2. In What Way Does Your Media Product Use,
Develop or Challenge Forms and
Conventions of Real Media Products?
The way I used forms and conventions consisted of emulating a
house style similar to that of Q (as it is a serious music magazine
with a quirky edge to it) but I chose to emulate the genre of NME
(as this would appeal more to my target audience) . I chose to do
this as the product would be a new addition to the shelves for
consumers. I developed the house style of Q by introducing another
colour to the mix which adds a level of sophistication to my
magazine. I challenged magazine conventions by combining more
than one genre type. I did this so that more than one category of my
target audience is addressed.
3. (See Blog for
Front Cover and Analysis More Detailed
Post)
I tried to achieve a pin up
girl style magazine as this
would appeal to the older
people within my target
audience. I chose to use a
modern twist on it as it
would mirror the current
era.
4. (See Blog for
Contents and Analysis More Detailed
Post)
Here is where I really tried to
develop my house style. As the
cover, contents and double page
spread all feature a similar colour
scheme and style. I did this as this
makes magazines professional. I
used an image from the same
photo-shoot to create parallelisms
in my magazine.
7. How Does Your Media Represent
Social Groups?
I think my magazine shows that young people are fresh and vibrant. In my
media pack, I wrote a viewer profile which says “Charlie is 19. He studies
History at University and his passions include writing and music. He taught
himself how to play guitar and whips it out at every opportunity. His music
tastes influence his lifestyle choices and he's always up to date with the
latest chart topping bands as well as discovering new ones .He’s up to date
with his work so he always has time to party through the night. On the side,
he DJ’s at a local nightclub and his favourite past time is going to gigs. He
knows how to have a good time. He’s not a likes to call his style edgy and
unique and vintage and that’s what SWITCH is all about." I believe I
captured this by using a young artist, using artists that are always in the
charts and choosing certain language to allow my target audience not only
to read easily but to develop their knowledge.
8. What kind of Media Institution would
distribute your product and why?
At the moment, the music industry is on a downward spiral thanks to illegal
downloading and streaming. People can get music for free now and this
means artists aren’t making any money. To compensate for this I would sell
my magazine as subscription only with bonus content that only buyers can
see. I would sell the first magazine at £5 and then the rest at a £1. Not only
does this make money but it’s a cheap and easy way. It is also relatively
unique and my target audience is unique so it would suit them. As they are
mainly going to be students. They would appreciate the low cost for such
high quality. I would use my magazine as competition to Q and NME as it is
so similar but the individual differences are what would make it appeal. I
would also allow the magazine to be bought in an online form where my
target can read online whilst on social networking sites or on legal streaming
websites. I would set up my own website with legal yet free streaming
(similar to YOUTUBE) as this would create an online world for my audience
only.
9. Who is your target audience?
My target audience is 15-24 year olds. I chose this age group as at this age
they are beginning to become independent and now know what they like. I’d
play on this by making the magazine changeable with regular focus groups
so the magazine stays fresh.
My typical reader loves to stay up to date and loves to surprise people. They
aren’t the kind of person who wants to be on top and show off but the kind
that likes to know things that may come in handy. They may want to go to
festivals and gigs and aren’t afraid to step out or stand out but still feel
comfy following the crowd.
10. Attracting my Audience
I used simple language so they focused more on getting the story than
working out what words meant.
I used a basic colour scheme so that it looked amazing and eye catching.
I used an artist that is similar to the age group I am aiming at.
I used up to date artists so that my audience could amaze their friends with
their up to date knowledge.
It is similar to Q but with a younger target audience.
My main star happens to be wearing high street clothing which shows she
isn’t that far away from the target audience.
The colour red is key in my magazine as it symbolises dangers and stands
out. It also has connotations of sex and this shows sex appeal.
11. What have you learnt about
Technologies from your production?
I learnt how to structure photos so that they would look good on a cover,
contents page or on a double page spread. I also learnt how to use a SLR
camera to achieve high quality images that would reflect the quality of the
magazine. I chose to use a SLR as this is a newer technology than your
average digital camera. I wanted to achieve as professional as I could.
I used Photoshop to create all of my magazine as I found it easy to use
once I had learnt the basics. I often had difficulties creating the image I
wanted to but after researching it, I found that using a certain tool would
produce a certain effect. I personally liked the fact that you can alter the
image. Even if you have an amazing camera there will still be faults and
this is the purpose of Photoshop. Using layers to create a Cover,
Contents and Double Page Spread was simpler and easier than I
originally thought. I found that Photoshop helped a lot with my production
as it can now be applied to any piece of Media work in the future.
12. Looking back at your preliminary task, what
do you feel you have learnt in progression
from it to the full product?
The preliminary task helped me to develop essential skills that I needed in order to
produce a top quality piece of work. I used my preliminary task as a marker for what
can be achieved basically. Photoshop has helped with this as using new tools became
second nature to me after creating my preliminary task as well as more of a productive
outlook as I know the full product is much. This provided me with confidence and
allowed me to create something to be proud of.
This magazine cover is plain and
dull and doesn’t really look
professional. The lack of different
colours and the dull layout
wouldn’t appeal to anyone.
This cover shows the progress I have
made as it showcases the skills I
have learnt. I definitely prefer this
cover to the other as this one is
better.
