magazine front cover image ideas and inspiration

The film 'The virgin suicides' has inspired me in the development of my coursework.

For the front cover image on the magazine im going to make these images to the left have inspired me. I like the composition of the actors in these images and it is something that I would like to have my magazine front cover image like. 

The bottom left image shows the group of girls, it is very casual and they arent showing much expression on their faces. For a front cover image this is good as it is quite mysterious therefore will entice people to read teh magazine.

Magazine research - types of poses

The front cover of a magazine will normally have a well known star which is relevant to the audience and who the reader aspires to be and/or idolises, with using one main image this has a greater impact and is easier for the eye to process quickly. The models pose is also a main factor to the appeal of the potential buyer, for example on a pop teen magazine a super-smiler pose will be shown. This is a full face shot with a big smile, the model will show confidence. I am creating a film magazine therefore the main image should be of the main actor/s of the featured film.

For my magazine front cover I would have my model looking either two ways, a super smiler or invitational pose of the main actor from my film trailer. Another possible way is more than one actor on the cover and them being in character and on set of the film.

different model poses I have found are the chocolate box pose: a full face shot focusing on flawless beauty, the super-smiler pose : full face shot with a big smile and confident look and the invitational pose:emphasised eyes, a mysterious look and a hint of a smile.

Photographic techniques

Some ideas and techniques that are essential when taking a good photograph or moving image:

• shot distance 
• Use of tilt- Tilt up shot(low angle) -Used to convey power or dominance
  Tilt down shot(high angle)- Used to convey vulnerability or weakness of person in shot and to demonstrate dominance of point of view.
• shot composition
• eye line
• Tone-  control of tones including variations of light and dark, emphasising important parts of the image, and colour, generally set the 'mood' of your photograph
  tone control can be used to emphasise the shapes of the most important elements in your image.
• Lines-  are useful for emphasising and leading the viewer towards a main area or subject. They may also divide up the picture space into segments, which may vary in size and shape. The shape of lines and their general pattern can strongly influence the mood of the photograph.
• colour, including vivid, primary and monochromatic colour- Taking control of the way in which colour is used in your photographs is a key way of improving your images. Keep your eyes open for vibrant coloured subjects, but also look for delicate coloured subjects and ones with muted tones. Colour sells, bright, bold colours are used on magazine covers, so choose a plan the shots that you will take. Monochromatic colours, It can also work well to use just one or two colours within a picture, such shots often have an intensity and sense of harmony.
• texture, and hints on creating texture- Most of the time when we are taking photographs we think about the subject, but there is another way of approaching pictures-taking , which involves thinking beyond the subject and looking at it in terms of textures and patterns. Photography is especially effective at conveying the impression of texture. This is a quality, which can be extremely close-up.
• patterns and hints on capturing patterns
• Foreground/Background- when designing a shoot remember to keep in mind both the action in the foreground and the background.
• Framing- Keep the RULE OF THIRDS in mind when designing your shot. The viewers eye is drawn to the cross-sections of a frame, this is where your actions should be taking place.
• Composition- you need to think carefully about how you compose a photograph. Many photographs place their subject in the middle of the photograph, which can often result in a dull image.
  
  
  Shot distance types
  
  
  

inspirational texts - film poster

Film institution research

I have researched into already exhisting independent film institutions to help me create my own film institution for my film trailer. as I am making my own film trailer the istitution behind it will be independent as it is not a big block buster and wont have millions of pounds spent on it.

The first institute I found is  'independent 
 film company' this institute "Independent specializes in the development, financing, production and distribution of independent feature films. Led by CEO Luc Roeg who has over twenty years experience in the film business, Independent has a team of highly motivated and experienced professionals with expertise in project development, production, structured finance, sales and marketing. Independent recently also established a UK Distribution arm."

I have found the national film and television school which "is second to none. Producing a host of award winning students and graduates, and many of the UK's most noted contemporary auteurs as well as commercial filmmakers. It operates from its own historic studios running more specialist MA's than any other film school in the world" This film school has produced excelent graduates like the director of Harry Potter.

 


 I have since found a production company called 'Eleven film' this is a small independant company which produces short films, television series and documentarys. This company have produced for BBC, Channel 4 and the international features market.

film poster conventions

 I have specified the genral conventions of a film poster to make sure I know what is needed for when I make my own film poster.

target audience

I am making a teen drama trailer therefore the target audience will be for teenagers. I want my target audience to start from the age of  12 years olds, this is because I have researched into existing films of the same type of genre as mine and they genrally are rated 12a.

Poster fonts

After researching already existing film posters I now have a clear idea on how I want my poster to look. Starting with the title font I have narrowed down a few fonts which I like and will benefit my film poster. I then put the film name 'Pretty hurts' into the font generator so that I could see exactly what it would look like when it is on the poster. My film is a teen drama and because of this I want the font to still have a young fun element to it as well as it looking professional on the poster.

poster font initial ideas

With help in deciding on text fonts for my film poster I have researched into other already exhisting film posters to see which fonts look good for different types of genres and which stand out.







Fonts
These are images of title fonts from already exhisting film posters. I have put action genre aswell as drama to show the comparison between the two so that it will help me in creating my film poster.

In my research I have found that action films use a bolder font usually in capitals the colour of the fonts tend to have a metalic look being gold or silver which helps the lettering look strong and stand out, this is very effective for action films as audiences will recognise that it is a action film poster as it will have the typical type of font for the genre.

Then I have researched into drama film fonts, I have notices with this genre the lettering font is very different to the action genre. Drama film posters have more quirky style fonts which arent as bold however they do stand out because of their unique style. I have also noticed that on drama film posters the lettering is very colourful and links well with the film, for example if the film is a teen drama they tend to have bright colours. 
With this extra knowledge I now know that I want my title font to be a unique shape e.g. curly and for it to be colourful or match with the mood of the film.

Film magazine reconstruction

 

A task I have been given is to reconstruct a film magazine front cover to help me learn the layouts and conventions of a magazine. To do this I have used Adobe photoshop. This task has helped me practice my photoshop skills for my final product. I found this task farely easy as I am experienced with photoshop and know what I am doing.

Time management

Today is my last chance in class to finish research and planning. In class today i have finished off audience feedback videos and practice filming and editing to help me with my film trailer.

Filming and editing practice

To help get practice for the making my own film trailer I have done some filming and editing practice. I have been giving a simple filming scenario to create with some of my peers. I worked with two of my peers in class and we worked together to edit it on Adobe premiere pro. Doing this task has gave me good practice in using the editing software and learning how to create a short film.

For my audience research I have got some audience feedback, I asked people from my audience about film trailers and different genres of films that they like. This research will help me in creating my trailer so I know what will be popular with the audience.

personal feedback on blog

For the personal feedback on my blog I have graded myself a D. This is because I haven't fully finished the research and planning. I have done proficient research into similar products and potential target audience and the use of digital technology or ict in the presentation.

Form- genre

The main genre of my film is drama. Drama films They generally are on stereotyped character development, interaction, and highly emotional themes. Im not just doing a drama film on its own I'm also going to have it being teen drama, the audience will be of the ages 15 and above.

An example of this would be 'Thirteen', this goes through the relationship of two friends and mother and daughter. Music is important in notifying what genre of film it is so in my trailer I plan on having quite dramatic music.

film magazine and poster conventions

I researched into already exhisting products, found the basic conventions of a film magazine and poster to help me in creating my own products and making them look as realistic and professional as possible.

Film poster reconstruction

For an ancillary task we were asked to reconstruct a film poster. I chose to reconstruct the film 'Palo alto', my reasons for choosing this film poster to reconstruct are because it is a teen based drama. I have watched this film before and know it has some of the same qualities that I would like to have in mine. When creating this reconstruction I have learned the different conventions of a film poster and I am able to apply this in my own work.

Photoshoot Recce

I have made a Recce to establish the location of the shoot, what friends are going to be models and the props I'm going to use.

When taking the photos at home there could be potential hazards such as wires and chairs being in the way when taking the photos and obstructing movement. When taking the photos in the studio things such as wires off the lights and other studio equipment could get in the way and cause a hazard.

                                                                                        Images of the studio

     To ensure these risks are minimised I will make sure the space and area of where I'm taking the photos is clear and safe before I start the photo shoot to keep the models and myself out of any danger.

     The time of day/weather will effect the outcomes of the photos when I'm a at home because I will be using the natural lighting of the room, so if the weather is cloudy for example then the room will darker resulting in the photos not looking very good. When I use the photo studio the weather outside won't effect the outcome of the images as in the studio there will artificial high key light sources.

     The background I want for my photos is just to have a plain white background this will be ensured in the studio, and at home against a white wall. This is because the model will be the main focus and stand out against the plain white background.

     When taking the photos at home I have considered the natural lighting and the problems the weather may cause to the result of my photos. In the studio the lighting will be artificial and really bright, I will most likely use a flash so the the image looks really sharp and defined to achieve the best image possible. I want the background to be white so the the images come out looking professional. I will ensure I will get this background by making sure I talk to the studio staff prior to the photo shoot so that they can prepare the background.

                                                                Not real image of studio
      At home I wont need permission. I will have to book an appointment in the Sunderland university photography studio to use it, this will ensure I'm not going to be rushed to use it and will not have to share it with anyone else.

     People and crowds are not going to be an issue because I'm not going to be taking the photos outside or in a public area so this will ensure nothing spoils the effect of the images I take. I will be taking the photos in a private studio.  

     I have briefed my models (my friends) about the photo shoot, what type of clothes I want them to bring and the type of make-up they will be wearing. I have also decided on the props I will take to the shoot which are old records. I am going to plan the shoot step by step plan to ensure it goes well and the photos turn out accordingly.

     When taking the photos at home I have considered every eventuality such it being dark and light. In the studio there are less things to consider for the lighting because I will be using artificial lighting. I am also considering the attitude of the models on the day as this will effect the outcome of my photos.

inspirational texts - Film magazine

I like how on the front cover of this magazine it has sell line images on the right to entice the reader to read through the magazine at different articles. The main image is in front of the other article images which shows that the main article will be about this image, this image looks like its from a still from the film which will be harder to produce.

The main image of this magazine front cover is clearly of the main actor of the film. This image would have been shot in a studio which is something that is achievable for me to do. I like the three shade colour scheme being red white and black however it is quite generic.

I like the colour scheme of this magazine front cover, the pink and treys really work well together along with the blue on the models face. Although the colour scheme has pink in, the magazine can still be for both genders which is something I like because my magazine will also be for both genders.
Another thing I like from this magazine is the layout of the sell lines, they don't cover much of the main image of the model.





The premiere magazine is not from this country but I like the style and looks of the magazine therefore have chose them for my inspiration.

film poster mood board

Magazine prices research

I have researched into the prices of already existing film magazines, to help me with creating my cover film magazine.

I first researched into the well known magazine 'Empire' and found that the magazines price range from 3.90pounds to 4pounds, from personal experience I think that 4pounds for a magazine is very expensive therefore to give my magazine a chance of getting good sales I will keep the price under 4pounds.

I then researched into the magazine 'Total film', this magazines prices range from 2.80pounds to 4pounds. With help from this research I have decided I would like to sell my film magazine at the price of 3pounds.

My film institution

I have been asked to create my own film institution for my trailer. I have decided to call my film institution "Future Film". This name is simple and easy to remember which will be beneficial to the company. The company is new and very forward thinking which relates to the name.The name is very relevant to film and relevant to the trailer I am making which is a new teen drama.

Film magazine front cover flat plan

 I have researched into already exhisting film magazines to get ideas of what I want my film magazine to look like. On the front cover I would like to have a three shade colour scheme of white, black and coral/silver, this will keep the magazine gender neutral which is what I want to achieve as my film is for both genders. I plan of having the mast head either coral or white along with the main article sell lines because this will contrast with the main image if I plan on having having the image outside in the environment, or coral if I'm taking a studio image. If I take the main image in the studio I want the image to have a white background so that the model stands out and will have all focus on her, the image will be a mid shot of one of the main actors from my film trailer. Another idea that I have had for the main image is taking a still from my film trailer so that it can advertise the film.