1) In what ways does your media product

use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?Title

• My title ‘Rock It Out’ distinguishes a clear relation to the genre, which is Rock; many other magazines use the title as a symbol of their content such as Drum Media, Top of the Pops and Metal Hammer – however this convention is not the most popular.

• The title itself as is a compilation of black, silver and white colours which stands out in front of a darker background which will attract the reader to the genre of the magazine – many other magazines use colours to attract their readers, for example –

• In comparison, my title is slightly more unique then ‘NME’ or ‘Kerrang’ which I believe will be more eye-catching to a potential reader.

Images• In terms of images, I used many conventions for my double page spread from previous magazines such as NME’s double page spread. using a mid-shot to show the band/artist, however I also included a long shot of a stage to incorporate the reader’s perspective.

• On the front cover, I used the same convention as ‘FutureMusic’ for my image with the featured artist looking away from the camera and not into it - which I believe is useful for creating a sense of importance with the content.

• Although I include a variety of camera shots such as establishing, long and mid with as well as different angles, my preference was the mid shot to really include the character and the appearance of the artist.

Mise-en-scene• The image is in the forefront of a dark background, this

works well I feel to create a sense of importance, such as a ‘light’ in the darkness, linked together with the text ‘Saviour’. Also the darkness could resemble mystery, as though the artist appeared from the shadows.

• The image also has a masculine element with the style of ‘Rock’ which I feel the jacket gives, the glasses also do this.

• In general, clothing in imagery plays a small role on the front covers, but on double page spreads the clothing and appearance of a band/ artist displays the character and genre of them – for example, ‘The Teenagers’ are dressed as such and most likely play Music fit for that age group.

Layout• In terms of layout, I opted to follow the contentions within

existing professional magazines as these have been modified to maximise the attention and interest of the reader.

• Although I wanted to follow these conventions, I also wanted to make my own layout unique within reason.

• The Front Cover has the main image in the centre of the page, masthead above this and also uses a plug / banner at the very top. As standard it also has cover lines as well as a Main Headline and a W.O.B starburst above this.

• The Contents Page is also particularly similar using borrowed conventions; a main image in the centre with splash text below, main title logo at the top and advertisements on the bottom.

• Perhaps the most conforming to typical conventions is the double page spread, as the proportion of text to images are firmly balanced while typical additions such as the main headline on the right hand side, a pull-quote and multiple images make it similar to other magazines.

• Overall, my magazine follows many of the typical conventions, as shown in the next few slides.

Layout – Front Cover Comparison

Both main images show the artist looking away from the camera and are mid-shots at the centre of the page.

Both magazines utilise a plug / banner at the top of the page to display content and useful information.

A starburst is also used in both magazines to show additional content.

Both magazines also use cover lines and sub-headings on the left hand side.

The title / logo is positioned at the top of the magazine in both.

Layout – Contents Page Comparison

Advertisements are also both used at the bottom of the page with pricing and an image.

Both magazines have the title at the very top of the page with the heading ‘THIS WEEK’.

The magazines content is also presented in horizontal boxes going down the right side, but on my own the information also is on the left side.

A main image with splash text below is on both magazines focused on the centre to attract the reader.

The straplines are also highlighted in boxes to make them stand out in both magazines.

Layout – Double Page Spread

ComparisonBoth magazines use main headlines to convey the artist / band name on the right side of the page.

The interview and images are both presented on opposite sides.

Images are used differently however, the artist is not the main image on my magazine whereas NME’s is clearly the main image.

Colour is also used differently here, with NME using black text on a white background while I use a combination of white and blue on a red background to make it eye-catching and attractive.

Both magazines also use a pull-quote from the interview.

Colour• Much of my research concluded that in general magazines

use the rule of 3, in colour schemes, this is very much the case. As such, I also abided by the convention of only 3 colours, using Green, Red and Grey/White but disregarding my previous plans for a scheme.

• The rule of 3 colour scheme is shown below by ‘FutureMusic’ magazine, using Pink, Black and White. Although this not the typical colour scheme, it worked well and I believe my own colour scheme suited the magazine. However, my background is actually a Blue / Black combination but not included within my colour scheme.

General ConventionsIn general, music magazines follow basic conventions such as a Date, Barcode, Price and Web Address / Radio / Television listings. As such, my own magazines conforms to these conventions as well.

Coverlines / Sub-Headings• In my magazine, I have used 5 Coverlines and 3 sub-headings.

• All of my coverlines and sub-headlines were written in the Haettenschweiler font with an alternating colour scheme of Red and Green to create a sense of continuity, although the font in Green is in a smaller font to display the content of the coverline while the coverline is used to attract the reader.

• In addition to this, the last coverline uses a darker Red to be more eye-catching and stand out to the audience.• In comparison to the music magazine FutureMusic there are many differences and few similarities. For example, I use the same font in bold for all of my text while theirs alternates between bold and regular. They also use the same colour of white all throughout, while I interchange between Red and Green.

Mode of Address• Although my magazine is meant to be aimed at a younger

adult audience with an average age of 17, I’ve used more sophisticated language in a mature sense rather than casual.

• In addition to this, mostly I use a 3rd person narrative perspective instead of using casual referencing such as ‘we’ or ‘I’ to really create a sense of professionalism.

• However, in the Interview on the Double Page Spread I do use the 2nd person which does also create a sense of togetherness and involvement with the reader.

• I also use a number of commanding words to the audience – ‘Access the very latest news and songs’ and ‘Subscribe Online Today’ – these are useful for drawing the attention of the reader and convincing them to buy the magazine.

Genre

• The Genre of my magazine is very much ‘Indie Rock’, typically this would involve a dominantly male audience with a minority female audience. As such I used mostly dark and masculine colours on my designs, while also using a formal and mature Mode of Address. many other magazines do this such as FutureMusic , NME and Kerrang!.

• In this way, my magazine conforms to the conventions of other magazines as I use the same language and colour scheme as other ‘Rock’ based magazines.

2) How does your media product represent

particular social groups?

• The image on my own magazine is similar of that of many other music magazines, for example, Kerrang! also uses a mid-shot of their artist / band while both are wearing clothing which represents a young and ‘Rock’ impression – with the glasses, jacket and the hat. • In addition to this, the clothing also represents the attitude of the generation; mystery, intenseness and drama. •As my general audience will be at an average age of 17, and dominantly male – the idea of a young, male front-man on the magazine is perfectly suited.

2) How does your media product represent

particular social groups?• In particular to the average reader, my target audience as a young, mainly male and with a ‘Rock’ based music interest my magazine is typical of that.

• I believe that my images do well to recreate the attitude of the social group which I attempting to connect to; self-importance, attitude and self-image.

• Due to my choices about the colour, imagery and cover star I wanted to represent a young, strong and attitude-full male.

3) What kind of media institution might

distribute your media product and why?

Publishes many magazines, these magazines have websites, tv channels and radio stations. Music magazines: NME, Uncut.

http://www.ipcmedia.com/

Publishes a large variety of magazines, as well as TV channels, websites and radio stations. Music magazines: Q, Kerrang and Mojo.

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/

As a result of previous research I have done into media institutions, I have a clearer perspective on which one would be more beneficial to me.

3) What kind of media institution might

distribute your media product and why? • After deliberation and much research, I believe that the best media institution for my magazine would be IPC Media. Although Bauer Media have a larger publication of magazines, I feel that the overwhelming number of ‘Rock’ magazines within the institution would heavily restrict my own ability to publish what content I wanted to and with my own focus on ‘Indie Rock’ it would be much more attractive to IPC Media as they do not currently have a magazine which has this focus.

• Undoubtedly IPC Media is a huge publisher but it’s lack of Music Magazines leaves a large opportunity for a media product such as the one I have produced to get into.

• Smaller publishers are an interesting proposition however their inability to provide a larger budget and national coverage outweighs their openness to creativity. In addition to this a larger publisher would allow a larger advertising opportunity, while smaller do not have this.

4) Who would be the audience for your

media product? • My audience is hugely determined by other factors and influences of my magazine research and genre. As my magazine is based on ‘Indie Rock’ this will appeal mainly to Young Adults or Teenagers,

• Average Age: 17• Social Groups: B, C1 and C2. • Gender: Predominantly Male (68%)

• As a result of my research I produced a reader profile, which displays the typical audience reader of my magazine.

Key Stats:

• Male : 68%• Female: 42%• Student : 75%• Internet Users: 92%

5) How did you attract/address your

audience?

• My title ‘ROCK IT OUT’ is attractive to the audience as it relates well not only to the ‘Rock’ genre which my magazine is based on, but the term ‘Rock it out’ also relates to a festival-like atmosphere. The font also depicts the style of ‘Rock’ and the colour of Silver / Black has connotations of creativity and a metallic sense, such as a guitar etc.

• The other colours of Red and Green also suggests a masculine sense, while the brightness of the Green may even relate to ‘Toxic’ which also relates to ‘Rock’. The brightness also makes it eye-catching and attractive to the reader.

• The coverlines on the magazine also display many big names within the ‘Rock’ genre, such as 30 Seconds To Mars, Tre Cool (Green Day) and Bloc Party which will be attractive to audiences and encourage people to buy the magazine.

5) How did you attract/address your

audience?• In addition, the price of the magazine is distinctly cheap in comparison to other magazines while the addition of other media platforms such as; Website, Radio Station and Television Channel make the magazine more interactive and more accessible to audiences.

• Freebies are also included within the magazine, such as a Free CD. This is advertised on the top of the Front Page, which provides a clear incentive to the audience to buy the magazine as they receive free content as well as information they are already willing to pay for.

Address

• Although my target audience has an average age of 17, I used a mature but casual style of language, for example, “The Art of Drumming”, “Calling all to board the band wagon”, etc to address my audience.

• This sort of language is used fit with the young adult audience to make them feel comfortable but also the language is useful to attracting mature audiences.

• In addition to this, instead of a convention report-style interview I used a Question & Answer which is easier for my audience to read and understand.

6) What have you learnt about

technologies from the process of

constructing this product? • I have learnt HUGE amounts about technology through the construction

of my magazine product, in particular to the usefulness and capabilities of Adobe Photoshop.

• As well as Adobe Photoshop, I have used many other aspects of software and hardware.

• In order to gain perspective on my improvement, it’s useful to look back on my original School Magazine and compare to my finished Music Magazine product. The difference between them is incredible, every aspect seems improved.

6) What have you learnt about

technologies from the process of

constructing this product? • I have also learned how to maximise the potential use of many

websites; www.facebook.com , www.wordpress.com and www.dafont.com.

• In terms of hardware, I also fully understand the usage of the Fujifilm E900 9.0 Megapixel Camera which I used to take all my sample photos. I understand now that the quality of the camera is determined by the number of Megapixel’s it produces – for example, ‘9.0 Megapixels’.

• In order to manipulate my photos, I used Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended. This was incredibly useful and the possibilities to edit and enhance an image was astounding, I learnt a lot of useful techniques about the tools available.

• Other programs I used such as Microsoft Word Office 2010, Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and Microsoft Picture Manager 2010 were also very helpful to managing the aspects of my magazine and editing the images slightly.

7) Looking back at your preliminary task,

what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to your full product?

What I’ve learnt :

1. Throughout my research I’ve realised the sheer importance of how the magazine is layered out. In my preliminary task, many of my coverlines were oddly positioned while the title was not large enough or bold enough to attract a reader.

7) Looking back at your preliminary task,

what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to your full product?2. I have also learnt the importance of fonts and how this impacts everyone on the magazine, although on my School Magazine I used a different font for the title everyone was very bland and didn’t stand out at all. As I developed my final piece the font became a very strong part of connecting the magazine together, this I realised was vitally important.

3. In terms of colour schemes, this has been something else I have developed my understand of. In my preliminary task I had almost no colour scheme at all other than my text and this really hindered the magazine I felt, but as I have developed my final piece the colour scheme has become important in distinguishing my own magazine from others.

4. Also I have made huge progress in terms of image manipulation. On my preliminary task none of the images were edited at all, just thrown onto the page in a basic layout. I have learned many techniques and tools such as ‘feathering’, changing the hue / saturation of an image and many more which was useful to the manipulation of my image to make it stand out and be attractive to the reader.

7) Looking back at your preliminary task,

what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to your full product?5. In addition to this, I feel my abilities on many aspects of software has

developed as a result of my full product. This has enabled me to create a slight professional feel to my magazines which the preliminary task really lacked.

6. Branding has also been as aspect which I have learned to develop through my magazine, without which my magazine could not give the appearance of professionalism or believability. I have recognised the need to developing your logo and making it stand out and attractive to a reader, it needs to be remembered so they buy your product in the future.

7. I also learned that although consistency is a good aspect which a number of big-name brands employ, using a different colour scheme in each of your magazine products can be useful to engaging the reader in different genres and aspects, as long as the branding is clear and attractive the different colour scheme can be a positive outlet.

8. Lastly, I now fully understand the typical conventions of a magazine, such as a barcode, a date, a website, a price, page numbers and a recognisable logo.