Reviewing My Magazine Article

Final Magazine Review

Magazine Review Flat-plan

My flatplan has had a significant amount of thought put into it's layout, the way certain things are laid out is designed to draw the reader's attention to the product and in turn hold their focus for the duration. The idea of having a large main image edges the reader to take notice of the page when flicking through the magazine itself, by doing this I'm ensuring I'm doing everything I can to draw the readers attention in an effort to promote the product.

Equally the large article itself is saturated with other smaller sub sections of text, this is to break up the large block of text that is dominant on the page. This also means it looks like there is less writing which can often prompt someone to read an article as they're in the false consciousness that it wont consume a large proportion of their time. 

These placements work to my advantage and are beneficial when promoting a product. Equally I could use direct address in the photograph to really grasp the audiences attention, this is just another way in which I can ensure the reader feels connected to the article and in turn develops an interest.

Magazine Survey

Survey Results

Rate These Magazine Genres

	1	2	3	4	5
Sport	*	**	*	**
Lifestyle	**	**	**
Hobbie		*	*	***	*
Gossip	**	*	**		*

How Often Do You Read Magazines

Option	Tally
Alot
Moderately
Sometimes	*
Rarely	****
Never	*

What Would Urge You To Buy A Magazine

Option	Tally
Free Gifts	**
Posters	***
Competitions
Vouchers	*

What Is Most Important In A Magazine

Option	Tally
A Bright Front Cover	*
Interviews And Articles	*
A Wide Variety Of Topics	***
A Nice Font
Simple Dialect/Language	*

How Often Should A Magazine Be Released

Option	Tally
Every Week	*****
Every Fortnight
Every Month	*

Would You Rather Buy A Subscription Or Buy Individual Magazines

Option	Tally
Subscription
Individual Issues	******

Would You Buy A Magazine Because Of An Attractive Cover

Option	Tally
Yes	****
No	*
Unsure	*

Evaluation Of Results

When reading through my survey results it becomes evident on what people like when it comes to magazines. It is shown in my tables that people don't read magazines very often but when they do the genre people rate the highest is Hobbie . Previously I planned to do a gaming magazine but the tables have said Hobby despite my results I am choosing to do a lifestyle magazine based on the military. The public also seem to wants posters included in their magazines as a free gift prompting them to purchase the magazine.

As well as this my results show that a magazine should have a variety of interesting topics to keep the readers interested in the magazine. The results make the statement that people would like magazines released every week but at the same time they would prefer not to buy a subscription but instead buy the individual issues. My final question was asking if an attractive cover would urge you to buy a magazine the answers were mostly yes this makes it obvious that people judge a book by its cover quite literally for they take most notice on the cover as it is what gives them their first impression of the magazine.  

Research on Magazines

Comparison of changes

With contemporary society we are constantly updating the way we display things to seem more modern and appealing to an audience. This can be shown in various ways through film special effects and also the way print media such as newspapers and magazines style their products

 

Details magazine has changed with the times for example the masthead has gone from a block like big red mixed case title on a yellow background too a deep pink title made up of entirely uppercase lettering in a slightly wider and smoother font. On the newer masthead the editors have decided to make the date and tagline redundant from the masthead.This has made the magazine more stylish and slick compared to the previous issue.

Overall the newer version has come along way from its origins the editors have made smart choices affected by the time therefore altering the layout of their magazine. The change of the colour scheme and the way things are centered have given the magazine a fresh new look revitalising the popularity it had in previous years.

The previous issue is made up of 6 segments each with a different purpose whether it be photographic or textual.Whereas the newer issue has a set color scheme to make it look professional and fashionable. The left colour scheme is red, yellow, white, blue and black making the magazine funky but also slighty gordy whilst the newer magazine on the right is made up of colours that blend well with the photo in the background.

The left issue has its different segments detailing what is in the magazine with simple phrases but the right one has different portions of text detailing what's included making it more modern and appealing to the eye. The older issue is made with small images centered around the image of various un-important people whereas the newer version has one main image of a well known celebrity with its various text detailing the articles and magazine around it.

Review Of My Poster

Initial Finished Concept

When producing my poster i took various shots of my model, the positioning and what you could see of the character changed with each shot I took ensuring that the mise en scene was correct and that you could see all the relevant props and costume. This ensured that the poster had the right feel, however when I started adding these images to the poster they didn't look too good. You could simply see a man staring into the dystopian abyss. So therefore i made changes and re shot my images in an effort the get a better feel for the magazine. Equally at this point I was still lacking a tagline which was eventually added.

Final Poster

When I looked at my initial poster i could see that it wasn't very good. I'd added the main image to complete it but it was still lacking something. I added a tagline at the top of the poster but this still didn't work as the main image was what was bugging me. The initial image was to distant and formal whereas the new photo my model was standing replaced with a rifle in his hand. This gives the more aggressive and survivor like feel i wanted. The rifle itself promotes the idea of violence and really pushes the feel for survival of the fittest. 

The gear on his back such as medical kits and gas masks make the character seem to be experience and reinforce the idea of a group of skilled agents dealing with the crisis. The various items of equipment that are naturally available to the individual due to their preparedness enforces the idea of being trained and ready. By doing this I'm adding more into the backstory of the character through costume which can be picked up in the poster. Contrary to this the logo on his arm is something all characters will have on them in the trailer. Once again promoting the idea of a highly trained group who want to ensure the safety of the public.

Overall i think my poster is really effective. It has all the main components of a poster and this can be seen from the start. The billing block is in the correct place and it's positioning help make it evident from the start, this is as well as this the BBFC classification in the bottom left corner. As for the main image it's dominant and takes up a large amount of the page, this draws attention. However when combined with the colour scheme it is really quite eye catching. By using dark colours for my background and character, I can use the bright orange in the foreground to grab a readers attention and hold it long enough for them to become interested. therefore i think this task has been done to the best of my ability and has come out really well. 

Start Of Poster

Taking Shape

My poster is currently in the works and I'm in the first stages of completion. My basic design is becoming more and more secure although there is always room for improvement. The basic conventions are already implemented however I'm yet to develop more detail in the foreground and text as well as add the main image. As seen on the analysis of the Sherlock Holmes posters there is the dominant main image which as stated is yet to be implemented. However the addition of the large blocks of text and individual details has already been put on and helps it to be easily recognised as a poster.

My Poster Flatplan

The idea for my poster is to have the key features defined whilst keeping it minimalistic. The main conventions such as the Billing Block and Title are parts of a poster that most people will recognise immediately. So by ensuring that these are seen and noticed I can give direct address in the sense that it should be immediately recognised.

The simple design allows me to focus on quality as opposed to quantity. The minimalistic design allows for the product to be done in a short amount of time whilst still allowing it to be effective. I can focus more directly on the colour scheme and fonts as well as the main and background image, rather than over crowding the poster with many imposed layers that are unnecessary.

The idea of keeping it empty is also keeping with on of my key themes of loneliness and solitude. Having just one person and not much else on the poster is reflective of the society and reality around the character due to the event's that have transpired. This is an effective mechanism in which people can get a sense of what the film will be like just by looking at the poster.

Poster Conventions

As seen in this poster for Liam Neeson's "The Grey" there are many conventions that posters rely on to make them universally recognisable. These allow the audience to look in certain predetermined places for key information. For example the production information is normally at the bottom of the poster and is usually either very dominant or slightly faded using binary opposition of the colours.      

A picture that fills the whole casing - This is to draw in the consideration of the intended interest group. Were it to be a little picture, it wouldn't be as engaging and they may investigate it. In any case, if the picture fills the casing or looks strange, the consideration is instantly gotten. 

A title - Generally towards the base of the page, the title is made of maybe a couple fundamental words, and is in a basic textual style that is normally capitalized. The few words implies that it remains in the groups of onlookers psyche and is anything but difficult to recollect. Most movies have "the" and afterward a word, yet in discussion, "the" is typically cut off on the grounds that the single word tailing it is more huge. The straightforward text style is generally a serif textual style and it is great and broadly utilized, and it is in capitalized to draw in consideration. 

A discharge date - A fundamental bit of data, the maker can put the date towards the base of the blurb, typically in an indistinguishable text style from the title, to tell the crowd when it is discharged. On the off chance that a discharge date has not yet been chosen or reported, then "coming soon" will be utilized to make interest. The group of onlookers will then be checking consistently concerning when the film turns out in silver screens. 

Institutional data - When included, this area of data points of interest the data of who is featuring, or chipped away at the film and is demonstrated subtly at the extremely base of the page. This tradition isn't generally took after in light of the fact that the gathering of people doesn't discover it that intriguing or valuable. While it can be utilized to see who is in the motion picture, blood and gore flicks tend to utilize performing artists that aren't renowned so they wouldn't perceive the name at any rate. Were the name of an essayist, executive, maker or performing artist to be classed as imperative, then they would put it elsewhere on the publication to draw in consideration. 

Primary picture - This will dependably reflect something that is huge to the account, be it the opponent, hero, area, or weapon. The picture for the most part elements some type of horrendous symbolism, which might be evident or inconspicuous, so connote the class of film that it has a place with. The principle picture additionally tops off the whole edge, and when there is a special case, the dark space accentuates the fundamental element of the picture. 

Slogan - Short and basic, this sentence, or gathering of sentences, makes interest for the group of onlookers, improves their dread marginally and maybe their comprehension of the film making them need to go and see it while tying down the significance of the picture and associating it to the title.

My Poster Style

Examples

  

For my one of my ancillary tasks, I'm going to produce a poster. Where my product is based off of a pre existing product, there are already fan and official posters made for short films. This allows me to draw on inspiration from others.


                                         

My main aim is to have a main character centered either at a slant or facing away. This gives off the sense of being detached and makes it seem less personal as the character wont look at the audience. It can leave questions in their minds such as why wouldn't they give immediate address to the audience. This draws people to the film as the curiosity makes them interested and means people will want to consume the product.

As well as this, the majority of the gear/kit my character uses will be visible from behind, so by using this angle of the charcater I'm ensuring the Mise En Scene is complimentary of my ideologies. The audience needs to grasp from the poster that this character isn't just any survivor. It needs to be immediately known that they're part of an elite team designed to control situations like this. In a situation like the one in my product, there are various archetypes of people. The one's who're prepared and have the means and method to survive with the relevant equipment and expertise. Those who try their best. And those who follow the fall in society and become lawless savages.

Analysis of Posters

Analysis Of Posters

The range of posters released for the Sherlock Holmes advertising campaign were all very similar in design, whilst varying slightly in content. The range of posters was designed to create familiarity in the recognition of the posters for the audience. The way in which they mirror each other links them all together and makes the overall campaign seem much more varied and interesting, if the audience becomes bored of a poster, the may associate this dislike with the film itself, this technique of releasing a variety throughout the campaign maintains interest and entertainment.

The poster shown above has been kept extremely simple in order to maximise impact on the audience. The overall colour is kept dark and dull so as not to detract from the main image. The image in the background is of a dull and rainy scene, possibly mirroring the setting of the scene, the small image of boats and a harbour is another location indicator, and suggestion of the narrative. The characters themselves shown in the foreground are an indication of the genre of the film and also the time period, this is shown through their costumes (moustaches, haircuts, and style of clothes) and their props. However, not only do they indicate the setting of the film, but also the target audience, as the age of the characters suggests that this is not a film for children.

The overall impression of the poster is also an indicator of this, as is portrays an image of ominous darkness, suggesting possible danger. The body language of these characters also suggests their status, as the man standing in the front is clearly in charge. The position in which he is standing is very dominant, and his facial expression suggests power and knowledge. The man standing behind him is also clearly upper class, which is indicated by the way he holds his head and also his general style of dress. The cane and top hat also suggest the time period and his social status, however the way he stands behind the first man shows his submission and willingness to relinquish control. The title of the poster is displayed in capital letters clearly across the top of the poster, the light colour of the lettering stands out against the dark dusky background, as does the pale typography of the actors names displayed along the very top. The release date is shown across the bottom of the poster in the same font, slightly larger than the actors names but much smaller than the title so as not to detract from it. The border around the poster is simple but effective, indicating the narrative but not drawing attention to itself.The backgrounds in each of these posters are kept dull and blurred to draw the eye of the audience to the character.

The tag line in Sherlock Holmes themselves poster is simple and effective, shown printed across the character just below his name, its font size in comparison with the title shows that the fact that nothing escapes him is almost irrelevant, as the name "Holmes" on its own is enough to sum up this amazing character.

In Watsons poster he has his head dipped as though he is assessing the audience, an indicator of his personality. By revealing each of the characters separately in this way one by one, the producers enable the audience to become closer to them, as they can analyse them in more detail, leading them to have a better understanding of to the characters and their story.

The image in the  female characters poster portrays her as being very seductive. The tight corset like dress and immaculately curled hair suggest that she is fashionable and desirable, whilst the pink dress implies femininity. However although the way she dresses implies she is a delicate and girly woman, her facial expression suggests that she is confident and in control.

Change To Trailer

Due to changing some of my shots and recorded scenes. I decided to change the trailer in most of it's entirety, this meant the trailer would have a different feel to it. I've cut back on the amount of fight scenes and firefights and instead have the trailer giving you the start and background to a story that will later be told in the film. Equally due to the software I was using being removed from the school system to create my after effects, I can no longer implement the holographic effect for the character's "Smart Watch" and therefore this scene had to be scrapped. Looking at most teaser trailers in contemporary media many tend to just use a constant monologue over pre recorded footage as I intended too, however this tends to usually cover the entirety of the trailer which is where I've made the change. This means that some scenes will have less significance than before The new voiceover can be found below.

New Monologue-

In times of crisis people flee and panic sets in. In an instance where no one has power and everyone is looking out for themselves and only themselves. It seems there is no hope. But all hope is not lost, there is a chance to start a new. A chance for redemption and survival.

When we were activated we knew the situation was bad, worse than anyone knew. We are an elite highly skilled group of embedded agents formed under the Catastrophic Emergency Response Agency’s Command and COBRA. They only call us when everything else has failed. We have no rules we have no limits our only job is to protect what remains.

We are your coworkers we are your neighbours, we might even be your friends. But when we get the call we leave everything behind. In a society where all has fallen we are the only ones who remain a group of battle hardened survivors. After seeing countless numbers of your loved ones turn against your cause and kill in cold blood. What would you do.

We can't stop this. But what we can do is stick together and form a team. Together we can give help to those in need and rebuild the city we’ve lost. Together we’re a group, a family. Are you with us? Or against us? For we are, The Division.

Key Trailer Points

Key Shots.

For part of my trailer I want to show off the technological advancements in the environment and setting, but at the same time use my editing skills to represent this. I want to use a birdseye over the shoulder shot to view a certain item. This will allow me to superimpose the effect but also make use of a key shot to help develop the story with props.

   

Equally I want various shots of the firefight I intend to include. These will each convey different emotions and points. For example by using close ups I can express regret and fear by the facial expression. However by using a shot of someone running towards others I can convey fear and anger in their character at the other people. As well as this shots of people on the receiving end can allow me to show various different emotions and ideologies by combining narrative with the shot.

Plot Points.

A thew of the key moments in my trailer will be outlined and devout. However other parts can be made of footage to fill empty spaces, this can be of the main character wandering and roaming as well as searching bodies and overcoming small obstacles. This will allow me to have a few well thought out and scripted/narrated scenes as well as these fillers to lengthen the trailer.

These points are;

1. Incoming message on a smartwatch
2. Flashback to family life
3. Firefight with scavengers
4. Memories of civilisation(moving cars and busy streets)
5. Flashback of daughter
6. Becoming militant
7. Before and after shot's
8. How it all happened

These points can be made up of a thew shots and small sections of footage. Combined with the visual effects, narrations and music there will be a significant amount of footage that will be used.

Ending.

The ending of trailers usually detail the release date and main title/logo. This will be the same in my trailer, I intend to have a sharp cut in the footage and then fade in my title and release date allowing the music to slowly fade out ending the trailer. The main title can be seen below, it's an adaptation of "The Division's" logo. Where the main product would be about the moral divide in society after it collapses I have named it 'The Divide'

Opening.

In contemporary society people are very cautious with warning so trailers are often banded for certain audiences. To ensure my trailer seems professional I intend to add a red banded preview warning, this will also help re-enforce who my are audience at the start. as well as this the music will pick up as a shot fades in of my main character walking down the street with his back to the camera.

Props, Equipment and Costume

Props

The film my trailer is for, is set in a post apocalyptic period where a plague has dominated the majority of society. There are deep elements of survival engrained in the narrative and plot, so to survive and flourish in a period like this sometimes force could be considered necessary as I have already outlined in my Audience Effects post. So to really enforce this I have implemented an imitation firearm. This is as my product is a British film, and when we look at British film there is usually quite a lack of props such as firearms. This is due to the statutory gun laws in Britain, so Hollywood films often have an edge or advantage in the prop department which will draw more viewers. 

I have looked at legislation and it details that in 'Section 36 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2007' "It is an offence to manufacture, bring into or cause to be brought into Great Britain, or sell realistic imitation firearms. The act also makes it an offence to modify imitation firearms to make them realistic" However 'Section 37 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2007' States that a defense/exception may be made for the case provided that the use meets a list of mitigating circumstances, one of which being "the production of films and television programmes" This prop will only be used on times where I have discussed it's existence with my neighbours to prevent panic if used in my garden, and in my home. This is to prevent any misunderstanding. 

As well as this prop the main character will also have various other props attached to their costume. These will include items such as:

• A Tornicator
• First Aid Kit
• Gas Mask 
•  Multi Tool
• MRE Rations
• Smoke Grenade

Costume

My character is being designed with a rustic type patchwork idea in mind. He isn't initially built for survival and is slowly developing his understand as well as the gear he carries. I intend for the first shots we see him in to be in plain clothing that you'd see in day to day situations. However as the plot thickens and the story progresses he will start to gain warmer clothes and military uniforms. This fits in line with the plot as it will become progressively colder in winter months. Equally it is stated almost immediately that the military have a presence in humanitarian aid and riot control in the story. So with this plague combined with the anger and lawless society it's expected that some of these men and women would pass. let it be known I'm not stating that anyone should defface/steal from the bodies of the dead but as stated in the Audience Effects post there can be times where it is considered necessary and we wouldn't know them till we experience them first hand. 

Various items will come together to achieve a look that really reflects a survivor in my character. For example clothes that may be too big or are in poor condition, and then the pieces of military uniform they may find. By the end of the trailer I intend for my character to be wearing:

• The 'Smart Watch'
• British Multi Terrain Pattern Jacket
• Jeans
• A Beanie
• Walking Boots/Shoes
• A Military Style Patrol Bag
• A Scarf
• Gloves
• Possibly a Bullet Proof Vest

Equipment

The equipment that I use will primarily be whatever is available to me at the time. The school have just invested in a new camera and hopefully I will be able to use this in due course. likewise we already have some camera's that have the capacity to film as well as take static shots, however for the most part I will probably use my iPhone SE.

This is as "the Apple iPhone SE is powered by A9 processor. The Apple iPhone SE has a 12-Megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 1.2-Megapixel camera for front facing photo's" This means I can get very close with a considerable amount of detail. For example in shot's where the character is lead down hiding I'm able to get good quality face shots. Likewise by moving myself on a desk chair with wheels I'm allowing myself to ensure moving shots and shot with professionalism as the camera will be easy to maneuver and it will eliminate the sound and wobble of the camera technician walking. 

Although these will be my primary pieces of equipment, Sandown Bay Academy have various professional recording devices with expert sound gear that would allow me to record sound more effectively. However as most of my sound will be edited in after i wouldn't need this during the production phase but possibly during post production to get a clean and crisp sound. As well as this I have the opportunity to use a green screen in my work. If i were to use this, it would most likely be to use as a backdrop for a news report.