This document is a log book for a student's music magazine production preliminary task. It provides details of the student's progress on creating the front cover and contents page for the magazine. For the front cover, the student describes adding elements like the masthead, tagline, barcode, cover stories, images, and price. For the contents page, the student outlines structuring the page, including the main story image, contents heading, story titles, editorial image and story images. Research is also included on established music magazine Billboard and its target audience and unique selling point.

1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Preliminary Task, Log Book
Name: Toni-Louise Hopkins
Candidate Number: 6660
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
Music Magazine – Production
Preliminary Task Progression, Log Book and
Evaluation

2. Preliminary Task Progression– Evidence
Front Cover
I started my Front cover by coming up with
a masthead and tagline that will promote
my magazine and my main story. I placed
both of these on my page along with a
border of the school colours for branding. I
then added some social networking logos
for the viewers so that they can explore my
magazine further. I then placed in the
barcode with the date and issue number
and a few cover stories.
Next, I added the school logo clearly next
to my masthead as it is a school magazine. I
felt that my cover stories needed a main
title and so I made that clear on my page. I
also added a puff/promotional feature
giving my audience the chance to win a
music voucher.
Then I decided to add the price clearly near
the masthead, because it is a school
magazine I realise that the cost will have to
be low as school children will not want to
spend or have the money to spend on a
magazine. I then added one of the images
for my cover stories. I used a student from
the school as it will be more personal to
the viewers.

3. I then paced in my main image. I decided to
use a real photo from the school event the
story is on as it will be more interesting for
the readers as those who were at the event
will be able to recall seeing them. I then
added another cover story that I felt the
audience will be able to identify with.
Finally I made any finishing touches to my
magazine. This included adding an effect
and shadow onto the main image as these
touches will make the image fit the theme
of Halloween further and entice the
audience.

4. Preliminary Task Progression– Evidence
Contents Page
First of all I created the main structure of
my magazine whilst following the colour
scheme used on the front cover. This then
made it easier for me to add anything that
was missing from the page. I created
specific areas for the editorial, main story
and something new to the magazine to
create a puff/promotional feature.
Next. I started adding in where the stories
will go. I chose to put the main image in
the center as the audience will notice it
more if it is a central element of the page. I
also added the main title of the page,
which is the Contents. For the extra story I
used a bold bubble with the word NEW as
it will interest the reader and stand out on
the page.
I then continued by adding the titles of the
stories featured in my magazine in a bold,
clear text. I also placed in my editorial
image. It is important to include every story
that features in the magazine on the
contents page so the audience has the
option to go to what they want.

5. Next, I typed out my editorial using the
appropriate language that will appeal to my
target audience. I also started adding a few
images onto my page to make it a bit more
interesting and to allow my audience to
visualize.
Finally I added all the images to fit with the
stories featured in my magazine and that I
felt were appropriate and useful in
attracting my readers and encouraging
them to read on.

6. Section 1) – Log Book

7. Masthead
Main Headline
Barcode/Price/
Date/Issue No.
Cover lines
Main Image
Tagline

8. Masthead
Main
Headline
Barcode
Cover lines
Main Image
Date/price/I
ssue No.
TagLine

9. Masthead
Main Headline Barcode/Price/Dat
e/Issue
Cover lines
Main Image
Puff/Promotion

10. Music Magazine – Genre and Publisher research
Billboard magazine is published by Prometheus Global Media, it is published weekly,
the first issue was printed on November 1st, 1894. This magazine is based in New
York, USA. It was originally founded by William H. Donaldson and James Hennegan.
On average, they sell around 16,327 copies per issue.
The target audience for Billboard Magazine would be for young teens from the age
of around 16, to young adults around the age of 26. this is because the genres of
music appeals to this kind of audience, they focus mostly on the latest charts. This is
useful to widen the audience of the magazine, they cover genres such as rock,
medal, pop and R n B.

11. Established Magazine for my Research
Masthead
Main Headline
Barcode/Price/Date/
Issue
Cover lines
Main Image
Convergence
There is no use of a
Strapline in this magazine as
it is a very popular
magazine already and
doesn’t need any kind of
promotion. However I will
include it on my magazine
to help with branding of my
magazine.
There is no use of Puff on
this magazine cover but I
think that all magazine
should include it, as it will
bring in a larger audience.

12. Target Audience – according to Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-
economic needs
The target audience for Billboard magazine can be denoted as a music
magazine for 16-26 year olds, it appeals to people who are looking to boost
their self esteem according to Maslow. They will find this in billboard because
they will find that they will find confidence as you are gaining your knowledge
of music news and improving yourself image as you can gain fashion
knowledge from the clothes your favourite stars wear.
The unique selling point of Billboard magazine
From the research completed into this media product, I think the USP is that
for every issue of the magazine you can change the colour scheme and layout
of the magazine but you can still tell its from Billboard. The branding of
Billboard magazine is strong and that is why it is so successful.

13. Publisher research
• My magazine of inspiration is published by ‘Billboard Publications’ and
‘Prometheus Global Media’.
• ‘Prometheus Global Media’ are also in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter,
Adweek, The CLIO Awards and the Film Expo Group.