Print brief research and planning

 Front cover

1) Research TV listing magazine front cover key conventions. Find at least five examples of TV listings magazine front covers and post them to your blog. This will give you a good idea of the type of magazine you need to produce.

2) Note down the design elements you notice in each front cover example you research and look for aspects you can use in your own work (e.g. camera shots, page design or cover lines). 

- direct address

- usually one main subject (sometimes two or more)

- multiple images within  front cover

- often a darker background

- bold heading

- colour-scheme

- a lot of subtext

- strong contrast between shadows and highlights

3) What key conventions can you find across different types of front cover - e.g. title placement, cover lines, main flash or cover line, date/price/barcode etc.

- magazine logo/brand places behind subject

- mentions whats inside of magazine 

- bar-code bottom left

- bold title/subtitle

- featured article

- interview with main character

- large centre image 

Planning and sketching

1) Plan the content and cover lines for your front cover:

• Title (must be NEW original TV listings magazine you have invented): The insight
• Slogan: This life wasn't a choice but it was our decision to step up before we ended 6ft under
• Cover image: main character ( Vinnie )
• Main cover story/main flash: Urban shadows exclusive interview + more about main character + backstage content
• Additional cover lines: just another topboy clone? + exclusive interview + more about main character + backstage content
• Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: graffiti + didot font, dark grey/black/white/auburn red

2) Plan the images you will use for the front cover - use CLAMPS. One main image and two smaller images required to meet the minimum content in the brief.

C - tracksuit/puffer jacket

L - low-key lighting

A - protagonist

M - none

P - stack of money/cash

S - sitting on chair holding prop with grey backdrop

3) Plan the content for your inside page feature:

• Subject of feature: main character ( Vinnie ) + antagonist 
• Headline: The truth behind the cast
• Subheading: The future of crime drama
• Main image: main character + other character within film leaning on wall opposite each other at estate
• Smaller images: 1 - high up shot of whole estate from balcony 2 - 
• Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects:  didot font, dark grey/black/white/auburn red

4) Write the copy (words) you will use for the inside page feature - headline, subheading, article text. 

headline - Unveiling the shadows

subheading - behind the scenes of Amazon primes newest crime drama

article text - As the anticipation mounts for each episode release of “Urban Shadows”, the gritty crime drama  has set captivate audiences worldwide, we delve behind the scenes to uncover the intricate web of talent and stories that bring this immersive series to life. From the bustling streets of London to the heart of the criminal underworld, the cast of “Urban Shadows” shares their experiences, both on and off-screen, shedding light on the complexities of their characters and the vibrant city they call home.

At the center of the narrative lies Joseph Yacoub, who portrays the enigmatic former New York gangster, Vinnie Marino. We had asked him on what was his motivation was and he said " I just wanted to represent where im from man, had to put it on the map" 

Beyond the confines of the script, the cast of “Urban Shadows” shares a bond forged through shared experiences and a deep sense of camaraderie. Living in close proximity to the filming locations, many of the actors call the same estate home, fostering a sense of community that permeates both on and off-screen interactions. This conviviality adds an authentic layer to the series, as the actors draw from their real-life connections to bring depth and authenticity to their on-screen relationships.

As the premiere date looms closer, anticipation continues to build for the release of “Urban Shadows” on Amazon Prime Video. With its compelling storytelling, complex characters, and immersive portrayal of London’s criminal underworld, the series promises to be a must-watch for audiences around the globe. So, buckle up and prepare to dive deep into the shadows, as “Urban Shadows” takes you on a thrilling journey into the heart of darkness.

5) Plan the social media content you will include in your print work to create opportunities for digital convergence e.g. hashtags, social media details etc.

- #crime #urban shadows #LDN # NY #gangs

- Instagram @urban_shadows

6) Research and select the font or typography you will use for your print work. This is a critical element of your print work - the brief requires a consistent house style running through all of your pages. 

- didot font

- arial font 

- graffitiy style graffics 

7) Produce an A4 sketch of your front cover design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.

8) Produce A4 sketches of your inside page feature with clear layout of where headline, subheading, images and text will appear on the pages. 

9) Create a new A4 portrait document in Adobe Photoshop (or Adobe InDesign) for your front cover design. Start to add text, check your font choices and put in the elements you have already planned/sketched. 

10) Create an A3 landscape document plus an A4 portrait document in Adobe Photoshop (or Adobe InDesign) for your inside page feature. Add the elements you can - headline, subheading, text etc.

Photoshoot

1) Who do you need to photograph for your front cover and inside page images? Remember, you need seven original images across the whole print production. 

2) What camera shots do you need? Write a shot list for your photoshoots. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

3) Plan the mise-en-scene. What costume, props or make-up will you require for your photoshoots?

4) Finally, note down the time and date for your photoshoots. This may be inside or outside school (or a combination of both). You will have Media lesson time for this after the mock exams.

Statement of Intent

1) Once you have completed your print research and planning, go back to your statement of intent and make sure you have included the print brief in your final draft. Then, submit the final draft statement of intent to your teacher.  

"Urban Shadows." This gripping series will be available for streaming on the leading online platform Amazon Prime Video, providing viewers with access to an immersive and suspenseful narrative experience. The three-minute extract from this series will be strategically placed as an opening, setting the tone for the entire series. Moreover, a cliffhanger will be left at the end to aid in generating intrigue for the audience. The overarching narrative of "Urban Shadows" revolves around a former New York gangster, Vinnie Marino, who must navigate the treacherous streets of London, confronting his past while seeking a chance at redemption in a world filled with moral ambiguity and personal transformation.

"Urban Shadows" is an ambitious TV crime drama that seeks to both challenge and reinforce media stereotypes while adhering to contemporary media contexts. This will be achieved through the narrative as the main protagonist would almost embody the stereotypical gangster figure however the stereotype would also be challenged as the weakness and vulnerabilities of the character will also be displayed. Through the lens of Stuart Hall's Reception theory, we aim to construct a narrative that invites critical audience engagement, emphasising complex character development and nuanced portrayals. Additionally, Todorov's narrative theory would also be portrayed within the story as an equilibrium is established at the beginning with a disequilibrium emerging due to the introduction immediately portraying conflict.  Our target audience, aged 15 - 25/older youth and adults, represents a diverse demographic with interests in character-driven crime narratives and moral complexities, akin to "Top Boy" or "Power." We plan to stream our series on a major platform like Prime Video to align with digital convergence trends, embracing the dominance of conglomerates in the streaming market

I plan to meet the brief by incorporating 2-3 locations that relate to my overall story, utilizing narrative features like flashbacks and montages, and including genre codes such as conflict, tension, and moral ambiguity. Through this crime drama, audience pleasures will be incorporated such as escapism, information, Identification, relate-ability and Entertainment. For example, identification and relate-ability will be presented within the 3-minute clip through the use of locations as audiences within London would be able to associate with those locations. Furthermore, I plan to use both non-diegetic and diegetic sounds to help immerse and draw in the audience, one way I will incorporate non-diegetic sound is through background music that relates to the scene and current consumer trends as well as sfx such a police sirens.

My TV listings magazine's front cover will prominently feature "Urban Shadows", with the main image being comprised of multiple key characters with the protagonist in the centre. moreover, lokey lighting will be used to help relay the dark and gritty atmosphere of the show.

lastly, in the ever-evolving world of digital convergence, as 'Urban Shadows' would be available exclusively on Amazon Prime, it would capitalise on the platform's global reach and innovative features. This gripping series dives deep into the heart of the criminal underworld, delivering compelling storytelling and intricate characters that resonate with viewers worldwide. The choice of Amazon Prime as the streaming home for 'Urban Shadows' reflects the platform's commitment to diverse and thought-provoking content, catering to a broad audience spectrum