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.