Generating ideas (P1,M1,U21)

 1. how have you interpreted the clients brief - requirements 

From what I understand about the client, Cineworld, the brief has certain requirements to be met in order to create a print and online magazine for North London.

Explicit : 

• The magazine must be for North London as independent film companies are rising through the ranks in that area.
• A front cover and double page spread must be created for both online and print based.
• A new film must be promoted within the magazine.
• The film (I create) must be produced by an independent company.
• The magazine must reference a current and new streaming platform.
• Initial local distribution is required. 

Implicit :

• Although the brief requires the magazine to be based in North London, there is no mandatory area it has to be set in.
• They would like the film to be promoted in popular film festivals.
• The distribution is not specific, thus I have freedom to decide how to allocate the promotion of my magazine.

Open to Interpretion :

• Ideas for a wider mass distribution is suggested.
• The target audience is open, meaning I decide the age, gender and race targeted.
•  I have the freedom to decide the price of the magazine.
• USP is my decision to make, thus giving my the chance to be creative on my magazine. 
• The layout, colour scheme and fonts are all determined by me. 

2&3.  My first initial ideas with explanations : 

Genre based : (2) I could produce a genre magazine that explores one specific genre, which would be released either once a month or once every two months. It will also include the expansion of this genre. The genre of my film is romance. The romantic genre is extremely popular in the film industry due to the feelings brought on by it and how it affects audiences; meaning the existing fan base will want to read my magazine as they would be intrigued by what's included within it.

(3) The initial notion behind the genre of my magazine is that it will be inspired and created with the idea of holiday romances during specific holidays. My magazine will be released right before the Christmas holidays so it can give the audience a chance to hear and find out about the releasing of the movie. As it will be released during Christmas the layout and colour scheme will be inspired by stereotypical romantic features and the warmth of Christmas. Therefore, the colour scheme would consist of reds, pinks, whites and perhaps blues and greens (connected with Christmas/Winter). This genre will attract both romance and Christmas film fans as I'm combining the two film genres into one; creating more profit as more audience members would be attracted to the film. As the genre is the main focus of the magazine, i will include previous films dedicated to the theme of holiday romance. The films will be both Hollywood films and independent ones from North London. I believe this will attract a wide audience due to fan favourite movies colliding with new and creative ones; that will be an easy access to those local neighbours in North London. 

STRENGTHS :

1. The fans of romance films, which is a mass amount of people according to statistics, will want to buy this magazine regularly - creating a reliable and regular income from our target audience. 

2. Due to the target audience being directed to romance fans in North London it will be easy to distribute my magazine to them due to their living situations; local areas.

WEAKNESS :

1. Not everyone enjoys the romance genre so having it be a very specific magazine would mean that the magazine would only target a niche amount of people and wouldn't spread to a wide audience. 

2. The design, on the front page and double page spread, is specifically designed for the target audience i had projected; causing a mass of rejects from other buyers.

3. As this is a special edition - holiday themed - it may not appeal to all people due to different religions because, as it is known, not everyone in North London is a Christian who celebrates the festival of Christmas; probably wont be bought by Jewish, Muslim people. 

Actor based : (2) Within my magazine I will inform the readers about the most popular and upcoming film actors - that will be from North London. I will also include previous actors and actresses that have appeared in films from North London areas. By the inclusion of both, it will benefit both the actors and my magazine as the publicity will be directed to my magazine and the actors within it. As this is connected to the romance genre i will include Hollywood film actors who will immediately catch the readers attention, which then can move onto the smaller, North London actors. 

(3) As romcom male actors are a particular heart throbe for the target audience - which is primarily directed at 12-19 year old girls and middle aged women (mothers) - i will include actors which fit into their stereotypical desires. By doing this, it will allow for an attraction to my magazine as readers will see something that will straight away appeal to them; thus already engaging them which will increase profits. As the new upcoming film will be based upon a heterosexual couple, my magazine will also have female actress appearing on the front page or inside the magazine itself. Additionally, to also expand my target audience i would include a member of the LGBTQ+ to appeal to a more diverse audience. This illustrates a sense of an inclusion ambience to my company because it wont be discriminating anyone; but including everyones passions and joys. Promoting the magazine as an inclusive organisation and will hopefully motivate consumers to purchase the magazine on a regular basis because of this; not just the holiday special. 

STRENGTHS :

1. Fans of those male actors appearing in the magazine will want to purchase it and as there is a wide range of male actors who are all different ages it will further engage a wider target audience.

2. Having actors that appeal to the target audience, whilst having information about them can lead to benefits as readers can learn new facts about the actors which could then persuade them to continue purchasing the magazine to know more about their favourites. 

3. I have included a homosexual couple in the film, being projected in the magazine - more reader attraction due to the diversity. 

WEAKNESS :

1. Some of my readers may not like the actors I have focused on. Therefore, not covering all of our readers favourite actors/actresses, thus will decrease the number of potential readers as they will not be as interested in the magazine if their favourite ones are not included in it. 

2. Hard to differentiate actor based magazines as the content may be similar, therefore increasing competition. 

Behind the scenes : (2) Moreover, I have decided to add a USP enclosed in my magazine; which will be a QR code that once scanned will end up on a website directing the audience to behind the scenes of the film. This is one of the two USPs. As there will be two USP included in this magazine edition, this one is available to all readers; not just the subscribers. The difference between the USPs is the level of availability - for instance this shows documentaries and videos of the film making, however the other USP will allow twelve lucky subscribers to enjoy a 'day in a life' with the new, talented upcoming actors in their new movie roles. 

(3) The main idea of a behind the scenes experience will allow the audience to encounter real-life film making and organising through a screen. What is included within the behind the scenes? Inside the videos and documentaries there will be viewings of costume making and designing, scriptwriting sessions, the editing process and many more. The videos will be shot realistically, meaning it will capture every process that went into making the film; making sure the viewers receive a full experience even though it is behind a screen. For example, in one of the documentaries there is a step-by-step process of the costume designer stitching the outfits and explaining her thought process. This notion will make the magazine very desirable due to the extra pleasures that comes with it. The extra pleasures that comes with this can attract the audience members who want to go into film making in the future; keeping my readers interested and therefore continuing to buy my magazine.  

STRENGTHS :
1. The use of my USP and the quality of it may immediately impress the readers and thus they may want to subscribe to my company in order for them to be able to win future experiences.

2. As this magazine is being released during the Christmas holidays the chance of winning a trip to a film set would be the perfect gift for family members and friends; emphasising the increase of people applying for the chance to win.

WEAKNESS :

1. My USP that is restricted to subscribers only may not be in reach for everyone; people in the class, such as C2 may not be able to afford the subscription, thus not having a chance to win it.

2. Due to multiple popular film magazines in North London, my new upcoming magazine may struggle as a result to the competition (other popular North London magazines). Meaning i must ensure there is something unique and different about my magazine to attract a wide range of audiences. 

Conclusion :

In conclusion I have chosen that my magazine will be a genre based magazine due to the mass fan base of romantic films, as well as the inclusion of Christmas movie fans. Consequently, I have decided that the content of my magazine will include actor interviews, information and details about upcoming new films - moreover with classic romance movies that are peoples favourite choices. In addition, this magazine will be placed at cinemas located in North London as well as distributed locally in places such as arcades, salons and supermarkets so that it reaches a wide range of my target audiences. Lastly, the magazine will also advertise new and existing streaming services, an independent film produce in North London. I will ensure that my magazine is specific to my target audience.