Monitoring Post- 31/01/2014

This week has been mixed on personal feelings of progress. I have created the front cover and contents layouts with photos coming on Monday. However I am unhappy with the designs of one of my article layouts and the contents page so will be spending this lesson and the weekend editing them to adhere to professional practice. This means a complete overhaul of the contents page and alterations of the photography and layout of Article 1- Is War the Answer? Due to the alternate layout of the article it may cost me marks if it is too weird and doesn't suit my genre so I am changing it to suit a gaming setting.

I will also be changing the photography from the ambitious 12 person war to just a one on one duel that will be much easier to set up and execute. I am not happy with the change but if it effects the end product in a positive way then it will be worth it and allows me to finish the first drafts of all double page spreads. I have completed alterations to the low budget review making it look more professional and less blocky.

Overall I have completed a lot this week sticking to the schedule which has me completing the double page spreads and contents page/front cover. This is nearly done as after the two photo shoots on Monday the photographs will be edited on the same day and the spreads finished. The new designs and photography should aid the magazine look professional and improve the quality. The only spread that is staying the same is the Pre-Order Nightmares article as I have named it the editorial and it will be a newspaper style layout designed for the higher educated gamers.

Screenshots of the weeks work:

Three layouts for article showing the layout for article 1 I am unhappy with and the improved GTA V review.

The shell for the front cover and the original attempt at the contents page that has been discredited and requires editing.

Monitoring Post- 24/01/2014

Monitoring Post- 24/01/2014

This week most of the work I have done this week has been based around creating the double page spreads for the magazine. This was just the base models with all the text and other features such as breakout boxes and headers. Since I had already created the headers last week it has made the process a bit easier. However to attain to professional practice I will have to re-think and add to my layouts to look more like real magazine articles despite my focus on alternative layouts. This is mainly down to feedback received on the third article, my review criticising the layout. I now have another review to examine and use to edit my layout. I will most likely re-design the header and design a breakout box to go between columns. On the plus side I have created a draft verdict box to display the final score for the game.

The other key aspect of this week was the intended article 2 and 3 photoshoot that went ahead on the 22nd. I have gained some great photos out of it to use in article 3 but was unable to take any for article 2 as the necessary prop was unavailable. This photo-shoot nearly didn't go ahead as my nearly all my original models cancelled on me forcing me to use contingency models. Despite this flaw it has gone well and I feel I have managed the problem efficiently. Overall the photos are high quality and varied. To see the photos there is a document on the blog showing some of the photos and why they were used or not used.

Overall I feel that my client would be happy with my progress as I am sticking to my schedule. This week was supposed to only contain layout designs and gaining photographs to use and I have achieved that. i still need to gain the photos for other articles but that will be arranged next week. My products are well designed for my audience and my attempted alternate layouts despite requiring editing.

Current layout of GTA review but is subject to change as it does not look professional enough.

This is the current design for the is war the answer article that was designed in the flat plan with an alternative layout that currently looks bland but requires the photo to be taken to allow any alterations to be made.

 This is the kept layout I have used for my Pre-Order Nightmares article that was preferred in the mock ups so still exists now. I have deleted the image as it needs to be re-taken to a higher quality.









This is my verdict box. It is slightly bland but I feel it does the job. When at home I will edit this box to be more appealing to my audience.

Photographs for article 3 The Low Budget Review

Article 3 Photographs - Photo Shoot 22/1/2014

This is the first photo taken and was a practice getting the three models in one photo. The models were no problem but the image is boring and out of focus.

This is another example of a bad photograph as it is too zoomed out and shows too much of the background machinery.

This is the first signs of development as the poses are more interesting and engaging and the third model looks like a deranged glam rocker from one of the older games in the series this photo-shoot is based on. This is a show of broad lighting and a fan to provide the hair effects. There is also an involvement of the reader as the third model is pointing a gun at the them.

This is the shot I will use as it features a mix of humour and action which is the heart of GTA. the dynamic third model adds an involvement of the reader. the addition of the hats reflects customization and humour of the game and adds to the story the image portrays. the weapons add a level of threat and the facial expressions show the key emotion in the game, anger. This image require little editing and is at the perfect size to fit into the space in the D.P.S.

This is the first attempt at creating the second image an over the shoulder photo of a mugging. This again reflects some of the gameplay choices in the game I am reviewing and adds another little story to the photographs I use. This photo is not used as it was a first take and the model doesn't quite look scared enough.

This is another image reflecting the change of models for the photo as the model still doesn't look scared and therefore the picture is not conveying it's correct purpose.

The next few photos reflect some of the poses that I got my second model to do during the photo-shoot and experimenting with the effects of each. Some of these images weren't used as there is evidence of the photographer's finger in the corner (as he was not careful!)  Some poses were more successful than others however throughout the shoot the lighting was left at broad lighting and the first person view was maintained despite changes in the height at which the gun was pointing.

This is the image I have decided on as it has conveyed the correct amount of terror and with the gin at accurate height does not obscure the models face. the pose is taken from classic animations in previous GTA games and may cause feelings of nostalgia in older readers. The image will require cropping but should be a nice fit into the second picture slot of the D.P.S.

Monitoring Post-14th January 2014

This week, I was meant to have finished updating my articles and finding any necessary content research. I am happy to report I was able to finish this and complete two of the homework tasks I had set myself. I have finished updating all three articles and didn't need any extra content research. Instead I have used the extra time to finish off any blog work and upload my flat plans as the scan had screwed up last time. I also added some annotations to them and posted the document on the blog.

I have also designed some headers for my articles as header design was one of the homework tasks I had set.

These are the current headers I have designed using Photoshop. These are for two out of the three articles, the contents page and the main header. this has made the weekend a little easier as I just have to test the colour scheme of my magazine over the weekend. I believe the client would be impressed with the level of work that i have achieved within the three hours of working.

The Flat Plans

The Flat Plans

This is the front cover of the magazine featuring two models dressed as soldiers firing down on a stack of Xbox games. The title is clearly shown in big red letters at the top of the page. There is the main sell line as well as sell lines along the top and bottom of the page.

This is the contents page, it features several boxes for the actual contents with a single column along the left hand side of the page and a small note from the editor alongside a picture of the editor. The main header is written in treehaus horror and features at the top of the page.

 This is the first DPS and is the most ambitious as there will be 12 models in two teams, one of soldiers, one of gamers. This will cover half of each page of the DPS with the text in small columns above. There will be another bold red title along the top of the DPS.

This is the Pre-Order Nightmares article. it features 6 columns 3 per page and one central image of a clearly unhappy model. Like every other article the header will be red with a white kicker.


















This is the review and despite the colour orange on display here the main header will be red to stick with the theme. There will be two images, one of the three characters and a staged store robbery.

Production Schedule

Production Schedule and monitoring document

Each week on this table contains a list of jobs that need to be done each week. It is based on lesson order but features the time it should take and there will be cases where some lessons will feature the same job as the previous.

Week	Date	Activity
1	13th Jan	1 Schedule Creation: this week I will make sure that I create a realistic schedule to enable me to submit a completed project for the 15th February in accordance with the objectives outlined in my treatment. The schedule will be realistic, detailed and will contain 3 meaningful activities to complete as homework. Homework activities should take up four hours additional study time per week. (Whole week) 2 Schedule Creation: Today I will look at other commitments I have in my other A Levels including scheduled exams – this will enable me to produce a realistic schedule. In order to do this I will need to ask my other subject teachers about deadlines for homework/coursework during the next six weeks. 3 Finishing the schedule and ensuring everything is filled in. 4 Project Monitoring & final schedule editing and uploading. If I have time I will focus on article editing in preparation for possible re-writing next week. Homework 1: Manage photo-shoot dates and confirm times with models. This will include meetings and hopefully getting the models to sign the permission forms. Homework 2: Stockpile and purchase props for models Homework 3: If necessary finish the schedule Exams/other subject deadlines: All Saturdays I will be unable to work over the nights as I will be at work. This is from 11pm to 4/5 am and takes approximately 1 hour to prepare before a shift.
2	20th Jan	1 Improve and finish article drafts. (Only 1, 3 hour lesson) This is likely going to be all three of my articles, as I have to edit my Pre-order Nightmares after receiving feedback from the mock up process. I will also be editing the rough drafts of the war games article and GTA V review.  2 Find extra content research if necessary 3 Photo-shoot for articles 2 and 3 on 23rd January.  4 Project Monitoring Homework 1: Colour research. This is checking that the colour scheme will work with the document pages and remains consistent through the documents. Homework 2: Header designs and creation. This is the process of ensuring all the headers for the pages of my magazine are completed and effective.   Homework 3: Each week all blog documents will be checked and everything required will be uploaded. Exams/other subject deadlines: work (Saturday)
3	27stJan	1 Article designs and layout design- using InDesign I will design create the layouts ready to have the imagery inserted. Have all text, fonts, columns and headers done so that all that is left is imagery. (2 lessons) 2 Studio based photo-shoots shall be done then. This will be the GTA V article and the pre-order nightmares re-take. Models shall hopefully be for both shoots Luke Dann, Thomas Dove, Jake Graham and Rian Shears. All props must be ready by this week. Photo-shoot date 23rd January 3 Reviewing photographic material, checking for imperfections to know what to edit at home.  (1 lesson) 4 Project Monitoring & start working on base models for front cover and contents page. Prepare the contents page and front cover for imagery. (1 lesson) Homework 1: Using Photoshop edit photos to high standards and add any subtle touches to the images. Homework2: Produce the Is war the answer photos after college or during a lunchtime. Homework 3: Ensure all photography is backed up and blog check up finishing any outstanding blog work. Exams/other subject deadlines: work (Saturday)
4	3rd   Feb	1 Inserting and finishing double page spreads first drafts. Adding extra details and ensuring product looks professional and well made. (2 lessons) 2 Complete the front cover and contents page, inserting imagery and final edits (2 lessons) 3 Overspill from product creation ensuring everything is finished. (any extra time) 4 Project Monitoring & carrying on product creations and review. If I have time I will design some questions for audience feedback for homework task.   Homework 1: Perform some product testing and gain feedback for the whole product. Homework 2: Any outstanding blog work or edits/improvements to blog work. Homework 3: Back my work up on laptop at home. Exams/other subject deadlines: work (Saturday)
5	10th  Feb	1 Final editing of written article content. Last improvements and implementation.  (1-1 ½ lessons) 2 Ensure headers are well made and kickers are done. (1/2 lesson) 3 Creation and editing of all DPS second drafts. Will take lessons 3 and 4. This includes all columns, text, colours and imagery. All second drafts will be finished by the end of this week. (Lessons 3-4) 4 Project Monitoring & carrying on product creation. Homework 1:  Finish or edit any outstanding blog work. Homework 2: Prepare audience review questions. Homework 3: Perform a legality exam ensuring my product meets the targets of the P.C.C. Using the journalist’s code I will check that I have not broken any rules or codes with my products. Exams/other subject deadlines: work (saturday)
Half term	17th Feb	Homework: Complete Monitoring and make sure that blog elements are complete. Perform product testing over the half term through use of internet. Sending jpeg images of products to target audience members and gaining feedback through a list of questions.
6	24th	1 Review final audience feedback (1/2 lesson) 2 Creation of final drafts.  (Should only be minor editing) (1-1 ½ lessons) 3 Final spelling, grammar and style changes. (1/2 lesson) 4 Project Monitoring & exporting final product as a PDF document. Homework 1: Everything should be done by this time but I can start reading and preparing for the evaluations and checking I have peered and assessor feedback. Homework 2: Homework 3: Exams/other subject deadlines: work (saturday)
	3rd  Mar	Audience/Assessor Review Week 1 Create Audience review questionnaire 2 Teacher assessment of project 3 & 4 Complete prep work for evaluation E exam Unit 5 Blog Deadline 7th March