Final products

I have made a few touch ups- spell checking, tweeking of text, and a couple of edits to finish my products.

Evaluation - How I have met conventions

Conventions


How I have made my front cover Bold-

Presentation Mag

Evaluation

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product is based on an indie/rock genre, similarly to Kerrang! and NME. Therefore I have found due to research that the main audience would be 15-18 and probabally, as seen from writers to NME and Kerrang! ranging up to 25 years old aswell. It is possible that my magazine could represent particular stereotypes but I have tried to keep the social range wide to attract the largest audience as possible.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
IPC Media are the distributor for magzine NME. The distributor of Kerrang! is Bauer consumer Media. Through research Bauer consumer media seems like a suitable distributor for my company because they distribute other magazines that are similar to mine, including 'Q' magazine. This tells me that they are experienced and have knowledge in this genre of magazine and know how to attract the right audience. IPC Media seem to have a range of different magazines - generally for middle aged women. Therefore I would choose a company similar to Bauer's because they have the experience to distribute my magazine well to the right audience. Also, choosing Bauer would mean that I wouldn't have to compete with them for buisness if I were to choose an independent company.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

As found from an ealier questionnaire, the people most likely to read a magazine of my style would be of either gender, aged 15-18. I was limited due to resources and time of only asking candidates between the ages of 11-18 years, therefore I am assuming that people out of this age range (up to 25 years) would be included in my target audience aswell. I assume this because I have seen letters that are sent to NME and Kerrang! from people aged 25.

My audience would be young, fun music lovers. They would have to have interest in bands within my genre, reviews, musical updates and news and the latest releases to be able to enjoy the full effect of my product.

How did you attract/address your audience?

As shown from research (see left) it is clear that the main cover and style play a big part in attracting the audience.

I have made my front cover as bold as possible in the following ways:

(see post)

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

During the construction process I feel I have developed my skills to their maximum potential on Adobe Photoshop. I have been able to experiment with Photoshop's limits and it has taught me alot about using the programme and I have picked up many skills that would be useful if working in the media industry.

I have also been introduced to Blogger, which is a new technology to me. The skills I have picked up may become useful in the future.

I have also been introduced to Scribd, which has helped me exploit my potential on blogger. This website has been useful to me and allowed me to try out new things.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

When I was producing my preliminary task, I was unaware of the capability of Photoshop. Therefore the outcome of my preliminary task was not particuarlly outstanding. However, through the construction process of my full product I have learnt to do things that I had no idea how to do in my preliminary task. Therefore the outcome of my full product is to a higher and more proffesional standard to that of my preliminary.

Double page spread - Stage 2

This is the second stage of my double page spread. I have added text - in a consistent style but with slight variation in font, size and boldness where appropriate. I have tried to adapt to the correct language for my audience and used 'slang' in places. The band title (GREEN MIND) is done in a completely separate font, as i found that this was commonly done in magazines so that bands can establish their own logo and be quickly recognised by it. I have kept to a simple colour scheme so that the page is not too busy, and the focus remains on the model. I have added page numbers, captions with the picture, sub headings, etc which all add to the 'magazine look' which I am aiming for. This is my almost-finished prouduct.

Double page spread - Stage 1

This is my initial stage in the double page spread process. I have added a large mid shot image which is the main focus of the page. As the model is female, I have done all I can to draw away the girly, or fashion aspect of the model and bring out a rock style. I have done this by getting her to stare into the camera and bare her teeth. Her body is slouched and in a casual, oppose to a "posey" position. This gives a more laid back, or even aggressive feel to the page which matches the genre and challenges the conventions. I have minimised erasing slight imperfections such as freckles, because I feel this brings a more gritty and realistic style to the page rather than it being mistaken for glamourous. I have used brightly coloured mis en scene such as flourescent, eye cathing pink make up and clothing which I have edited to stand out as much as possible. This brings away the dullness of the page and stops the model blending in with the background. It also contrasts with the realistic style I have tried to create. The background is coloured black as I found the general pattern for double page spreads was a one colour wash, and black was the most suited colour as it creates a sense of mystery and darkness. I have added a catchy title- in a suitable language for the audience- in bold capitial text for maximum attraction.

Double page research

These are influences to the double page spread I wish to create.

Double page research

I have researched into double page spreads that use female models. I found these to be particually rare, however I have collected some examples. I want to use a female model because I feel it will challenge the typical conventions.



I have found the typical conventions to include; A large image of the female placed over a whole a4 side (typically the right hand side)/ The model posing in an abstract way that draws attention to the image/ A write up in an 'interview' style where the magazine asks questions to the star/ Text placed in collums over the left hand side of the double/ Text to be consistant however some variety in size and boldness/ A caption next to the image placed in a small box/ Text following the 'slang' style language throughout/ Interesting quotations placed in large, bold font toward the top of the pages/ A '>>' sign indicating to turn the page for more/ A well edited, framed image with carefully placed mise en scene/ and more to follow.



I will try to follow and in some cases challenge these conventions throughout my making process.

Contents page - Stage 2

This is my nearly-finished product. I have continued to follow the text style and included everything that was advertised on the cover. I have added 2 smaller images - both long shots to show different gestures and actions and create variation in my shot types. I have also added an advert which offers a magazine subscription, as my research shows this was very commonly found on contents pages of such magazines. Another colour (green) has been added to the layout to make it more interesting and challenge traditional conventions. I feel white was a suitable wash for the background because i didnt want to use too much black. This allowed me to use black text to complete the 'black/white/red' colour scheme.

Contents page - Stage 1

This is the initial layout of my contents page. Here i have added a title - conventionally placed in the right hand corner of the page. My image is an englarged version (to draw attention) of the smaller image on the cover, as seen done in an issue of Kerrang! I have challenged the conventions by using black and white to make the image extra bold. This effect also removes the ordinarity of the room and makes it seem more suited to the rock style.

I have began to add text, following a consistent style and a simple black/white/green colour scheme. Again capital letters and fonts are used appropriately, and I have tried to use suitable language in the titles.

Contents page research

Conventions of a Contents page

- 1 large image, followed by 1 or more smaller images.

- The main image is interesting, it could be an action shot and often involves mise en scene such as musical intruments.
- A large 'Contents' or 'This week' title at the top to establish the page, generally in the right hand corner.

- A list of sub titles including headings such as 'News', 'Reviews' and 'Feedback' etc.
- An advert to promote subscription to the magazine, including a phone number, price, picture of the issue, etc.

- Page numbers varying up to around 50-60.

- A simple black/white background often enhanced with red or yellow colours throughout.