Over the next two weeks we will be finalising our pre-production and starting our photography and page design.
Pre-production: blog tasks
Create a blogpost called 'Pre-production' and work through the following tasks.
1) Research front covers and double page spreads
Research five magazine front covers and double pages spreads (you may have some of these already from your Summer Project). Pick out one things from each cover and double page spread that you could use in YOUR production work.
2) Front cover sketch and plan
Sketch out your front cover on a plain piece of A4 paper. You may want to use your preliminary exercise front cover but it is still important to sketch it out and make sure the key conventions are on there (e.g. cover lines). Once you have finished your sketch, take a photo and upload it to your blog.
3) Double page spread sketch and plan
Sketch out your double page spread on a plain piece of landscape A4 paper. You don't need to write the article on this - it's just about planning the design of the page. What images will you use and where will they appear on the page? What will your headline and subheading be? Will you have any sidebars or additional images as part of the feature? Once you have finished your sketch, take a photo and upload it to your blog.
4) Write your feature
On Google Docs, write your 300-400 word feature that will appear on the double page spread. It needs to link to one of the cover lines on your front cover - ideally the main cover line and central image. It is a good idea to read some magazine features before writing your own as you want it to sound as professional as possible. Here are some examples you can read:
Note: these examples are a LOT longer than 350 words but they useful to see how features are written, how interviews are conducted and the way the reader is made to feel part of the conversation.
5) Photography plan
Plan all the photography you'll need for your front cover and double page spread. Think about mise-en-scene - use CLAMPS to remember this:
- Costume: what will your model wear?
- Lighting: will you do the photoshoot in school with lights or at home/outside?
- Actors: who will be in your photo? How will they look? Smiling or serious? Angelic or aggressive?
- Make-up: do you need any particular make-up?
- Props: does the photoshoot require any props?
- Setting: where will the photoshoot take place?
6) Project schedule
Plan a full project schedule - when will you plan, take photos, design on Photoshop? Map out the next few weeks - deadlines will be shared by your teacher on Google Classroom.
Deadline: on Google Classroom
