2. Choosing my models
I believing choosing a model is an extremely important stage of creating a
magazine. The model symbolises the audiences main influence and therefore
has to successfully represent the magazine, genre and cover feature. They also
have to represent the identity of my target audience. Last year I limited myself
to only one model which I feel made my work lack variation and depth. In
regards to this, I have decided to use 3 different models in my magazine
production to show it will be full of content and to guarantee each audience
member will have someone to relate to. My 3 models will be featuring on all 3
pages of my magazine, on my website and on my billboard therefore if I just
had the same person on so many products the brand would become overly
repetitive.
I will make my models appealing by using clothing, props, hair and make-up
that symbolise my contemporary, quirky and cultural style magazine. The
general colours I will use will be quite natural (white, black and grey) but with
dominant bright colours for each sub-genre. I will try and adapt this colour
scheme to my models clothing to create further links between my products.
On my front page specifically, the model is the main focus and main attraction
that will draw the reader in therefore a contemporary or quirky style will be
very effective in doing so.
3. Model 1
I have chosen my friend Adam to be my first model who will predominantly
feature on the front cover and double page spread of my magazine but also on
my website. As my magazine has no specific gender, I have decided to include
models of both genders so that there is someone to appeal to everyone. Also,
in my culture magazine research I noticed that there is a balanced divide
between males and females in each issue depending on what the main topic or
storyline is. This suggests that gender is specifically important to the region or
culture but is more so important to the main article/story.
Adam is 22 years old and therefore falls into the same age range as my readers.
This means that the audience can have more of a connection/bond with the
model, making my magazine seem more personal and exclusive. It shows
directly who the magazine is aimed. He also has a regional accent which I
thought I could use to show his similarity to the audience.
4. Model 2
The next model I have chosen is my friend Coral. I’ve decided
to use a female model along side a male to show that my
magazine aims to appeal to all. I also think it will be easier to
portray my contemporary and quirky style through Coral has
her clothing is more extravagant and I can use hair and make-
up to my advantage.
Coral is 20 years old and therefore fits within the age range of
my audience. This means that the audience can have more of
a connection/bond with the model, making my magazine
seem more personal and exclusive. It shows directly who the
magazine is aimed. He also has a regional accent which I
thought I could use to show his similarity to the audience.
5. Model 3
I will be at the studio at the same time as my models therefore will also get
images of myself taken. This will allow me to have a more diverse range of
people within my magazine and although I will only use myself on the
contents page and website, it will still look like my magazine has an
extensive amount of content.
I think if I use myself on my website I can create articles named “Editors
Gossip” or something along those lines so that the audience can relate to
me more. If they see images of the editor and personal articles they are
more likely to feel welcomed and relaxed by the magazine. I am hoping by
including myself (the editor) I will make my magazine appear more down-to-
earth and relatable.
Also, I am 18 and therefore fit into the same age grouping. This means the
audience can also bond with me on a similar life level which will make the
magazine more personal and exclusive.
6. Model Consent
Before I begin
organising the rest of
my photoshoot, I
needed to make sure
my models were
willing to take part and
give their consent to
being photographed.
To begin with, I sent
my both of my models
a brief message to
confirm their
participation and
included a small
summary of my
motives and aims.
7. Confirmation
As both Adam and Coral confirmed they wanted
to be part of the shoot, I acknowledged that I
would send further details so that when it
comes to the day of the photoshoot both me
and my model will be prepared. I will also
organise what days they are at university or
work so I can establish a time table for my shoot
day.
8. Contracts
I researched some key questions that are asked on contracts
for events and studies and created my own form for both my
models. It includes a description of the event, what it involves,
whether there are any risks and where it will be published. My
aim when creating this was to give the model a wider
perspective of what the photoshoot will consist of and make
sure they will still participate. IT was essential the model had
this information otherwise they may not of wanted to take
part which could have caused future problems of finding a
new model. As you can see, my chosen model agreed to the
contract therefore I will be emailing them with costumes,
location times, dates and poses to prepare for the final shoot.
