2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products. Media conventions Media Forms Here I have used one particular media element that challenges media forms, I have used similar colours to NME, that stand out and increase the magazines brand image; this is a typical form of music magazines. My media product advertises tickets to a concert which is a typical media convention in a lot of indie style magazines such as NME that I have researched. The type of model I have used is also a media convention as he fits in with the indie style of the magazine. After researching many magazines (especially NME) I have found that a clear simple text is a media convention. Here I have used a bar code which is common in many magazines
3. Here I have used a play on words to create a catchy, memorable title that my target audience would remember. The idea originated from the NME magazine, however my magazine is not an acronym unlike NME; which stands for National Musical Express. I have included the date of the magazine on my contents page, this is carried on throughout , on both my cover and double pages spread. NME magazine has this feature which identifies the specific issue. Moreover, I have used sub headings to divide my contents page, that I have collected from my research. I have included a subscription note in my magazines which is a very common media convention In addition to this I have continued the colours and fonts onto the contents page to maintain consistency throughout my magazine I have added captions with my images to give more description to the readers.
4. I have challenged typical media conventions and forms by tilting my title to stretch across two pages. A section about Jack’s opinions on topical issues going on in the world which is a convention that lots of music magazines use. To improve the aesthetics of my magazine I have added colourful shapes to help make the page standout and appeal to my target audience. I have put the page and date at the bottom of my magazine which is a generic media convention used in almost every music magazine.
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6. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? I have researched into Future PLC, which publishes a whole variety of magazines targeted at a whole range of people. Future PLC offer magazines from video games to cycling. This diverse kind of media portfolio would be useful as they could use the right marketing techniques to advertise my magazine to attract the intended target audience. On the other hand I have also researched into another company called IPC Media. This company produces over 85 iconic media brands and sells 350 million magazines a year. In addition to this, IPC also sells the NME magazine which is what I have based some of my ideas from. This experience in the market would be invaluable to selling my media product, as they have similar magazines that they currently sell. Furthermore I think that IPC will be able to sell my magazine stores in large retailers such as WHS Smith. WHS smith is a store that sells a variety of magazines and attracts a whole range of people. In addition to this I think that there is a lack of indie music magazines being supplied to consumers; this would make it more likely for my product to reach the shelves in WHS Smith stores. Future media products
7. Who would be the audience of your media product? I have aimed to attract both males and females when I produced my magazine. I have done this in numerous ways such as the pose of the model, he has fist pushed out as if he is trying to interact with the reader. I have used unisex colours such as black, red, white and yellow All exclusives on the front cover of my magazine only display music stories. This would appeal to people who enjoy the artists being advertised, which does limit the magazines audience. As well as this I have included content in the magazine that would be appeal o both males and females. Finally I think the bands that I have included in the magazine are popular with both genders.
8. I have asked people from my target audience about my magazine and they said: “It looked good, I like the pose he's in ” “The colours go really well and stand out” “The background looks sic” My model I have used is also wearing indie style clothes to help readers relate to the magazine . The pose he is in also suggests that he a bit arrogant. The model is holding a microphone so that readers know that this is a music magazine I have included popular well known bands to appeal to my target audience. I have chosen these bands specifically to appeal across my target audience.
9. The title at the top of the page stands out and gives people an impression of the type of person in the article. This also represents the magazine and the stories it may have in the future which may appeal or put off readers. My magazine is aimed specifically at people who listen to or like indie music. I have done this thorough the pose, facial expressions , instruments and content I have included on the pages. This subtitle gives a hint to what the article is about to the reader. Patterned background to make the double page spread more interesting and aesthetically appealing.
10. How did you attract your/address your audience? I attracted my target audience through the tone of voice I have used in my article, I have used some slang terms so that readers can relate to what is on the page. My magazine also includes an offer that will attract some younger viewers who have less income. I have created a large title in my magazine to make it stand out and attract readers. Also the play on words of “IND”, will appeal to some readers. I have included popular interviews with current artists about where they currently intend on heading in the music industry. The model I have used is interacting with the reader on the front of the magazine, which might persuade them to buy it. I have used specific clothes in my magazine that are stylish and current to attract and appeal to my target audience.
11. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? I have previously used Photoshop before, but to only create a simple fragrance advert and my preliminary task. So in creating this magazine my Photoshop skills have significantly been enhanced, as I know how to alter the shape, size and width of text, create strokes to make text stand out and edit pictures to a good standard. Finally I had to print my coursework to identify and correct mistakes, however the printer I used did print in A3 which meant that I had to print my double page spread across four pages; this made it more difficult to look for errors in my magazine Furthermore, I have reshot a lot of my pictures for my magazine as they were not suitable for my music magazine. I have done this as I want my magazine to appeal in every way to my target audience. I have also learnt from my research how music magazines try to advertise and persuade people to purchase their magazines by using bright colours and stroked text etc.; which has been useful in creating my own magazine. Where I added the stroke to make text stand out.
12. Look back at your preliminary task. What do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product I have learnt that it takes an extraordinary amount of effort and thought to create a music magazine as everything has to be created to appeal to a target audience. In addition to this I found it difficult to include the correct images to attract a target audience as everything in the image has to be considered from the clothes to the correct pose. I have also learnt that time management was key to this task as everything had to be completed at different stages e.g. Photos were taken first. Furthermore, I have learnt to research other media products before completing my own as they are good guidelines of how to create a successful music magazine Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed creating my media product and have learnt a lot whilst completing it. Finally it makes me think about other magazines and how they are put together and how much effort goes into them. I have learnt how to setup a studio and use the lighting system effectively to get the best possible images. In addition to this I have realised how much time, preparation and props is needed to get an image to attract a particular audience.
