Post-production techniques and processes (U3, P5)

Learning Outcome: Be able to carry out post-production techniques and processes for an original media product to a client brief

Front cover:

Double page spread: 

Review of suitability with links to tools-

Strengths (front cover):

• Drop shadow tool- When creating my front cover I was able to use a range of techniques to meet the client brief. I used  range of tools such as the 'drop shadow' tool to create a 3D look. This made the magazine stand out and more unique. It made the magazine more engaging for the readers as the big words had more style and stood out making them eye catching. This links to the target audience because I am making it creative and adding a modern spin making it more appealing to my target audience. 

• Skyline- To create the skyline I used a range of tools to create a glow looking rectangle. I duplicated the layer and put them over each other to create a 3D look. I used a colour overlay to make it fit in with the colour theme of the magazine. I used and outer glow to create the final look. These were all easy tools yo use and find and with a little practise and playing around I was able to create a style that made the magazine stand out that little bit more. This links to my target audience because I am adding features from popular magazines read by my chosen audience, therefore by incorporating features such as a skyline makes the target audience relate to the magazine.  

• Colours- I used a range of colours to make the magazine diverse and stick out. I wanted it to connect with my target audience, therefore the colours I chose were appropriate to that audience. My colour theme throughout the creation of the magazine stayed the same. I chose grey for the background as it is a light colour which can easily be blended and colours added to it. I chose black and white for the text. This is because they are both bold shades which stand out and connect nicely with each other. Lastly I chose ed for the headings as it is a strong powerful colour which makes the magazine unique and easy to spot. his links to my target audience because that chosen age group likes basic bold colours and I have stuck with that throughout the creation of the magazine. 

Weaknesses (front cover)

• Colour- An improvement I could make is incorporating the yellow a bit more as it is a bright colour which will help the magazine stand out. But at the same time the puff is a big aspect of the magazine and is a way of selling it therefore having it a different colour allows it to stand out. This links with the target audience because they like bold colour and like the page to be different as they are representing the vibrant music scene. 

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Strengths (double page spread)

• Opacity- I wanted the background to stand out however not take away from the writing and other images. I used the opacity tool to fade out the background making it look faint but still visible. This made the writing stand out still but added more light and colour to the page. The tool was easy to use as it was one single button. It was a very time effective tool that changed my double page spread making it fit the client brief as I am using a North London venue. This links to my target audience because I have chosen a popular location which can easily be recognised by many youths. This is because it is a prime location for music concerts and for my chosen target audience. 

•  Drop  shadow - I used this tool to make the text stand out. I want the magazine to be a vibrant music magazine which connects with my chosen target audience. As my whole magazine isn't specifically about one particular genre by having a range of different effects and colours I was able to represent that in the creation of the product. This links back to the brief because it is representing a vibrant scene full of colours and links to my chosen target audience. By using a drop shadow it links to my target audience because by adding  an effect to the word 'exclusive' it exaggerates that word making it more appealing to the target audience. 

• Duplicating layers- I duplicated the layer to create a 3D effect. As i felt it will stand out more. I had important words written on the magazine and instead of highlighting them I created a 3d look. This meant they were very visible and easy to be seen. It made the front cover stand out due to the range of levels being used and added to theme and uniqueness of the magazine. This made certain words stand out which links to my target audience because of the range of effects used as this can inspire other individuals to be differing and become creative. 

Weaknesses (double page spread)

• Having to stretch the images & crop - Due to the layout of my double page spread and the Polaroid template certain images had to be stretched in order to fir into the boxes. This took some time and playing around with but eventually I managed to make it fit by stretching it. This is a weakness because I should have planned the size of the picture first and then created the Polaroid template to fit s a fame for the photos. This links to my target audience they like to see clear images, however when images get stretched they may not look as clear and this can effect eh way the readers see the model/artists who is headlining the front cover. 

• White text- I chose the colour of the text to be white before I decided a picture of Alexandra palace would be the background. The writing doest't stand out as much as I would have liked it to therefore making it hard for the audience to read. This may effect the magazine selling as individuals will not want to buy a magazine that is hard to read. This links to my target audience because white text can be hard to read and this may put my chosen target audience of buying the magazine.  

Justification:

Overall my work is suitable for my target audience. It doesn't contain any graphic content making it unreadable by certain age groups. It is available for all ages because it is easy to read and young audiences will be able to connect because of the relevant content.

It meets the client brief because it is all about the North London music scene as I focused on a Alexandra palace which is in North London. I focused on the vibrant music scene and researched the type of audience who attend a concert for Alexandra palace.