Magazine Interviews

We have attempted to contact a teacher who is directly involved in our school's science research program to use a statement about the program indicating its principles for our article. However, our desired teacher was not able to give a statement at that time, so we will talk with him again within the next week. The interviews will be conducted before winter break and as of now, the interviewing process will be discussed with my partner. The most important goal right now is to secure the interviews so we can have set information for our two-page articles.

Thoughts on Magazine Project

The general layout for this magazine idea has been discussed with my partner and I. The magazine will consist of a front cover, a table of contents, and a two-page article. We are aiming to make the front cover as visually attractive as possible. This is needed as the appearance of the cover is a large selling point. Various design schemes will need to be researched for ideas regarding the cover. Certain elements of a magazine will be incorporated in the table of contents, such as the indication of a running piece. Different science magazines will also be viewed in order to plan the set up for the table of contents. The two-page article will include pictures, and at this moment in time we are yet to layout what exactly the article will include. However, it is known that we want to interview students involved directly in science as the basis for the article. We will look to conduct these interviews soon.

Project Decision

Based off my strengths of creating a magazine, and my weaknesses of developing a film, I am choosing to create the magazine. I believe that my strengths of completing the magazine outweigh the weaknesses, and the weaknesses of developing a film outweigh the strengths. Therefore, the magazine would be the best choice for me to accomplish. This will be a group project as I will be developing the magazine with my partner, Dylan. We came up with the idea of developing a Teen Scientists magazine. We are thinking that we will interview students that are completing/have already completed a scientific research project. From this, we will take their information and pictures that we have taken (if granted permission), and develop separate issues of this magazine, both using projects from different research categories. We are doing this in order to try to create an effect that encourages other students in the state of Florida to realize the importance and heavy impact of science throughout the world. Also, we want students that read this magazine to become interested in science and maybe even have the desire to pursue a career in science. Our roles for this magazine consist of interviewing, taking quality pictures of the students if allowed, along with their projects. Also, both Dylan and I will create a separate issue of this magazine, each focusing on different research categories. Our target audience will be non-post secondary education students (students in middle school-high school). We believe this will result in being a viable media product as science is beginning to appeal more to the younger generation. This is due to the fact that science contains numerous real world-applications, ones that are extremely interesting. As these students are starting to consider career paths, this magazine will be a great opportunity for them to investigate fields of science. This product will be distributed, in a theoretical situation, through middle and high schools in Florida. Copies of the magazine would be sent to science teachers in these chosen schools, who would then hand them out to their students. In order to market this product, we will attempt to create a visually attractive cover page, one that will catch the student's attention, so they have the desire to open it up and read it.  Another method to market this magazine would be to produce a taped video announcement regarding science and then further promoting the magazine. This tape would be aired on the school's announcements. This way, not only science students would receive a copy, but if other students became interested based off the video, they could also receive a copy to read. 

Strengths and Weaknesses of Creating a Film

Developing a film would be a beneficial process as there a few strengths I possess that would lead to the creation of a successful film. I have learned that in order to be successful in the film industry, filmmakers must create a story line that flows and makes sense throughout the film. I obtain this ability to develop plots/story lines that are organized and continuous. An organized and continuous story line will potentially attract viewers and increase ratings, which is what successful filmmakers aim for in their productions. Another strength in creating a film would be the fact that the process of doing so would be an enjoyable and entertaining experience. I believe that participating in the process of trial and error to create the best possible scene would be a fascinating and educational process. However, there are a few weaknesses I own that would prove the film making process difficult. In order to be prosperous in the film industry, filmmakers must portray effective meaning through camera angles and shots. I think that this would be difficult for me as I am not creative with aspects like this. From this, the time taken to produce the film would be carried out to an unnecessary length. Also, I am extremely indecisive with almost any decision that presents itself to me. This trait would also increase the time taken to produce the film as I would not be able to make up my mind on the scenes/ what they should entail. This could create difficulties in meeting the deadline for the project's due date. All in all, developing a film would obtain advantages and disadvantages to me as there are strengths and weaknesses regarding both sides.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Creating a Magazine

Developing a magazine would be a beneficial process as I obtain several strengths that would enhance the effect of the magazine on the reader. One strength includes the fact that I am able to help inform people via the use of words. I have a tendency to inform and explain more efficiently using written words/ descriptive details. This leads me to believe that I can create an enhancing effect on the reader of the magazine with eloquently written stories. Furthermore, another strength I own is the ability to organize information in a thorough manner and present it visually. I am creative with using visually attractive templates to catch the reader's attention and make them want to explore the magazine's interior. Part of developing a successful magazine is being able to attract readers not only through accurate information, but through an attractive exterior as well. However, I do possess some weaknesses when it comes to the process of developing a magazine. One of these weaknesses includes taking the time to develop the magazine. Developing a magazine is an extremely tedious process through what I have learned and I know that it would be a banal process to complete it. Moreover, another weakness would be conducting interviews. When making a magazine, interviews must be taken place in order to use accurate information from reliable sources. These interviews would prove difficult for me because I am bashful when it comes to talking to people that are unfamiliar to me. Ultimately, developing a magazine would prove beneficial and non beneficial to me as I have strengths and weaknesses regarding both sides.