Drafting and Planning - Magazine

As I have created the masthead for my magazine, I started thinking about the layout and the different codes and conventions I was going to include in my magazine.
I pasted the masthead into Paint.net and started thinking of cover lines and adding bar-codes and dates/prices etc.

After looking at different Total Film magazines I realised the editor tends to make different editions. Therefore, I decided to make my magazine 'The Ultimate Horror Edition' as it relates to my genre of film.

I then created a banner for my magazine which tells the reader of the 4 free posters available which is often what Total Film Magazine do.

I then created an 'Exclusive' which will entice the reader into purchasing my film magazine. I used an image of the flat in which my film will be set.

This is the date, issue number and web address that I will include on my magazine.

This is the bar-code I will use. However, I will place it on the side of the magazine so it doesn't distract away from the main image/cover lines etc.

Drafting and Planning - Poster

I started to research different images of eyes to give me an idea of the type of image I want to create for my poster. I like this particular image as there is a reflection of the symbol for the devil inside. I thought with my image I could put a number six to  represent the devil but also the flat number.

I like this image as I think the red eye reflects the devil and goes with the colour scheme I am going to use. I could replicate this in my image by using red contact lenses.

I then took an image of a normal brown eye and pasted it onto Paint.net. I started editing the eye to make it look more scary so it would be appropriate for my poster.

For this image, I adjusted the brightness and contrast to make the eye appear much darker therefore scarier.

For this image, I adjusted the hue and saturation of the eye making it have a more green/ grey effect. This is effective as is creates a negative/dismal feel. Also, the eye looks subhuman.

For this image, I added the 'posterize' effect which gives a cartoon-like look to the image. I think this is effective as it makes the eye appear bloodshot which gives an eerie feel.

I then made the image black and white and added a number six to the centre of the eye. I chose the image of the six which looks on fire as fire relates to Hell and the devil. I made the image black and white so the number stands out more.

I then added the title of my film and text at the bottom to show a preview of what my poster will look like.

Research - Analysis of Total Film Magazine

Although I have previously analysed the 'Inception' issue of Total Film Magazine, I thought it important to look at the latest issue in terms of the typical codes and conventions used.

Typical Codes and Conventions used:
- Masthead
- Date
- Issue Number
- Main Image
- Barcode
- Main Cover Line
- Cover lines
- Web Address
- Puffs
- Pugs

Typical Codes and Conventions not used:
- Left Third
- Price
- Cover Star Credit






I think the Total Film magazine editor has chosen to place the Masthead in the centre top of the magazine as Total Film is a well known brand name so the masthead wouldn't need to be on show in the shop in order for people to purchase it. The reason why there is no price could be because the magazine is a pay monthly magazine which tries to encourage people to subscribe to them. Although there is no Cover Star Credit in this issue, I think Total Film magazine would usually use this convention especially if the actors in the film are well known and popular.
I will use all of the above codes and conventions in my magazine as I want it to replicate a typical issue of a Total Film magazine.

Research - Masthead

Whilst looking at previous editions of Total Film magazine - one being the edition on 'Inception' I analysed earlier on my blog - I noticed that the editor often tries to create a synergy between the masthead and the film that is being advertised. Some ways in which the editor does this is by changing the usual red colour of the masthead and making it match the colours of the main image. Another way in which the editor creates a connection between the two is shown below. The editor often merges the masthead into the background but still makes it bold and outlined, making sure it stands out. I also noticed that the editor usually places text above the masthead which initiates the different issue of the magazine e.g. 'The Modern Guide To Movies' or 'Special X'tra Cover!' They can also relate to the film featured in the magazine such as 'The Mind-Blowing Issue' relates to the content of the film 'Inception.'

After this research, I started thinking how I could create a synergy between the masthead and the title of my film. As my film falls into the category of horror, and the usual colour for the Total Film masthead is red, I thought I could have blood dripping from the masthead.

I then found these two images and copied them into the programme Paint.Net.

I then merged the two images together to create a masthead which relates to the horror genre. The 'F' of film now looks like it is dripping blood which relates to the content of my film.

Research - Total Film

I have decided I want to use TOTAL FILM for my magazine as I feel it would advertise the film I am going to create. I then decided to do some further research into Total Film and came up with the following:

• Total Film is a UK-based film magazine published 13 times a year by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers cinema, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features. Total Film is available both in print and interactive iPad editions.

• Each month, Total Film provides a range of features, from spotlight interviews with actors and directors, to making of and on-set pieces for new and future releases. Each issue always includes the Total Film Interview, which is a six-page in-depth chat with an actor or director, along with a critique of their body of work.
• Dialogue: In this section of the magazine, the readers are able to interact with the magazine as letters and emails written by the readers themselves are featured.
• Buzz: This section of the magazine is considered the news section in which the editor features information about upcoming films, includes first look photos or exclusive 'sneek peeks.' Some of the regular features include: Ever Met Tom Cruise? where a behind the scenes person is interviewed and You Talkin' To Me? where stars answer questions posed as famous film quotes and Red Light, Green Light for what is hot and what is not in movie-land.
• Agenda: This section often previews of less mainstream releases and players. 
• Screen: The main cinema reviews section, with every new movie for that month reviewed and rated. Major releases receive comprehensive coverage, with a star rating out of five, the magazine's own Predicted Interest Curve. 
• Lounge: TF's home entertainment guide, including reviews of the latest DVDs and Blu-rays, as well as some games, soundtracks and books.

This information will help me when designing my magazine as I can use it whilst creating my cover lines. I want my magazine to looks as realistic as possible, so I want it to convey the typical codes and conventions of Total Film Magazine. 

Research - Poster Analysis

Lighting:
- The dull/dark lighting relates to the dark content of the film.
- The film is an action/thriller so invoves intense scenes which involve guns/murder etc.

Costume:
- The main actor is in mainly dark, black clothing which has connotations to mystery and relates to him as a spy/secret agent.
- He is also wearing a suit which suggest he has an important/serious profession.
- However, that his tie and top button are undone could suggests a casual approach to his job but also a sense of rebellion.
- This could also relate to him being a 'heart-throb' to attract the female audience.

Props:
- The use of the gun relates to the genre and content of the film. It suggests a sense of action and danger which would thrill the audience.

Facial Expressions:
- The main actor's facial expression is serious and he isn't making direct eye contact with the audience which could reflect his profession as it is against society and secretive.
- The woman is looking towards the man suggesting an affection towards him. This could suggest a possible love interest in the film which would excite an audience.

Blocking:
- The woman is placed in the background of the image which represents her as inferior to him which is typical of gender representation.
- The woman is also dressed in dark clothing which likens her to the man and makes her mysterious.
- Her clothing is revealling which is also typical of female representation. It reflects the objectivcation of women and that she is used to attract a male audience.

Typography:
- 'Casino' suggests gambling, as the activity is risky it creates a feeling of danger and going against what is moral.
- 'Royale' links to royalty so suggests a sense of importance.
- The number '7' is also made to look like gun which relates to the genre of the film - action/thriller.

Drafting and Planning - Storyboard

I then devised a storyboard which I will follow when filming my trailer. I did this because it gives me some form of structure to follow when it comes to producing my trailer so I know exactly what needs to be done.
This will be effective when planning my time as I can only use the school camera's for a short period of time. Therefore, I will not be wasting any valuable time with the camera.