The document discusses the student's media product, a magazine called "Electric!". It summarizes how the student replicated codes and conventions from the magazine Kerrang! across the front cover, contents page, and double page spread of their magazine. This included replicating the layout, masthead style, banner, and border conventions. Some small differences from Kerrang! included changing the color scheme and altering some photo styles. The student aimed to represent their target audience of white males aged 15-24, similar to Kerrang!, through the inclusion of promotions, artist features, and a rock music focus.

1. Section 2) – Evaluation

2. In what ways does your Media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
The magazine, across the 4-pages, ‘repeats’ (Steve Neale) codes and conventions from a specific Kerrang
magazine. I have used a similar layout for the front cover of my magazine, to that of Kerrang, to replicate
similar rock genre ideas. This includes the use of a border along the right side of the page to separate the
headline from the cover lines, making the magazine much easier to read through the use of a clear layout.
Alongside this code and convention, I have also replicated the bold masthead, including the use of both font
and size. This specific masthead style allows regular Kerrang buyers to recognise a similar factor between
Kerrang and my own magazine. Moreover, I also decided to replicate a banner at the top of my magazine,
where I have chosen to write a couple of popular rock bands in this area of my magazine to attract the
audiences attention and enable them to recognise what music will be included in my magazine. This code
and convention was also used in my chosen magazine of inspiration, therefore it can be recognised as an
efficient method of enticing customers.
Moreover, my contents page also replicates codes and conventions from my specific chosen Kerrang
magazine of inspiration. These factors are presented through different parts of the second page of my
magazine, including the main layout. This is where I have again replicated a border along the right hand side
of the page, containing what my audience should expect to find throughout the magazine. I also replicated
the top headline border, where I titled the page as ‘contents’ and included my magazine name, being
‘Electric!’. Alongside this first code and convention included into my magazine, I also decided to use the
same specific format at the bottom of the page where I could write about myself as the editor, including a
self-image to be easily recognised throughout future magazines.
In addition to the above two pages, I also replicated codes and conventions through the course of my double
page spread. On these two pages, I decided to similarly to Kerrang, include a list of the most recent top 10
popular Rock genre songs along with who they’re sung by. This keeps my magazine audience up to date with
the most recent Rock songs and can allow them to expand their music choice. I also repeated the border
along the bottom of the two pages, where I have then been able to label which pages of the magazine they
are clearly.

3. There are examples of some ‘difference’, however, in terms of the forms and conventions in my own
media product. My magazine replicates different forms and conventions from my magazine of
inspiration, for example through the use of a continuous different colour scheme. I decided to use a
red and gold coloured theme throughout, instead of white and gold colours, mainly due to the fact
when I presented my magazine questionnaire to my target audience, the majority suggested ‘other’
when I asked which colour would be best suited for my rock magazine. Alongside this first form and
convention, I also decided to change the photo-shoot style on my front cover from what was a three
shot in my magazine of inspiration, to instead a two shot of teenage boys dressed in maroon which
links to my red background theme colour used throughout (mise-en-scene). In addition to the
photography changes presented on my front cover, I also chose to change the photo type on my
contents page from what was a much more standing out pose, to instead a subtle yet effective image
pose.

4. How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
The denotation of representation for my target audience can be recognised as white males between the
ages of 15 and 24, of which is similar to that of Kerrang, being my magazine of inspiration. Through the
use of aiming my magazine at this specific age, race and sex (Hartley's) I have been able to include
necessary codes and conventions to entice my audience into the first publishing of my magazine, of which
some factors can be repeated through future magazines to differ from others with similar target
audiences. My magazine can be placed on the socio economic graph at grade E which is the dependants
(including students). This is mainly because the majority of my audience will still be in education and may
not work yet. Throughout the course of making my magazine, I included a range of factors to attract my
target audience, this is shown firstly in my front cover where I included puff promotion (‘free posters
included’) this can easily entice the specific target audience into my magazine as they will feel as if they're
getting something out of this purchase. This creates a ‘personal relationship’ (Katz) between the brand
and the target audience. Alongside this code and convention, I also used a number of cover lines where I
placed popular rock singers and bands of which would engage my target audience into my magazine
effectively. This creates an ‘enhancement of self-esteem needs’ (Maslow) for the audience. I also used my
contents page to attract my target audience by adhering conventions like that of my bold, page list where I
have enabled my audience to know what to expect from purchasing my magazine, along with an enticing
factor of what a customer could win if they were to take part in the monthly rock quiz. Lastly, I also
adhered conventions on my double page spread to again attract my chosen target audience. This
includes features such as a list of the most recent top ten rock hits which regularly keeps my audience up
to date. Alongside this first feature, I also chose to use an up to date artist to interview on my double page
spread, which can entice my audience into wanting to read about what they have been up to and most
recent changes in their lifestyles. This relates to Katz theory as my target audience can gain a personal
relationship with their favourite bands and artists through the use of a simple magazine article.

5. What kind of media institutions (publisher) might
distribute your media product and why?
From the research that was completed pre-production, I would envisage that Beaur publishes Kerrang
magazine as it is the current, largest consumer magazine publishing company in the UK. As a result, due to
the large popularity of the publisher, Beaur will have a high level of experience in making the most of every
publishing of Kerrang magazine. Thus enabling Kerrang to sell the highest number of magazines weekly,
increasing the chance of a positive expansion within the company. Due to these above factors suggesting
high success rate, I would also use Beaur publishing to effectively sell my ‘Electric!’ magazine to my rock
target audience. Alongside the high success rates, Beaur publishing company has the ability to appeal to a
wide range of different age groups, Electric! is aimed at a similar age group to that of Kerrang! thus
signifying (De Saussure), Beaur will publish the magazine in a particular way which grabs rock followers’
attention repeatedly. This is a vital part of making sure Electric! is successful in becoming a large, well
known magazine company within the UK.

6. Who would be the audience for your media product
and why?
My chosen audience is clear throughout my magazine, this is because I specifically replicated codes and
conventions of which are presented throughout Kerrang! magazines. Thus indicating the rock genre
ideas, as well as the specific age, genre and race, specifically chosen to be white males between the age
range of 15-24. As a result of enticing a similar existing target audience to that of Kerrang! it will be
easier to clearly recognise exactly what attracts the audience and what I would need to do effectively in
order to repeatedly gain their attention. Thus leading to repeat purchases, as well as an increase in
popularity of my magazine, enabling it to sell positively through my weekly publications. By completing
this, my magazine will be able to expand into a recognisable company within the Rock music market.

7. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
The denotation of the software used to construct the media product entitled ‘Electric!’ is called
Photoshop, of which I learnt to use from scratch as I had never used the software previous to starting the
media course. This meant learning how to use a range of different tools and techniques for my magazine
to look fit for purpose. One of these tools was called the wand, which enabled me to edit any images I
wanted to include throughout my cover page, contents and double page spread, removing any
background to the core image. This was an important tool throughout my magazine as it made each
image stand out effectively with the use of a coloured background. Alongside this, I also repeatedly used
the rectangle shape tool to include colour blocks in the background of both the cover page and the
contents page, as well as creating blocks behind each section of writing to make it stand out from the
background colours and other sections of writing. This made each headline/ caption stand out from other
surrounding information. Overall I was able to learn how to make an effective rock music magazine
through the process of learning a variety of techniques about Photoshop technology. Alongside the use
of Photoshop, I also used a range of other technologies such as my smart phone which was used to
voice record part of my evaluation, which then had to be uploaded to sound cloud. This allowed me to
develop my understanding of sound cloud and how it works. The use of these new technologies allowed
me to gain an insight into how to effectively create a magazine.

8. Looking back at your Preliminary task, what do you feel you
have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I feel that, having completed the preliminary task and learning about the demands of this production
process, I have developed a range of new skills of which were limited when I began my preliminary
task. This includes gaining the ability to organise and develop a photo shoot, where I have taken
different styled images throughout all four pages of my magazine for the main task. These images
include a two shot on my cover page, a mid-shot on my contents page and a mid shot on my double
page spread, however, I used mise en scene on these last two pages to replicate my Rock genre.
Throughout my main task, I learnt how to develop sections of my magazine to refer to my specific
target audience. This includes features such as the fonts used throughout, the particular font I
decided to use to headline each page is called ‘Rock it’ which is similar to that of ‘Kerrang!’
therefore, it includes similarities to other rock magazines as well as replicating the rock audience.
Alongside the fonts used, I also used a range of audience specific conventions such as puff
promotion and star appeal. The increased development in my main task is much more audience
specific to that of my preliminary task, mainly due to the development of my own knowledge of
existing music magazines. Overall, my end result of my main task magazine production is much
more efficient in replicating the main purpose of the magazine in comparison to the preliminary task,
due to the above factors and knowing exactly what the audience expects when purchasing a rock
music magazine. Therefore, I was able to include each of these factors to produce a well developed
rock magazine.

9. Photography Planning – Front Cover
Main image: two shot,
white background.
Other images: not used in
my production work.
Image used within
border of front cover.
I decided to use the above mid shot on my front cover, rather than one of the close ups. This is more effective
than a close up image, mainly due to the fact a larger space of the page will be filled with the chosen artists,
engaging my target audience. When I placed this image on the front cover, I manipulated it to fit the purpose of
the magazine, this includes the use of the magic wand tool used to remove the white background.

10. Photography Planning - Contents
Main image used on contents page.
I decided to use the same artist within the border of my front
cover, to that of my contents page. Thus continuing the focus
on a particular artist known as ‘Oli Sykes’. I also used the
wand tool on this image to remove the cream background, in
order to sink into the gold background colour.

11. Photography Planning - Interview
These three above images were taken at the same time
as the main chosen image which I decided to use on the
double page spread. However, I decided against using
them due to the lack of position quality.
This was the chosen image used on my
double page spread, of which I decided
to edit slightly so that the flowers would
blur behind the writing. Thus making the
different coloured writing stand out
clearly. Alongside the background
editing, I also decided to blur out the
slightly noticeable writing on the front of
the models t-shirt.

12. Analysing my Front Cover
Price – particularly
chosen to suit my
target audience (young
adults).
Puff promotion –
to engage rock
magazine readers
into my magazine.
Readers will be
able to gain
something out of
the purchase.
Image – I decided upon
using a mid shot of two
people standing close to
each other, whilst
wearing the same
coloured jumper. This
enables the image to fit
the majority of the cover
page, as well as
standing out due to
continuity of colour use.
Extras – the most
recent top 20 hits are
included in every
publish of Electric!
And therefore enables
readers to keep up to
date with recent
artists.

13. Analysing my Contents Page
Page breakdown –
pages have been
broken down into
sections, making it easy
for readers to recognise
where to find different
sections included in the
magazine.
Image – the same
model was used on
both the cover page
and contents to
create continuity with
the use of artists.
Thus enabling
readers to know who
will be included in my
magazine.
Issue number/
cover date –
clearly labeled in a
specific area of the
page to make it
stand out.
Editorial – specific
pieces of information
noted to inform the
reader of what the
magazine publishes.

14. Analysing my Double Page spread
Interview
Extras – enables
readers to keep up
to date with the
most recent top 10
rock hits.
Website –
provides
readers with
the means to
give their own
opinions and
keep updated
with the latest
news.
Interview –
keeping readers up
to date with a
range of rock
artists’ lives
through weekly
publications.
Pull quote – engaging
quote from the rock artist.
Image – this
shot has a
purpose for the
model to fit half
the page, with
the background
along the other
section of the
page.