Preliminary TaskSchool MagazineMadelaine GeeYear 12 Media

Mr Parsons

Issue number- tells us when the newsletter was distributed which is useful as it ensures we know that the events described are up to date.

The bold headings and subheadings draw attention to specific areas that may peak an interest in different people according to what they want to know.

“Afterschool club fun” for children is exclaimed and made more exciting through the use of an exclamation mark and capital letters. It is also in purple which is a different colour to the rest of the front page. This draws attention to it as it stands out and the use of the word “fun” makes it sound appealing. As well as this, the heading is surrounded by bright yellow pictures of a smiling sun and a star which both indicate happiness.

The easily read table makes it easy for pupils and parents to understand. This is important as both the children and the parents need to know what is going on at the school. The table is labelled the “activities table” showing the school is active and perhaps healthy which makes the parents have a positive outlook on the school as a whole.

The Pizza Thursday juxtaposes the idea of a healthy school but also promotes the school as being fun as well.

The masthead is a sans serif font which makes it more child friendly as the serifs make it more formal and mature. As well as this it is bolder than the rest of the page and illustrates the origin of the magazine. This is important as it gives identity to the page and makes it relatable for the reader.

The logo used has not been cropped correctly as the white background is still there and makes it look unprofessional and amateurish which could lead to the impression of a badly taught teaching style.

The most apparent focal point of the newsletter is the success of the school following the most recent Ofsted inspection. This is significant as it is likely to be the most impressive moment at the school in this time frame. This illustrates success in the school and makes it appear to be prosperous.

Bullet points with bigger spaces between lines to accentuate the importance of the information and also makes it easy to read.

Masthead is bold and clearly states the origin of the newsletter and appears to keep in with the school colours which is a running theme throughout the entire news letter. This is good as if everything was navy and white and then the heading was bright green it wouldn’t fit in and be appealing.

A quote from outside of the school showing the excellence of the school which will encourage the parents into thinking good things about the school and ultimately makes the school look good as a whole.

Contact details for the school are important but not so important that they’re going to be the focal point so the placement of them at the bottom is a good move as it is still bold and obvious but not overpowering

AS Media Studies Preliminary Task – School Magazine Front Page Proposal Form

Target audience: (age range, interests)Although it is a school newsletter you still have to think about your audience and how to appeal to them.

People within the school so ages ranging from 11 to 18. They will be interested in sports fixtures, concerts at school, Christmas fairs, major events, school trips, days off and GCSE and A Level results. To appeal I’ll make the contents and front page as intriguing as possible by mentioning these things are to be included in order for them to pick it up and read it.

Possible title ideas: (masthead / title block)What is your magazine going to be called?

Priory PressPriory TalkPrioryty

Main image:What will be the focal point of your front page, remember, your work “must include a photograph of a student in a medium close-up”

A picture of me or another student in a mid-shot at centreMasthead overlapping the headImportant info round the sidePrice at bottom left or right

Main cover line:What will be the main story?

A current success at school or results of exams depends on time

Additional key images:What other images will be on your front cover?Remember, it is a school magazine.

I don’t want any others

Additional cover lines:Other features, stories or selling points which will be inside the magazine, these need to be audience appropriate.

GCSE and A level results will be relatively prominent with more about academic progress and sports and music fixtures and dates.

Typography: (style, size, colour of copy)Think about the writing and the style of the writing on your front page.

Black, white, red and grey to fit with the school colours

Background colour/image:What will be in the background, remember you don’t want to take the focus away from the main image.

White so it doesn’t cost too much to print and use as much ink also white is just standard and the colour in the background would draw away from the main events

Technical considerations:(equipment, setting, props, costume, lighting)Be realistic and creative, think about what you have access to and how you could use it.

Grey or white backgroundWell lit so as to capture features in detailCostume would be a sixth form attireI want them or me doing an activity like playing an instrument or painting etc

Audience ResearchQuestion asked: What do you expect to see in a school magazine?

No. of people out of 20 asked who agree

Events at school (sport fixtures, days off, concerts, fairs etc.)

11

GCSE and A Level Results (dependant on time of year) 14

A word from the Head teacher (on schooling progress/current major events)

9

School Logo 20

Contact details for school 18

Images and colours (to keep in with school colours) 19

AS Media Studies Preliminary Task – School Magazine Front Page Proposal Form

Target audience: (age range, interests)Although it is a school newsletter you still have to think about your audience and how to appeal to them.

People within the school so ages ranging from 11 to 18. They will be interested in sports fixtures, concerts at school, Christmas fairs, major events, school trips, days off and GCSE and A Level results. To appeal I’ll make the contents and front page as intriguing as possible by mentioning these things are to be included in order for them to pick it up and read it.

Possible title ideas: (masthead / title block)What is your magazine going to be called?

Priory PressPriory TalkPrioryty

Main image:What will be the focal point of your front page, remember, your work “must include a photograph of a student in a medium close-up”

A picture of me or another student in a mid-shot at centreMasthead overlapping the headImportant info round the sidePrice at bottom left or right

Main cover line:What will be the main story?

A current success at school or results of exams depends on time

Additional key images:What other images will be on your front cover?Remember, it is a school magazine.

I don’t want any others

Additional cover lines:Other features, stories or selling points which will be inside the magazine, these need to be audience appropriate.

GCSE and A level results will be relatively prominent with more about academic progress and sports and music fixtures and dates.

Typography: (style, size, colour of copy)Think about the writing and the style of the writing on your front page.

Black, white, red and grey to fit with the school colours

Background colour/image:What will be in the background, remember you don’t want to take the focus away from the main image.

White so it doesn’t cost too much to print and use as much ink also white is just standard and the colour in the background would draw away from the main events

Technical considerations:(equipment, setting, props, costume, lighting)Be realistic and creative, think about what you have access to and how you could use it.

Grey or white backgroundWell lit so as to capture features in detailCostume would be a sixth form attireI want them or me doing an activity like playing an instrument or painting etc

Preliminary exercise: produce a front page and contents page of a school magazine. Front

covers must include a photograph of a student in a medium close-up with appropriately laid

out text and use of an image manipulation program (Photoshop).

Below start to sketch what the front cover of your newsletter will look like.

Preliminary exercise: produce a front page and contents page of a school magazine.

Front covers must include a photograph of a student in a medium close-up with

appropriately laid out text and use of an image manipulation program (Photoshop).

Below start to sketch what the contents page of your newsletter will look like.

Final front cover

Final Contents Page

How and why I manipulated the imageI used the “plaster tool” to erase blemishes in order to give it a more professional look. As well as this, I have changed the brightness and contrast to give it a grey overlay as it looks, in my opinion, quite good with the school colours of red, black and grey. In addition I have added a white layer mask at the bottom to give it a more blended effect and again make it look more professional.

Why I chose the imageThe photo was taken him smiling and laughing making it a less prepared photo. This makes it appear more natural and less posed and again adds to the professional effect I was aiming for. He is also wearing glasses which makes him look more studious so keeps in with the school theme.

How and why I manipulated the imageSimilarly with this image as with the front cover picture I have edited the brightness and contrast as it in kept with the school colours. It is also quite a flattering lighting as it is faded and gets rid of blemishes mostly by itself as their complexion isn’t as clearly seen. However I did use the blemish “plaster” tool for a few more obvious places as the filter didn’t completely erase them.

Why I chose the imageAgain, with the other photo used on the front page the pose is relatively natural and doesn’t look too posed. This is a good look as I am advertising them as the Head Boy and Girl which shows the school as perhaps kind and welcoming. With them not looking straight into the camera it is less daunting and more fun and mirrors the attitude of the school. The sixth form uniform also looks smart but casual so gives a sense of professionalism yet not too strict which is welcoming.

What I’ve learnt..

• I had never used the blemish eraser tool before which was useful as it enabled me to make the pictures on the front page and contents to look more professional.

• As well as this the use of the layer mask overlay that made a mist at the bottom of an image was new for me and again added to the professionalism of the look of the magazine as it allowed blending.

• Another thing I’ve learnt is how to use the magnetic lasso tool and selecting the inverse and being able to have an image without it’s original background. I used this to cut out the boy and girl on the contents page and put onto the contents page plain background. This made them stand out and was useful as it looked a lot better without the two contrasting backgrounds on top of each other.