Continue developing your music magazine or soap opera.
SOAP OPERA BRIEF:
When you study other title sequences, you notice how the main cast are introduced, often one by one.
- Their name appears clearly in the frame next to them.
- They are often framed in close-up or mid shot.
- They are engaged in doing something that makes their characters and roles within the soap clear to the audience.
- They may be represented in freeze frame or in action.
- Design this so that their names are clearly legible. This means arranging 'white space' or an uncluttered bit of background in the frame at the planning stage.
- You should be drawing this as you imagine it. Use a Post-it.
- This sort of camerawork can be seen in the title sequence of TV programmes like Suits, The West Wing, which we have looked at.
- It engages the audience because it is lively with lots of movement for the eyes to follow.
- There may be dialogue between the characters, in which they talk about an issue that is interesting, one that will form the basis of a narrative thread.
- It allows for the two plots / narratives to be launched.
- There may be an 'ensemble' (group) shot at the end.
- Character 1 is a musician? In addition to a mid shot, plan an over-the-shoulder shot of them playing.
- Character 2 has a secret relationship / hobby that her family / friends don't know about? In addition to a CU or mid shot of him / her, plan a point of view shot where something is being concealed.
- Character 3 is sporty? Introduce him / her from behind and have him / her spin face front to the camera.
- Character 4 is always in trouble for being late, sleepy? Plan a high angle shot above their face as the alarm goes off.
Plan your soundscape. Most soaps have a musical soundtrack. Your target audience is 14-16 and you are broadcasting before the 9 p.m. watershed, so you need to avoid anything dark or too adult. Aim to provide entertainment, escapism, diversion.
MUSIC MAGAZINE BRIEF:
Your main splash is the central most important item for you to decide, as it dominates both the cover and the double page spread.
- Plan how the musician(s) will be framed on your front cover. Draw out roughly where their head and body will go. Don't be afraid to base your composition on real music magazines.
- It is essential to plan the photo shoot background so that it is as plain as possible: you will have a lot of other writing and images on the front which must be easy to read and see.
- Exactly what is your musician wearing?
- Your music magazine will sell well if the reader is promised an exciting read. What is the story that you promise to tell the readers inside on the double page?
- Music magazines are 'busy' visually. Write out the text for your additional cover lines (the other stories that you say are inside your magazine). They do nt have to be written. They do not have to involve 'real' musicians.
- Pay careful attention to the genre. You wouldn't have a girl band in a heavy metal magazine.
- This is your chance to be really creative. Which of your friends is prepared to dress up and have their photo taken for the parts? Plan your costumes and instruments.
- The key here is the layout. Feel free to base your grid of text and images on a successful layout that you admire somewhere in a real magazine.
- The priority is: does it LOOK good? Don't feel that you need to cram text into every corner.
- Write the article. Who are you covering? Is it a question / answer formula? Are you writing as the journalist asking the questions? Write the sub-headings. These break up the text. Write the photo captions.
