Weekly Production Monitoring Blog- 29/03/11

This week, I worked independently and at college to get the production started.

Day 1: I sorted out and made all of the objects that needed to go onto my bin, i made the eyes and the arms, stuck them together so that they were ready to be attached to the bin the next day.  

Day 2: I had my photo shoot on the morning. Before i went i had to fix my bin up so that it had the eyes, mouth and arms attached. I then took it upstairs to the photo shoot room where i set up the props and put the model in place so that i could start to take the photos. I played around with the position of the model and the bin until i was happy; i also changed the position of which i was taking the pictures until i got a position which looked effective. After the photo shoot, i uploaded my pictures onto my computer and looked through them making sure i was happy with the shots that i had taken.

Day 3: I started to play around with the photos, finding the ones which were worth keeping and those that weren’t. I then started to load them into Photoshop so that i could start to edit them. I made up half of a front cover but then decided that i didn’t like the layout of it so i decided to start again with a different picture.

Day 4: I edited one of the pictures of the bin so that it had cartoon eyes, mouth and arms. I decided that this would be more effective on the front page rather than having a bin on there that didn’t stand out.

I feel as though everything that i did went to plan this week however there were a few problems which occurred. For example, when i was taking the bin up the stairs for the photo shoot, the arms and the eyes fell off so i had to re attach them when i got back up, taking more time up. I also had problems with Photoshop for example, i  merged my work together and then needed to edit it afterwards, once i had closed the programme therefore i had to start it all again. Again, taking up valuable time.  

This week, as well as using Photoshop and learning some new skills on there, I took some pictures and learnt how the lighting and positions affect the pictures. I learnt how to use the brush tool in Photoshop and i learnt how to use the magic selection tool to create the contrast between block colours. I used these skills whilst creating the mouth.

Targets:

Next week, I hope to get my magazine finished.

Day 1: I want to get the front cover almost finished and out of the way so that i can concentrate on my double page spread.

Day 2: Again, i think i will be working on the front cover so that it is nearly finished.

Day 3: I will start on my double page spread, making sure that i am still working on my front cover.

Day 4: I want to have finished it all and have it handed in.

Next week, i am going to have to use up a lot of my own time so that i can get the project finished. If i don’t use a lot of my own time then there is no way it will get finished because there just isn’t enough lesson hours available.

Contingencies:

The main problem that can occur this week is me not getting my project finished. Hopefully, this problem wont occur because i will have worked so much in my own time. Other little problems may occur also such as Photoshop and InDesign not working or the computers breaking down. If this occurs then i will have to trail around finding other computers that i am able to use.

 This is the first front cover i did. This is the one i wasn't happy with so i decided to re do it and make it a little better with the items on it standing out.

This is where i am up to now on my front cover. As you can see, i have used a different image for the bin and placed the picture of Adam infront of it so that it has more depth. Also you can see that i have edited the picture of the bin to make it look more like a cartoon which makes it stand out more.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog- 21/03/11

Progress:

This week, I worked independently and at college to get the production started.

Day 1: I finished off the article layout in InDesign and ready so that I could add in the text and the pictures next week.  I also got the pictures that I had taken of my other model uploaded onto the computer so that I could resize them into the poster advertisement size.

Day 2: I placed the edited photos onto the Photoshop document so that they were there, ready for the final production of it. I also made the letters for the separated sub titles in a different font and added effects to them so that they were also ready to place in position on the final product.

Day 3: I have my photo shoot next week so I decided to leave the work on the documents for after this. This is because I wouldn’t be able to place the other objects on the page in the correct places until i have the photos actually on the page and in life size.

Day 4: In the lesson, I helped a friend out with his photos so i was up in the Photo Studio for most of the lesson. When i came back down, I started to search on the internet for Cartoon feature ideas that i could stick on the bin for my Photo shoot.

I feel as though everything that i did went to plan however I feel as though i could have accomplished more if i have had booked my photo shoot earlier. By now, i should have all of the photos loaded onto the computer so that i can start editing etc. But i don’t so the consequence of this is not having as much time for the actual production of the magazine.

This week, i again, only used Photoshop and InDesign. There was no new skills learnt, and the skills that i used, i had touched on before hand in other lessons.

Targets:

Next week, I hope to get my magazine nearly finished.

Day 1: I want to get my bins sorted, so all of the features want to be printed out, and ready to stick onto them for the photo shoot the next day.

Day 2: I hope to get my photos taken by around half 9 so that I can use the rest of the lesson to upload them and start putting them into the documents.

Day 3: On this day, i want to write up my article so that this is in place. I also hope to start editing the front page in Photoshop.

Day 4: I want to carry on with the Photoshop front cover so that i can get this finished.

In my own time, i will come up to the media room and use the library so that I can also get the article started and on a moving progression at the same time.

Contingencies:

The main problem that could occur this week is the model not turning up for the Photo shoot. If this problem occurs then i will have to use someone else and then as a consequence, I may have to change the style of my front cover. Another problem that could occur, as in every other week, is the computers not working, if this happens, then i will have to use my time efficiently and sort other things out that doesn’t need the computers.

This is the progression of the front cover... as you can see, i have put the letters on so that they are apart from each other and have added effects to them. I also have added two pictures in and have edited a bar code.

This is the progression of the article layout. As you can seem there is a font for the quote along the top that i like, there is also the article written into it. I have managed to get ahead of my schedule as placing the text into the article was organised for next week.



Production Monitoring Blog - 8/03/11

Progress:

This week I started to complete my AS Treatment Handbook. I also started to draw up/think of front cover designs and article ideas. This week, I concentrated solely on the post production process making sure that everything was ready for the next week when I was starting my actual unit 3 Production.

Day 1: I started to complete my AS Treatment Handbook, I also completed the Story Style Planning Document, and this was a plan of everything that I wanted to include in my production so I had a plan to run off when it came to the production process.

Day 2: I continued with my AS Treatment Handbook, trying to get this completed.  I also finished drawing the first ideas for the front cover. I changed the title from ‘UNKNOWN’ to ‘SMASHED’ this was because it seemed to have more of an effect and looked like more effort had been put into the magazine.

Day 3: I finally finished the AS Treatment Handbook, with this out of the way I was able to continue with the rest of the pre production process.  By now, I had started to think of some article ideas in detail, using my research to find out things that would be relevant to put in.

Day 4: By now, I had started to put all of my ideas together to form an idea that I wanted to use on my final product. Bearing this in mind, I drew up a final flat plan of my front cover.

I feel as though this week, everything went to plan and there were no major problems that prevented the progress of my production from running smoothly. I would say that the only problem for me was the lack of inspiration and ideas. I had to spend a lot of time doing extra research on what my target audience are in to and how to create the front cover that will appeal to this.

This week, there were no major technical skills that I have learnt because most of my work was done by hand. For example, all of my drawings were done by hand as I thought that I could replicate my ideas better through hand drawing rather than trying to find pictures etc. from the Internet and then editing them in Photoshop. This also, would have been extremely time consuming, leaving little time for the rest of my pre production process.

Targets:

This week, I am going to have to complete the pre production process so that my actual production can start.

Day 1: I am going to double check my page ideas and I am going to complete my mood board so that this can be handed in.

Day 2: I am going to use InDesign to design my double page spread and get the initial layout sorted s that it is ready to then just place all of my information, articles and pictures into it.

Day 3: On this day, I will double check my Unit 3 folder to make sure that I have everything up to date and ready to be handed in. I will also continue with the article lay out.

Day 4: I want to start placing some text into the article layout, downloading fonts etc. I also want to start creating my front page on Photoshop.

I will have to make sure that I am extremely organised so that I can get the first part of my Unit 3 folder handed in and out of the way so that I can concentrate solely on the production process. I will have to make sure that the computers are free when I need them because if I can’t get a computer then I won’t be able to complete the work as I don’t have the computer programmes at home.

I will also have to learn and use a range of technical skills. This includes efficient use of Photoshop and InDesign. I will have to learn how to edit text, the colours, photos etc. And how to place everything I want on the page in a way that looks professional and not overcrowded.

Contingencies:

The problems I may encounter next week are just problems with the computers. They may not be available or there may be technical problems with them that stop me from making progress. If these problems occur, then I will have to make use of my time. I would draw my ideas etc. Instead of starting to put them through on to the computers.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog- 15/03/11

Progress:

This week I started to work on my Unit 3 work in more detail. I finished the AS Treatment article, mood board, schedule, two article ideas, two flat plans and rationales and 2 front cover design ideas.

Day 1: I finished off my front cover and double page spread ideas. I started to write up my photo shoot plan and my flat plans/rationales.

Day 2: On day 2 I finished off my flat plans and rationales, I made sure that the rationales were written up well enough that when it came to making the final products, I could bounce my ideas back off them to help me produce them.

Day 3: I printed off all of the Unit 3 work so far, I made sure that everything was in the folder and was in order. This was everything from the AS Treatment Handbook all the way through to my Flat plans and rationales.

Day 4: I looked for fonts that represented the feeling that I wanted the magazine to put across. To do this, I used http://www.dafont.com/ and looked through the horror section. I wanted to create a feeling of fear. I then used the quotes that I had put in my story style planning document and I chose the best one to put across the top of the double spread page.

Day 5: Outside of lesson, I decided that I would come to the library and work on my ideas some more. I started to make up my front cover in Photoshop. I played around with the place of the masthead and the places where the pictures etc would go.

I feel as though everything did go to plan this week and I feel as though I can concentrate more on the production process now because the folder has been handed in, this means that I don’t have to worry about getting behind with any work.

This week, I have used Photoshop and InDesign a lot. This means that I have been actively learning. I have learnt how to layout my design effectively. I have also learnt how to smooth out photos etc. so that they look more professional.

Targets:

Next week I have to get right into the production of this final product.

Day 1: I am going to get the front cover sorted, I am going to put in the other photos for the posters etc and get the main parts of it done so that I just have to place my photos onto the page, ready for editing,

Day 2: I am going to take my photos on Wednesday the 23^rd at 9:00, these then will be uploaded onto my system and I can start to sort through them, choosing the ones I need for the cover and the double page spread.

Day 3: I am going to write up my article and place the photo on the page. I am going to edit it first in Photoshop and put a red tint to the page.

Day 4: I will start to place the photos on to my front cover and start to edit the page.

Contingencies:

The problems that could occur this week are, the model not turning up or the computers not working. If the model doesn’t turn up then I will have to use my backup models instead.

This was my first design layout for my double page spread. I decided this looked too crowded and so I decided to change it.

This is my final design idea for the double page spread. I decided this was better because it is a lot less crowded and looks a lot more intimidating for the target audience.

This is the font I decided would be effective for the front cover. I learnt how to make the splashes around the font and so i put this into use and used it on this.