Main Task - Contents Page

Main Task - Level 4 Criteria

Level 4 (48-60 marks: A) Criteria for Print Brief

To achieve a level four I will need to show evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

·   framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate;

·   using a variety of shot distances as appropriate;

·   shooting material appropriate to the task set;

·   selecting mise-en-scene including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting;

·   manipulating photographs as appropriate to the context for presentation, including cropping and resizing;

·   accurately using language and register;

·   appropriately integrating illustration and text;

·   showing understanding of conventions of layout and page design;

·   showing awareness of the need for variety in fonts and text size;

·   using ICT appropriately for the task set.

What did they do well?/How did they achieve a Level 4?

They used consistent colour schemes, and consistent fonts which compliment each other. Also, a wide variety of font sizes has been used in both magazines. This made their magazines look more ordered and mature, which will appeal to their target audiences and help them to achieve a level four. They have also used a variety of shot distances in appropriate ways; this makes the magazine look more interesting and appealing and also helped them to achieve a level four. The photographs are also appropriate to the genre of the magazine. The clothing that the models are wearing fits in well with the genre, and the colour of the images is good, this helped them to achieve a level four by selecting appropriate mise-en-scene. They have both manipulated the photographs well to make them suitable for presentation; this also helped them to achieve a level four as this is a part of the criteria. The magazines have been laid out very well, a lot of information and images have been included but they do not make the magazine look cluttered. It still looks ordered and mature. I also think that they have been laid out in a way so that the route of the eye passes through the most important parts of the magazine. This is showing that they have awareness of conventions of layout and page design, which is also helping them to achieve a level four. Both contents pages are laid out very well as the information is separated so it is presented very clearly. The use of different colours also helps to do this. They have showed that they can use ICT appropriately for the task. One way that this is shown is through the use of different fonts and different font sizes, also it is shown through the layout of the text. The have also used appropriate language for their magazines, this makes the magazine more mature and helps to identify the target audience. This is another way in which they are both achieving a level four.

What could they improve on?

They could have improved on selecting the mise-en-scene when shooting their photographs. The setting of where they were taken could have been improved, as the settings are quite plain and do not have very interesting backgrounds. For example, using a more colourful background would have added more colour to the photograph and made it look more attractive. I also think that the front cover for the magazine ‘Drowned Insound’ could have a slightly better colour scheme, because not all the colours fit together well and quite a lot of different colours are used. By using more similar colours and ones that compliment each other well would have given the cover a slightly more ordered and mature look.

How will I try to achieve a Level 4?

For my magazine I will take appropriate photographs and use various shot types and distances to vary the photographs. I will also consider the mise-en-scene when taking my photographs and make sure the setting, colour and lighting is appropriate. I will also manipulate the photographs appropriately, this will involve cropping and resizing. I will use appropriate language for my magazine, it will be formal but not too formal as it is aimed at a young audience. I will also use varied fonts, but make sure they fit together well. I will also use a colour scheme throughout my magazine to make it modern and mature, as I feel too many colours will give the magazine look childish and therefore will not appeal to my target audience. I will use ICT to create my magazine, as this shows I can use ICT skills appropriately for the task.

Main Task - Magazine Brief

Magazine Pitch

My magazine will be aimed at both males and females aged 14-21. The genre of my music magazine is emo/rock. The front cover of my magazine is an important selling point as it is the first thing members of my target audience will see. It will be lay out in an ordered fashion so it appears mature and will appeal to the right audience. The cover lines and images will be appropriate for my target audience and the genre of music I chose for my magazine. I will also position the images and cover lines in suitable places so they are along the route of the eye, and capture the attention of my target audience. The colour scheme of my magazine will be appropriate for both males and females, and the colour will reflect the genre of my magazine. The colours I chose will fit in with the genre of music I have chosen to base my magazine on. I will use the same colour throughout the magazine although I may use other colours for certain articles to make them stand out more and look more attractive. I will also use consistent fonts throughout my magazine to make it look modern, ordered and mature. The features I include in my magazine will be appropriate for the genre of music, and will also be aimed at my target audience. The interview I am going to include in my magazine will be about a young band, to ensure they appeal to my target audience. I am going to price my magazine between £1 and £1.99, this is because the results of my questionnaire showed that this is what people would expect to pay for a music magazine, and I also think this is a reasonable price. As my magazine is aimed at both males and females I will ensure that throughout my magazine the colour scheme will not be aimed specifically at either males or females, it will be aimed at both genders. Also, the articles I include in it will be aimed at both genders, so it attracts males and females. I will use the findings from my research and the results from my questionnaire to make my magazine successful.

Main Task - Questionnaire Results Analysed

http://www.scribd.com/doc/46588407

Main Task - Production Plan

Production Plan

I am going to take my photographs in the week beginning the 10^th of January. I am going to take my photographs in school, and possibly some at home. The setting for my photographs will be appropriate for the genre of my music magazine.

The people I will be taking photos of will be Jamie Francis and Jasmine Ford.

The equipment I use will be; a camera, a laptop with appropriate editing software and a USB cable to connect the camera to the laptop.

The props I use will be appropriate for my genre of music magazine.

I will use dark clothing which fits with the genre of music my magazine features. Jamie and Jas will both be wearing dark eye make-up and have hair styles that suit the genre. They will both look modern and cool, to fit with my magazine.

Main Task - Double Page Spread Draft

Main Task - Contents Page Draft

Main Task - Draft Text

Magazine Draft Text
The Lovely Broken are the most talked about band right now, and here at THUMPED we know you want to hear all the latest gossip from them just as much as we do. Gemma met up with The Lovely Broken to ask all those important questions we just have to know the answer to!

Q: Hey guys! So, tell us, just what does it feel like to be one of the most popular bands around right now?
A: Josh: Well you can’t really put it into words to be honest, what we’re doing now is something we’ve all dreamed of since we can remember. So to be living out our dreams now is just unbelievable.
Adam: Yeah, like Josh said it’s not something you can describe, every time we’re up on stage its mind blowing, we all feel so lucky to be doing what we’re doing.

Q: Well you certainly are lucky! I hear that luck also had a lot to do with how you got signed in the first place?
A: Mike: Yeah you’re right there; the guy who signed us actually overheard us singing to some friends down our local skate park. We were just mucking about when he walked past.
Adam: We thought he was kidding at first when he came over and introduced his self as a record producer. But then he explained and asked us to come and do a sort of audition at his studio.
Josh: So yeah, we were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

Q: Wow that is lucky! So you three, all the girls out there want to know that one question, do you have girlfriends at the moment!? Because all this media attention has brought about a lot of attention from the ladies too!
A: Adam: Haha! Well actually you may be shocked to hear but none of us have girlfriends at the minute, it’s not that we don’t want relationships but with everything that’s going on at the minute we don’t really have time for them!
Mike: But don’t get us wrong, we do enjoy the attention from the ladies now and again!

Q: Haha! So, you’ve released your debut album which was a huge hit here and in the US, what do you plan to do next?
A: Josh: Well we’ve already started working on our next album which is due to be released in the summer, all three of us are really excited to be working on it because we’re working with some great people and it’s a really great experience!
Adam: We’re also planning on touring towards the end of the year, which is something else we’re really looking forward too; it’ll be a totally new thing for us so we can’t wait!
Mike: Also with the new album and the tour we hope it’ll give something back to our fans who have been amazing in supporting us, we want to thank them for everything!

Q: Yeah, I can see your fans are very important to you, I’m sure they’ll be very excited to hear this news! Another thing I wanted to ask is about you three as friends and not just as band mates, you must have to spend a great deal of time together, do you always agree? Or do you argue with each other a lot?
A: Josh: Well we actually just recently brought a house together, so we all live under the same roof now. Surprisingly we get on really well, there are times when we argue but not about anything major.
Mike: We’re all really close friends and so living together is really fun, we have lots of great times together, and the business side of things is made easier by the fact that we all live in the same house. We feel closer as a band since we’ve been living together; I think it was an important step for us.

Q: Oh right, it’s nice to hear that you all get on so well then, I’m sure it makes life easier for you! (they laugh and nod in agreement) Well it’s been great talking to you boys, but I have one final question! If you could have any one wish, what would you wish for?
A: Mike: Ooh, that’s a tough one! Well my wish has come true, and I’m sure these two would say the same, but I’d have to say that if I could have one wish it would definitely have to be to one day find a great woman and have kids and all that.
Q: Aw, that’s a lovely thing to wish for, what about you Josh and Adam?
A: Adam: Well you might laugh, but I’d love to be able to own the car of my dreams one day. Hopefully it’ll become a reality if we are successful!
Josh: I’d love to be a superhero for a day! That would be awesome, imagine the things you could do!

Haha, well those are three very different wishes! Thanks for talking to us boys, good luck with everything, and we’ll all look forward to your new album and your up and coming tour!