First Steps Magazine Development

Here is the development process for my magazine. I will put all of my ideas here and reflect on the deciscions that I make.

Genre: Automobile

Sub-genre: Motorcycle

Name of magazine:

• BROOM BROOM
• Lighting McKing
• Two-Wheel Tech
• Wheels
• Exhaust
• Road
• Geber
• Flabergast
• Shell-Shock
• Chopper
• Predator
• Let's Ride (x) already exist
• KACHOW

I want to use the title 'predator' as my title for my magazine since it would be appealing for youngsters and it a title that an adult would be interested in. The word 'predator' complements my main image since the motorcycle ZX-14r looks like an apex hunter since it's appearance seems menancing. Also, I initially wanted to use 'KACHOW' for my masthead but my teachers asked me who my target audience was and I realized my title was too childish and it was from the 'cars' move which out target car enthusiasts instead of motorcycle enthusiasts.

After some discussions with my teacher, he told me that my title 'Predator' does not suit my motorcycle magazine as he said the word 'Predator' was more associated with wildlife and it sounds like a title from a National Geographic magazine. Now I am trying to find another title to replace it. 

Possible Coverlines

• Exclusive review from the Almigthy Teja
• Jaw Dropping Statistics
• Lightning Fast ZX-14r
• Vintage Gems
• Fiercely Fast
• #1 Motorcycle in the World
• Peak Creation
• Gear Up

I decided to choose "lightning fast ZX-14r" because it is the biggest motorcycle out of the rest of the motorcycle. Another reason is that ZX-14r motorcyle was once fastest motorcycle in the world so it will grab the reader attention. Lastly, I can ask directly from my dad as a review to make my article personal and unqiue.

Images

• Low angle shot + close up shot ZX-14r
• A person does a sharp turn with motorcycle (not looking at the camera)
• Me, Teja, and Bagas together riding the motorbikes (xmax, trail bike, zx-14r))
• Long shot of the trail motorbike

I want to choose a person doing a sharp turn with the zx-14r that is posed in a candid way. This conforms to the convention of a magazine article which makes it similar to other motorcycle magazine but it's different enough (using a zx-14r rather than a boring bike) to be seen as new and exciting for the reader. To take this picture, I would have to ask my dad to be my model, wearing agv black helmet, black jacket, to make the him look as if he is one with the motorcycle.

Double Page Spread

My initial idea is an image being stretch out to 2 pages and the image includes the motorbikes on the ground, accompanied by blue sky and clouds. The clouds will act as a background for the text so it can be easily be read. 

Statement of Intent

Here is my statement of intent to get my teacher's approval for my magazine.

Reflection:

Making this statement of intent helped me identify my target audience for my magazine. I choose a specific niche of audience so that I can include pictures, headlines, and certain phrases that can hook their attention to the magazine. While it has been useful, I find it time consuming to make since I have to state the reason behind everything that I want to put in my magazine. 

Magazines: Targeting Audiences through Demographics + Psychographics + Genre Theory

Here are my notes from a lesson about how media companies target audiences I worked as part of a group but participated in the discussion (sorry that the notes are so messy)

Nothing Beats Up OGs, September 2022 (issue), Future plc, Maverick Magazines (publisher)

The World of Server-Side Events, September-Octorber 2023 (issue), EPS Software Corp (publisher)

Notes

Here is a layout made by my teacher about how to answer a Section B exam question using the Genre Theory

Reflection

I learned that magazine producers first select their audience and catagorize them through demographics and psychographics. The producers then use certain images and coverlines to help attract those audiences. I could implement this technique to my magazine project. I first have to analyse and select which audience I would be targeting (males, that are between the age range of 16-30 and are motocycles enthusiats) and then use techniques to help attract them to my magazine (using a racer riding a motorbike as the main cover image). For the genre theory, I learned that magazines of the same genre have to be similar enough to be recognizable but different enough to feel new and exciting. So I can implement this to my magazine by writing a review about a motorcycle for my article because it's  conforming a motorcycle magazine convetion but different enough because the article is personally made.

Stuart Hall: Representation Theory

 What is representation?

+ Representation is how something is being shown in media.

Meaning:

+ One of the quotes from Stuart Hall stated that "Media doesn't reflect meaning, it creates meaning." Something only has meaning, once it has been represented in the media. 

What is a stereotype?

+ Stereotypes are common trends ,that are often represented in media, towards a certain social group.

Why are stereotypes used?

+ Stereotypes are used so that the audience can easily understand the representations in media.

What social groups are represented in the media?

+ religion, gender, age, race, LGBT, disability, social class

Positive
What is the group: Foreingers in Bali

How are they represented: Mise-en-scene used are happy emotion, laughing, smilling, and having fun. It used medium shot of a father and a son having a laugh while buying Bali souveniers.

What is the reason for this: To show foreingers in a good light and how they contribute to Bali economic growth by purhcasing their goods. 

How does the audience receive this message: The locals will appricate the kind gesture of helping to increase the economic growth of Bali which makes the locals think that every foreigner in Bali as generous, considerate and friendly. Also the foerigners will receive the message as being proud of their fellow forerigners and will probably be influenced to do the same thing as locals tend to be more kind to them.

Examples from media texts:

Negative

What is the group: Foreigners in Bali 

How are they represented: stupid, reckless, no common sense, and mishevious. Mise-en-scene used are broken car that fell off the road, and the people are covered in mud - looking stupid.

What is the reason for this: To inform and humor the public about dumb foreigners.

How does the audience receive this message: The audeince has seen it too many times that they have become compassion fatigued (disensitizesation theory). On the other hand, the foreigners will perceive it as being ashmed because it makes them look bad and make the locals think that every foerigners is like that.

Examples from media texts:

Magazine Research

Here is my magazine research. Note that, at the begining I was researching all types of magazines but later on I research more on motorcycle magazines. 

Magazines uses alot of effort to grab people's attention. The best place to be in a store is at eye level, and companies pay a lot for that specific spot. Since many magazines have similar titles, the magazine has to make its front cover the most attractive to get noticed. It's difficult because magazines are stacked on shelves, and only a small part of the cover  (upper third or left third) is visible, This research helps me know where to put the most interesting and attention grabbing features on my magazine cover.

2 Big Detail Magazine Analysis

4 Small Detail Magazine Analysis

Starting off with the cover, while it is has a simple design and doesn't have any clutter, I don't like this cover because, personally, it doesn't hook the reader in anyway, it overall seems boring (appearance wise) and would get ignored if it was put on a magazine shelf. This dull looking cover would be targeted to older audiences (between the 40s-50s) since they would probably recognize the person and this is an example of what I don't want my magazine cover to be like. However, I believe the contents page has a good mix of words and pictures to show the audience a hint of what the article is going to be about so I would probably use this as inspiration for my final project. Lastly, the double page was well structured which makes it easy to follow and it doesn't make the article look bland - which I could implement in my magazine. 

I like how the cover uses bright colours and how the typography fits perfectly with image to hook the reader's attention (space enthusiasts). It also emphasize on the large scaled word "space" to highlight the contents of the magazine directly. I could implement this by typing my target audience's interest and use all capital letters to increase the chances of them seeing my title and read my magazine. Next, is the contents page that is simple yet effective since it clearly stated the pages of each article and the overview of the magazine with the addition of pictures to not make the content page look boring - which I appriciate. Futhermore, I love the picture to words ratio in the telescope double page because I believe it's gives the reader the option and freedom to choose either only observing the pictures, or only to read the articles or even both. This is one of my favorite double page structures that I would use in my magazine final project.

Additional information: In my opinion. the 2 extra double pages (after the telecope) has cool looking pictures which can make the reader stay on that page just to admire the stunning images.

I like how the image in the cover is looking directly to the reader (fashion enthusiats that are females) . This can create a personal connection with them and the magazine which can increase the chances of them to read the magazine. I also like the use of the buzzword 'FREE' to hook the readers attention. However, in my opinion, I believe the model for the main image is covered abit too much by the text because I saw from previous female fashion magazines, the words and coverlines in the cover often follows the shape of the model and not cover the majority of their body. So that is something for me to take note off (how the image and text in the cover is positioned for the best attention grabbing strategy). Following that, there is nothing wrong in the contents page but in the double page, there is too much text with few pictures to compensate for it - which can lead to an increase in boredome for readers.

I like that the masthead is clear and direct of conveying its message. However, I dislike the text under the coverline that is rotated vertically. This just makes it annoying to read and could discourage readers (often asian moms) from picking the magazine up from the shelf. Then, for the contents page, I like that it has been categorized into 3 different sections to ease the reader if they want to search/read about something specific. They can just directly look at the category title and look for the article - which improves the quality of life for the readers. Finally, I like the use of the colour yellow which helps to indicate that the double page are related; I like the use of the drop cap to make the page look more aesthetic and to keep the readers engaged; and also I believe it has just the right amount of pictures and texts to make the double look interesting to read.

When my teacher gave me feedback about my magazine research, he said that I didn't have many motorcycle magazine research so here are some examples:

Examples of Motorcycle Magazine Covers

I love the main cover image here, it just hooks the readers attention entirely. I want implement this to my magazine cover.

This design is also an interesting one as it doesn't clutter the page too much and it's not too empty. I love the use of the colours red and yellow to make the reader focus on that first then shifting it to the other elements of the cover (pictures and coverlines). I want to implement the picture on the bottom right to my magazine.

Examples of Motorcycle Magazine Contents Page

Examples of Motorcycle Magazine Double Page

This is what a motorcycle double page spread looks like. With the motorbikes on the ground and the text/articles are on top in the sky.

This is what an interview in a motorcycle magazine would look like, I can implement this type of layout to my double page spread since I'm also doing an interview.

Here is a link to my Double Page Spread research + development
https://saka-regentsmedia.blogspot.com/2023/11/double-page-spread-research-development.html 

Reflection
I learned that there are many aspects of the magazine such as masthead, coverlines, and main cover image and each feature has a specific function to attract a specific audience. From my research, I got to anaylse the different magazines and it's conventions on what it look like based on its genre. By knowing this, I get to use that knowledge and apply it to my final magazine project. I enjoy writing what I like and dislike about each magazines and how I apply it to my project because it is easy to do, while I don't like how time consuming it is. Also, at the begining, I was not sure what genre I wanted to choose for my magazine so I researched many different types. Then, I decided to choose the automobile genre (motorcycles) after some research and identifying my available recources that I have so that the production of my magazine is simpler.

Weekly Progress and Plan

 Here is my Weekly Progress for the magazine progress and also a rough plan

Week	Term 2	Week	Term 3
1 (2 Oct)	Brief, Research	8 ( 8 Jan)	Development
2	Research	9	Shoot
3	Research	10	Shoot, Self Reflection
4	Proposal	11	Post Production
5	Development	12	Post Production
6	Development	13 (12 Feb)	Deadline (Monday 12th February)
7	Development	14

Semester 1

Week 1

+ I did a game that reviewed the key terms we learned about during term 1 and I kept missing the ball when I tried to throw it into the box.

+ I learned about different types of narrative theory and 5 narrative codes. There was alot of terms that are needed to be memorize and it can be used for section A in the exam.

+ I got introduced to the magazine brief, made 3 blog posts, and we have a homeowork due next friday which is the labling and give brief descriptions of 2 front covers.

Week 2 

+ Me and my group wrote a section A exam answer about the introduction of one piece. This includes the main idea of the video, the technical elements used (camera angles, mise-en-scene, and edit) and state how these techinques create meaning.

+ I learned about representation theory ,that is made by Stuart Hall, which might be used for in my magazine. I need to be careful how I show my magazine to create the intended meaning that I want.

+  I continued my magazine research by analysing the front cover of a magazine. I learned that the typography used can convey the attitude or the tone of the content, the importance of how the image is positioned (what camera angle is used, its pose, or how he/she is dressed) which has a cruical role of capturing the audience attention, and the use of languange to make a connection with the reader. By knowing these knowledge I can implement the type of typography, image, and language to suit my final project.

+ I have a homework due next friday of making a magazine analysis (2 big detials, 4 small details). The task isn't too difficult but it'll definetly be time consuming.

Week 3

Tasks
+ I analysed 2 front cover in detail and 4 less detailed magazines (state what I like, dislike and what I learned from the research)

+ I took a foto of a magazine covers and contents 

+ I started to fill in my statement of intent

Problems:

+ I'm not too sure what genre to use for my statement of intent

+ I'm having a problem with time management to finish my media assignments since I get distracted easily

Solutions:

+ Asking friends and teachers for advise and do brainstorming about potential ideas

To do lists:

+ Do research about motorcycle magazine in detail

+ Finish statement of intent

+ Finish the postive social group representation about foreigns in Bali.

Week 4

Tasks

+ Writing a text about how genre theory can target different audiences in media. In this tasks, I spent too much time thinking what case study I should use and thus I ran out and time and I didn't wrote as much as I wanted to.

+ I analysed the demographics and psychographics of 2 different magazines to show how the mise-en-scene are used in the cover of the magazine targets different audiences

+ I finished my magazine research and statement of intent (this was very time consuming)

+ I made a new post about my magazine development (what masthead, image, and article should I choose to put into my magazine)

Problems

+ I am easily distracted and I lack the time management and that make me spending my nights finishing up my magazine research and statement of intent.
+ My blog cannot update when I tried to embed my statement of intent into it

Solutions

+ Elimiate my distractions (phones, games)

+ Ask mr in future classes how to embed my statement of intent properly

To-do-lists:
+ Finish up my Magazines: Targeting Audiences through Demographics + Psychographics blog post since I haven't labeled the magazines yet

Week 5

Tasks:

+ Me and my team made a midemap about Desensitisation Theory. I present it to my classmates and do a gallery walk around the class and revise other theories.

+ I researched about a double page spread for a motorcycle magazine, and made 3 more blog posts

Problems:

+ I had a problem with finding the issue and publisher for the magazine that I analysed which leads to less time for me to complete the research for the magazine

Solutions:

+ If I can't find it within a few minutes, move on to other section of the research and finish that first.

To-do-lists:
+ Finish my double page spread analysis in google spreadsheet

+ Complete my technical skill (online) blog (include the problem, and links to a step by step solution)

Week 6

Tasks: 
+ I finished my double page spread analysis. The overall task was easy to do, however I had a slight difficulty in searching for the issue for my magazines.

+ I learned about the difference between traditional and new media. I learned that new media is basically a combination of traditional media. It was quite easy to understand since my teacher used real life examples and explained it in an simple way (no complex words).

Problems:

+ I don't know what to write for my 1st draft double page article 

Solutions: 
+ I asked chatgpt for ideas what to write for a motorcycle magazine article and it gave me suggestions of a interview and a review

To-do-lists:
+ Finish my 700 word draft article for my magazine

Week 7

Tasks:
+ Tick a checklist on what I done and haven't done in my blog (brief,  weekly progress, terminology)    

Problems:
+ I still haven't finished my article

+ I haven't finish my reflection for most of my blog posts

Solutions:

+ I will manage my time and finish it before my due date
+ I will make my self reflections for my blog posts in my free time

To-do-lists:
+ Complete all my posts with self reflections
+ Take pictures of potential locations that I want to put in my magazine

Reflection
This is my last week for the second term. I learned that having a to-do-list really helped me in organizing my tasks and what I have to do in each week. The hardest challenge for me was thinking of a problem for the week and solution to solve it. This weekly progress helped to keep me on track. I am excited for the holidays and I would read more magazines in bookstores to give me some inspirations.

Semester 2

Week 1

Note: I reverted to week 1 to ease my tracking of what I did thoughout the semester since my teacher isn't going to say that the deadline is going to be on week 12 so I'm doing this to help my future self.

Tasks:

+ I learned about the 3 stages of producing media (mostly movies) which is Production, Distribution, & Exhibition

+ I learned different types of mass media production (Commercial & Not for Profit) and saw real-life examples of  it such as the BBC

+ Me and my class also started our collaborative notes so that we can share our notes and prepare for upcoming tests/assignments

+ I changed my blog design to fit the cambridge requirement and to ease their marking. The biggest difference being: not needing to click on a blog post in order to open it but just scrolling is enough to go through all of them

Problems:

+ I had problems changing my blog design since my laptop isn't loading as fast as others and I cannot follow my teacher

Solutions:

+ I use my personal hotspot for better connection

To-do-lists:

+ Research more company examples of distribution so I get a better understanding of it

Week 2 

Tasks: 

+ I learned about media consolidation (how more media companies being owned by fewer and fewer owners)

+ I learn about the difference between vertical and horizontal integration. My teacher then gave examples of each of them such as Disney and Warner Brothers. 

Problems:

+ I didn't have enough time in class to sketch 6 draft magazine front covers (I only did 3)

Solutions:

+ I should draw faster 

To-do-lists:

+ Finish my magazine development reflection for my magazine sketches and potential ideas to use.

Week 3

Tasks:

+ I learned about cross media convergerence (a media product that can be seen via different platforms) and the difference with synergy

+ I learned about news websites,companies and how they use agenda setting and framing to attract audiences

+ I started making experimental layouts for my front cover magazine

Problems:

+ I couldn't upload my font to google drawing

Solutions:

+ I use one of the preset fonts that is provided

To-do-lists:

+ I have to make blog posts about the layout of content page and double page spread

Week 4

Tasks: 

+ I practiced exam style questions with my partner about media ownership

+ I started my critical self reflection about my magazine

Problems: 

+ My assignments are getting piled up and I'm a little overwhelemed

Solutions:

+ Focus on completeting the assignment one by one

To-do-lists:

+ Finish my photoshoot for my front cover, content, and double page

+ Finish content and double page development

+ Finish risk assessment for 2 more locations

Week 5

Tasks:

+ I had a unit test about synergy

+ I continued making my contents page development

Problems:

+ I had problem with coming up with ideas when sketching my contents page

Solutions:

+ I look for inspirations from the internet (google)

To-do-lists:

+ Continue my contents page development 

+ Start my double page development

+ Finish my critical self reflection presentation

+ Finish risk assessment and location scout blog post

Week 6

Tasks:

+ I continued my front cover page and contents page research and development blog post

+ I made my double page spread development blog post

+ I started making my final magazine pages

Problems:

+ There was a ceremony in the morning so our lesson got caught in half

Solutions:

+ Do the rest of the project at home

To-do-lists:

+ Finish front cover, contents, and double page spread development blog post

+ Finish my self reflection powerpoint

+ Finish my final pages for magazine

+ Finish risk assessment and location scout blog post

Week 7

Tasks: 

+ I finished making my front cover page and research and development blog post

+ I finished making my contents page and research and development blog post

+ I finished making my double page spread and research and development blog post

+ I finished my final magazine blog post

+ I finished my critical self reflection powerpoint

+ I finished my location scout and risk assessment blog post

Problems:

+ It took longer time than expected to finish everything 

+ I had some second thoughts on which double page spread I should use for my final one

Solutions:

+ I asked my friends to accompany me while we all complete the magazine project together in a voice call so time feels faster and I'm not bored.

+ I used a coin flip to decided which one I should choose

To-do-lists:

+ Take a rest

Reflection

The benefits of consistently updating and using the weekly progress is that it acts as a reminder on the assignments that I haven't done and I can track what assignments that I have done. This made me more organized and it encouraged me to create a plan to finish the remaining tasks so I don't feel overwhelmed before the deadline arrived. At first, I felt excited on making a motorcycle magazine because it's something I haven't done before and I want to see how it'll turn out but when I started making the article, it felt draining. Then, I felt enthusiastic again because I started to design the layouts of the magazine which I found fun but again, making the critical self reflection made me feel annoyed since I did this already in the past and it's boring. My attitude is basically a rollercoaster of ups and downs but atleast I get it done. I learned time management because there isn't enough time to do all the project work in class so I have to manage my time wisely to finish it in my free time. Also I learned to improve my communication skills by discussing and asking for feedback from my friends and teacher to help refine my magazine and to ensure its highest quality potential has been reached. 

Week 8

Tasks:

Problems:

Solutions:

To-do-lists:

Component 1 - Brief

 Here is the brief for Component 1. I havve decided to choose the magazine option.

Reflection
When I initially saw this brief presentation, I'm not that interested in it since I don't read magazines and have no experience making one. However, by knowing these knowledge, I could implement it into business terms for one of the methods for advertising. Lastly, this brief post keeps me on track on what I have to do.