Phoebe Birney NEA

Dear Moderator,

My name is Phoebe Birney. Welcome to my A Level Media Studies blog. This is a record of the work I have undertaken for the Making Media Non-examination Assessment (NEA) within the OCR H409 GCE A Level course in Media Studies.

I worked independently on Brief 3: Magazine and Online to produce the front covers and contents pages for the first two editions of a film magazine called The Fourth Wall together with the magazine's accompanying website.

Research and Planning

Further down in my blog you will find evidence of my research and planning for this task.

Magazine Covers and Contents Pages

Magazine first edition cover and contents page

Magazine second edition and contents page

Magazine Website

The link to my website, which was created using Wix, can be found at the link below.

The Fourth Wall

The magazine consists of a homepage and a single linked page. This page can be accessed by clicking on features.

1. Who will you be using as your models for each photograph

For my 4 original images for my covers, contents and website pages I will be using a male and female model, alongside other original images I will shoot. For my 1st cover I will be using my friend maisy and for the 2nd it will be my friend Harri, this will then create a clear representation of two social groups male and female. For my contents pages and website images I will use a range of images with no models as well as some with other male and female friends. I will pretend these models are actors, actresses and directors that feature in the films I will mention in my magazine and website.

2. What thought needs to be given to the following

elements of mise-en-scene?

Location: When deciding on the location of my images I have decided the 1st edition image should have a very simplistic location; the feel of a classic photoshoot so the attention of the audience can be solely on Maisy. I think a white or neutral backdrop will fit the aesthetic I am aiming for. As for my 2nd edition there will be a complete juxtaposition in the image setting, as it is promoting the Hunger Games film it will be set in a woodland/forest area to showcase an ‘arena’ like image, similarly to the arena in the previous movies. As for the location of the contents images they will be similar to the ones used in each edition as they will relate to their retrospective cover. The website however will feature images that range from outside images, maybe of the sunset to use as a scene from a film or of other models (my friends) in a photoshoot setting.

Costume: For the 1st edition that will feature my female model Maisy, as I aim for the focus to be solely on her, she will wear simple clothing like a neutral coloured t-shirt and jeans. As for her makeup, it will be very natural therefore there is full attention on her and will showcase the aesthetic of my magazine; simplicity and the raw beauty of cinema. For the second edition my male model Harri will wear simple clothing but it will be ruined, have holes and covered in dirt to signify the battle that occurs in the Hunger Games films.

Props: As for props there will not be many featured in my images, there will be a stool used in my first edition with my model Maisy as in the image she will be sitting on it in a crouched pose. As for my second image, I may use something that will resemble a weapon to showcase the Hunger Games.

Body Language of my models: As for my first edition with my model maisy, she will have relaxed body language as she will be slouched over her knees to convey the relaxed and relatable side to her as the audience only see her when she’s acting and not being herself. She will have a light and softened facial expression to further convey the relaxed nature of her and my magazine. As for my 2nd edition with my model Harri he will be faced backwards with stiff body language to convey the fear the contestants would feel in the arena. In regards to my other images for my contents page, where models are used they will mirror the body language and feel of the cover and the website images will link to the film that is being promoted e.g if it is a coming of age, joyful movie, the body language will showcase that vibe.

Lighting: For my first edition image, I want studio lighting to show that it is a photoshoot and so that it is focused purely on Maisy. As for my 2nd edition image, due to it being outside in a woodland area it will be natural lighting, most likely on the darker side and the trees will cover majority of the light. The other images for the contents pages and website pages will range from natural and studio lighting.

3. Who will be taking your photographs and what equipment will they use?

For the photography itself it will be me who is taking the images as I will not be featured and due to the fact I want full creative control on how the photos are produced and taken. As for equipment I will be using a range of different things, for example I will mainly use a professional camera for the majority of my images, an iphone camera and studio lighting. As well as myself I may enlist my dad as his main hobby is photography and used to be a photographer himself.