Section 2) – Evaluation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photography Planning - Contents

Main image used on contents page.

Photography Planning - Interview

Analysing my Front Cover

Neatly annotate the Screen Grab of your Final Front Cover –

4-5 Annotations at least and apply appropriate media language.

Arrows should be RED as well!

Screen grab of Magazine page positioned in the Center of the slide

(Remove the BLUE box once placed in as well)

Analysing my Contents Page

Neatly annotate the Screen Grab of your Final Contents Page –

4-5 Annotations at least and apply appropriate media language.

Arrows should be RED as well!

Screen grab of Magazine page positioned in the Center of the slide

(Remove the BLUE box once placed in as well)

Analysing my Double Page spread Interview

Neatly annotate the Screen Grab of your Final Double Page Spread –

X1 page per. Slide!

4-5 Annotations at least and apply appropriate media language.

Arrows should be RED as well!

Screen grab of Magazine page positioned in the Center of the slide

(Remove the BLUE box once placed in as well)

Audience Feedback -

• Complete a relevant survey that asks no fewer than 10 people about their opinions of your magazine.

• This should contain between 8-10 questions – one of which MUST be about your Progression from Preliminary Task – Main Task.