Monday 23 January 2012

Production Schedule and monitoring document

Contributor Question Plan

The following document includes: Contributor Details, date of Interview, and the Interview Questions to be asked.

Jonathan Grounds

13/11/11

1. The first time you pulled on a Boro shirt and stepped out on the Riverside pitch to face one of the most famous football clubs in the world back in 2008 must have been a dream come true.

2. What was going through your head before that game against Liverpool?

3. Were you pleased with the 1-1 draw or did you deserve a win?

4. How did you first get spotted by the Middlesbrough scouts?

5. Did you and your family have to make sacrifices to enable you to play football when you were younger?

6. Did you feel as though it was all worth it when you graduated from Middlesbrough’s academy and signed your first professional contract with the club you supported as a boy?

7. Growing up, who were your idols and the players you looked up to?

8. Did you ever have moments when you thought you wouldn’t make it as a footballer? If yes, how did you cope with that?

9. What advice would you give to a player looking for a career in professional football?

10. Some top premiership footballers have come up through Boro’s academy, a few of whom you’ll know well. How highly do you rate their academy?

11. Scoring your first goal for your home town club against Swansea City last season must have been an incredible feeling despite narrowly losing the match.

12. Take me through that goal.

13. Your favoured playing position is left back, but you also have experience in central defence. Are you overly bothered about where you play or are you just happy to be on the pitch?

14. You’ve been loaned out to a few clubs now, are you happy to move away in order to gain regular first team experience or would you rather stay at Boro and fight for your place?

15. Out of all the clubs you’ve played for, which team have you most enjoyed playing in?

16. You’ve played in the premier league, championship, league 1 and the Scottish premiership. How do the leagues compare and did you find a huge difference in class?

17. What is it about football that you love?

18. Who are your best friends in football?

19. Have you come across any real characters at any of the clubs you’ve played for?

20. What is the most special match you’ve been involved in?

21. Some people have the stereotypical view that the modern day footballer is overpaid and impassionate. How would you respond to that?

22. You’ve made over 30 appearances for Boro’s first team, and you’ve said in the past that playing for Boro means a lot to you personally, but do you see your long term future there or do you think a permanent move away may soon be on the cards?

23. Who is the best player you have played alongside and why?

24. Who is the best player you’ve ever played against and why?

25. Finally, do you believe your parent club Middlesbrough has what it takes to mount a serious promotion challenge?



Malcolm Crosby

28/01/12

1. Take me through a typical working day in the life of a professional football coach.

2. How do you look back on your playing career and is there anything you would change?

3. Did you ever have the opportunity to play for a so called ‘big’ club or a club in the North East?

4. At which club did you enjoy your playing days the most?

5. Do you have a stand out memory of your playing days?

6. Do you feel that being a former professional has helped you to coach?

7. Why did you decide to go into coaching?

8. What have you learned from your previous jobs?

9. What do you think makes a good coach?

10. You must be grateful to Sunderland for giving you your first break in management.

11. One of your best achievements must be leading Sunderland to the FA Cup final. What do you remember about that day?

12. Being from the local area, was it a dream come true to manage Sunderland?

13. Did you always hope you’d one day be involved with Sunderland or Newcastle United or neither?

14. What do you make of the amount of money involved in football these days and the hefty sums players get paid?

15. Since you were at Sunderland, you haven’t had a permanent managerial contract. Do you hope to one day return to management?

16. Do you feel at all bitter towards the way your career at Sunderland and Middlesbrough ended?

17. Which club have you enjoyed being a part of the most?

18. Have you ever had the opportunity to coach / manage a so called ‘top’ club?

19. Do you hope to one day return to your native North East?

20. Which other well known football figures do you get on particularly well with?

21. Over the years, you’ll have worked with many ‘characters’. Who stands out and why?

22. You must have experienced many highs and lows during your career. What are your stand out moments?

23. Finally, do you have any regrets?

Thursday 19 January 2012

Monitoring Production Blog

Originally my photoshoot and interview with Malcolm Crosby was suppose to be carried out on 6th January. However, this did not go ahead as Malcolm became unavailable on this date as he had other commitments. I then reorganised it and planned to carry it out this weekend (21st January) although, due to Malcolm having to watch a football match on this date, he became unavailable. As Malcolm is a busy person and always has things on the go, I had concerns regarding when he would be able to carry out an interview / photoshoot. This has put me behind according to my schedule and I began to question whether I should have included a back-up model/interviewee in my contingency plan. Had I done so, I could have had all the information and photographs I need by now. This delay has had knock on effects as I have had to re-organise my time. So, rather than inputting questionnaire answers, I have spent my time completing all of the planning documents and ensuring I am fully prepared for The interview and questionnaire with Malcolm which has now been re-organised and will take place on the weekend beginning 27th.

I am currently exploring what is included in magazines of the same genre and what techniques journalists and editors use to gage the audience’s attention. The magazine which is most similar to mine and is the best seller is Fourfourtwo which I am studying in detail. Studying Fourfourtwo is helping me with my genre and content research and enableing me to realise exactly what it is that I want to include in my magazine. I would like to include an interview because they’re simple and work well in attracting the audience. Conducting meaningful audience and client research is also vitally important and something which is ongoing. Knowing about my client (the Northern Echo) is essential so that I know what their aims, objectives, and values are. Being aware of this allows me to respect them. I conducted this research by visiting their website, reading one of their newspapers and by listening to a talk from the editor in chief; Peter Barron. Knowing what my target audience want from a magazine is another important aspect to get right because if I included articles that most members of my target audience would find uninteresting then my magazine wouldn’t sell well. This is why I have conducted a questionnaire which 20 members of my target audience will answer. I will take note of their responses. This week I have learned that it is important to plan well in advance in case of problems such as delays which I have encounted recently. I have now completed all of the planning documents that needed completing before I begin my project as well as thoroughly planning the conetent of my contents page and interview questions. I am fully prepared for the interview and photoshoot which will take place next weekend.
I felt the planning and research stages went well as I had plenty of time to complete them and I has a clear idea of what kind of articles should be included because I looked at some professional magazines (particularly FourFourTwo) and saw what kind of articles they offer. Plans such as the contingency plan will be helpful because it will will help to solve issues before they become problematic and my photo shoot plan will help me as I know know in advance which type of shots I will shoot and which poses I would like my models to strike. I also questioned some members of my target audience and asked them what they would find appealing in a football magazine. Testing my product on my target audience was effective. I think such planning will help me to create a good product that is appealing to my target audience. However, sticking to schedules and managing my time is so far proving difficult, largely because of the unforeseen circumstances discussed.
Next week, I plan on beginning my magazine project. I will add the photographs at a later date.

Monday 16 January 2012

Monitoring Production Blog 1

According to my schedule, I planned to set up my blog and also begin planning for my production. I achieved this. Planning documents include: Contributor question plan, Call sheets, Contingency plan, Photo shoot pan, and article planning sheets. Each of these documents will soon be completed and added to my blog. On another positive note, I haven't yet had to use any contingency planning.
I also planned to write my articles, however, my articles will mainly consist of interview answers, therefore I can't write all of them until I have conducted the interview, which I plan on carrying out soon. I have, however, completed the introduction article for each double page spread, i.e. introducting the person included in the article and explaining their background.
I am finding that there are many advantages of planning including: It is helping me to achieve my objectives, it minimizes uncertainties, it is helping me to be organised and know what I am working towards therefore increasing my confidence. I now recognise that there is plenty of work ahead of me and in order to meet deadlines, I should try to stick to my schedule if possible.
I think my client would be happy with the early stages of my planning as so far, I am sticking to my swchedule and treatment objectives.
Next week, I hope to complete my planning and organise a date to interview and photgraph Malcolm Crosby.

Photo Shoot Plan

Date and time of photo shoots: 13.11.11 - 13:00 / 21.01.12 – 12:00

Material to be shot: Photographs of Malcolm Crosby (football coach). I will include images of Malcolm pointing (as if he were ordering players around), doing kick ups, as well as simple ones such as standing with his hands on his hips and standing with a stern and serious look of his face.
I will include an image of either Malcolm or Jonathan Grounds on my front cover.


What personnel do you need?

Models: Malcolm Crosby is a model as well as an interviewee.
Jonathan Grounds is also a model as well as an interviewee.


What props will you need?

There aren’t many props that I’ll need other than a football. Jonathan should be wearing his Middlesbrough kit for the photo shoot, and Malcolm should be wearing the tracksuit which he wears every day for work. This will allow readers to realise that they’re getting a genuine insight into people involved in professional football’s lives. This will hopefully make my articles appear genuine and as though they aren’t set up. No make-up will be required as neither Malcolm nor Jonathan will wear make-up to work and if they wore it for the photo shoot, it would give off the impression that it has been set up; an impression which I don’t want to convey.

All of my photographs will be taken outdoors at around midday in Malcolm’s and Jonathan’s working environment. This is because they would be unable to come into a studio. Also, taking photographs outdoors enable readers to see them ‘in action’.


Contingency Plan

What could go wrong during production
How are you going to avoid this issue? What’s your back up plan?

Models forgetting to turn up / models not bringing the equipment needed.


I will avoid this issue by ensuring that my photo shoot and interviews will take place well in advance of the deadline. This will make certain that if my models forget to turn up, there is plenty of time to re-organise and make another appointment can be arranged. I will also have backup models in case of in case for whatever reason my models are unable to carry out the photo shoot.
I will also bring equipment and clothing this is appropriate for my models to wear during the photo shoot, in case the models forget or miss place theirs.


Cameras being unavailable.


This could be a problem as an appointment may be booked but all cameras could be in use. Again, carrying out my photo shoot well in advance will help to ensure that this doesn’t prove to be detrimental to my final product. I will also have a back-up camera. Although this camera wouldn’t be of as good quality, it will provide me with a back-up, if it is needed.


Not enough time scheduled for difficult or complex shoots / Photographs coming back out of focus after a difficult photo shoot has just been executed.



Although, this is something which I will try to avoid, leaving enough time to book another appointment will put less pressure on me having to ensure that all shots are completed within the scheduled appointment and all photographs to be of excellent quality because if for whatever reason they aren’t, there is time to book another.


Memory Sticks getting lost.


There is a good chance that this problem could occur, therefore it is vitally important to ensure I don’t lose my work if memory sticks are lost. I will make sure that this isn’t the case by backing up all pieces of work on my home pc, college pc and also by emailing myself the work.


External shoots planned but bad weather causes you to abandon the shoot


As all of my photographs will be taken outdoors during the winter, there is a chance that adverse weather conditions could play a part in my photo shoot. This is why I will have a professional camera over the weekend, in the hope that it is suitable to take photographs outdoors for at least one day out of the weekend. However, if this proves not to be the case, then I will take the photographs indoors (in a sports hall or something similar).


Running out of post production time and not having software at home /
Equipment failure


This is a problem which I encountered last year, and I am keen to avoid being faced with the same problem this year. This is one of the reasons why I have decided to begin my production early to give myself plenty of time to complete my post production and to solve problems with equipment. However, if I still encounter such problems, I will spend my free lessons / lunch times in the Media room ensuring I complete my project in time.


Creating work at home and then not being able to access it at college because we don’t have the right software or other software compatibilities


This is another issue which proved to be problematic last year. Therefore to avoid this, the bulk of my work will be completed at college during lessons, free periods and lunch times. The only work which I will carry out at home will be on documents which I know are the same versions as the ones at college.


Personnel not turning up because of other commitments.


As this time of year can be a busy and hectic time for some people, personnel may have other commitments meaning that things may have to be delayed. This could be an issue as time is of the essence. I will try to avoid this by trying to work in with everyone involved and ensuring the date which I need them is suitable for everyone. As previously mentioned, I will also be carrying out my work in advance of the deadline meaning that there is time for any potential let downs.


Computers crashing after having spent hours perfecting a particular piece of work.



This is something which I am keen to avoid as it has happened to me in the past, so I understand how frustrating it can be. The best way to ensure that I avoid losing a lot work due to problems with the computer is by regularly saving and backing up my work.


Equipment failure


Finally, equipment failure is a very general potential problem. This could mean anything from specific computer programmes such as Photoshop and Indesign not working properly, or computers or cameras not working properly. The best way to avoid this is to have back-ups, e.g. to have access to the programmes which I need to use on several computers, to be able to use other computers if one isn’t working and have back-up cameras.



Call Sheet 2


Title: Offside Official

Client: The Northern Echo
Staff: Malcolm Crosby (Who will take part in my photo shoot and interview)
Location/Venue: Oxford Training Ground

CALL DATE: 21/01/12

CALL TIME: 12:00

Transport: Car

INSTRUCTIONS: I am travelling down to Oxford to visit Malcolm on the weekend beginning on the 20th. While I am there, I will conduct a photo shoot as well as an interview. The types of photographs I will be taking will be of Malcolm doing kick ups, pointing (as if he were ordering players) etc. Similarly to Jonathan, time is limited, so again, I will need to be efficient.
There isn’t much I need to brief Malcolm about, although, I will ask him to wear his training kit and bring a football along.

Call Sheet 1

Title: Offside Official

Client: The Northern Echo
Staff: Jonathan Grounds (Who will take part in my photo shoot and interview)
Location/Venue: Football training ground.

CALL DATE: 13/11/11

CALL TIME: 13:00

Transport: Car

INSTRUCTIONS: I will meet with Jonathan to conduct an interview and to take a few photographs, one of which I will use as my background on my double page spread. Time is limited, therefore it is important that I am efficient and conduct both the interview and photo shoot in a small space of time. I have given him certain instructions which include him wearing his Middlesbrough kit for the shoot and bringing a prop; a football. Taking photographs of Jonathan in a familiar environment wearing the clothing that fans have seen him wear many times will make him more recognisable and give more of a feel that the magazine is genuine.

Article Planning Sheet



Article target audience: Predominantly males aged 16-25.
Planning Comments

Article genre

The genre of my magazine is football. Its purpose is to inform my audience about the latest results, injury / transfer news etc. I would also like to entertain to try to maintain reader’s attention.
I will include facts and statistics on footballers within both double page spreads that my audience is unlikely to already be aware of. I will entertain by including exclusive interviews with Malcolm Crosby (former Sunderland Manager and Middlesbrough Assistant Manager) and Jonathan Grounds (Current Middlesbrough player). These are football figures that many local football fans will be able to relate to. I will ask questions that are specific to them.


Narrative voice

I have decided to write my article in the first person throughout for both double page spreads. This is because it will give the impression that the readers are getting first hand, reliable information that was genuinely spoken by my interviewees. It is important that my target audience considers my magazine to be dependable and that what was really said has been changed to make a better read. I will give background information on interviewees before typing out the interview in full.


Register


The register will be consistent throughout the magazine. It will be neither formal nor informal. It is important that I bear in mind that my target audience is predominantly young males, who live in North East England. Therefore, most of my readers are likely to want to read anything that is too formal or that they may not understand. On the other hand, it is important that my magazine still appears professional, for that reason, I will use little or no colloquial or taboo language.


Stylistics

The title of my magazine is: ‘Offside Official’ and I will use the slogan ‘Keeping You Ahead Of The Game’. This title and slogan suggests my magazine is legitimate and reader’s will be kept up to date. Also, I will use subject specific lexis that football fans can relate to.

Using stylistics such as alliteration is an effective way of engaging the audience. This is a stylistic that I am considering using.

 However, I don’t believe other stylistics such as repetition is necessary because as I am only producing two double page spreads, space is limited, therefore I will get straight to the point and use that space wisely by filling it with interesting / entertaining language.
Whilst it is vital that sentences are structured correctly and there aren’t any language errors, as far as using language is concerned, I believe that the most effective way of engaging reader’s attention is to give them an insight of what is to come in the title and/or on the front cover. I will do this by including a quotation from an interview as headings/sub headings.


Tone of address


The Tone of address must not be in any way patronising or offensive. I will be friendly / matey towards readers because the genre isn’t a particularly serious topic. This should also  make my audience feel at ease.


Structure and pace


Throughout my magazine, I will structure the text in an organised and logical fashion in 3 neat columns on each page. This will enable readers to easily follow the text, without getting confused of where their eyes should go next. I will also include paragraphs to separate text, i.e. so it is clear where the end of each answer is.
The pace of the text will be medium because if it were too slow is may seem to drag on and if it were too fast, reader’s may struggle to keep up.