Genre I have chosen to produce an indie magazine.

What is genre? The genre is the conventional category of a particular piece of media that identifies it as belonging to a shared tradition or a set of conventions.

Key Components Stock Characters Stock issues and themes Stock locations and backdrops Stock props and signifiers Generic conventions

Stock CharactersTypically in an indie magazine, the people involved are usually looking to be different. Indie artists are commonly seen to be wearing leather jackets and skinny jeans.

Stock Issues and ThemesIndie music magazines tend to focus mainly on artists/bands and what they are going to be doing at the present time and what they are planning to do in the future. Indie music magazines also put focus on new and upcoming artists/bands who are likely to be popular with their target audience.

Stock Locations and BackdropsThe usual locations for the photographs used in indie music magazines are at live shows, outdoors in urban areas and in household environments.

Stock Props and Signifiers

Musical instruments such as guitars are common props used in photographs in indie music magazines. Indie music magazines also tend to signify a sense of rebellion in their photographs with models looking different in comparison with the normal conventions. Also use of taboo language is common as this is seen as a rebellious act.

Generic ConventionsOne generic convention of an indie music magazine would be the sense of rebellion. This appeals most to a younger audience as it is typical of young people to want to rebel. This is done mostly through photographs and the use of an informal language. Another generic convention of an indie music magazine would be the use of bold colours such as red and black. This catches the consumer’s eyes and makes them stand out on the shelf.

RepresentationPeople are represented differently depending on what magazine they are appearing in. For example in NME magazine people are represented as being music lovers who thrive to be the first to hear about new music. Q magazine also appeals to indie people as due to the increase in synth-style music, indie people are now interested in a wider variety of music.

ReflectionI intend to make an indie magazine for my product. It will include images that relate to the genre. For example I will make sure that the model wears clothes that fit the generic style of indie. I will focus a lot of what the magazine is about on music and new music. The photograph will possibly be set in an urban area. I may use a prop such as a guitar or another musical instrument as this is common amongst the other magazines.