AS MEDIA
2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products.
Media conventions
Media Forms
Here I have used one particular media element that challenges media
forms, I have usedsimilar coloursto NME, that stand out and
increase the magazines brand image; this is a typical form ofmusic
magazines.
My media productadvertises tickets to a concert which is a typical
media convention in a lot of indie style magazinessuch as NME that
I have researched.
The type of model I have used is also a media convention as he fits
in with the indie style of the magazine.
After researching many magazines (especially NME) I have found that
a clear simple text is a media convention.
Here I have used a bar code which is common in many magazines
3. Here I have used a play on words to create a catchy, memorable
title that my target audience would remember.
The idea originated from the NME magazine, however my magazine is
not an acronymunlike NME; which stands for National Musical
Express.
I have included the date of the magazine on my contents page, this
is carried on throughout , on both my cover and double pages
spread. NME magazine has this feature which identifies the specific
issue.
Moreover, I have used sub headings to divide my contents page, that
I have collected from my research.
I have included a subscription note in my magazines which is a very
common media convention
In addition to this I have continued the colours and fonts onto the
contents page to maintain consistency throughout my magazine
I have added captions with my images to give more description to
the readers.
4. I have challenged typical media conventions and forms by tilting
my title to stretch across two pages.
A section about Jacks opinions on topical issues going on in the
world whichis a convention that lots of music magazines use.
To improve the aesthetics of my magazine I have added colourful
shapes to help make the page standout and appeal to my target
audience.
I have put the page and date at the bottom of my magazine which is
a generic media convention used in almost every music
magazine.
5. How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
My magazine targets an audience between the ages of 17 30. I have
created my magazine to attract my audience through numerous ways
such as:
He is around the age of the
audience I am trying to target
which helps them to relate the
magazine.
I have used a simple font called Trebuchet MS that
Is not complicated and too busy, but is it not boring
to the reader.
TREBUCHET MS
I have wrote about and included articles that are interesting,
popular and well known to try and appeal to my target
audience.
I have included an offer in my magazine to try and persuade
people to buy it. I have offered 4 tickets to add to the appeal and
have also stated any concert so the winner can choose for
themselves. This will persuade the reader to buy the magazine by
causing them to think about what it would be like and where they
would go.
6. What kind of media institution might distribute your media
product and why?
I have researched into Future PLC, which publishes a whole variety
of magazines targeted at a whole range of people. Future PLC offer
magazines from video games to cycling.
This diverse kind of media portfolio would be useful as they could
use the right marketing techniques to advertise my magazine to
attract the intended target audience.
On the other hand I have also researched into another company
called IPC Media. This company produces over 85 iconic media brands
and sells 350 million magazines a year. In addition to this, IPC
also sells the NME magazine which is what I have based some of my
ideas from. This experience in the market would be invaluable to
selling my media product, as they have similar magazines that they
currently sell. Furthermore I think that IPC will be able to sell
my magazine stores in large retailers such as WHS Smith. WHS smith
is a store that sells a variety of magazines and attracts a whole
range of people. In addition to this I think that there is a lack
of indie music magazines being supplied to consumers; this would
make it more likely for my product to reach the shelves in WHS
Smith stores.
Future media products
7. Who would be the audience of your media product?
I have aimed to attract both males and females when I produced my
magazine. I
have done this in numerous ways such as the pose of the model, he
has fist pushed out as if he is trying to interact with the reader.
I have used unisex colours such as black, red, white and
yellow
All exclusives on the front cover of my magazine only display music
stories. This would appeal to people who enjoythe artists being
advertised, which does limit the magazines audience.
As well as this I have included content in the magazine that would
be appeal o both males and females. Finally I think the bands that
I have included in the magazine are popular with both
genders.
8. I have asked people from my targetaudience about my magazine and
they said:
It looked good, I like the pose he's in
The colours go really well and stand out
The background looks sic
My model I have used is also wearing indie style clothes to help
readers relate to the magazine . The pose he is in also suggests
that he a bit arrogant.
The model is holding a microphone so that readers know that this is
a music magazine
Ihave included popular well known bands to appeal to my target
audience. I have chosen these bands specifically to appeal across
my target audience.
9. The title at the top of the page stands out and gives people an
impression of the type of person in the article. This also
represents the magazineand the stories it may have in the future
which may appeal or put off readers.
My magazine is aimed specifically at people who listen to or like
indie music. I have done this thorough the pose, facial expressions
, instruments and content I have included on the pages.
This subtitlegives a hint to what the article is about to the
reader.
Patterned background to make the double page spread more
interesting and aesthetically appealing.
10. How did you attract your/address your audience?
I attracted my target audience through the tone of voice I have
used in my article, I have used some slang terms so that readers
can relate to what is on the page.
My magazine also includes an offer that will attract some younger
viewers who have less income.
I have created a large title in my magazine to make it stand out
and attract readers. Also theplay on words of IND, will appeal to
some readers.
I have included popular interviews with current artists aboutwhere
they currently intend on heading in the music industry.
The model I have used is interacting with the reader on the front
of the magazine, which might persuade them to buy it.
I have used specific clothes in my magazine that are stylish and
current to attract and appeal to my target audience.
11. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
I have previously used Photoshop before, but to only create a
simple fragrance advert and my preliminary task. So in creating
this magazine my Photoshop skills have significantly been enhanced,
as I know how to alter the shape, size and width of text, create
strokes to make text stand out and edit pictures to a good
standard.
Finally I had to print my coursework to identify and correct
mistakes, however the printer I used did print in A3 which meant
that I had to print my double page spread across four pages; this
made it more difficult to look for errors in my magazine
Furthermore, I have reshot a lot of my pictures for my magazine as
they were not suitable for my music magazine. I have done this as I
want my magazine to appeal in every way to my target audience. I
have also learntfrom my research how music magazines try to
advertise and persuade people to purchase their magazines by using
bright colours and stroked text etc.; which has been useful in
creating my own magazine.
Where I added the stroke to make text stand out.
12. Look back at your preliminary task. What do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product
I have learnt that it takes an extraordinary amount of effort and
thought to create a music magazine as everything has to be created
to appeal to a target audience. In addition to this I found it
difficult to include the correct images to attract a target
audience as everything in the image has to be considered from the
clothes to the correct pose.
I have also learnt that time management was key to this task as
everything had to be completed at different stages e.g. Photos were
taken first.
Furthermore, I have learnt to research other media products before
completing my own as they are good guidelines of how to create a
successful music magazine
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed creating my media product and
have learnt a lot whilst completing it. Finally it makes me think
about other magazines and how they are put together and how much
effort goes into them.
I have learnt how to setup a studio and use the lighting system
effectively to get the best possible images. In addition to this I
have realised how much time, preparation and props is needed to get
an image to attract a particular audience.