Daniel Ostrowski MAIN TASK EVALUATION

MEDIA CONVENTIONS ADHERED TO In my product I used a range of standard media conventions; such as: On the cover of the magazine: A logo and masthead for the magazine A date, price and issue number A main feature image Copy lines, including a main feature and smaller features A promotional object (commonly used but not always) A tag line for my magazine (again, common but not essential) On the contents page: The magazine’s logo An editor’s letter Columns in which the text is placed Content of the magazine, including page numbers and a small amount of information for each feature A main story and an image to portray it, as well as a small amount of information about it On the double page article: A main title and author of the article Images of the band discussed in the article, including faded images of the band to aid the ambience of the article background; also with captions. The article text in columns A large quote (once again, common but not essential) The beginnings of each paragraph emphasized (a common feature in music magazines more than other genres) See next 3 slides for examples of each

MEDIA CONVENTIONS ADHERED TO (COVER) The date, issue number and price are all placed in the top corner so visible but not intruding on the cover. The title of the magazine and the tag- line (which make up the masthead) are bold, bright and in your face to really catch the attention of a potential reader, and also to fit in with the magazine’s genre. The main cover image fills the majority of the page, this one standing out particularly due to the style of clothing and colours used in the shot. Copy lines are used on the page to give a small amount of insight into what else the issue has to offer the reader, as well as the larger ones to aid the main image. The bright, bold promotional object (in this case posters) has been used to draw in potential readers/

MEDIA CONVENTIONS ADHERED TO (CONTENTS) The editor letter is used to make the magazine seem more personal and can also give the reader information but also enjoyment from reading it. Columns are used for structure of the page and makes it easy for the reader to locate the information or article they’re after. Content speaks for itself, simply used to let the reader know a small amount of information about each feature/article, and what page they are on. The main cover story has a separate section of the contents page and an image, to create excitement about the article and to show it’s importance over the other features to the reader.

MEDIA CONVENTIONS ADHERED TO (DOUBLE PAGE ARTICLE) The bold title and author of the article is big and bright to stand out and create a sense of importance. The images aid the article text, and creates a striking visual display for the reader instead of just pure text. The image captions are there for the reader to see which band member is which, to avoid confusion. The article is split up into fragmented columns to break up the text making it easier to read for the audience and also fills out the space on the pages. The large quote is there to summarise the article in a few words, just in case the reader doesn’t read the entire article.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE MEDIA CONVENTIONS ADHERED TO On the front cover: The masthead (inc. the logo, tag-line, barcode, date, price and issue number) was used as it is the most prominent part of any magazine cover, so to keep this so I left my masthead at the top as other magazines do. My main feature image was also kept at the centre of attention on the cover as this is what sells magazines. I kept it almost the entire background so it would immediately grab the attention of a potential buyer. On the contents page: The editor’s letter was used as it makes my product look more professional and is more interesting for the audience. The columned text was also kept because it gives the page an ordered and professional look and makes It easier for the reader to see where the feature they are looking for is located within the magazine. The main feature separated from the rest of the list was used because most of the people looking at the contents page are trying to find where the cover feature is located, therefore it was logical to keep this particular convention and make it more practical for the reader. On the double page article: Once again I put the text in columns to make the page more ordered and more accessible to the reader. The emphasized paragraph openings are used to aid the reader in finding which part of the article they wish to read.

MEDIA CONVENTIONS DEVELOPED In my product I also developed a range of standard media conventions; which include: On the magazine’s cover: The use of fonts, sizes and colours for emphasis and effect on certain features. The use of images and image editing for effect. The use of shapes and feature/layer positioning also for effect See next slide for examples of each.

MEDIA CONVENTIONS DEVELOPED (COVER) The main cover image has been edited and developed by incorporating cartoon elements into the image, which makes it more appealing to the teen audience. I’ve developed a use of several different fonts and sizes on the page to show the level of importance of each element i.e.: Main copy line bolder than smaller copy lines etc. The promotional object has been developed by using a visually striking feature in both colour and shape to emphasize it.

MEDIA CONVENTIONS CHALLENGED In my product I also challenged a range of standard media conventions; which include: On the cover of the magazine: A single large image covering the majority of the page My copy lines giving very limited detail, simply names of bands featured in the magazine. See next slide for examples.

MEDIA CONVENTIONS CHALLENGED (COVER) The single large image brings all focus to the band featured on the front, creating a sense of occasion and excitement about the band’s return, and also symbolises the high status of the band. As the focus is meant to be completely on the main image and feature band, the copy lines on the cover simply give the names of other bands with no detail.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE MEDIA CONVENTIONS CHALLENGED On the front cover: I only had one main image because: Like on the cover of the special edition of Classic Rock magazine (see research), I think the one powerful image adds a real focus and attractive quality to the front cover, especially with the band being extremely popular. People browsing shelves of magazines will be automatically drawn to the magazine because the image is very vibrant and dominating, which is exactly what I want it to do. I only had a small amount of copy lines because: As the cover is purely about the image and focuses on the main feature band, the copy lines are reduced to a small amount of space in the bottom corner of the page. They are intended to make the reader wonder as to why the bands listed are featured in the magazine and urging them to read on into the magazine itself, and to not draw any attention away from the main feature.

REPRESENTING PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS My overall magazine represents specific social groups in a variety of ways; which include: Throughout the magazine’s cover, contents and double page spread: The use of fonts, sizes and colours for representation and effect. The use of language and linguistic techniques to represent and appeal to audience stereotypes. The use of images, image editing and image placement for representation. See next 3 slides for examples of each

REPRESENTING SOCIAL GROUPS (COVER) The bright colourful text and images used across the magazine’s cover represent the vibrant teen audience which the magazine in aimed at. The main feature image shows a band extremely popular among the teenage audience at which the magazine is aimed, so featuring this band represents the social group.

REPRESENTING SOCIAL GROUPS (CONTENTS) The language used on the page appeals to the social group and represents the ways in which, stereotypically, they use language. The bright colourful text and images used across the magazine’s contents page again represent the vibrant teen audience which the magazine in aimed at.

REPRESENTING SOCIAL GROUPS (DOUBLE PAGE ARTICLE) The language used in the article is crafted so it appeals to the social group and represents the ways in which, stereotypically, they use language. It is also written to interest and inform a teen audience in the way that it’s written. The bright colourful text and images used across the magazine’s article once again represent the vibrant teen audience which the magazine in aimed at.

MEDIA INSTITUTIONS The media institution which I think may distribute my product is Bauer Media, Europe’s biggest independent publishing group, based in London. This is because: The magazine types that they publish are similar in format and genre to my product, planted mostly in the rock and indie genres. My magazine may compete with one of the other magazine’s that Bauer publish (Kerrang!), however my magazine is based more around metal, whereas Kerrang! cover more around the standard rock genres, so my magazine has it’s own niche within the publishing group.

ATTRACTING THE PRODUCT TARGET AUDIENCE As it is a magazine predominately about metal and the sub-genres of that, it appeals to the more teenage segment of the population as they are the people who are most interested in hot new music appearing on the scene; at the same time there are a lot of the younger generation that have been introduced to the older metal acts either through comebacks into the current music scene or through the influence of the older generations, i.e.: parents, television channels featuring the bands etc. To implement this several things have to be addressed, such as cost, stylistic techniques, information level etc. For my magazine, I will have to use exciting fonts and components to appeal to the younger generation and attract them enough to purchase the magazine. See above slides for these particular conventions.

TECHNOLOGIES I’VE LEARNT ABOUT During the construction process of my product I have learnt many things about the technology used in the print media industry; which include: The use of Macromedia Fireworks software for editing images. In this I’ve developed my knowledge of not only how to use tools such as rubber stamp and effects, but how to use these tools for effect on the pages of my product. I’ve developed knowledge on digital photography also, learning how important it is to take a range of shots from close-up to long shots as well as using correct lighting, setting, angles and accessories.

WHAT I’VE LEARNT FROM THE PROGRESSION FROM THE PRELIMINARY TASK I have learnt many new things since completing my preliminary task; which include: Furthering my knowledge on how to use associated technology for effect, such as Macromedia Fireworks and a professional digital camera. The importance of each and every convention in my magazine, from the colour of text to an image placed correctly on a page, and how they piece together an overall message passed out to the magazine’s audience.