Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to

the full product?

Final Production pieces:

PreliminaryTask; Rock magazine for

college students

MainTask; Indie/Indie Folk magazine for 16-19

year olds

Planning & PreparationPreliminary Task: In the preliminary task, it was more general and small details were over

looked in order to get it done quicker. Not every part was taken on with as much knowledge and effort so it resulted in things being kept quite vague and to a basic level. It was more about getting a grasp of what I wanted for the magazine, rather than being

specific, to make sure that nothing was missed.Main Task: The planning for the main task was done a lot more detailed; taking care in

each part of the process to help me to be more than ready for the production. It made me aware how more important this stage was as it was the difference between my

magazine being successful or failing miserably.

Forms & ConventionsPreliminary Task: Apart from basic pieces of information that I had picked up from reading

magazines myself, I didn’t really know at the point what was typical for a magazine. This stage seemed to stay quite general and it was hard to consider conventions specific to

the genre, and even to a sub genre.Main Task: I devoted a lot more this time round in looking into existing magazines to find

out about the forms and conventions that would need to be applied to my final production piece. The analysis that I conducted was a lot more detailed and was done a

lot more closely by looking at two existing examples: NME and Artrocker which was done in the format of a video (something that I hadn’t considered using in the

Preliminary Task). Also, after doing the preliminary task, I now had existing knowledge to help me take on this part of the research without struggling too much.

TimingPreliminary Task: As the preliminary task was not as complex, timing was not as

important. As long as I kept to the main deadline, it didn’t seem to matter what order I did things in.

Main Task: However, with the main task and the deadlines being so much more serious, it meant that I had to keep on track. It made it easier breaking each main stage into smaller tasks more manageable and it made keeping to the dates a lot easier. I also now had access to new websites that help me create a timeline to follow to keep to dates, ready for the final deadlines. Also, I started to maintain order so that it was more like a process, rather than just combining all my ideas

together just to get the job done.

PhotographyPreliminary Task: The preliminary task was the first time I had used one of the professional cameras and so, when taking the photos during that post production, it was pretty much about learning the basics in order to get some sort of material to

use. Main Task: With the main task, I arranged taking the photos in advance, meaning that I

could get many photos that weren’t rushed and were suitable so that the magazine would not look forced. Also, I considered each shoot separately and each element was just as important as the next. It was now more about what was suitable for the

magazine, in terms of costumes, locations and poses, rather than just what was available to me at the time.

Post Production SkillsPreliminary Task: Once I had taken the photos, I assumed that they were ready to use on

the magazine. Being exposed to two new pieces of software, InDesign and Photoshop, was quite daunting as my skills on either one was very limited. At this point, it was more

about getting a magazine produced and less about it looking professional.Main Task: After using these programmes already, I was a lot more confident to try out new

things to make the photographs more effective for the magazine. I was able to use a lot more of the features and, to my advantage, it helped me to produce a better magazine

the second time round.

Preliminary: With the cover star for there was no effect

applied, she was only cut away from a plain background and placed in front of a black and

white image

Main: However, for this cover star a filter was placed over to take the photo and I used the “art history brush,” “clone stamp” and “spot healing” effects which made her

complexion more even and naturally flawless.

Target AudiencePreliminary Task: When making my magazine, my target audience and their profile was

very much still being considered. Although, this was more based on my interpretations of their views and so the magazine was more about what I wanted, rather than the

audience.Main Task: The target audience was a much bigger part of my making my magazine during

the main task. From the research and Planning (where I created profiles and made a focus group to give feedback on the first drafts), the Production (where my focus group

continued to give me their view after each part was completed) and the Evaluation (where they gave their final opinions over the final pieces) they have been more than necessary in letting me know how to make the best magazine for this genre as their

view was real, and not just what I wanted to hear. “Rockers and College Students”

“Indie, 16-19 years old”

Before moving on to the main task, I set my self three targets to help to improve to get a better grade. The research part of my coursework needed to improve in terms of detail. Looking back, I think that

I have managed to achieve this as it has been a lot closer, in terms of the analysis. With production, I wanted to make my magazine look more professional and sleek. By having more

experience with the software and by being more concise with my research, it meant that I was able to do this based on the knowledge that I gain from the previous task. Overall, I wanted my work to appear improved by focussing on the presentation. I worked hard to make my blog look neat and

organised, and more importantly in order, and I think this helped me to be in the frame of mind to do the same with my production piece and any tasks that followed.