme close-up style with eye contact from the subject. Black and white edit to not contrast other potential text on magazine.
An extreme close-up angle is utilized in the photography work. Sharp focus is the technique to indicate professionalism and to have an impression on the audiences. The photograph shown is an unedited version.
Different angle with higher sunlight on the side of the face. This one did not make it as a cover magazine since it was a widely shot photograph and the face was tilted too far to the side.
Lower angle attempted to be used to indicate power, however this differs from the initial goal to create an emotional, close-up shot.
2 – 12 November 2019 Before taking photos and formatting a magazine cover, ample research was required. From online and textbook reading, I have learned the many types of magazines, including: Art, Automobile, Business, Computer, Children’s, Entertainment, Environmental, Health and Fitness, History, Humor, Inspirational, Literary, Luxury, Men’s, Music, News, Online, Pulp, Regional, Satirical, Sports, Teen, and Women’s. Magazines can cover any topic, but tend to stick to one consistent general topic with a targeted niche audience. The photo shown an example of a news magazine, TIME. This magazine cover was the inspiration for my preliminary task. It uses a bold red colour to highlight the name of the person on the cover. Contrasting with the black and white photograph, the written text stands out. The written code also uses bold font to attract attention to the title and main text. Photography is an important element in the magazine cover, since the photo brings attention to the subject. The sharp image is in extreme close-up, with Leonardo DiCaprio having direct eye contact with the audience. This tactic is effective since it connects the targeted audience to the person photographed on the cover.
1 – October 2019 As a first assignment for AS Media Studies, I worked with a group to produce a short film. The film is about 3 minutes in length, and was filmed solely during class hours in school. Although this does not apply specifically to print, it was a learning experience I feel I must share to demonstrate my growth in the class and knowledge about taking proper shots ans angles.
And through most of the short film, there are diegetic sounds coming from the characters and sounds of steps, door slamming, etc. However, there is light instrumental music that accentuates certain moods of the film. For example, solemn tunes when Genesis walks out of the room crying and an upbeat tune when Hope and Genesis go back into the room with confidence. Overall the entire production of a short film is a learning experience that allows you to use codes and conventions of film to be used.
Lighting
Completed in school, this film has ambient lighting all the way through. It created harsh shadows at times on the actors and was difficult to work with. Nevertheless, it was meant to be a school setting. So, the ambient lighting is authentic and accurately represents a school setting.
Cinematography
The cinematography was hand held with an iPhone camera. This was a challenge since the quality is compromised, however it did work for the task at hand. In the group, I assisted with forming the proper angles: particularly low angle, close-up, and extreme close-up. The camera movement was at times shaky, however on purpose to give a the audience a feeling of being present.
Colour
No extra colour edits were made. The film has warmer tones which are in the school we filmed in. There were symbols associated with colour included in the film. I acted as “Hope”, the friend which brings the antagonist happiness. So I dressed in a yellow hoodie, a typical youthful outfit with the twist of being yellow in colour. The antagonist, “Genesis”, dresses in black through the beginning, showing her mournful mood. Yet at the end she takes off her black hoodie to reveal a short, white shirt. This implies that she has recovered from her sad state and gained confidence.
Reflection
Overall, the project allowed me to be familiar with other types of media which could add to my handling of print. Filming with a group allows one to expand their perspective on media and learn to cooperate with others to reach a common goal. Not only must you be able to communicate effectively with your group members, but be able to merge visions to produce a piece of work with a story that flows.
First, creating the storyboard was critical to planning. As a group, my two group members and I discussed our plans for the video and write what different shots we would do. For example, low-angle shots, medium shots, close-ups, and long shots. This was important, since we were able to get an idea of what to do. From the beginning, we all wanted to do the process of a girl getting over a break-up in a school environment. So, our storyboard involved the main character, Genesis getting over her break up with Jeremy and her friend, Hope, helping her get through it and gain her confidence. So to show the entire process and explain the situation, we planned a shot of Genesis in the classroom with her head down, and various medium to close-up shots showing conversation between Genesis and Hope. Additionally, the script we worked on together before filming to ensure we would stay on track while filming and stick to our lines, solely focusing on deliverance of the words we were to say. Just from the planning process, you get adjusted to film since you must strategically plan how you will carry out the film.
After planning, much can be taken away from the filming itself. Personally, I was an actress in the film. I assisted with adjusting camera angles shots and when to take them, however I immersed myself into being my character, Hope. My role was to be optimistic and and caring for Genesis, the girl that was having a hard time following a break-up. So throughout the film, I constantly hug and tap Genesis lightly to show concern. Keeping a light-hearted tone and sending positive messages was also a vital part to playing Hope. The way I spoke through the film, acted, and assisted with camera positioning helped me get accustomed to the process of filming.
Finally, putting it all together, the clips taken during filming had to be cut to accommodate the time constraints and arranged as the storyboard was to tell the story we envisioned. Editing was important to show the parts we wished to be shown, and add music and adjust sound to create the desired effects.
Knowing the process that I went through with my group, there are certain aspects of film that can be seen in the final product, which we had to consider when planning what we would do. A lot of close-ups were used throughout the film to draw emphasis on the characters shown on the screen and show the expression on the characters’ faces. The close-ups allow the audience to be connected to the characters. High-angles, used mostly when the Genesis is crying, indicated the powerlessness she feels. Choices in the mise-en-scene and clothing are also important to the film. For example, I – Hope – wear yellow, symbolizing happiness and positivity. In contrast, Genesis wears all black. When she is finally helped through the break-up and feels confident, she changes to white. This is a color of peace, perhaps signifying that she is at peace with herself. Regarding mise-en-scene, there are certain parts of the film that stand out. In the very beginning, as the camera moves across the classroom, a view of Jeremy and his new love interest, Stacy, is shown. Furthermore, scenes are structured so that it looks exactly like a school setting.
And through most of the short film, there are diegetic sounds coming from the characters and sounds of steps, door slamming, etc. However, there is light instrumental music that accentuates certain moods of the film. For example, solemn tunes when Genesis walks out of the room crying and an upbeat tune when Hope and Genesis go back into the room with confidence. Overall the entire production of a short film is a learning experience that allows you to use codes and conventions of film to be used.
Cambridge International specifies the following brief on AICE Media Studies AS Level as follows:
Magazine task (print) Main task: the front page, contents and double-page spread of a new magazine (if done as a group task, each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style). There should be a maximum of four members to a group. All images and text used in the main task must be original and produced by the candidate(s) with a minimum of four images per candidate.
As per requirements, I will be completing the front page, contents and double-page spread of a magazine on my own.
My name is Francesca Tomasino and I am a senior in high school. In this AICE Media Studies AS Level course, I am focusing on print media. Covering books, newspapers, billboards, posters, and magazines, print media has considerable influence on public perceptions and opinions, often conveying important messages of current issues. Print is able to promote, inform, and entertain a range of audiences. My project will focus on magazines as a form of print media. Specifically, I will produce a news magazine concerning social and political topics today.
Throughout this blog, I will be sharing information I am learning regarding print media and photography. Posts labeled ” Photography Portfolio” include photos from photo shoots I organized and shot. During the course of this class, I will be sharing mostly all photos I take to demonstrate progression in using a professional camera. All the research I undertake working towards understanding print media I will post on my blog. Importantly, the process of creating a magazine cover and double-page spread will be included – the final project for AICE Media Studies AS Level.
F Tomasino AS Media Studies 