Photo-shoot Plan

For the photo shoot I am planning to borrow some instruments off of the teachers in the music block. I am planning to take some photo's in the music block, mainly of instruments for the review page, and am also planning to take some in the drama studio, however it will depend if we are allowed to borrow instruments and the rooms are empty.

Double Page Spread Ideas

For the double page spread I have decided along with the interview of a music artist, I will have a review page of various instruments that artists have been using. This section will include where to buy them, how much they are, etc. Then on the opposite page will be an interview with an artist, mainly focusing on their favourite instrument, the background of it, and a few other questions, which will keep a common theme running throughout.

The Contents Page

Today I have started working on the contents page. However as we are only doing the front cover, double page spread and contents page, I will be making most of it up. I have researched various other magazine contents pages like NME and Mojo.

Interview About Instrument

This feature will go on the double page with the 'Alternative Style' section. It will be an interview with a musician, but instead of a regular interview it will focus mainly on the musicians favourite instrument, when they first got it, how they first got it, how often they use it etc, and a few questions about what they're doing currently. It will be opposite the section on instruments and where to buy them, so it ties in nicely.

Alternative Style

In this feature I look at the instruments popular music artists are using. I tell them about the instrument, where the artists they like have been seen using it, and finally where they can buy it. It will be the double page spread in the magazine, and will include an interview with a famous artist about their favourite instrument, and where they got it, etc.

Contents Page Research

This is the contents page of NME magazine, a music magazine that includes a variety of genres. The content has a layout that may be quite similar to mine, but also is a bit too scruffy for what I want, as I do not like the font used for the contents. I'd like mine to look a little bit cleaner, and a little bit bolder than this one. The picture is quite large which I like, but I think the rest of it is quite jumbled.

Research For The Front Cover

To get ideas for the front cover of my magazine, I am currently looking at 2 magazines: Mojo and Metalhammer. The front cover of Mojo is more how I imagine the front cover of my magazine will be than Metalhammer is. It is fairly bold but still quite simple. The masthead is large and bold, and also slightly covered by the head of the artist, which shows brand confidence. The cover lines and masthead also go well together, as there is a common black, grey and white theme running throughout, which I think would look good on my own magazine. There is also only 1 font on the cover. This and the colour scheme creates a simple, easy-on-the-eye look.

Magazine Progress - Day 1

Today is the first day we are making our magazines/films. I have started to write a rough draft of my first article, which will be on one of the regular features, the "Top 10 Hottest Tracks."

Magazine Title Survey

Final Title, Locations and Props

Title

I have decided the final title of the magazine will be Beatblast, as it is catchy and easy to remember. I did a survey of which title for the magazine people in my class liked most, and Beatblast won.

Props and Locations

For props I will need a guitar, and possibly some other instruments. For shooting locations I have planned at the moment to use the drama studio, the recording studio, and some woods near the school.

Similar Magazine Covers - NME

NME

NME is a pop/punk magazine, which was first produced in 1952. The front cover is a lot more bold and in-your-face than Magnet, and the magazine focuses more on mainstream artists. The colours are very bold - large red letters for the masthead and cover line, though there is not too much writing. My magazine will probably be less bold than this one, though the layout may be similar.

Similar Magazine Covers - Magnet

Magnet Magazine

This screenshot is of Magnet, an indie/alternative magazine that focuses on bands that aren't too mainstream. The front cover is fairly conventional and I will probably be using the same sort of photo. The masthead is fairly simple, and there is a common yellow and black theme running through the cover lines. The cover is fairly subtle and not too in-your-face, with the same type of font used throughout. It also gives an insight down the bottom as to what is inside.

AS Coursework - Music Magazine

Overview

For my coursework I have chosen to do the music magazine, and I am considering an indie/pop theme. I have been brainstorming ideas, and think that a bright, eye-catching, fun magazine is the type I want to make. The target audience for this magazine would be mainly teenagers, both male and female who are interested in current music, though adults could read it too - it could be for anybody interested in this genre. The type of people who read it would be people who are not massively serious about a specific genre, just people who are looking to find out about the newest releases and read a magazine that is enjoyable.

Focus

A major focus of the magazine would be new and upcoming artists, and I plan to include things like interviews, and a general overview of the artists background - where they came from, how they broke into the industry, etc. It could have regular features like the top 10 songs of the month, and also a section of fun, easy games - nothing too complicated or difficult. Another interesting feature I thought I could include is a section on musical equipment, showing people what their favourite artists are using, how much they are, and where they can buy them. Finally there would be information about upcoming gigs and tours around the UK.

Title

I want the title of the magazine to be fun and simple, something maybe just 1 syllable, that is easy to remember. The ideas I've had so far are: Trax, Bass, Beats, Noize, Beatblast and Tunez.