Sunday, 4 November 2012

The preliminary task

The project I am working on is one where I am required to produce a front cover page of a magazine that is suitable for the target audience; students.
The front cover must feature a photograph taken by myself of a former student, the shot must also be a medium close up shot where by  the students face and some of their torso can be visible. I must also include an appropriately laid out text and a masthead.
Additionally, we are required to produce a DTP mock up, possibly using Photoshop or Publisher, this would help us to manipulate the image and the laid out text.

Thursday, 11 October 2012


Thursday, 4 October 2012

Audit


I am able to recognise some of my strengths and weaknesses when applied to the skills needed for Media AS studies.  Many of my strengths lie in essay writing and working as part of a team however, specifically my general skills seem to be at a good standard.
I am able to recognise the basic movie poster conventions such as, genre, representation, audience, institution, narrative. Whilst applying these movie conventions to a text I am also able to develop my points I’ve made and can analyse the narrative just by looking at the poster. I can also use Microsoft PowerPoint, Macromedia Fireworks and Microsoft word.  I have a lot of experience when dealing with a digital camera and taking complex photos with them, after this I am able to manipulate the photo and add more elements to the image. 
One of the reasons why Media studies had attracted me in the past is the fact that I have watched many films and very much enjoy analysing them at the same time.  Whilst analysing I consider the different camera shots and why they are being used, as well as lighting, props, costume. I like to look at these areas to understand the different meanings that may apply to a certain extract of a film. In the past I have studied Drama GCSE and managed to get a solid B grade, this has given me the confidence to perform in front of an audience.  With this I am also able to recruit actors to play parts in a short film.  Many of my other strengths lay in my ICT skills this allows me to use the internet widely and other software’s that are required for my AS media studies.    
Moreover, I also take into consideration I have many weaknesses to.  Some of these are, my lack of practice in some software’s that may be relevant when doing my AS Media studies. The software’s I mainly struggle to use are Photoshop, as I do not have much practice in doing so, and Windows Movie maker as I have not had any previous experience with this software. I also recognise that I can be disorganised at times when recording my work, this problem I know I have to deal with quickly to stay on top of all my coursework for AS media Studies.