eval

1. FACTUALWRITING
EVALUATION

2. Research
■ Before even beginning to think of an idea I did research into fanzines. I had basic knowledge over fanzines and what they
were like but I wanted to know more and look at some more first hand. I took to the internet and made a collection of
fanzines I liked in a mood board, I then created different styles and topics. Finally I created a list of potential ideas and a
dictionary of helpful links for future me.
■ After doing this initial research I came up with my idea then I did specific content research. I had to look into the actual
content, looking at articles. Documentaries, films, theories and really submerging into the whole topic. I researched
different specific people right to the way the mind works. Each element of my research allowed me to be able to write up
drafts and ideas a lot easier as I had a much better understanding and forefront knowledge. The research worked really
well and I feel like because I did this so well it meant that the rest of the project was much more smooth sailing.

3. Research
■ After the secondary research I carried out a primary research. It was a series of questions which I asked people
and then recorded their answers. I carried this research out as I wanted to know about people’s general
knowledge of serial killers, what they knew and also wanted to find out their opinions and feelings about the
topic, this whole part of the research was to connect with the audience so that I could make a product that I
knew would be interesting but something which they could follow. I wanted the audience to be able to enjoy
my product as well as being able to understand and follow it.The responses I got from this were positive and
beneficial allowing me to make a product for the audience to enjoy.

4. Planning After the research it was onto planning. Planning was where I put
initial thoughts onto paper.The first amount of planning that I did was
on the look of the fanzine. I knew I wanted a grunge, worn out look
with some blood splatters. I looked into colours, different potential
fonts and photography styles as I knew I wanted to include all of these
aspects in the fanzine so I used this to research and made some
organized planning. This planning technique worked well as it
allowed me to make the thoughts more of a reality and get some
ideas onto paper.This process also gave me more ideas for the
production and things started coming together.
The next type of planning I did was mock designs. I already had a good idea of what I wanted
to include in my final piece as well as the ideas that came from the initial plan. I used a brief
design and bullet point structure to make these mock designs and plans.
This was a strong technique as in the production it meant that I could easily put everything
together as everything was pre set out in these mock designs. It also allowed me to make
most of the errors now so when it came to the actual production there were hardly any
errors made. If I was to do this project again I would do mock designs like this as I feel like
they really benefited my work and made it work so much better. I feel like this plan really
made my product what it is.
The final planning I did was pagination.This was the least successful part of my planning as it was
really tedious to have to make sure everything would be in the right order when printed.This is
not my strongest part of planning as I just get overly confused.After finally getting it in some
correct order I feel like it worked, it took longer than it probably should have but when it came to
production it worked well and helped me to organize the work especially the final pieces.

5. Preparation &Time management
■ As well as the planning stage there was also a preparation stage.This is after the idea and the research when things really
started coming together. I wrote up a draft of what text I wanted to include in my fanzine, this was everything from fact file
to the articles. All of the information went into the first draft, I then edited it into draft 2 and removed any information
which was not so important, changed words and then edited it to fit the content and pages of my fanzine.This worked
really well as it allowed me to be able to edit the text and make sure that the content was what I wanted to include in this.
As well as being a preparation for the final product this was also for time management purposes as it allowed me to not
have to write everything as I went, having drafts confirmed there was all the content I wanted and it was all wrote out for
when I needed it during production.This was a half a day task which allowed me to speed up production and have a
successful final piece.

6. Time management During the pre production planning I made a time planning
schedule.This schedule meant that I could plan out
everything I had to do according to the time scale and
deadline I was given.
In my previous project I didn’t stick to my production time
plan which meant that it was hard to complete all of the
tasks to the deadline. Due to this, when I did this time plan
I tried to really look into each part and located where
needed more focus and time to create a much stronger,
efficient time plan.
This schedule worked really well on this project. It allowed
me to keep to plan whilst getting this work done to a high
standard and on time.This was a successful part of the
planning, having this meant that I knew what I was doing
and when to do it, this working with all of the pre planning
elements really made sure that my work was done to the
deadline and each part of the production was completed
to a set time so that each part of production had the time
it needed so everything was as equally well done.
If I was to do this project again or any other future projects
I would do a time plan like this again and make sure I stick
to it as it made everything so much more easier and
relaxed than other projects when plans are forgotten
about.

7. Plan to production
When I was doing my plan I made a lot of page plans, as these were really in detail
I ended up being able to take my plans and ideas to put them into these page
plans.When it came to production I then just made these page plans into the
actual product.This whole plan meant that I could make the product a lot better
and also produce it without too much hassle and uncertainty.
The plan to production was a smooth transition. My plans were very thorough,
strong and detailed which meant I knew exactly what I wanted to do, how I
wanted it and where I wanted it. Having this plan was the best thing I did within
the project as it allowed me to know what I was doing making the production very
successful.
In other projects my planning was not this detailed and when it came production it
meant that I couldn’t achieve the level I wanted on time. In future projects I would
stick to this planning process of ideas, drafts, write ups and detailed plans as it
makes the whole process a lot more efficient.The overall outcome is much
stronger and holds my potentials.
To make the planning even more successful I could even trial some ideas more,
like trialling methods of magazine writing, the splatters and even the backgrounds
as this is some of the stuff that held me down during this production time but
other than that it was a strong enough method of planning.

8. Final product for the audience
During the planning I never really finalised an audience as a specific, like I never wrote it down as a ‘this is the audience’
I did touch upon this and I knew who my audience was. I should have probably wrote down the audience within my
planning as I would have made more sense but we live and learn.
Throughout my production I did keep the product aimed to my target audience.When doing the research I knew I had
to have the final product aimed from 16 up, as the primary and secondary researched showed that the content was
graphic and explicit so to keep the product interesting and intriguing meant I had to keep the details so I just made the
target audience of age 16+.There was no gender specification but I feel like it would be for a working to middle class
due to the content and style of the product it is very grunge and not professional and sleek.
Throughout the project I used a range of different photography styles, I have edited some pre existing secondary
images, I have also painted some texture images- blood splatters and stains, I have drawn images and I have also taken
photographs of my own and edited them. I have used the mixed media to suit each page individually however they are
all following the same house style, I have made sure that all of the images fit together as a grunge yet simple look, this
makes it easy for the audience to understand what is going on but for it to still fit the theme that is going on within my
work.The audience of my work are going to have an interest in crime so I have tried to make sure that these images fit
my style of work as well as the audience enjoying them, I have kept them fairly professional but added character and
edge to give that look that I wanted and the audience will enjoy.
The language I have used is using the right terminology for the subject with the correct meanings, this in a way is more
professional and complex; however for the topic it is needed to have all of this terminology and meaning as it is a really
in-depth and detailed it needs to be explained, this being the only way which does so. As I feel like some of my audience
are going to be a bit younger I have tried to keep other parts simple, less formal just so that there is that balance for
other potential audience. For the most of it the language that I have used is very strong and even a bit fervent at times,
this is just because it is research based and people will access this for information so I have tried to keep this as
information and professionally informative as much as I can.
The actual text and visuals of the text contrast a lot with the content of the text been more professional and formal the
font is a lot more characterising for the product.This is aimed to the audience as it makes the writing more comfortable
and less lecture like, this works well for this product, complimenting the text and the audience will like it.
The overall look of this product is really drove for the audience.The design and layout were both brought together for
the audience in thought and mind. Using the research that I carried out before production I made sure that the visuals
for this were that really old, grunge look with hints of blood and ink to really give that murder scene look.

9. Content of the final product
■ Photos & Images
In my final product I used a rang of different photograph and image styles in my work. I used existing images sourced
from a secondary source which I edited into the style that I wanted. I also drew some outline art for little images and
detail, I also used drawing and the paint tool to create the blood splatters. I also took my own photographs and edited
them to fit the existing style which my fanzine was in. By using all of these photograph styles it has allowed me to be
able to have different types of imagery within my product whilst still keeping the style that I want. I have managed to
keep everything in this style even though that they are all different styles of imagery. I like the look of using mixed
media in this pro if I was to do this again I think I would try and use some of my own images, I did use a few on this but
I feel like I could have added ore and maybe used different textiles and art designs to make the product more mixed
and have that grunge style.
■ Font
Like images I used different font styles to create the more creative look in the project, I used fonts to break up and
categorize the information as well as using it as a visual aspect of the product. I feel like font was a good way of being
able to have that creative flow within the work and have some more visual aspects as well as using it to give the
information that was needed. For the headings, titles and subheadings I used a range of different type writing fonts
from a download site, these fonts allowed me to create different looks but have that same style, some were more
inky and blotchy which just gives an overall look.These fonts allowed me to have that look I wanted and give a bit of
art to the product.
For the general font typing I used a much more natural looking type writing font.This kept that same look that I
wanted but this font was much more readable which is better for the audience and it made the writing look more
sleek and professional. I also used this general font and just put it in bold, italics or caps to give a different look but
have it in the same font so kept it in the same visual look.
Finally I used paper clippings and spelt out words on paper and scanned them in. this gave a very serial killer looking
font as it is very letter like. I liked this as it made text a lot more visual in the sense it was more of an image then text
which just broke it up. I used it a lot in titles, this made the work more appealing and people will be more into reading
it when it stands out so much.

10. Content of the final product
■ Text
The text was the main part of the fanzine, it was what the fanzine was so when it came to including the text within
the fanzine I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too much all at once. I made sure that the text was in a way which
complimented the page layout, the images and the style. I wanted to avoid the whole of just essay block text because
it is hard to read, boring and visually boring. To avoid this I used a
few different techniques and styles to make this work and not becoming boring. I used subheadings and dividers to
categories text, time lines, fact files, quote pages and a bit of block text.This was a good way to get all of the
information I wanted into the product as well as having a good way to break it down and display it all.The actual
content of the text ranged from serial killers killings, quotes, statistics and general knowledge.The layout which I
have used has worked well with these and makes reading the text more fun.
■ Textures
Something I wanted within my work was a lot of textures.These textures are really beneficial to give the overall look
of the fanzine, by adding these textures it is giving more definition and more of a visual for the look that I wanted.
Texture is something that can add to the overall look and really improve the quality of the visuals.The audience have
something to feel with. I added blood splatters, creased paper, ink stains- all of which added to that damaged
dangerous look. I like these textures and I feel like they did add to the overall look, I think if I did this project again
then I would definitely add these textures again and even experiment with more.
■ Colour
During the planning stage I knew I wanted a beige and monochrome colour scheme with hints of red.This was so
there was a colour scheme that matched the content of the project.The beige, brown and monochrome was to keep
that dirty sort of unpolished look that you would expect around the topic of serial killers.The hints of red are
representation of danger, blood and fear.This contrasts well with the monochrome so not only is it a visual and
metaphorical aspect it also has some genuine contrast to make the look of the product better and stronger. I like the
colour scheme and I feel like it has really complimented the final product as well as fitting in with the topic. I think I
would still have this same colour scheme if I was going to do this project again. If I added more colours or changed the
scheme it would not have the same effect on the audience and the product then it would now with this scheme.

11. The style of the final product
I think that the overall style of my work
is a clean yet grunge look.
There is a bold contrast between the
space and clearness against the really
dirty and stained look that is given.
There is a lot of dark sketchy looking
parts that give a stained marked
illusion, this works as there is still that
blank space which allows that
clearness so it works.
There is a running mood through my
work, it is a bit of a dingy look, the
language and content within the work
is very dark so you get a bit of a dark
vibe when reading and going through
this work. It is not at all a happy topic
or a gentle read so I think it is
important that there is that clear space
where the audience can think and have
that time.
The overall style is dark but there is
that balance so it does work. All of the
different elements of this fanzine have
added up to having this style. Right
from the planning process I knew I
wanted there to be a lot of texture,
splatters, ink stains and what not to
give that feeling of darkness, almost a
portrayal of what you’re reading.
Having this physical look makes the
general read have the style.The
content and visuals both bounce off
each other which just makes the style
and feel of the product a lot more bold
and apparent.

12. The skills used to make the final product
Before even starting the project I used research skills to find
out what I wanted to produce, my audience, the content and
all of the in-betweens. I used both primary and secondary
research to come up with a really good and successful plan of
action. I had a really strong plan, I knew what I wanted and
how I was going to do it. My research skills were very crucial
within this stage and they are ultimately what drove me to the
success of my final piece.
I then used literature skills to advance my planning
into the actual drafting of my work, this was a really
key point again, before I even began production I
had to use this pre production to make sure
everything was successful. I think the draft was a
really strong point. I have drafted a few of my
previous projects so I used my skills from then and
my general English knowledge which made sure
that this draft was successful.

13. The skills used to make the final product
I used photography and photo editing to create some of the
images that I used within the fanzine and final product.This
process was using skills that I already had to take the images, then
using my general editing knowledge as well as research within the
editing to get this casted, smoky, dull looking image that
represents serial killers and the running grunge like theme within
the fanzine.This was a use of current skills as well as a
development of skills.
I used image manipulation on images that I sourced from a
secondary outlet.This is because the images I wanted to use were
not in the way I needed them to be for my actual outcome and
theme.
Again this was a use of my own existing skills, using Photoshop I
was able to remove parts of the image, add effects and really
manipulate the photographs accordingly. I think that this worked
well for these. I had to do a bit of trial and error to get some of the
effects working right.

14. The skills used to make the final product
For the magazine clipping text I had to use a scanning
process which was basically sticking the lettering down
onto paper and then scanning it into the computer then
going onto Photoshop and tweaking it.This was
something I haven’t done with lettering before. I have
done it with images and scanning them so I just used the
same process and it did work well for me.This was a good
skill and I feel like it is something I can use in my work in
the future. I like the process, it is quick and easy and the
outcome is successful.
This brain image was the biggest skill development I
think. I took an existing outline and tried to edit it. In my
process shots you can see that I trialed a bunch of
different editing.The issue was the fact I couldn’t make
the edit match what I wanted and the positioning on the
screen.
I ended up drawing over my edited images and then just
added this into it. I used Photoshop to make the
drawing layer. It wasn’t something that I would usually
do but it worked for this piece and was somewhat
successful.

15. The development of my skills
I think that it is pretty certain that my
skills within print have developed and
continue to develop into this project.
There is a lot more space awareness
and professionalism within this piece
of work than some of my others.
Even my most current projects I have
learnt a lot more about how to make
work and how to make it look how I
want it to. I have a more clearer
understanding and my skillset is much
more wider which is allowing me to use
more skills within my work as well as
my general knowledge and awareness
to make much stronger pieces of work.
My work is a lot more thought through
and detailed then some of my other
pieces, it has a lot more skills within it
as well as containing more personal
knowledge that makes it look
presentable and more professional.
Overall there has been a strong
improvement of my skills and which
have made this whole project not only
run more smoothly but also have a
much more effective looking final
piece.

16. Comparison to other products
If you look at the final product I made and
compare it to other general fanzines you can see
that mine is a lot more digitally made, there is less
hand input that gives these other fanzines a quirky
individual look. However the same content is
there, images and text that is presented in a book
like format.
If you then look at another serial killer related
fanzine they have the same general style of block
text and the textured paper look with some blood
splatters.
Fanzines are very individual in the sense of them
being an independent type project where you get
to put whatever you want into it, it is a bit of a free
running style project.
My fanzine does have some of the typical traits
and look of a fanzine which makes it look like what
it should but it is a lot more clean and tidy
compared to some of the other fanzines out there.

17. Areas to improve on
Looking back on this project I feel like the overall outcome was one of my more successful projects. I got this completed on time and stuck to my time scale
throughout. Nothing went majorly against the initial plan that I had.As the actual plan was so deep and thought through with sketch ups and mock designs, this
really intense planning meant that my final product was a success.
However there are points in the actual work where if I was to redo this project I would think through a bit more and it could potentially make the work much
better.
I don’t think that there are major downfalls and points which need a big improvement, the next time I do a project I just need to make sure that I make this plan
just as good and stick to the plan like I did this time, this is what made the project a success.
The hand on the
contents page is
potentially the
bane of this whole
project. I dislike
how it sits and
looks, without it
there is so much
space and nothing
to fill it with.
If I was to do this
project again I
would sort this
space out, this hand
needs some
shadowing or
something to make
it look more
realistic and fitting
on the page.
This image of
Jeffery Dahmer
is also not the
best. I edited
this image to
make it look like
a sketch. I feel
like this is just
not what I
wanted it to
look like so I
would spend
more time on
this and
potentially sort
it out.
Some of the text
wording and
positioning has a
bit of a downfall
on the pages as it
makes
everything drag. I
feel like I could
go and delete
this and move
things about a bit
more to make
everything
spread out more
equally and look
more equal.