Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Plan

Project title:

Project: Hip Hop / Rap Magazine

Project Description:

This will be my own issue of a hip-hop / rap genre magazine which I will be competing with my magazines of inspiration, VIBE Magazine and XXL. I will be including interviews of real celebrities and my own fictional celebrity in a double page spread. To fill in the rest of the magazine I will place advertisements for a number of things: cosmetics, food, drink, clothing, footwear, and technology and feature brands such as Adidas, Timberland, Nike, Armani, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and River Island etc. I will be basing the design of my pages on my magazines of inspiration, VIBE and XXL. I will be producing a front cover, using a mid shot photograph of my model, a contents page with another photograph of my model, and a double page spread interview with a close up headshot image. All of these pages will be of the same model, Will, in order to preserve consistency and theme in my magazine.

Photographer:

I will be the photographer of my own magazine. I’ll take pictures of my models looking straight at the camera as this

makes the reader feel important as if the model featured is looking directly at them.

I’ll take full length pictures of my models to focus on their clothing and to advertise famous brands.

My photographs will be in either high key or low key, depending on the desired effect of the image; whether I want to exaggerate a specific point on the image depends on the amount of lighting I will be allowing into it.

Again this is similar to the lighting effect; it all depends on the desired

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220

I felt that this was the most suitable font style because it’s bold, it’s clear, it’s unique which makes it stand out and easier to recognize. The design is rugged and has the gangster appearance I was aiming for. The verbal code ‘notorious’ is defined as being famous for a bad quality or wrong reasons, which relates to those who became well known for their bad deeds such as NWA for their offensive, controversial and explicit lyrics. The adjective ‘notorious’ connotes infamy and ill reputation, which even though shares negative connotations, I feel suits my magazine’s genre very well.

Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Planimpact. I could go the easy route and apply a simple Instagram filter for example, or I could adjust all of the aspects I Photoshop or any other photo editing software, whether it is and advertisement or an article.

Reference images and ideas:

Casting:

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220

As I said before, the effect of the model looking straight at the camera creates a feel of recognition and importance for the reader; it also makes the model easier to identify especially if they are a famous celebrity, as pictured on the left, Eminem.

On the left is a picture of 50 Cent, again, like Eminem, facing the camera directly. Notice how the lighting is very high key; this effect is well suited in the image as his skin is already naturally dark which creates contrast and focus on himself.

Here is another picture of 50 Cent, instead with a lower key lighting. His face doesn’t seem as much in focus as the previous image as he’s surrounded with a darkly colored background, creating less of a contrasting effect.

Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Plan

I chose William Eze for a multitude of reasons, in short, he fit my criteria. He is black, a trait which follows the stereotypical rapper appearance; in addition to this, his facial structure and hair style complement each other significantly. I am able to dress him so that he follows the same dress criteria as that of NWA, for example, with the dark t-shirts and caps. William has a bulky physique, giving him a body builder or generally ‘tough’ look. Height is not a necessary factor as the front cover and double page interview of my magazine will only consist of mid/close up shots.

Model requirements:

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220

Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Plan

Desired Appearances Height: variable Weight: variable Build: Built, strong Skin color: preferred tan / dark Age: 16-30 Variables are unspecific and are decided based on the suitability of the

model in my photographs; for example, I can have a model with either a slim or thick build as long as they fit the rest of my criteria. All of the variables depend on each other.

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220

Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Plan

Wardrobe and Look:

Snap back cap Jewellery / bling Sunglasses Tattoos Dark clothing Bright clothing Topless Rings

Hair and Make up: A lot of celebrity rappers tend to have either; cornrows, dreadlocks,

short / bald hairstyles For female models included in my magazine I will base their makeup off

of a few images.

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220

Unit G321 – Foundation Portfolio in Media – Photo-shoot Plan

Where:Often times I will conduct my photography at school, specifically the photography room or any location with decent lighting and a plain background. Any urban looking areas such as isolated parks, alleys or empty streets will be considered.When:Photographs of my models will have to be taken during any open opportunities; I will have to speak to them and arrange a possible time for us to take pictures, specifically during free periods during school hours or even outside of school when convenient. Any opportunity to work together will be used in order to collect my photographs as soon as possible. A benefit of planning time slots in advance means that my model can come in wearing clothing suitable to my magazine’s requirements as opposed to wearing an unmatching outfit.

Centre Number: 64135Candidate Number 1220