Print Feedback

 Comments and feedback:

 

• These are drafts so the fact the contents page is unfinished will obviously be fixed for the final draft. However, this is a long way from top-level print work and it doesn’t look like you’ve used any of the research of professional music magazines and how they are designed.
• The front cover needs a lot of work – I would look at how you are using images and text as well as going back to your research for conventions and page design. You also need to make sure you are meeting the minimum requirements of the brief.
• The double page spread reads well and you’ve clearly written it yourself which is important. The questions and answers work and it’s interesting to read so this is a big part of the spread. However, is the design unfinished? It doesn’t appear you have researched any double page spreads or magazine page designs.
• Also, check the print requirements of the brief in terms of content for the double page spread – is there something about the shoe sponsorship that needs to be included?
• The contents page is unfinished so difficult to comment on. Again, go back to your research and make sure you are creating a professional design.
• Overall, your images are a major weakness – do you have any other photoshoots? This would be a good way of moving the grade up for the final draft.
• You have some major improvements required before submitting final drafts – and as mentioned I would go back to your research and look at professional examples of music magazines before submitting final drafts.

 

Learner response:

 

• I need to change my images and make my magazine look more professional 
• I need to do another photoshoot
• I also need to change my double page spread layout
• I need to talk about the Nike sponsorship

 

Media print draft

 

Coursework: Print brief research and planning

Research and planning blog tasks

Create a blogpost called 'Print brief research and planning' and complete the following tasks to plan and prepare your print work:


1) Find at least five music magazine front covers (either current or former magazines as many have stopped their print editions) aimed at a similar target audience to your project (mainstream music audience) and research music magazine key conventions. For each one, pick out one design idea, convention or image/text style that you could use in your own print work.





From the Ice cube magazine I could use pose and the zipper on the mouth effect.





I could use the colour scheme from this XXL magazine e.g. black and white mixed in with red.



From this NME magazine i could use that camera angle of a medium close up



From the Kendrick Lamar magazines I can use the social media handle locations on the bottom right.



The part that I can use from the ASAP rocky magazine is the font placement and colour.

2) Find at least five double-page spread features from music magazines on Google images. How are they designed? How are text and images displayed? What design tricks can you borrow from your examples?




From this I like how seamless the background looks with the vibe of the double page spread. I may use the cover line




From this magazine a design trick that I would like to use is splitting the artists name between the double page spread.



From this Nicki Minaj magazine I can see my self using the styling of the by-line.



The double page magazine is designed to have all the focus on the main artist as she is quite literally at the centre of both Images. In the first image on the left we see a close up of her holding her hips. In the second image we see a shot where we can see her head to toe and she is playing with her hair. The text 'Queen of everything' is slightly transparent and matches the colour scheme of her clothes. Additionally on the second page the Text is curved at the same angle that the artist is which is a design trick that I may want to borrow.





3) Find at least five magazine contents pages - ideally from music magazines - from Google images. How are they designed? How are images used alongside text? How are page numbers displayed?



This Contents page may be designed to fit in with a possible red theme of the rest of the magazine. Additionally, The contents page has a centre image of the artist and the font is big and in white so that it is bold and easily readable. The page numbers are on the bottom right and are in whote matching the rest of the page.




In the mojo contents page we can see that the page is designed to fit the pose that the person is making so that the text is in line and curved around which is matching the rest of the contents page. In addition to that the page has a red and white colour scheme and it consistent.


The Ariana Grande contents page is more unique to the rest although it still features a centre image of her the contents label is vertical and on the right and on top of hat the page numbers have big blue border around it.




This Billie Eilish contents page seamlessly flows with the ongoing theme of lighter colours such as yellow and light blue. This is because the page numbers are bold and grey matching with her hair and the text font is serif with it being accented red like the contents page bar at the top.



The things that I notice that stands out the most is the layout of the page numbers as they are much bolder than the rest of the test which makes the page more organised as it is easier to point out each section and makes things more cohesive.



4) Find at least five music artist tour posters from Google images. How are they designed? How are images used alongside text? Which UK venues would suit your artist or band?



This SZA tour poster is designed to make it obvious that it is SZA as it uses an extended shot of her album cover S.O.S and uses the text font style that she did for the original album. The tour dates are also using the same font and the dates are accented in red in order to contrast with the blue and white colour scheme.





21 savage’s Issa tour poster is designed to be very minimalistic and straight to the point. There isn’t a big emphasis on colour however the key information needed for a tour poster is there as well as the sponsorship’s they have collaborating with the event such as Monster energy.





This poster is designed to match with the darker orange Burgundy colour scheme the artist has going on with the album cover it self. The individual shows are nicely split into sections which makes it clear to the audience on what is happening where.





Two door cinema club's poster is trying to replicate the bands key font such as in the name. The poster uses film reels as a boarder for the texts and they also have distinguishing colours for the tour dates and features.






5) Read at least three example music interview features from newspapers and magazines to learn the format, writing style and content for a music magazine interview. You may wish to use the following to help you:


'I'm an alchemist': Nova, the unknown MC with the Scottish album of the year (900 words)


Rapper SL: ‘When I was coming up, there was nobody else on my level’ (500 words)


Davido on his song ‘FEM’ becoming an #ENDSARS anthem: “It’s amazing to see” (1,500 words)


Tom Vek tells us about his surprise album ‘New Symbols’ (1,300 words)


Interview: 'There's something to scream about': Bring Me the Horizon's pandemic political awakening (1,600 words)




Planning and sketching

1) Plan the content and cover lines for your front cover:
Title (must be NEW original mainstream music magazine you have invented): GUV
Slogan: bars and true stories only
Cover image: my artist next to a car wearing black
Main cover story/main flash: new album/single out now
Additional cover lines: Fast growing artist and new clothing brand
Additional two smaller cover images: Picture of album cover and picture of interview
Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: Black and white font colour


2) Plan the images you will use for the front cover - use the elements of mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). One main image and two smaller images required to meet the minimum content in the brief.


Costume: Streetwear cloths such as tracksuit or beanie
Lighting: Dim lighting/ Low-key
Actor Placement: My artist will be the centre of attention and the centre image
Makeup: My artist will be looking like a young adult so he wont be wearing a suit or anything professional
Props: Some props could be phones, clothing brands and cars
Setting: Outside on the street

3) Plan the content for your inside page feature:
Subject of feature: How did they get into he industry and music
Headline: New album
Subheading: growing audience
Main image: Artists posing with car
Smaller images (need minimum of four across the three pages)
Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: Black and white text


4) Write the 400 word interview feature you will use for the inside page spread. This must be 100% original and written by you. It may help to use a Q&A approach to this interview.

Who were your inspiration to get into the studio and start recording music ?

My inspirations growing up we artists like JME, Giggs and Loski 

How long did it take for you to produce and record your first piece of music and how old were you at the time ?

 My first actual piece of music took at least a year and a half to fully produce and record it took me a year to just refine my tone and vocab and the rest to fine tune the recording and edits. I was 16 at the time so I had a lot of time on my hands and was eager to learn mixing and all sorts.

How do you feel the UK music industry and how it has transitioned from garage to now drill and grime which has become more and more mainstream even outside the UK in places such as Europe and America ?

I personally feel like UK music is now finally getting the respect that it so deserves with the thanks of grime and drill mainstreaming their sound. Alongside that artists such as Central Cee have played a major role in commercialising the sound and making it more easily accessible. I especially liked one of his freestyles were he translated UK slang to US slang so that it would be easier to understand the lyrics

 

What was the process like to making your new album and how did it differ to your first ?

This time around my album took a lot less time as it is my third album so I feel like I am more experienced and have fine tuned my skills to become more efficient. Additionally, I was thankfully able to invest in some better equipment which dramatically improved my productivity and was the reason the album turned out so well. 

Who would be your dream collaboration ?

Personally, my dream collaboration would be Loski because I believe that he is very talented in the way that he delivers his verses and lines he gets you bopping your head nonstop. 

Favourite UK Album ?

My favourite UK rap album would definitely be Alpha place by Knucks for sure. I have to go with it because knucks’ story telling is just absolutely far ahead of  the game. The song Leon the professional was a highlight for me as it he tells the whole story of Leon whilst still hitting the beat drops on time and the story has a special place in my heart.

5) Plan and write the text for your contents page. This will need to include a range of features and interviews that are not related to your artist but that do fit your target audience and brief (mainstream music magazine).

In the contexts page I would like to have a brief overview of the interview and other news stories that ae in the same genre as my artist.

6) Research and select the font or typography you will use for your magazine. This is a critical element of your print work - the brief requires a consistent house style running through all of your pages.

In my magazine I will mainly be using 'Bangers' as the font as I believe it matches the style and genre of both my artist and the music magazine.

7) Produce an A4 sketch of your front cover design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.


8) Produce A4 sketches of your inside page feature with clear layout of where headline, subheading, images and text will appear on the pages. Scan or upload a picture to your blog.


9) Produce an A4 sketch of your contents page design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.


10) Finally, create the pages in Adobe Photoshop or InDesign so you have the documents ready to go in terms of adding your text and images. This will need to include:
A4 portrait for front cover
A4 portrait for contents page
A3 landscape for double page feature


Photoshoot

1) Who do you need to photograph for your front cover and inside page images? Remember, you need seven original images across the whole print production.

I need to photograph Obaida as he is in place of my artist he will be used for the inside page as well as the front cover.

2) What camera shots do you need? Write a shot list or draw a storyboard for your photoshoots. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

I will need to capture a close up of Obaida for the interview page, a long shot for the front cover. Additionally I will use a medium shot of him for the contents page.  

3) Plan the mise-en-scene. What costume, props or make-up will you require for your photoshoots?

The costume will be Streetwear clothing typical of  the younger generation in the UK such as Nike, Adidas and under Armor. A prop that I will be using a car for the backdrop.

4) Finally, note down the time and date for your photoshoots. This may be inside or outside school (or a combination of both). You will have Media lesson time for this after the mock exams.

My photoshoots will be outside of school as I need a picture for the album cover which will be my artist surrounded by his friends which we had arranged for the 15th of February. For the front cover one of them is going to be a smaller image which is the album the main and centre image will be my artist posing with a car. Both of these images are arranged for the same day. 


Statement of Intent


1) Once you have completed your print research and planning, go back to your statement of intent and make sure you have included the print brief in your final draft. Then, submit the final draft statement of intent to your teacher. The due date for this will be confirmed by your coursework teacher.

Statement of Intent

Use your Media coursework lessons to complete these planning tasks - homework time should be exclusively to revise for mocks.

Radio Index

Radio Index

Introduction to radio

News Beat Radio 1

Radio: War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds

1) What is the history and narrative behind War of the Worlds?

It is remembered for the broadcast and for the public's reaction. This can be seen as classic example of how media can spark mass hysteria and has been widely used in discussions about audience behaviour. This was because this was an early example of hysteria from an audience this big which was mentioned all over the news at that time.

2) When was it first broadcast and what is the popular myth regarding the reaction from the audience?

The first broadcast was on the 30th of October 1938. The popular myth about the reaction from audiences was that people fled their homes in panic because they believed that the things that the broadcast was real when in fact it was a narration from the story war of the worlds.

3) How did the New York Times report the reaction the next day?

The New York Times said, “Radio Listeners in Panic, Taking War Drama as Fact.”. New York times stated that everybody was fleeing their homes in panic.

4) How did author Brad Schwartz describe the broadcast and its reaction?

He described it as not "entirely a myth". He argues that "the stories of those whom the show frightened offer a fascinating window onto how users engage with media content"

5) Why did Orson Welles use hybrid genres and pastiche and what effect might it have had on the audience?

He used hybrid genres and pastiche to make the narrative feel more real and interesting and able to create a shock factor. This ended up leading to people taking the broadcast too seriously.

6) How did world events in 1938 affect the way audiences interpreted the show?

When Hitler signed the Munich Agreement this gave people concern about things and the show may have exaggerated these concerns

7) Which company broadcast War of the Worlds in 1938?

CBS was the company that broadcasted the war of the worlds.

8) Why might the newspaper industry have deliberately exaggerated the response to the broadcast?

They may have intentionally exaggerated in order to gain views and traction so that they can profit as much as they can out if this situation.

9) Does War of the Worlds provide evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory?

War of the worlds does have evidence to support hypodermic needle theory as the theory talk about a passive and active audience. In war of the worlds, we can see a passive audience at play considering they took whatever the narrator says as truth and they actually believed that they were in danger.  

10) How might Gerbner's cultivation theory be applied to the broadcast?

cultivation theory can be used since it says that a lot of viewers of television are likely to believe media messages and think that they are real.

11) Applying Hall's Reception Theory, what could be the preferred and oppositional readings of the original broadcast?

A preferred reading of the original broadcast could be that the narrative feels like it could be real and is immersive and oppositional reading could be that this could be a concern for danger.

12) Do media products still retain the ability to fool audiences as it is suggested War of the Worlds did in 1938? Has the digital media landscape changed this?

Media products generally don't have this ability anymore. This is because we now have multiple sources to reference meaning the average person nowadays is less susceptible to be fooled.

Media Magazine article on War of the Worlds

Read this excellent article on War of the Worlds in Media Magazine. You can find it in our Media Magazine archive - issue 69, page 10. Answer the following questions:


1) What reasons are provided for why the audience may have been scared by the broadcast in 1938?

some reasons that were provided were that people though it was real since the bulletins interrupted the narration which created the consciences that this was a real radio channel. Another reason why people may have been scares is due to the location as it has a reputation. 

2) How did newspapers present the story?

The newspapers used this to present media and radio negatively and gave people the notion that the person behind this did this to scare people and had bad intentions.

3) How does the article describe the rise of radio?

The article describes the rise as instilling fear in other media types since radio was new at that time and could capture all aspects of newspaper and tv with the addition of music into one.

4) What does the article say about regulation of radio in the 1930s?

The article says that regulation was low at first considering it had just started gaining popularity. However, it started being heavily regulated when pirate radio was becoming more popular.

5) How does the article apply media theories to the WOTW? Give examples.

The article uses Bandura's social learning theory which talks about learning through seen experiences, cultivation theory which says that the media can have specific effects on the audiences and Stuart Hall's reception theory.

6) Look at the box on page 13 of real newspaper headlines. Pick out two and write them here - you could use these in an exam answer.

‘Radio Terror Brings Panic in All Areas; People Lose All Control’

‘Fake Radio War Stirs Terror’

Television industry contexts: Blog tasks

 Television industry contexts: Blog tasks

Independent: British viewers can't get enough of foreign-language dramas

Read this Independent feature on foreign-language dramas. If the website is blocked or forcing you to register you can access the text of the article here. It features an in-depth interview with Walter Iuzzolino who curates Channel 4's Walter Presents programming. Answer the questions below:

1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?

The article suggests that 15 years ago if you told someone you were watching a European drama you would've been called pretentious and a bit odd.

2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?

It is suggested that the appeal of his shows are accurate in terms of the culture and make it feel real.

3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?

It suggests that when you read subtitles you are more glued to the screen.

4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?

Some other audience pleasures that are suggested is "the locale that is such a fundamental part of their appeal. "We all love getting that insight into a different culture," says Deeks. "The unfamiliar setting gives a freshness to genre pieces." 

Film School Rejects: The foreign TV dramas you're missing out on

Now read this Film School Rejects feature on the foreign TV dramas you're missing out on. This contains some particularly useful background on Deutschland 83's reception internationally. If the website is blocked, you can access the article text here. Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article tell us about Deutschland 83's release schedule?

The article says that it was released in June 2015 on Sundance TV. In the UK it was released in January 2016 on Channel 4.

2) The article contains important statistics on viewing figures in different countries. What were the German viewing figures for the first and last episode? What were Channel's 4's viewing figures for Deutschland 83?

The German viewing figures on the first episode was 3.19 million viewers and by the end it dropped to 1.9M. Channel 4 on the other hand had 2.13m at peak.

3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?

 

SundanceTV and FremantleMedia finally announced in October that there will be a second series of Deutschland 83

4) How does Walter Iuzzolino use social media to engage audiences in new international TV dramas? How does he suggest this has changed the reception of foreign productions in the UK?

He uses social media to engage audiences by posting weekend picks on his facebook page. This has changed the reception as they are building a better relationship with the audiences.

The Guardian: How tech is changing television

Read this Guardian feature on how tech is changing television. This has some particularly useful aspects from an industry perspective - how TV is made, the different formats of TV drama and more. Answer the following questions:

1) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?

They have completely changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed as streaming services promote binge watching meaning that people will watch a whole season for instance in a go. This means that they have to structure the narrative around that.

2) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?

This has lead to more cliffhangers as it is a way to generate hype for the next part and to have audiences talking about your show on social media.

3) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?

"from the economics of production. Shindler explains to me that dramas – regardless of how they will ultimately be screened – are usually shot in blocks. In order to maximise the use of time, and minimise the cost of actors and crew, while part of a drama is filming, another team is prepping the next section. So, while a streamed drama theoretically need not be divided at all, it still makes logistical and financial sense to hire on episode basis."

4) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?

"Live-tweeting by audiences has usefully democratised criticism, but the downside of this new media interaction has been in giving the old media a stick with which to beat broadcasters."

Media Magazine: Netflix and the Cultural Industries 

Finally, go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on Netflix and the Cultural Industries (MM63 - page 45). Answer the following questions:

1) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?

He argues that the creative industries have been more digitalised.

2) What is technological convergence?

"the tendency for technologies that were originally unrelated to become more closely integrated"

3) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?

Tech companies are challenging traditional broadcasters by having their own production teams and original shows. For instance Netflix have "Netflix originals".

4) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this ?

The article says that Netflix pays for licences to have shows broadcasted in other countries as the internet is the most popular way to watch content which opens up the doors for people to watch content originally made for a certain country. 

Year 12 Media Paper 2 learner response

Year 12 Media Paper 2 learner response 

1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to). 

2) Read the mark scheme for this exam carefully, paying particular attention to the 'indicative content' for each question. Firstly, focus on the unseen question and identify two aspects of the poster that you could have written about in your answer.

the way events, issues, individuals and social groups (including social identity) are

represented through processes of selection and combination

the visual codes and iconography of the image including colour and setting as it relates to

the thriller/horror/supernatural etc genre (isolated setting, low key lighting, blue hue)

3) Look at the indicative content for Q1 again and make a note of any theories or examples of media terminology you could have used in your answer.

I could've used gender representations and genre conventions in order to develop my points deeper.

4) Now focus on the TV 25-marker. Read this exemplar response for the TV question and pick out three arguments, phrases or theories from the essay that you could use in a future question on Capital and Deutschland 83.

The Daily Mail’s review of capital described it as ‘more packed with left-wing causes than Jeremy Corbyn’s diary’ which suggests a preferred reading that is left-

wing and socialist.

However, to take an oppositional view of Capital, could it also be argued that the programme

unconsciously promotes a right-wing, capitalist ideology? This also questions the validity of Hall’s theory, as perhaps producers are unknowingly reinforcing ingrained dominant ideologies rather than deliberating encoding a particular viewpoint.

it could be argued that Capital’s relentless focus on the importance of hard work, earning money and contributing to the London economy unconsciously reinforces capitalist ideology.

5) Finally, identify three things you need to revise for Media Paper 2 before your next assessment or mock exam.

I need to revise my theories, higher detail explanation of my points and knowledge of my CSP's