OCR Media Studies – AS Level Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media Evaluation Name: Eleanor Mason Candidate Number: 6692 Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College Center Number: 64770 Music Magazine – Production Evaluation
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1. OCR Media Studies AS Level Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio
in Media Evaluation Name: Eleanor Mason Candidate Number: 6692
Center Name: St. Pauls Catholic College Center Number: 64770 Music
Magazine Production Evaluation
2. In what ways does your Media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products? The
magazine, across the 4-pages, repeats (Steve Neale) codes and
conventions from magazines such as Billboard in which I have used
as inspiration for my own magazine Virtuoso, some conventions that
I have used throughout all of the pages in my magazine is the
colour scheme which is simple, like Billboards, using black, white
and pink so it will make my magazine look professional but still
catches my target demographic; by using this colour scheme in all
my magazine pages it creates continuity and shows that these pages
are all linked and the pages flow. For my front cover there were
some main codes and conventions that I repeated (Neale) such as the
masthead, the date and price/convergence, the main headline and the
layout of it, the main image and a unique selling point. Similarly,
in my contents page I have used conventions such as the sections,
the page numbers and sub-lines, web address and social networking
sites/convergence and images that link to the sub-lines. Then in my
double page spread I continued to repeat (Neale) conventions such
as the convergence, the page numbers, the main image thats
different to the front cover and contents page images, in my
interview the questions are highlighted in pink which sticks to the
colour scheme for my magazine and I credited the photographer,
stylist and editor which is a common thing to do in all magazines.
However, there are examples of some difference in terms of the
forms and conventions in my own media product for example on my
front cover I have also included more cover lines than my magazine
of inspiration, giving the audience more to read on the front cover
to attract them to buying my magazine, I have also included a
promotional offer which links to the stories and main article that
has been included in my magazine which will also attract my target
audience to the magazine because it is bold and stands out, also on
the front cover I have included convergence and a strapline to also
attract the target demographic which isnt included in my magazine
of inspiration because Billboard is already a well established
magazine so it doesnt need any other selling techniques as most
people have already heard of. In my contents page, I have also
included an editorial which isnt used in Billboard because it is so
popular, in my editorial I have made it slightly colloquial so that
it suits my target audience and the type of dialect that they use
however I still use quite sophisticated language so that its still
a professional magazine whilst still creating a reader-editor
relationship. Also, to distinguish my magazine from existing ones,
I have changed the layout of my double page spread making the
quote, title of interview and main image the main focuses of this
page; by making the double page unique it attracts a larger
audience because it is something new, different and
interesting.
3. Howdoesyourmediaproductrepresentparticularsocialgroups? The
denotation of representation is the way something is viewed by
others, so the representation of my magazine is the way that social
groups are targeted and how they are shown in the magazine making
sure that Virtuoso can appeal to a mass audience. The main social
group that is targeted by my magazine would be more average teens
and young adults who like to stay up to date with the charts and
what is the most current music, my magazine doesnt really have a
particular social group that it would appeal to because my magazine
is the current charts which means that all genres of music could be
featured in the stories and the style and layout of the magazine
would be changeable depending on the artist that is featured as the
main article. By my magazine not having a strict and certain social
group this means that it can appeal to a mass audience and there
will always be certain groups that will appeal to the magazine due
to genre not being constant or staying the same. However, the main
genre that will most likely be featured would be pop because it is
the most popular type of music that the majority of people will
like and know about which I found in my questionnaire. The
magazine, across the 4-pages, helps to represent mainly pop music
because Ariana Grande is the main feature/artist in my magazine
pages who is a hugely successful pop artist the does include other
genres of music in her albums. However, artists such as Kanye West
and Avicii are also included in my magazine which have a more RnB
and electronic style and genre of music, this shows that my
magazine doesnt have a set representation of social groups as it
would always change depending on the most current music that is
featured in the charts for the week/month. On all of my pages,
especially in my contents page, I have included a range of artists
so that the magazine doesnt just appeal to scene kids or hipsters
but to all social groups. Virtuoso is a magazine that is
representative of all types of people and of all social groups
making my magazine a universal and unique magazine; I also think
that this aspect of my magazine makes a good unique selling point
as it allows my magazine to be more economical and creating a
larger demographic for Virtuoso.
4. What kind of media institution (Publisher) might distribute
your media product and why? Billboard is musics most powerful
brand. Across platforms and around the world, Billboard serves
diverse constituents from musics most passionate fans to the
industrys most influential people. From its award- winning website
to its iconic, authoritative weekly publication, Billboard content
is consumed by millions of people in more than 100 countries.
Billboards additional assets include its more than 200 iconic
weekly charts, which are the most viewed and quoted in the world,
the Billboard Music Awards, Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard
conferences, and a robust global licensing business
www.prometheusgm.com/billboard From the research that was completed
pre-production, I would envisage that Prometheus Global Media may
publish Virtuoso because they also publish The Hollywood Reporter
and Film Journal which are also well known magazines meaning that
this publisher is well able to heighten the personal relationship
(Katz) that the magazine has the potential of by using colloquial
language that is representative of the target demographic, this
publisher would be able to create this relationship with the
readers and audience to make a globally popular magazine that
appeals to many people due to its certain qualities and differences
that make my magazine unique. Virtuoso magazine also includes
synergy and cross-media convergence such as the Twitter and
Facebook links which are shown on most pages and also allows the
reader to access information about the magazine in different ways
which also appeals to a mass audience as it allows them to read the
magazine in the way that they prefer. The similarities of my
magazine to Billboard also signifies (De Saussure) that Virtuoso is
very similar in content and design so this company would most
likely want to publish my magazine also due to the similarities
that occur in both magazines. By my magazine showing similar codes
and conventions this would make it easy for Prometheus GM to
publish my magazine as similar audiences will also be interested in
my magazine then the readers for Billboard.
5. Who would be the audience for your media product and why?
According to Hartleys seven subjectivities, people of the ages of
16 30 years old would be interested in buying my music magazine
with both genders being targeted. This is because the artists and
celebrities that would be featured will be of both genders also,
meaning that it would appeal to both females and males who are of
all class because even though this magazine isnt the cheapest it
would still appeal to everyone. According to Katz Uses &
Gratifications theory, my target audience would be able to from a
personal relationship with my magazine because of the colloquial
language that is used through out the magazine; the target audience
might be able to personally identify with the artists that are used
in the magazine because in the articles they will take about
themselves and what's happened in their life which the target
demographic might be able to relate to and to identify with the
celebrity. Other aspects that will attract and audience is the
female gaze (Diana Saco) and male gaze (Laura Mulvey) who will buy
the magazine because of the artist that is used on the cover or in
the other articles because they like them which also attracts both
a female and male audience. According to Maslows hierarchy of
needs, social climbers would buy my magazine because it includes
all the latest trends in music showing the top 15 songs of the
month which will make those people want to be able to find the
latest trends to add to conversations within friends; they would
also want to seek as much information that they can so that they
can climb the social ladder and improve their social standing.
Social climbers will also want to buy my magazine because they
might be able to relate to the articles and might want to share
what is in the magazine with their friends.
6. How did you attract/address your audience? In order to
attract the intended target audience I decided to use many
different unique selling points (USP) so that this will appeal to
people and stand out compared to other existing magazines. By using
different USPs such as the masthead being down the side of the
magazine, and including a charts on the contents page will attract
a mass audience in order to show a difference between my magazine
and other magazines that have already been made. However, I have
also included aspects that are already used in magazines that make
it successful such as using promotion e.g. win tickets to see
Ariana Grande in concert which encourages the target audience to
buy my magazine so that they can win this prize. Another aspect
that I have repeated (Neale) from my magazine of inspiration is the
simple colour scheme with a simple layout which will attract my
audience because it is classic and doesnt have any garish designs
that arent very aesthetically pleasing but still has a small pop of
colour to attract an audience due to its subtlety and simplicity.
The inclusion of codes & conventions such as convergence and
using social media has helped to appeal to the target audience
because it also engages the audience to find out more information
about the magazine and gets the target audience more active and
involved in the magazine creating that bond between the editor and
the reader of the magazine. Also, by using an editorial this gives
the same effect of an active audience in the magazine because they
can form a personal relationship (Katz) with the editor as the
magazine is friendly and colloquial and using language such as you
and I which addresses the person reading the magazine, making them
feel included and valued as a consumer. Some codes and conventions
that I have used to attract an audience like using the promotion
not only on the front cover but in the contents page as well
creates that bond with the audience so they can feel like they can
get involved with a competition and we, as the creators of the
magazine, give back to the audience for buying the magazine!
7. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product? The software that was used to construct
the media product entitled Virtuoso was Adobe Photoshop CS4. By
using this software to create my magazine it allowed me to make
magazine pages that look professional and polished because you can
used many different tools to create the look that you want, for
example changing the layer style to create shadows and outlines on
pictures and texts which allow you to make a certain aspect stand
out from everything else like the main article or the main image. I
had previously used Photoshop before as I had used it to create
another magazine for my GCSE media coursework but I have learnt
even more skills by completing this task such as editing a picture
to a better quality and using the pen tool to create a textbox
around an image which also makes my magazine look up to a higher
standard. By learning these new skills it has improved the look of
my pages as I used the layer style to create the gradient
background that was carried on throughout my pages, I have also
used the pen tool to create a text box around the image that I used
in my double page spread. By using Photoshop it has made it easier
to manipulate the images that I used, for example I used the quick
selection tool to delete the background of each photo so that it
blended into the background of the magazine. It was also useful
because if I made a mistake it was easy to rectify this mistake
without starting again, for example when editing the pictures all
you have to undo the mistake to go back to what is was before which
makes the editing easier and quicker. For the fonts in my magazine
I used some from www.dafont.com and I also used the default fonts
that were already on Photoshop to have a variety of different type
of texts to differentiate the magazine and to create more
differences on the page; I have also used different fonts because
this is repeated (Neale) from other magazines because this is
conventional for music magazines. In order for this product to look
fit for purpose and appeal to the target audience, I decided to
create energy in the magazine pages which I done by using the paint
bucket tool and eye dropper tool because it allow me to get a
precise colour that I wanted and allowed me to create continuity
throughout my pages and create thing burst of colour which
represented my target audience. I also decided to create brighter
images but using the brightening section to make sure that the
image looked bright and youthful which also represented my target
audience. Overall, I have learnt lots of skills by using this
software and made a professional looking magazine.
8. Photography Planning Front Cover I took a variety of
pictures for my front cover so that I had lots of choice in what
kind of image that I wanted to used. The main type of shots that I
used were a close up, a mid shot and a long shot. In the end I used
the mid shot on the bottom left because it was the best image that
I took with this outfit. I liked the way this picture looked
because this also fitted into the front cover with the masthead and
sub lines that were also used on the front cover. For these image I
wanted her to look quite happy and relaxed like she was having a
fun time whilst doing the photo-shoot; this was because I wanted to
make it look professional by using the white background and light
boxes so that I could create this effect, but I also wanted some of
her personality to show through and the fun-loving side of her
which is shown in the one smiling and in the other ones. The image
that I ended up using was very similar to my magazine of
inspiration which also shows that repeated (Steve Neale) aspect of
my magazine as not only from my magazine of inspiration but in the
majority of other magazines use a mid shot on their front cover
which was another part of the conventions that I wanted to use in
my magazine also showing why I chose the bottom left image. She is
also standing in quite an open and friendly way which also appeals
to my target audience and the type of people that would most likely
read this magazine which is another aspect that has been repeated
(Neale) from other magazines as it shows that when the main image
on the front cover is open and seeming more friendly then the
target readership will be able to form that personal relationship
(Katz) with the artist which will also make them want to buy the
magazine. A male audience will also be appealed by this image/front
cover because it shows the male gaze (Laura Mulvey) making the
image a main selling point for all target demographics in order to
form that relationship that the readers need to buy the
magazine.
9. Photography Planning Contents Page I also took a variety of
images for my contents page in order to achieve the right look for
my magazine. Also my images are important for the magazine because
it links in everything in my magazine such as the colour scheme and
the type of design that my magazine has; by it having a simple
colour scheme and layout this is also replicated in my images
because the background is plain and simple, the clothes are simple
but have a pop of colour in them. By doing this it creates
continuity in my magazine pages and links the pictures to the
actual magazine itself. I chose these types of photos because it
shows the range of artists that are meant to be featured in my
magazine such as Ariana Grande, Avicii, Taylor Swift and Kanye
West. I also got her to change her outfit so I could use similar
pictures on each page but with different outfits to show some
change in the pages. The images that I ended up using were the top
left and right, the middle left and right, the bottom pictures. I
chose these pictures because I thought they all went together with
the colour scheme that is used in all my pages and they all looked
good when put together. In the end I used a lot more pictures on my
contents page that I originally thought I would need which shows
why some pictures like the bottom three are slightly different in
quality because I used different lighting and a different camera.
These pictures also link to the articles in the contents page by
showing who the article is talking about which is also made clear
with the page numbers that are used to the indicate which article
that links to what picture.
10. Photography Planning - Interview I took a variety of
different pictures for my double page spread so that I had lots of
choice in what type of shot I wanted, for example I used a close
ups, long shots, mid shots etc. By having many different shot types
this allowed me to pick the perfect picture for the double page so
that it suited the layout and design of my magazine. I liked having
different props as well like the dog which links to the article and
what is talked about in the pages however, I ended up using one of
the dog pictures in my contents page instead. For these pictures I
wanted her to look like she was in a photo-shoot however I still
wanted the elements of a natural posture and the way she stands,
which is also conveyed with her holding the dog, showing that even
in the photo-shoot her personality and information about her are
still showing and is quite relaxed. I used a light box and white
wall behind her to create a more professional look to the photos
and to also make it easier to edit the pictures if I needed to so
that when I placed the pictures into Photoshop there wasnt much
that needed doing to them. I also planned these pictures to be
simplistic which I think I achieved with having a plain background
and only using minimal props like the handbag and the dog. I found
that the top right picture was best suited to my double page spread
because it was similar to my magazines of inspiration and it made
the layout of my pages look professional and appealing to look at
as the text surrounded the picture making sure that she was the
main focus of the page. The only editing I done to my photos was to
take away the background so that it blended even more to the
magazine, in the end I didnt make any colour corrections or use any
filters as the picture was already up to a high quality so it wasnt
necessary to make any other corrections. I did really like the
other pictures but they werent as suited to the magazine as the
final image was.
11. Analysing my Front Cover Puff/ Promotion: I used this
convention to capture the audiences attention and to act as a
selling point for the magazine and will create more interest around
the issue. This is repeated (Steve Neale) from existing music
magazines. Sub Lines: I used this to attract the target audience so
if they are not interested in the main article then they the other
articles might be of interest to them Main Image: This is the focus
of the front cover as this would be one of the first things the
audience sees when the look at the magazine so it uses eye catching
colour. Social Networking: This is so the target demographic can
access this magazine in any form they want and can input their
ideas for the magazine on these pages to make it more interactive.
Masthead: This is also a main feature of my magazine as this will
not only inform the audience in what the magazine is called but it
is big and bold to actually attract the audience to look at the
magazine. Tag Line: This is a persuasive technique to encourage the
audience to buy the magazine and using social statues and peer
pressure to get the target audience to purchase this magazine. Main
Article: I used this to also attract the target audience to this
magazine because if they are interested in this artist then it
persuades them to keep up on what they are doing which means buying
this magazine. Convergence: This is used to allow the audience to
access more information about the magazine and access it in
different formats.
12. Analysing my Contents Page Images: These link to the
articles that are split up into 3 sections. This are used as a
visual aid to the consumer so that they can see who is mentioned in
which article. Charts: I have used this chart for the top singles
because it was also used in my magazine of inspiration and can be
used as the USP for my magazine because it appeals to the Social
Climbers (Katz) who want to keep up to date with the recent
activates to improve their social status. Editorial: I have used
this to create the personal relationship (Katz) with the audience
so they feel involved with the magazine. Convergence/Social
Networking : I have used this to create the option to the audience
to find the magazine in other areas. Masthead: This is carried on
from the front cover to create continuity in the pages so that they
link together and look like a professional magazine where
everything is carried through the magazine. Convergence: This is
used to allow the audience to access more information about the
magazine and access it in different formats. Page Numbers: This
allows the audience to clearly see which pages link to which
articles and shows this in a visual way. Sub Lines: This gives a
brief summary about each article so that the reader knows what
articles include what they want to read or are interested in. This
is an extra part for articles that show extra promotional things
that will also attract an audience to the magazine.
13. Analysing my Double Page spread Interview Headline: Makes
is clear who the article is about so the reader can quickly and
easily identify the artist and know what is going to be asked in
the interview. This is used to make a quick summary of the article
and what kind of subjects will be talked about so the reader can
get an overall view of the article. Masthead: This creates
continuity between each page because the masthead is shown on each
page so that the reader can see that this is the magazine that they
are reader and if they enjoy it then they can repurchase it. Quote:
This picks out a certain part of the interview in which, might
interest the reader into reading the article and what is being said
by this artist. Credits: This states which people helped with the
making of this article and generally tells the reader who took the
photo, who styled the artist and who was the editor of this
article. Convergence: This gives the reader an option to see this
article in different formats and allows the reader to gain more
access to the other issues that have already been and gone.
Interview/Main Image: This is what the whole issue is based upon,
this gives the audience/reader the information that they wanted as
this is the magazine they chose to buy this issue with this artist.
The main image is the main focus of the who page because the artist
is in the middle of the page and everything else is positioned
around it.
14. Audience Feedback Jades Feedback Front Cover Contents Page
Double Page Spread Katherines Feedback Front Cover Contents Page
Double Page Spread Leezas Feedback Front Cover Contents Page Double
Page Spread Rafs Feedback Front Cover Contents Page Double Page
Spread Gopikas Feedback Front Cover Contents Page Double Page
Spread These are the audio files for each page of my magazine. Some
questions that I asked were: What do you think of the placement of
the name of my magazine, What do you think of the images used in
the contents page, What do you think of the layout of the double
page spread and what are the positive and negative aspects of this
page etc. I asked some specific questions to get some specific
feedback on certain features however I also asked some more open
questions so that the audience had more of a chance to give their
opinion on the whole page put together as well. By doing this I
think that I have covered a variety of angles in order to get true
feedback on how to improve my magazine even further. Also, from
completing this audience feedback I can also see what the target
demographic want from the magazine and aspects that are needed to
change slightly so that my target audience would want buy my
magazine, for example, one improvement was to make the contents
page less cluttered which I could do by making the editorial
shorter and including less promotional offers at the bottom of the
page. Overall, my audience feedback has been successful and my
magazine had points to improve and there were also key features
that would attract my target audience which makes my magazine
successful.
15. Looking back at your Preliminary task, what do you feel you
have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? I feel
that, having completed the preliminary task and learning about the
demands of this production process, I have learnt many things not
only on the software that is used to create both the tasks but on
things like time management which allowed me to create a very
professional looking magazine because of the time I spent on each
page and the work that went into these pages. By completing the
preliminary task this has allowed me to refresh my skills that I
had previously learnt on Photoshop which then allowed me to create
a flowing magazine because there is continuity throughout the pages
like the colour scheme and the masthead on each page. There is
evidence of progression that I feel particularly demonstrates how I
met the demands of the production process, for example the way my
text in the double page spread fits around the main image which
uses all the space of the page up so that more of the article can
fit onto the page. Another aspect that I feel demonstrates how I
met the demands of the production process for example the way that
the picture quality of my images are very clear and up to a high
standard which was another aspect that I wanted to improve on from
the preliminary task.