LO3: Production Materials

LO3: Production Materials

Main Cover Line

I began with a fitting font to describe the feature band; due to the link to their costume, a blend of sans serif and serif fonts blended together create connotations of a clash between formality and informality which can also be seen in the band's costume (business wear worn loosely with sneakers). This fits the genre of rock/music due to the conflicting styles of sans serif and serif styled fonts which signifies genres such as indie rock with serif and rock & roll with sans serif.

Next I added some additional text 'arrives at Sheffield Starion' to fit with the locality of the magazine with a sans serif (Hollywood styled) font to make the entire main cover line like a collage of newspaper articles with different font styles. I also altered it to include house style colours and more theming related to the name.  This fits the genre of rock/music due to the incorporation of my house style colours which reflect the neon/80's-90's style in which influential rock bands were so prevalent with the zeitgeist of bands like Motley Crue or Tom Petty.

Finally I edited the text further, drawing on more graphical elements as well as pieces of torn paper to signify the rebellious student audience with text that fits the conventions of the rock genre due to its rebellious connotations seen in the conflicting (formal vs informal) fonts and graphical elements. 

General Assets - Main Cover

Initially I started with a black rectangle which would be a base for my text and work as a banner.

I edited the rectangle with a rubber tool and used a slightly edited version of the font I used for the main cover line due to its rock connotations and fitting setting due to the bullet holes surrounding the text as if its been stamped on during a warzone. This fits the genre of rock through the conflict connotations in the bullet holes which are significant to the name of the magazine relating to the battles in Kasbah for the freedom of musical expression.

Again I started with a basic rectangle and altered it to look like it's been worn out to fit the rock/clash style of my magazine.

I furthered this by using an alternative font style with clashing letter heights (as is a motif in this magazine) with spray paint in the background to further the rebellious connotations of rock as the magazine's genre. 

I then created another banner which uses the school-rebellion connotations seen on the main cover line; using 'courier new' as a sans serif typewriter font to signify the vintage style of the band, magazine and rock as a genre. 

I started another banner using a road sign template to further the connotations of conflict by rebellion in how I would later edit it; this would reflect the magazine's name (Casbah Clash) with the rebellion in Iran for the freedom of musical expression therefore, fitting the conventions of rebellion in the rock genre. 

The connotations of conflict and a 'clash' are seen in the stamped on font which uses rock connotations in the clash between sans serif and serif within a banner that denotes conflict in a setting which would typically be absent of it through the iconography of a traditional street sign. Vandalism also is reflected in the font style which signifies the rebellion that is signified by the rock genre the magazine is based on.

Contents and DPS Assets

For my contents I simply used a serif font due to the inspiration from Rolling Stone rock magazine which uses similar conventions on their contents page; the effect of serif signifying and appealing to a more mature audience who would be interested in finding a specific topic. This therefore, appeals to the upper half of my 16-25 audience. This fits the rock genre through the juxtaposition between formal connotations in the serif font style and the neon/disco colours of hot pink contrasting with black.

For my page numbers I followed the same conventions as my contents page to make the inside of my magazine reflect its influence and appeal to the more mature/classic rock side of the genre. 

 

Lastly I added some graphical elements to fit the page numbers into my house style colours so that the magazine could remain consistent. Similarly to my contents title, the rock/music genre is signified through the juxtaposition between the serif font styles and the neon graphical elements iconographic of night clubs.

 

This asset is planned to be the background for one of my double page spread photos; this is to reiterate the house style colours in the palette used but to also further the magazine's name's appearance throughout and to make the photoshoot seem more branded and official. Connotations of the pink and serif white font signifying the music genre through it following conventions of other music magazines like Kerrang that use a similar method of editing their photos to put their models into a graphical background. 

LO3: Body Copy Draft Articles

Unit 3: Body Copy Draft Articles

Introduction to Interview

The sky was charcoal grey. In the back of a non-descript bar, the other band members preparing their instruments for the upcoming gig. I sat in the dull gaze of the overhead light. Across from me, arms crossed, feet up, sunglasses brazenly dishevelled atop his head, Matt Lewin sat. His eyes were distracted by the congregation waiting to get inside. The star singer likely keeping his voice well prepared for more than just me. Under the subtle buzz of people and the muffled symphony inside; this was to be the setting in which our interview took place. I won't spare a detail, nor will I keep you waiting any longer. - Interview commences

Q: What other bands or artists inspired your genre of music?

A: "A band that inspired me personally would be the Beatles and The Who but the current band inspiring me at the moment is Red Hot Chili Peppers."

Q: What first got you into music?

A: "I think it was my brother. He got a guitar when we went to America (I think it was Disney we went there for) and he knew how to play it straight away and I was terrible. It took me a few years to get used to it but it was that drive to be better than my brother, which is terrible really."

Q: If you could collaborate with any other Artist, who would it be?

A: "Simply Red, I'd like to collaborate with Mick Hucknall or Shaun Ward from Simply Red... Paul McCartney, either of them."

Q: How do you feel the internet has affected the music industry?

A: "It's great in one way, not so great in another. You've got to think that Spotify; every time someone streams a song that artist gets 0.0005 pence every time. They're not getting all the money are they? Back in the day there used to be singles that used to be £1.99 and a lot of the profits used to go to the artists themselves but it's a lot harder now to be a musician, it's a nightmare!"

Q: Are there any pre-existing songs you wish you had written?

A: "Any pre-existing songs that I'd written? I'd say... Ed Sheeran's Photograph. It's so obvious. I don't really like the song particularly but it's so obvious. Writing a song about a photograph. Everybody's had a photograph, they've got it on their keychains. When I listened to it on the radio I thought 'that's gonna be a number one hit'."

Q: What's your favourite gig you've performed at and why?

A: "We did a charity event in Frecheville, The Fairways (a pub). We were in the back of a lorry and it was amazing. We did a full two hours. Actually the electric went halfway through (*laughs) because a generator had gone down but it was amazing; It felt like we were playing at a festival. We do a lot of pubs; we do a lot of working men's clubs so it was a bit different."

Q: What made you and your fellow members want to start The Midnight Train?

A: "Actually the others, Richard was part of a famous band back in the 90's. Rocket 88 I think it was called. These guys have been in many bands: Pete, the guitarist, he's in three bands including ours. They love it that much they'll play wherever whenever. I had to audition to this band, I think there was about twenty people; did my first audition and was straight in, straight giggin'."

Follow-up Question: What made you stand out from the other twenty who auditioned?

A: "What made me stand out? I'd say my voice but it's not that great (*laughs). Probably my personality I suppose. I think as I was leaving I said 'does anyone want a hand, I can move some stuff out for you?' Then they messaged me about five minutes later saying I got the part. I'd say my voice, it has to be my voice."

Q: Do you have any advice for other people want to start their own band?

A: "Make sure you have a variety of different songs. Don't just have your Blink-182. Easy power chord songs just to push yourself a bit. Try and do stuff from the 80's and other eras. This pub tonight, there's a variety of people here; you've got to try and get at least one person so if you do a wide variety of songs in your gigs, you're going to at least hit one person."

Q: Do you feel nervous before every gig or does it start to feel more natural?

A: "No, I feel nervous all the time. I feel nervous now doing this. I'm a nervous person altogether but when I'm on stage it's different. I'm, what do you call it... introverted. I keep myself to myself but when I'm on stage it's like playing a character. You're a band member. You're a rockstar. It's easier. I find singing easier than talking... most of the time." 

Q: What's next for you?

A: "What are my next gigs? We have one, I think It's in Rotherham, Sitwell Arms. In the next three weeks we've got four more gigs. We do constantly get them but from doing them we've got more regulars. we've got more places wanting us which is great because a lot of landlords come to places like these and say 'oh we'll have you as well'. We sometimes have a month where we only do two but depending on if someone says 'are you free next Saturday?' we usually say yes. Sometimes we've got a full month of gigs, around 6. Tiring.

Double Page Spread Article

The high rise buildings, monoliths hiding behind monoliths, the fragrant smells of sulphur and street food, the cacophony of busy streets and the piercing screeches as electricity sparks off the cold tramways. Our city, the city of steel, has been an icon for industrial ingenuity and taken centre stage in manufacturing master crafts of steelworks for the whole world. We take pride in our engineering roots and our city is still amidst picking itself back up following its irrevocable destruction during WW2. We've always been incorrigible however when it comes to this and much of the population has stayed that way, proud of their city. This is common knowledge. 

Where so much of Sheffield seems to fall by the way-side, we attempt to pick up in its growing media industry. A new arm to its stainless steel frame. No better example we have in our city than the bands who have been our voice for years and put our musical prowess into the speakers of millions around the world. Generations raised by the Arctic Monkeys and even more with Pulp as we live our lives as common people amongst the musical deities that all have their hearts and words forged in steel. However, this too is (relatively) common knowledge.

Since these two bands, Sheffield has been keeping itself behind The Leadmill's closed doors as musical engineers begin to grow and develop as we rise back from the atomic ashes of the past. However, finally we have but one of many upcoming artists who will soon be on their way to super-stardom. 

The Midnight Train has been alternating from session to gig recently and have finally arrived at Sheffield Station to be introduced to you. Beginning as a cover band comprised of artists such as Richard Grayson (a former member of Rocket 88), Will Buxton, Peter Watters and star singer Matt Lewin. This caravan has recently begun creating their own singles to show the wider world that this city has more to show for itself than its vibrant history. 

LO4: Creating a Masthead

LO2: Creating a Masthead

Firstly I began with a font I thought fitting of the rock genre of magazines which used a sans serif font to appeal to the teenage audience. This style was then elaborated with back banners around the letters which clashed with each other in each letter's height, linking back to the name and the conflict theme behind it, relating to the liberation of musical expression in Iran. 

Next I furthered the conflict theme through making the banners seem battered and shattering, gunshots present in one of the letters signifying the rebellion of people which is so iconic about rock and it's conventions as a genre. 

Finally I altered the colours to a neon pink so that they would convey my house style colours in a simple format which is easy to read, visually pleasing, unique and conveys meaning through connotations. 

LO3: Setting Up Photoshop

LO3: Setting Up Photoshop

300 Resolution is a high quality resolution used for printing in the publishing sector. This resolution means that the final product will not look pixelated. This resolution also means the file I will be using will be lossless. An unfortunate downside to this however, will be that these files will consume more storage space. 

However, for my double page spread, I needed to double the width of the file; so using the same measurements to keep the sizes consistent, I increased the width from 10 to 20.

LO2 Unit 3: Contact Sheet

Unit 3: Contact Sheet

Selected Photos for Magazine

The photos which I have selected can be identified through titled names so they can be identified as the photos I intend to use in my magazine.

Main Cover Image: Consistent to what is seen on the visualization diagram, a low angle medium close-up has been used with a pose of a 20-30 year old male holding a jacket over their shoulder to signify their dominance as the feature for the magazine however, is careless about it through the connotations of the over the shoulder slung jacket. This is in a deep depth of field to make the artist part of the scenery in a low-key environment which furthers male dominant stereotypes conventional of the rock magazine genre. The costume is formal business wear however, due to the way it is worn and used (jacket slung) formal connotations are juxtaposed by the rebellious colloquial manner in which the costume is worn and is therefore, conventional of the rock genre. This photo will go onto the maincover as the main cover image.

Main Cover Corner: The pose and lighting are consistent from my visualization diagram which uses a medium shot of a male holding a guitar which is conventional of the music magazine genre through the denotations of a guitar with a costume that is iconographic of indie rock (shirt and waistcoat worn loosely and casually). High-key lighting juxtaposing the low-key colours of clothing creates connotations of rebellion, as if out of place and is therefore, conventional of rock. This image is also in a deep depth of field however, it will be edited to shallow to further the connotations that despite the darker colours to the high-key environment, this artist stands out instead. Despite the name this image will go on the contents page to remain consistent with the visualization diagram.

Main Guitarist: This photo uses high-key lighting to emphasize the artist whose costume follows the conventions of the rock genre with a simple t-shirt and flat cap in a low angle to further the dominant connotations which make the band desirable as an ideal self for the young-adult-male audience. Similarly to the previous photo, I intend to change the depth of field to shallow, particularly blurring the light sources to give a more enigmatic effect as the guitarist looks off in a medium shot which denotes his guitar therefore, signifying him as the guitarist. This photo is to be placed on the double page spread.

Bass: Similarly to the previous photo, I intend to blur the light sources for a similar effect. This photo conveys the rock conventions primarily through connotations of costume but denotations from band equipment like an amp and bass guitar. This image is to go on the main cover.  

Drums: This completes the entourage that is The Midnight Train feature for Casbah Clash with another low angle of the drummer denoted with his drums; the effect of this is to convey the personality of the whole band having their own small segments as photos within the magazine. This furthered through the motif of dominant connotations via the low angle which in culmination will make an ideal self for audience members who may be interested in drumming. The model's costume (similarly to the bass guitarist) creates rebellious connotations with a waistcoat, an item of formal connotations, being worn openly with casual clothing like a t-shirt and hat reminiscent of rock. Sunglasses indoors further these careless connotations as being iconographic with the rebellion of rock as a genre of music, which the magazine features.

Contents Image: The primary model (seen on this and the main cover image) is posed to sit, legs up on a restaurant booth to signify the motif of carelessness which can create an ideal self in the relatability of it for the teenage audience. This is in addition to a low angle to further dominant connotations. The depth of field I would change in production to shallow to allow the artist to stand out from the surrounding environment with the booth slightly more focused than everything else to give importance to what he's doing as the focal point.

DPS Image: For this photo I intend to cut the model out of the background to replace it with a graphical background instead which will feature the magazine's name in the background. The photo uses a low-angle medium close-up of the main singer holding sunglasses down to look directly at the camera as if giving little attention to it. The sunglasses indoors also being iconography for the rock genre and stereotypical rebellion which will further conventions and appeal to the target audience. 

Double Page Spread (image): This image uses another low angle but now for a full body shot which fully signifies the careless attitudes of artists in the rock genre through the posing of the main singer with their feet up in a public place/restaurant. This is within a shallow depth of field to put focus on the artist and in low-key lighting to further the ignorance of the enigma signified by the darker lighting that's juxtaposed by the pose and smile with a dim light emphasizing it. The formal attire of a shirt, tie and business trousers juxtaposing the casual vans sneakers too to further appeal to the teenage (16-25) male audience.

Miscellaneous Images: These images are those not given a title/renamed. These follow similar conventions to the rest mentioned and I plan to either replace other photos with them, if fitting in production, or add them if space is available and is fitting. An example of one that would be most likely be used would be image 077 which depicts a low angle of the main singer denoted as singing.