Unit B324: Production Portfolio in Media Studies

Research and Planning (30 Marks)

Production Log and research folder
Production exercise (60 marks)
An extract from a new magazine aimed at a
specific audience, to include the front cover,
contents page and a double-page spread
article, using some original photography.
Evaluation (30 marks)
Evaluation of your work, on the planning
process and the production exercise, together
with evidence of planning.

Unit B324 Production

Portfolio in Media Studies
So far:
Unit B321 The Individual Media Studies Portfolio
Unit B322 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic
(Moving Image)

Marking and time period

th
25 March final hand in
You have ten weeks to do this.
30% marks for B321(Music Video)
40% marks for B322(Exam)
30% marks for B324(This one)
80 marks for 321, 80 marks for 322, 120
marks for 324.
Most work to be completed in lesson

 Produce a major practical production

from a selection of set briefs. Within
this, each individual produces their own
evidence of research and planning
alongside an evaluation of their
finished product.
(Observe handout)

The Production Log

The production log will provide
important evidence to the teacher and
Moderator of the individual candidates
individual role and personal contribution
to the production.
It must be completed individually and is
expected to include the following:

Production Log:
Evidence of research
Evidence of planning, such as outlines, still
test shots, sketches and storyboards
Key dates, decisions and deadlines
A record of the individual candidates exact
contributions to the production, such as:
camerawork, photography, interviews,
copywriting, design, audience research,
redrafting or editing.

Production Log
The production log should be
maintained as a Powerpoint

EXAMPLE
Media Production Log
By Jessica Harland 40053909
B324

Week One
Today I was assigned a task regarding my Media GCSE
coursework, my aim: To produce a specialist magazine targeted at a
niche audience
In groups we went through a variety of magazines and spotted the
differences between mainstream and niche magazines.
We then looked at the effective construction and manipulation of
images, as well as the accurate use of language. We also identified
some codes and conventions of a magazine cover.

Mainstream
Magazine:

Here are the first

codes and
conventions we
identified:

Masthead

Niche
magazine :

What is a magazine?
A periodical publication containing articles and illustrations, often on a
particular subject or aimed at a particular readership according to an
online dictionary.
Magazines are normally published weekly/ monthly and can be subscribed to
and paid for in advance for delivery over several months or years.
There are two types of magazines, Niche Magazines are created on a
particular subject and targets a small audience eg. Cars, music, fashion.
However Mainstream magazines are more broad and appeals to a large
This magazine is a
audience- eg. Lifestyle magazines.
This magazine is
on different vegan
meals and healthy
eating, meaning
that this only
appeals to a
certain audience
with a particular
eating lifestyle.
Making this
magazine niche.

very well known

publication, full of
different topics like
fashion, lifestyle,
beauty ect. which
also features
famous footballer
David Beckham,
meaning this
magazine will
appeal to a wider
audience. Making
this magazine
mainstream.

Week Two

This week I chose that my specialised magazine will be on the topic of Rock music.
I was then asked to identify the average age/ target audience for my magazine, for my magazine
i will be targeting teenagers,. By asking my friends who fall into this audience category, I have
found that younger people in an interest in Rock are more likely to purchase music magazines
aswell as searching the web for the latest drama, posters and rock hits.
I also identified the different Magazine cover features, codes and conventions.

In pairs we were given two magazines and asked to analyse the colours, font, coverlines and
language. Which we then compared to one another. This helped me gain a further understanding
on the connotations and effects given from magazine codes and conventions.

Target audience/Average age

The target market for Rock magazines varies, their target market rages from around 15 25. This is evident in
their magazines and on their website as the majority of bands they feature tend to be newer and/or appeal to a
younger audiences. They are also known for having collectable poster freebees, this not only attracts the younger
crowd, but encourages them to purchase the magazine instead of just reading news on the internet.

Stereotypical
interests of
the
magazines
target
audience

However their purchasers dont all fit into this age group, this is because the magazine also contains information
and news on older Rock bands, which attracts a secondary audience of 30-50 people who also share an interest
in Rock. (normally male) This is also because the older audience may not be as keen on researching the web for
the latest news and hits like the younger audience.

Analysing Rock magazine

covers

Analysing Rock magazine

covers

Publisher details

One of the most well-known Rock music magazine companies in Europe Kerrang!, has been a
big hit since they released the product in 1981 in the Sounds newspaper. This particular
magazine is published by Bauer Media Group, who are responsible for the manufacture of over
600 magazines and over 400 digital products. Making them a good company to publish the type
of magazine I am creating, as the target market are also known for interacting and searching on
the Internet.

Kerrang! Magazine also has lower rate card prices then other big Rock magazines, eg. Empire
magazine double page advertisement costs 5548 more than Kerrang! Their circulation figures
are also extremely impressive, with around 37,500 sells monthly whereas NME (another Rock
magazine) has less than 20,000 monthly.

The state of the industry is impressive, Kerrang! are still releasing magazines weekly, and receive
hundreds of thousands of views on their website monthly. Furthermore, theyve recently started
releasing clothing merchandise and have their very own international tour featuring the bands in their
magazines. The company continues to grow, however hasnt come close to the sales make on
Rolling Stone magazine (around 100,000 a month).

Week 3

This week I
was taught
more
terminology
used in
magazines to
give a specific
effects. We
also explored
the use of
layout, and
why certain
adverts/article
s are placed
there.

I was then asked to analyse a double page spread and a contents page using the
techniques we had just been taught and explain their connotations/effect . (see next
slides)

Contents page

Double page spread

Week 4

This week I was assigned to plan a questionnaire for my rock magazine research. In doing this I was
able to gather information to apply to my magazine cover I will be designing.

When drafting this I had to consider the

different colours/ artists/social media platforms
that should be featured on my magazine pages.
And so I decided to ask the participants this to
see what the majority would say.

I then created this into a questionnaire I could

hand out to friends and family.

Pie Chart statistics

I then collected this data and created some pie charts to show the results.

I then used these results to write my evaluation, I then proceeded to explain how I will apply these statistics
to my magazine- eg. Blue was the most popular colour (40%) so I will use blue in my front cover to make it
appealing to my target audience.

I then proceeded to sketch a draft of my magazine. I included the kind of photos i was
planning to take (candid and posed photos).

That weekend I then took some pictures that I wish to feature in my magazine. To do this
I used a tripod and a setting on my camera that allowed me to get into position before
the picture was taken.

Posed

Candid

Week 5

For week 5 I was told to design some more drafts, as this is crucial for the
development of my magazine.

I then wrote out the cover lines for my front cover,

information for my contents page, and completed a interview
draft for my double page spread.
This was so I was able to start designing
my magazine the week I got back.

Week 6

This week I started designing my magazine, before this however my class

and I discussed what layout makes a good and bad magazine double page
spread (eg. Placing of pictures and flow of text)
I then began to create my front cover, I decided to create this on Microsoft
Publisher as I have used it before for a similar project and felt I would be
able to produce a well put together magazine.
By the end of the week I had already started my contents page.

(After a days
work)

Week 7

This week I continued to create my magazine front cover and contents

page, these were both completed by Tuesday the 3rd of March, from
then I started my double page spread.

By the end of the week this was

complete, we then continued to
discuss how we would go about
writing an evaluation for our
magazine.

Week 8
This week I was given feedback from my classmates on my finished
magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread.
I then applied the weaknesses written and corrected my magazine
to the best of my ability, however I found the majority of my
criticisms were things I had done purposefully to fit the rock
magazine genre
( eg, busy/overlapped text and photos).
I then wrote my magazine evaluation that Friday.

Week 9
this week we received our feedback for our evaluation, we then went through them and
changed and added some content that was missing. I was able to add some more
connotations, change my ending and improve my explanation on coverlines and
articles.

The Evaluation:

The evaluation is to be produced by the

candidates under supervised conditions.
The presentation of the evaluation may take
the form of any one, or combination of the
following:
A written commentary
A PowerPoint presentation
A podcast or audio presentation
A DVD with extras.

Today
Use magazines
Research General
Difference between Mainstream vs.
Niche
Codes and conventions

Different types
Find a - Mainstream: Standardised,
popular, conventional media
representations normally associated
with commercial success rather than
critical success.
Find a Niche - Media texts that are
consumed by smaller groups, more
specialist topics.

`
Mainstream Magazines:
More
Closer
Grazia
Womans Own
Avoid

Niche Magazines
Look up and find five Niche titles.
What makes them

Niche Magazines

Niche?

The Magazine Genre

Codes and Conventions

Conventions of the Magazine Genre

All magazines follow the same rules - whether
they are

Lifestyle magazines (FHM and Marie Claire)

Fashion magazines (Vogue, Look)
Computer Magazines (Xbox Live)
Music Magazines (Kerrang, TOTP magazine)

Image and Logo/Header

The image of the magazine must fit the content
and the target audience.
The name of the magazine (or header) must also
do this.
the colour scheme is also very important too - in
creating a house style and in appealing to the target
audience.

In pairs
Look at a variety of magazines (3
different ones)
Codes and conventions of.
Magazine Covers
Contents Pages
Double page spread

Mode of Address
Is the way a text creates a relationship with its
audience.
The most common MODE in magazines is
DIRECT ADDRESS - this is created when the person
on the cover looks straight out of the magazine inviting the reader in.
INDIRECT address = when the person looks away is not the convention - but it has been used on
magazine covers.
MOD can also refer to the writing in a magazine
and how it addresses the reader - usually in a
friendly , informal way.

1.

5
6.

10.
13.

7
11.
12.

2.

14.
3.
8.

4&9

Answers

1. Masthead
2. Barcode
3. Main Cover Line/ Free gift
4. Direct address (YOUR)
5. Date Line
6. Price Only
7. Superlatives/ hyperbole
8. Cover Lines
9 & 4. Direct Address (YOU)
10. Website Link
11. Quotations/ pull quotes
12. Main image
13. Alliteration
14. Rhetorical Question

Stars and Celebrities

Magazines usually include stars or celebrities on
their covers to increase sales and therefore profit.
Stars are admired and are aspirational for the
audience.
Stars/famous musicians are conventionally
included on music magazine covers to sell the
magazine.

Magazine Covers
The front cover of a magazine is its main advertisement.
Because of this it has to be representative of the magazine as a
whole.
It should be bright , interesting and eye-catching to entice the
reader to buy the magazine.
The colours not only should reflect the target audience but
in music magazines they should represent the genre of
music e.g. red and black for Rock magazines etc
There tends to be a variety of fonts on the cover to make it
visually interesting and eye-catching (this is seen through the
whole magazine- but be careful to stick to the same ones
throughout to create your recognisable house style.)

Magazine Covers
Title/Header- usually at the top of the page (this logo/header
will also create the brand image of your magazine and will
make it instantly recognisable for your audience.)
Sometimes a slogan is used under the header to explain the
magazine content or to make it stand out from its rivals.
One main model/star photographed either in close up (head
and shoulders shot) or medium shot - direct address.
in music magazines it can be a group shot.
The Leading Caption usually dominates the page - this is
focused on your feature article (main article) and this should
anchor your cover story.
Subheadings - of the main stories you wish to advertise in you
magazine (usually appearing on the left/right hand sides of the
cover.)
Straplines - usually go at the top or bottom of the page
-highlighting stars in the magazine or other stories/sections in
the magazine.

Magazine Covers
Date and barcode - usually now with a web
address provided to entice audiences to the
magazines website.
Magazines are usually expensive monthly Glossies
(Q, Marie Claire, FHM) or cheaper weekly
magazines e.g. NME, Zoo, Nuts etc

Contents Pages
Contents pages should be bright and colourful- encouraging
the reader to read on.
Again- as it typical of magazines images dominate the text (to
allow for grazing) Images with page numbers are included.
Again direct address is used in all images.
The title/header usually appears on every page (usually at the
top of the page.)
There is a list of contents - usually under usual sections e.g
gig guide,reviews etc

Feature Article
(Double page spread)

Headlines and subheading to explain the

story and catch the audiences interest
(usually witty, puns base on the star/artist or
their new album/tour etc)
Remember artists do not appear in music
magazines unless they have something to
sell (album/tour/DVD) - so remember to push
this through you article and refer to it at the
end!

Feature Article
(Double page spread)
Again the images should dominate - 1 large image and
other smaller ones (usually different - location settings etc.. to
make the article interesting.)
Dont be afraid of white space - there is usually a lot of this in
feature articles - use it to frame your writing and images.
Depending on your audience - your writing should be clear
and easy to follow directed straight at the reader. Usually
informal in music magazines and sometimes using slang
words (that may be appropriate to your genre of music)
and swear words etc..
Try the pyramid structure!
Text Grabs (quotes from the article made bigger that break
up the columns) are typical , again to make the reader read the
article - they are usually controversial, funny or rude!

Magazine - Revenue and Profit

The cover price of a magazine does not pay for
the magazine to be published.
The majority of the money that make the
magazine possible comes from advertising
revenue.
Therefore your magazine has to appeal to its
audience and sell well (have large circulation
figures) to make profit.
The magazine can then charge well for
advertising space and encourage companies to
advertise within the magazine.

Music Magazine Circulation Figures

(ABC Feb 2009)

Magazine Spreads Good and Bad

Practices

Magazine spread
Is two pages that are next to each other.
Each spread works as one unit. It is not two pages
separated but two pages that work together to create
one unit.
vital to look at these two pages as one single
element
Even if one of the pages is containing an ad or even
if one story is ending on left page and another is
starting on the right page (if possible you should
avoid situations like these but sometimes they are
unavoidable).

Elements of the spread

Not all areas of the spread are equal.
Some have more importance, some
have less.
Choose a magazine and find which
areas most important?
Test.Pick a magazine from a
newsstand
What did you find?

 THE MOST VISIBLE

PARTS OF A SPREAD
ARE
OUTER UPPER PARTS

Make the most of them!

You should place your best content on the
outside parts of the spread. These are the
areas that are most seen. This is the place to put
most provocative images and words. Put the
best stuff where it will be most visible and where
it will make the best impact. Most valuable
areas of page spread are top left and top right
parts, because when you skim through the
magazine these are the areas where you look
the most..

Readers eye direction

When influencing on the reader your
design should have meaning.
Where do readers eyes go first?

 Bad example of placing headline and

intro text. It is not a natural way of
skimming through the story.

 I have seen this in so many examples,

but try to avoid it. It is not good design
if the reader has to search through
the page to find most important thing
(if there is no image on the page), and
thats the headline. It is even worse if
you put the headline at the bottom and
you put the beginning of the story on
top of it.

In this case it is OK to place the headline at the bottom. Reader

will have no problem following the story, besides, it would be
awkward to place the headline on top of the models head.

Bad or Good? Why?

Better!!!!
This is good example of text flow. Text and images have their own place and
importance. Flow is natural and reader will have no problem following it.

 When placing big blocks of text, try not to break them up.
You should not throw elements on a page just for the sake
of throwing them around. Let it have a meaning. A flow.
If you put barriers on the page, reader will have hard time
following the flow of the story. Keep the flow of the text
columns tidy and even.
Things should be simple, and you should simplify the
design by aligning the columns at the top and placing
images above them. In this way reader will have no
problem to follow the text part of the story.

Annotations of Contents
Pages and Double Page
Spreads

Alice Williams

Kerrang Contents Page

Words and Language
The heading This week shows that the frequency of the
magazine is weekly, this reminds the reader that it goes
on sale every week, and therefore are more persuaded
to buy it. In the contents page, they state only the
artists name, using less text on this type of magazine
appeals more strongly to their target audience. The
language aims to engage the reader, as by using direct
words, like your and youve, creates a personal feel to
the magazine and involves the reader, giving the reader
a sense of involvement which can attract the target
audience. Personal touches can also be shown
throughout the contents page, as after the editorial
letter the editor signs it which adds a personal feel to
the magazine; this is also a convention of all magazines.
Also as anchoring the images, there is use of one word
to describe the image. For example, superstar scary,
this shows that the minimal use of text is very effective
and targets their audience well.
Images and Colours
The main image is used because it can imply the picture
is the feature article and therefore the magazine wants
to show it off, so the audience knows about it and then
they will read it. The type of image used is a long shot.
This shows the dress of the artist and has connotations
of rock; this further highlights the target audience of
rock and an interest in live music. The smaller images
used is to make the contents page look more exciting
and interesting, which appeals more to Kerrang!s
target audience.

The Layout
The contents page for Kerrang! is very
organised. This is a convention into their
layout of their contents page. With this
contents page the page is divided up into
three main sections. There is the main image
that dominates the whole page, which
attracts the target audience and lures them
to the picture leading to the text or the
article. The second part of the contents page
is the text strip, along the right hand side of
the page. The text is in small font to show
that it isnt that important and it doesnt
want to grab the readers attention, it just
informs the reader. Also, the third part of the
contents page is the strip along the top of
the page. It includes images and the
editorial. The use of this is to break the
contents page up further and to make it
seem exciting, as a lot is going on.
The heading of the contents is placed at the
top. This brings the attention to the reader,
and shows that its a contents page. Also
some of the tops of the letters have been cut
off, this connotes to a care-free life style and
rebellion, and this highlights the target
audience of Kerrang! which is of a younger
audience.

Q Contents Page

The layout
The layout of this contents page has been split between
two sections. The section on the left hand side is the text.
The two way split between the text and images creates for
a more organised approach to the contents page. Contents
pages tend to be organised, so the reader knows where to
find things in the magazine. Also, by using this organised
approach for Q, hints at their ideology and their target
audience which is for mature adults.
The heading is placed in the middle of the page at the top,
shows dominance within the magazine and shows they
have power and are powerful. The layering of the heading
shows the reader that it is Q they are reading and is an
effective style to use.
Images
The images used are layered over each other, I think this is
a very effective style to use on the contents page and I will
consider using layering in my own contents page. The main
image dominates the page, but using an extreme long
shot, also grabs the reader, by wanting to know more, as
the picture doesnt give a lot away. The contents page,
also shows an inset picture of the magazine front cover and
informs the reader where things are on the cover for a
Words
and to
Language
quick way
find them.
Using the artists names , shows how powerful the
magazine is, by knowing artist and also shows it to be more
personal towards the reader.
A small caption on the image, anchors it as well, but also
shows the target audience and informs the reader on what
is going on. Also, the caption is much more detailed than
Kerrang!, as it was just a word. This shows to me that
their target audience is different. As with Kerrang! they
have targeted a younger audience, with using minimal
words, and as with Q, using more words shows how they
target an older audience.

Kerrang! Double Page Spread

The
image
used,
dominates the pages
with
it
being
positioned on the left
hand side. The artist is
using direct mode of
address, this grabs the
reader in, this also
creates a personal
effect to the reader.
The provocative pose
of the artist attracts
the target audience of
male, the use of using
a woman artist is to
create sex appeal.
The image is iconic,
this
reinforces
the
start quality within her
and shows to the
reader that she is
important and shes
like a superstar.
The image has also
been soft focused and
photos hoped. The soft
focus creates a softer
mood
towards
the
whole composition of
the article.
The use of Photoshop
makes the artist look
perfect and further

This type of article is an article with description and detail. This

means that it has been heavily edited and has used a lot of bias. The
writers also use catchy and sensational language to grab the reader
in. They also use exclamations to keep the article interesting and
keeps the reader grabbed. They also use the artists name to set out
like the reader knows the artist personally.

The rustic background used contrasts with the artist and could connote that the artist
has just come from a music gig, and is backstage.
The illuminated T is in bold, layered and in pink. This is a convention used
throughout music magazines. The pink is occurring motif throughout the article, as
pink connotes to femininity, which links in with the headline used.

Q Double Page Spread The article is set out as an interview. The typography of the
questions is in darker colour and is bold. This organises it well and
separates it with the artists answers.
The pull quote draws the reader in with the powerful simile and
the big and bold typography.

The image used is place

on the right hand side
and takes up half of the
article space. The image
dominates the page and
shows how the artist is
important and powerful,
so the attention should
be on him. The outfit of
the artist, reflects onto
peoples image of him.
The artist is using direct
mode of address, this
connects to the reader
and is showing that he is
involved with the reader
and conversation of the
article.
This article only includes
one image, this is usual
for an interview type
article, as they usually
only
have a posed
The magazine
has image
used the artists full name to establish the authority and how powerful the
of
the
artist
getting
artist is in the music industry.
interviewed,
The headlineso
of the
the article, is a round, this has a double meaning, first of questions and
reader
only
focuses
on this links into the image of the artist, with him holding a drink. This
second of a drink round,
the
actually
artist. personal towards the reader and makes the reader feel like they know
creates
the article
them and this can appeal to the audience.