AS Media StudiesAS Media Studies

Foundation Portfolio: Foundation Portfolio: Unit Unit G321G321

In what way does your Media In what way does your Media Product use, develop or Product use, develop or

challenge forms and conventions challenge forms and conventions of real media products?of real media products?

My Media ProductMy Media ProductThe typical conventions of a music magazine consist of:The typical conventions of a music magazine consist of: MastheadsMastheads Corner grabbersCorner grabbers Barcode Barcode Slogan ectSlogan ect

I have tried to use most of these things in my own cover, I have tried to use most of these things in my own cover, contents and double page spread to produce a professional contents and double page spread to produce a professional and realistic music magazine.and realistic music magazine.

I have analysed popular music magazines such as Q, NME I have analysed popular music magazines such as Q, NME and Kerrang to give me inspiration and ideas for making and Kerrang to give me inspiration and ideas for making my own magazine.my own magazine.

Masthead

Slogan

Cover lines

Features

Captions

Main Image

Main Cover line

Red & white house style

Barcode

AnalysisAnalysisHere I will analysing two front covers pointing out all of the

typical conventions for a popular music magazine. this

helped me greatly when making my own.

Strap line

Masthead

Features

Puff

Caption

Cover lines

Feature

Barcode

Main Image

Main Article

NME CoverNME Cover

Here I will be analysing two Contents pages, pointing out all of the obvious

conventions a popular music magazine would have. This will help readers

know where I got my own ideas for my contents page from.

Puff

Puff

Directory to

Magazine

NME Logo

Page Number

s

Continuous house style of bright pink, yellow

and black

Corner Grabber

Lure

Date

Q ContentsQ ContentsLogo and title

Features

Articles and Page

numbers

Directory

The content

s is broken up with

sub headings so its easier to read

Main Image

Page number of main article

More in-

depth detail about the

magazine

Date of magazi

ne

Here I will be analysing two Double Page Spreads, I feel by doing this it allows the

reader to understand where I got my ideas from- I will be consistent in terms

of media terminology.

Main Image

Title of the

Article

Introduction

ColumnsNME

Logo and Date

Attractive, eye catching image

Continuous House

style- red,

white and

black.

Pull Quote

Large bold font- eye

catching

Columns

Interview

Main Image

Introduction

Date

Below is the image of my front cover. I Below is the image of my front cover. I have pointed out all the typical have pointed out all the typical

conventions a real music magazine conventions a real music magazine would have. I have compared it with the would have. I have compared it with the previous music magazine front cover I previous music magazine front cover I

have just analysed.have just analysed.

Main Image

Features

Puff

Strap line

Cover lines

Masthead

Barcode and Issue

Number and Date

Below is an image of my Contents page. Below is an image of my Contents page. I have created it with the help from real I have created it with the help from real Contents pages from music magazines.Contents pages from music magazines.

TitleContent

s is broken up so

its easier to read

Pictures of

other articles within

the magazine with

page number

s

Main Image

Main Image

Page Number of main feature

Page Number

s

Here I have an image of my Here I have an image of my DPS, I have analysed it DPS, I have analysed it

pointing out all the typical pointing out all the typical conventions of a music conventions of a music

magazine. This helps me magazine. This helps me compare my DPS with a real compare my DPS with a real

DPS.DPS.

Main image

2 smaller images

to break the

page up.

Introduction

Interview

Name of Artist/Band

Columns

How does your Media Product How does your Media Product represent particular Social represent particular Social

Groups?Groups?

InfluencesInfluences After research by using my questionnaires I have found that most After research by using my questionnaires I have found that most

people reading my magazine are teenagers, being around 16. people reading my magazine are teenagers, being around 16. Therefore I have included images of teenage girls, since that was Therefore I have included images of teenage girls, since that was the majority of gender reading my magazine.the majority of gender reading my magazine.

The main theme my target audience was after was the The main theme my target audience was after was the punk/rock/indie sort of gnere, so I have tried to copy famous punk/rock/indie sort of gnere, so I have tried to copy famous music bands such as Paramore, The Killers ect, and recreate their music bands such as Paramore, The Killers ect, and recreate their look onto the models onto my magazine, as you can see from the look onto the models onto my magazine, as you can see from the image below.image below.

By copying bands such as these, I feel that I will attract my target audience more since these bands are too aimed at teenagers, so teenagers will quickly pick up on the influences these bands have on my model and overall magazine in general.

Bands such as the Killers and Paramore have a distinctive look, Bands such as the Killers and Paramore have a distinctive look, which is unique to the artists, so I felt that if my target audience which is unique to the artists, so I felt that if my target audience are interested in a music genre such as there's it would be best to are interested in a music genre such as there's it would be best to try and recreate their looks as much as possible in my own try and recreate their looks as much as possible in my own images.images.

My magazine won’t be for everyone, but with the majority of the My magazine won’t be for everyone, but with the majority of the people I asked I have based my magazine around suiting them.people I asked I have based my magazine around suiting them.

I have included two images here to show the comparison

I have represented the rock/indie style through my models I have represented the rock/indie style through my models hair and clothing, and many people reading my magazine hair and clothing, and many people reading my magazine will notice this straight away.will notice this straight away.

The colour scheme of my magazine is a bright blue, which The colour scheme of my magazine is a bright blue, which I find very eye catching and would fit the indie genre of I find very eye catching and would fit the indie genre of music.music.

Social GroupsSocial Groups By looking at the NRS Social Grading Class, I understand that By looking at the NRS Social Grading Class, I understand that

my magazine would fall under:my magazine would fall under:

C1C1 C2 C2 D D Social GradingC1 C1 is for Lower/Middle Classis for Lower/Middle Class

C2 C2 is for Skilled working Classis for Skilled working Class

D D is for Working Class.is for Working Class.

My Magazine is aimed at ordinary people in society, so it only My Magazine is aimed at ordinary people in society, so it only makes sense that it falls under these standards, as my magazine makes sense that it falls under these standards, as my magazine is simply about promoting new artists and new music. My is simply about promoting new artists and new music. My magazine doesn’t have any images of people from foreign magazine doesn’t have any images of people from foreign backgrounds or people with disabilities, as they would not backgrounds or people with disabilities, as they would not represent the style of my magazine so therefore the magazine represent the style of my magazine so therefore the magazine would not sell as well.would not sell as well.

What kind of media institution What kind of media institution might distribute your media might distribute your media

product and why?product and why?

BAUER MediaBAUER Media Bauer was founded in 1975 with its first Bauer was founded in 1975 with its first

popular magazine ‘Bella’ released in 1987.popular magazine ‘Bella’ released in 1987. Bauer media is Europe’s biggest privately Bauer media is Europe’s biggest privately

owned Magazine publisher.owned Magazine publisher. The group offer over 300 magazines in 15 The group offer over 300 magazines in 15

countries.countries. Bauer Media have a 50% stake in the Bauer Media have a 50% stake in the

popular music channel called ‘The Box.’popular music channel called ‘The Box.’ Bauer produces music magazines such as Bauer produces music magazines such as

Kerrang and Q and also TV listing Kerrang and Q and also TV listing magazines such as ‘Take a Break’ and magazines such as ‘Take a Break’ and ‘Bella’. ‘Bella’.

IPC MediaIPC Media IPC media stands for IPC media stands for

International Publishing International Publishing Corporation. Corporation.

IPC Media sell over 350 IPC Media sell over 350 million copies of their million copies of their magazines per year.magazines per year.

They own the popular Indie They own the popular Indie Music Magazine named Music Magazine named ‘NME’. ‘NME’.

The first issue of ‘NME’ was The first issue of ‘NME’ was released on the 7released on the 7thth of March of March 1952.1952.

NME now have their own TV NME now have their own TV channel and website, with channel and website, with over 4 million users globally.over 4 million users globally.

As well as NME, IPC As well as NME, IPC Media offer other great Media offer other great magazines such as magazines such as Country Life, Horse and Country Life, Horse and Hound, Chat, Now and Hound, Chat, Now and many more, so they many more, so they offer a great variety to offer a great variety to everyone.everyone.

Who would be the audience for Who would be the audience for your media product?your media product?

The Audience for my Media Product would be teenagers, female, The Audience for my Media Product would be teenagers, female, around the age of 16/17. I found this information with the help of around the age of 16/17. I found this information with the help of handing out Questionnaires to my friends and family. The handing out Questionnaires to my friends and family. The majority of the music genre was Punk Rock/Indie, which left me majority of the music genre was Punk Rock/Indie, which left me to decide on a music magazine which I felt fitted the target to decide on a music magazine which I felt fitted the target audience. I got many influences form magazines such as Q and audience. I got many influences form magazines such as Q and Kerrang and many bands such as The Killers and Paramore.Kerrang and many bands such as The Killers and Paramore.

I used an informal approach when I was talking on my DPS, as I I used an informal approach when I was talking on my DPS, as I felt a more laid back attitude addressed a younger audience felt a more laid back attitude addressed a younger audience better than a formal, descriptive tone. better than a formal, descriptive tone.

The colours of my magazine where all decides by the target The colours of my magazine where all decides by the target audience, in colours they would prefer to see on a music audience, in colours they would prefer to see on a music magazine, which was blue. I chose the blue to be vibrant, and magazine, which was blue. I chose the blue to be vibrant, and very appealing to look at as it would be eye-catching and make very appealing to look at as it would be eye-catching and make reading the magazine more enjoyable.reading the magazine more enjoyable.

How did you attract/ address your How did you attract/ address your audience?audience?

How I Attracted my How I Attracted my AudienceAudience

I addressed my audience in a informal way, such as the I addressed my audience in a informal way, such as the DPS which had a very laid back tone, I felt this would DPS which had a very laid back tone, I felt this would attract more teenagers to read my magazine rather than a attract more teenagers to read my magazine rather than a formal tone.formal tone.

When looking from my questionnaires, I noticed that When looking from my questionnaires, I noticed that everyone was more inclined to buy my magazine if it had everyone was more inclined to buy my magazine if it had freebies, which was why I had a freebie puff in the middle freebies, which was why I had a freebie puff in the middle of my cover so it would lure my target audience in.of my cover so it would lure my target audience in.

On the cover of my magazine I included cover lines such as On the cover of my magazine I included cover lines such as ‘Top ten Chart list inside’ and ‘Oblivion’s new photoshoot’, ‘Top ten Chart list inside’ and ‘Oblivion’s new photoshoot’, to lure my target audience in, as I understood that teens to lure my target audience in, as I understood that teens would be more inclined to lift my magazine from the shelf would be more inclined to lift my magazine from the shelf if cover lines popped out at them like that.if cover lines popped out at them like that.

When doing the questionnaires I found my target audience When doing the questionnaires I found my target audience were more eager to see a solo artist than a band, so I found were more eager to see a solo artist than a band, so I found my female mode, choosing her to be female since the my female mode, choosing her to be female since the majority of my target audience were females as found my majority of my target audience were females as found my questionnaire research, and I did her hair and chose her questionnaire research, and I did her hair and chose her clothing to that of a indie/rock artist. I felt that by doing this clothing to that of a indie/rock artist. I felt that by doing this my magazine would stand out to my target audience since it my magazine would stand out to my target audience since it holds things that address them.holds things that address them.

I chose my colour scheme to be blue as my target audience I chose my colour scheme to be blue as my target audience chose blue as their main colour they would want to see in a chose blue as their main colour they would want to see in a music magazine, so by choosing blue it would again address music magazine, so by choosing blue it would again address them and stand out on the shelf.them and stand out on the shelf.

I was very careful to follow exactly what my target audience I was very careful to follow exactly what my target audience wanted, as it is them I want my magazine to be most wanted, as it is them I want my magazine to be most appealing to, so by choosing a indie/rock theme, a female appealing to, so by choosing a indie/rock theme, a female artist, and a blue colour scheme I felt I couldn’t gop wrong in artist, and a blue colour scheme I felt I couldn’t gop wrong in terms of presentation.terms of presentation.

My Solo ArtistMy Solo Artist

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

The many Technologies I The many Technologies I used:used:

PhotoshopPhotoshop Microsoft PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPoint Microsoft WordMicrosoft Word PB WorksPB Works & my own Olympus sp 800uz& my own Olympus sp 800uz

PB WorksPB Works PB works was the site I had to upload all my PB works was the site I had to upload all my

work onto, and it was my first experience using a work onto, and it was my first experience using a blog. I didn’t however like using PB works, as I blog. I didn’t however like using PB works, as I found it could often be very slow and sometimes found it could often be very slow and sometimes difficult to work. It took a long time uploading difficult to work. It took a long time uploading my work, which was annoying since I didn’t my work, which was annoying since I didn’t exactly have a lot of time to waste. exactly have a lot of time to waste. I wouldn’t like to use PB works again, as I found I wouldn’t like to use PB works again, as I found it frustrating to use and it was hard to work out it frustrating to use and it was hard to work out how to change the layout and font style, so I had how to change the layout and font style, so I had to take some time at the start learning how to to take some time at the start learning how to use the blogging site.use the blogging site.

PhotoshopPhotoshop I had a lot of experience using Photoshop since I have it at I had a lot of experience using Photoshop since I have it at

home on my own computer, so I didn’t have to take time home on my own computer, so I didn’t have to take time out to learn how to use it. By having photoshop at home it out to learn how to use it. By having photoshop at home it allowed me to be able to download new brushes and fonts, allowed me to be able to download new brushes and fonts, something I couldn’t do on the C2K network in schools, so something I couldn’t do on the C2K network in schools, so I had a lot more freedom in trying to make my product look I had a lot more freedom in trying to make my product look professional.professional.

I often stuck to the same tools which I was farmiliar with, I often stuck to the same tools which I was farmiliar with, such as the Clone Stamp Tool, the Magic Wand tool and such as the Clone Stamp Tool, the Magic Wand tool and the Lasso Tool.the Lasso Tool.

I also used a lot of effects such as the distorts and the I also used a lot of effects such as the distorts and the swirl, this gave my contents and DPS the swirl effect in the swirl, this gave my contents and DPS the swirl effect in the background, along with some useful brushes I obtained off background, along with some useful brushes I obtained off the internet.the internet.

Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office

Microsoft Word allowed me to write up a lot of my Microsoft Word allowed me to write up a lot of my research and planning whilst Microsoft PowerPoint research and planning whilst Microsoft PowerPoint allowed me to enter the results of my Questionnaires and allowed me to enter the results of my Questionnaires and my Evaluations. I have been using these two software's for my Evaluations. I have been using these two software's for years so it wasn’t hard at all.years so it wasn’t hard at all.

Also, things like Microsoft Exel allowed me to make my Also, things like Microsoft Exel allowed me to make my tables for my Questionnaire results to help me decipher my tables for my Questionnaire results to help me decipher my target audience, I wasn’t as familiar with Exel but it took target audience, I wasn’t as familiar with Exel but it took no time to get to know how to use.no time to get to know how to use.

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

product?product?

My Cover and ContentsMy Cover and Contents

What I have learnt ;What I have learnt ; I feel as though I have learnt a great deal from the I feel as though I have learnt a great deal from the

Preliminary task to now.Preliminary task to now. I have learnt how to analyse magazines by using the I have learnt how to analyse magazines by using the

correct terminology, I feel now that I could analyse a front correct terminology, I feel now that I could analyse a front cover a magazine thoroughly in the correct way. I learnt cover a magazine thoroughly in the correct way. I learnt how to make my own magazine front cover, DPS and how to make my own magazine front cover, DPS and Contents in a professional way, and the ways to make it Contents in a professional way, and the ways to make it look professional.look professional.

I would now feel more confident using things like blogging I would now feel more confident using things like blogging websites and how to go about getting a target audience.websites and how to go about getting a target audience.

CommunicationCommunication

The communication with my classmates has improved, The communication with my classmates has improved, when I ever had a problem or needed some guidance I when I ever had a problem or needed some guidance I simply would speak to the girls from my class via simply would speak to the girls from my class via Facebook, where they were able to help me if need be.Facebook, where they were able to help me if need be.

When getting my target audience I got information via When getting my target audience I got information via Questionnaires, I feel that the Preliminary task helped me Questionnaires, I feel that the Preliminary task helped me know what to expect in the Main task, so I felt more know what to expect in the Main task, so I felt more confident in doing research and analysing magazines, as confident in doing research and analysing magazines, as well as writing up Questionnaires and doing the bar charts well as writing up Questionnaires and doing the bar charts to complete my results.to complete my results.

In ConclusionIn Conclusion Overall I have learnt that making a magazine cover, Overall I have learnt that making a magazine cover,

contents and DPS takes a lot more time and effort than just contents and DPS takes a lot more time and effort than just putting an image and few cover lines on a page. So much putting an image and few cover lines on a page. So much time must be dedicated to do research and planning, to time must be dedicated to do research and planning, to choosing the cover lines, the layout and the model you’re choosing the cover lines, the layout and the model you’re going toput in the magazine and why. I now understand going toput in the magazine and why. I now understand that a Target Audience is needed and the entire magazine that a Target Audience is needed and the entire magazine must be aimed at them, keeping them in account at all must be aimed at them, keeping them in account at all times. Choosing things like the colour, the font and the times. Choosing things like the colour, the font and the layout of the magazine must be planned, as well as layout of the magazine must be planned, as well as analysing other covers and contents pages in order to analysing other covers and contents pages in order to understand what must be done.understand what must be done.

Its helped me realise how much hard work it is to make a Its helped me realise how much hard work it is to make a magazine, and I had a lot of fun creating my own.magazine, and I had a lot of fun creating my own.