On wednesday morning we looked at magazines. We looked at the different genres there are and how there target there audience. Dan split the class into groups of three and gave us all each a different cover. Then we was asked to study cover terminology, we had to include mashead, banner, graphic, main cover lmage, cover lines, bar code, price and issue date, mode of address, cover lines, boxed text, main cover line and strapline.
On the lesson we got told about the task to be completed we planned what we would do. We all shared our ideas. Everyone had different opinions how we should portray our magazine but finally we agreed to combined all ideas to one. We though of a title for a magazine planned what we would bring to the next lesson, where we would have our shoot and who would be modelling.
We used original photos for my front cover and some articles. For this I used a professional camera from the photography department from college. Our models used where our selves.
For the articles we used Adobe Photoshop, which I haven’t used properly before. This is where I had some problems. I first tried learning how to use Photoshop myself, therefore I asked for a little help, eventually I did learn. For the mise en scene we gave our models objects such as big headphones for the street theme. The models dressed in theme, which was hip-hop meets soul therefore our hip-hop model dressed in baggy jeans big chain t shirt and trainers whereas our soul model wore a pencil dress, shoes and flower earrings. This was purposely chosen out to attract our audience by giving the models wear clothes that they could relate to or may be interested in, and indicated along with the text that the magazine will have content about hip-hop and soul. My model was looking straight at the camera, as I research and learnt that this attracts the reader from the shelf. We used all big capital letters for my title to stand out from the rest of the text and placed it at the top middle of the page.
The font for my front cover was similar to other existing street magazines since we’re targeting the same type of audience; it’s a strong but playful font.
We mostly used black and white to match the models clothes, however we also included other bright colours like green, yellows, orange, blue, hot pink and purple for some Puffs and buzz words to break the black down and add some colour to the page. The colours used were not very traditional as we are targeting both girls and boys. The models we used do come from an African/ Caribbean background that may represent the reader, as Soul Beats magazine is a hip-hop soul genre magazine, which both comes from a black ethnic background. We also tried making our models to look their age or a little older not to much as we target young adults, for that reason we did not use much make up clothing was quite youthful and lighting was bright. We used one image from the Internet of a soul UK singer. Our puffs contain questions news, statements and freebees. We came to a decision that SOUL BEATS will cost £2.50 after looking at other similar magazine prises and the target reader’s disposable income. Our slogan “ its FRESH…it’s HOT… It’s SOULBEATS…” is included in both issues under everything written in white in a black background to stand out.
Afer the shoot we slit into two groups of two to make two music magazine covers. myslef and Siju was making issue 2 of "SOUL BEATS". From the information we got from Mick we managed to produce a cover suitable for our target readers. We added images of Bryn Christopher because he is a British soul singer and also agreed that the other tow would feature Jay-Z, Angie Stone to attract the readers as this will be the type of artist they listen to or have a interest in, we also mentioned articles about other relevant artists for the convention of a real music magazine.
Where in magazine (Front cover):-
Model: Siju Falusi and Precious
Setting: Around the college, near owen's filed
Props/Equipment: Photography camera's and digital camera, Headphones, Boom box
Type of shot:Low angel, Long shot
While working on this piece of work I discovered my weakness was getting in terms with Adobe Photoshop, as I was still a learner.
I showed 20 people we are trying to target to SOUL BEATS and give some feedback. These are some questions I asked:
1. What do you think of SOUL BEATS Magazine front cover?
2. Would you be interested to see more?
3. If you could change something about SOUL BEATS what would it be?
4. Do u think SOUL BEATS is worth your money?
5. What can we change to improve SOUL BEATS?
6. Would SOUL BEATS attract your eye in a shop shelf?
The majority of the feedback was positive. 16 out 20 people said yes to question two, whereas the others that said no because there’s too many similar magazines around language be a friend like. My 20 targets would want to see more UK music related articles and want the text to be friendlier rather then state like a news report. On a whole the readers found the magazine professional and affordable, and got very high results out of ten, with an overall of 171/200.
By completing this work I have learnt how extremely important it is when undertaking a type of media you must do it up to the audience’s expectations. I also learnt sometimes it is good to work in a team as you can share work equally between people to make it easy for your self and be an able to put 100 per cent on the task you are undertaking.
SOUL BEATS Magazine Readership profile.
Age: 18
Education: 9 A-C GCES grades, 3 A Levels
Status: On and off relationships
Hometown: London
Background: Black ethnic background
Income: great deal deposable cash
Occupation: weekend and one day in weekday in retail sales assistant. Full time holidays.
What do you spend your money on: Cosmetics, clothes and accessories.
Smoke/drink: No/socially
What do you like to do in your spare time: Gym, Loves to spend time with the ones love. Big music fan goes concerts/gigs. Also enjoys going out of London in the summer.
What type of music you into: fan of Soul, R &B, Blues, Funk, Slow jams and Jazz. But it very open minded when it comes to music.
What are your interests/ hobbies: Big reader loves books, also has a passion for Fashion and performing, gym, theatre, out going person.
Where do you shop for clothes: high street.
How many people in your household: average family but doesn’t live with dad.
we decided that the target audience for the magazine is probably Late teens to mid 20's , and it's most popular for men.