Evaluation Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Since my preliminary task, I have gained, developed and improved personal and physical skills that, before the preliminary task, I was unaware I had. 
During the preliminary task, I found working on PhotoShop a continuous struggle, however since finishing that task and now creating this media product, I realise how my skills have improved and how my confidence when using it has developed, also. 
I was never a great photographer. During my preliminary task I was lucky with my photo, as, by chance, I had a professional camera and a very photogenic model. When working on my coursework, I have seen how much more you need to plan, and understand that things will go wrong but you will always have the opportunity to try again. From this, I have developed my camera skills, along with enabling my self to stay calm in stressful situations. 
I have learnt to experiment with other ideas, fonts, pictures and styles; allowing myself to develop my imagination and to not be afraid to try something out of the ordinary. 
Furthermore, from receiving class and teacher feedback, I have no learnt to feel confident in any work I produce as nothing is perfect, there are always room for improvements and I have done the best I could.

Evaluation Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Throughout the construction of this product, I have learnt how to improve my skills on PhotoShop, seeing as I had only used it once before: when constructing my preliminary task. I have learnt how to cut shapes out of a picture, for example, cutting the model out of the background, as well as other things including various editing and adjusting to the image, laying, creating new shapes, etc. 
All of this was done on either a Macbook or an iMac. These were fairly new to me so using them during this course has proven a struggle, however, after trials and errors, I have got used to them.
During this course, I have used various cameras, and tried and tested them to get the best image. I learnt that lighting is very important in cooperation with the camera to take the perfect shot.
I have also learnt how to use online facilities such as, Prezi, Slideshare, Dafont and Tumblr. I used Prezi and Slideshare to make and upload presentations linking to the construction of my product. I used Dafont to find and experiment with fonts appropriate for my product. And finally, I used Tumblr to create an online mood board about my genre.

Evaluation Questions 4 & 5

Evaluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I have previously researched magazine publishers and 

I chose IPC Media to distribute my magazine.
IPC are renowned for being very successful: selling over 350 million copies every year, meaning they have the expertise to sell my product.
They have 3 current publishing divisions: Connect, Southbank and Inspire. Two of these divisions, Connent and Southbank, publish magazines that are targeted for women. One of the main social groups, and a huge part of my target audience, is women, so they have the access to release my product to the perfect target market.
IPC also publish a well known music magazine: NME. This magazine is hugely successful. This magazine was around during the disco era, and although it explores a completely different genre, the original creators will be no stranger to disco. 
From publishing a music magazine, IPC have the experience to publish my product. And their other products allow them to seem reliable and experienced to publish mine.

I therefore choose IPC media for two main reasons: 

• Firstly, because they target their magazines to a wide range of audiences, some of who my target audience may apply to.
• Secondly, they are a very successful publishing company and already publish a major music magazine, so they know the field. 

Dear IPC Media,

I am writing to your publishing company requesting that you consider my new magazine, ‘Groove’.

‘Groove’ is a new disco magazine which considers music from the disco era as well as current artists incorporating disco into their music. This magazine will be aimed at adults over the age of 35, as they would have witnessed or enjoyed disco music more.

I looked at a wide range of publishing companies, however, your company stood out the most for me because of the magazines you currently publish and the target audience: adult men and women. ‘Groove’ has the potential to bring an exciting platform for exposure, via your publishing company, to an untapped age group.

With you outstanding sale numbers of 350 million copies a year, and that you are so versatile: publishing magazine types from fashion, to cars, to a major music magazine, ‘NME’, I believe you are the perfect company to help make ‘Groove’ very successful.

Kind regards,

Annie.

Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation Question 2 from AnnieHellier1

Evaluation Question 1: In what ways does your media produce use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Evaluation from Annie Hellier

Front Cover - Step by step

Double Page Spread

Contents Page

Front Cover

Coursework (so far)

Re-capturing a photo

In the previous post, I mentioned that I needed to re-capture a couple of photos. I am very pleased with the result of the second shoot. The floor photos came out much clearer and my model felt more comfortable second time round, making it easier to get the right pose.

This is the photo I have chosen from the shoot. I think this photo is effective as the contrast between the dress and the floor stands out clearly, and the model looks serious which is another good contrast to the 'fun' colours and patterns of the dress. 

I edited the photo by just adding a vintage filter to give the 60/70's disco impression. 

I will use this photo for my double page spread.

Before/After