AS Media Studies Foundation Portfolio: Unit G321

In what way does your Media Product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My Media Product The typical conventions of a music magazine consist of: Mastheads Mastheads Corner grabbers Corner grabbers Barcode Barcode Slogan ect Slogan ect I have tried to use most of these things in my own cover, contents and double page spread to produce a professional and realistic music magazine. I have tried to use most of these things in my own cover, contents and double page spread to produce a professional and realistic music magazine. I have analysed popular music magazines such as Q, NME and Kerrang to give me inspiration and ideas for making my own magazine. I have analysed popular music magazines such as Q, NME and Kerrang to give me inspiration and ideas for making my own magazine.

Masthead Slogan Cover lines Features Captions Main Image Main Cover line Red & white house style BarcodeAnalysis Here I will analysing two front covers pointing out all of the typical conventions for a popular music magazine. this helped me greatly when making my own.

Strap line Masthead Features Puff Caption Cover lines Feature Barcode Main Image Main Article NME Cover

Here I will be analysing two Contents pages, pointing out all of the obvious conventions a popular music magazine would have. This will help readers know where I got my own ideas for my contents page from. Puff Directory to Magazine NME Logo Page Numbers Continuous house style of bright pink, yellow and black Corner Grabber Lure Date

Q Contents Logo and title Features Articles and Page numbers Directory The contents is broken up with sub headings so its easier to read Main Image Page number of main article More in- depth detail about the magazine Date of magazine

Here I will be analysing two Double Page Spreads, I feel by doing this it allows the reader to understand where I got my ideas from- I will be consistent in terms of media terminology. Main Image Title of the Article Introduction Columns NME Logo and Date Attractive, eye catching image Continuous House style- red, white and black.

Pull Quote Large bold font- eye catching Columns Interview Main Image Introduction Date

Below is the image of my front cover. I have pointed out all the typical conventions a real music magazine would have. I have compared it with the previous music magazine front cover I have just analysed. Main Image Features Puff Strap line Cover lines Masthead Barcode and Issue Number and Date

Below is an image of my Contents page. I have created it with the help from real Contents pages from music magazines. Title Contents is broken up so its easier to read Pictures of other articles within the magazine with page numbers Main Image Page Number of main feature Page Numbers

Here I have an image of my DPS, I have analysed it pointing out all the typical conventions of a music magazine. This helps me compare my DPS with a real DPS. Main image 2 smaller images to break the page up. Introduction Interview Name of Artist/Band Columns

How does your Media Product represent particular Social Groups?

Influences After research by using my questionnaires I have found that most people reading my magazine are teenagers, being around 16. Therefore I have included images of teenage girls, since that was the majority of gender reading my magazine. After research by using my questionnaires I have found that most people reading my magazine are teenagers, being around 16. Therefore I have included images of teenage girls, since that was the majority of gender reading my magazine. The main theme my target audience was after was the punk/rock/indie sort of gnere, so I have tried to copy famous music bands such as Paramore, The Killers ect, and recreate their look onto the models onto my magazine, as you can see from the image below. The main theme my target audience was after was the punk/rock/indie sort of gnere, so I have tried to copy famous music bands such as Paramore, The Killers ect, and recreate their look onto the models onto my magazine, as you can see from the image below.

By copying bands such as these, I feel that I will attract my target audience more since these bands are too aimed at teenagers, so teenagers will quickly pick up on the influences these bands have on my model and overall magazine in general. Bands such as the Killers and Paramore have a distinctive look, which is unique to the artists, so I felt that if my target audience are interested in a music genre such as there's it would be best to try and recreate their looks as much as possible in my own images. Bands such as the Killers and Paramore have a distinctive look, which is unique to the artists, so I felt that if my target audience are interested in a music genre such as there's it would be best to try and recreate their looks as much as possible in my own images. My magazine won’t be for everyone, but with the majority of the people I asked I have based my magazine around suiting them. My magazine won’t be for everyone, but with the majority of the people I asked I have based my magazine around suiting them.

I have included two images here to show the comparison I have represented the rock/indie style through my models hair and clothing, and many people reading my magazine will notice this straight away. I have represented the rock/indie style through my models hair and clothing, and many people reading my magazine will notice this straight away. The colour scheme of my magazine is a bright blue, which I find very eye catching and would fit the indie genre of music. The colour scheme of my magazine is a bright blue, which I find very eye catching and would fit the indie genre of music.

Social Groups By looking at the NRS Social Grading Class, I understand that my magazine would fall under: By looking at the NRS Social Grading Class, I understand that my magazine would fall under: C1 C2 D Social Grading C1 is for Lower/Middle Class C2 is for Skilled working Class D is for Working Class. My Magazine is aimed at ordinary people in society, so it only makes sense that it falls under these standards, as my magazine is simply about promoting new artists and new music. My magazine doesn’t have any images of people from foreign backgrounds or people with disabilities, as they would not represent the style of my magazine so therefore the magazine would not sell as well.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

BAUER Media Bauer was founded in 1975 with its first popular magazine ‘Bella’ released in Bauer was founded in 1975 with its first popular magazine ‘Bella’ released in Bauer media is Europe’s biggest privately owned Magazine publisher. Bauer media is Europe’s biggest privately owned Magazine publisher. The group offer over 300 magazines in 15 countries. The group offer over 300 magazines in 15 countries. Bauer Media have a 50% stake in the popular music channel called ‘The Box.’ Bauer Media have a 50% stake in the popular music channel called ‘The Box.’ Bauer produces music magazines such as Kerrang and Q and also TV listing magazines such as ‘Take a Break’ and ‘Bella’. Bauer produces music magazines such as Kerrang and Q and also TV listing magazines such as ‘Take a Break’ and ‘Bella’.

IPC Media IPC media stands for International Publishing Corporation. IPC media stands for International Publishing Corporation. IPC Media sell over 350 million copies of their magazines per year. IPC Media sell over 350 million copies of their magazines per year. They own the popular Indie Music Magazine named ‘NME’. They own the popular Indie Music Magazine named ‘NME’. The first issue of ‘NME’ was released on the 7 th of March The first issue of ‘NME’ was released on the 7 th of March NME now have their own TV channel and website, with over 4 million users globally. NME now have their own TV channel and website, with over 4 million users globally. As well as NME, IPC Media offer other great magazines such as Country Life, Horse and Hound, Chat, Now and many more, so they offer a great variety to everyone. As well as NME, IPC Media offer other great magazines such as Country Life, Horse and Hound, Chat, Now and many more, so they offer a great variety to everyone.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The Audience for my Media Product would be teenagers, female, around the age of 16/17. I found this information with the help of handing out Questionnaires to my friends and family. The majority of the music genre was Punk Rock/Indie, which left me to decide on a music magazine which I felt fitted the target audience. I got many influences form magazines such as Q and Kerrang and many bands such as The Killers and Paramore. The Audience for my Media Product would be teenagers, female, around the age of 16/17. I found this information with the help of handing out Questionnaires to my friends and family. The majority of the music genre was Punk Rock/Indie, which left me to decide on a music magazine which I felt fitted the target audience. I got many influences form magazines such as Q and Kerrang and many bands such as The Killers and Paramore. I used an informal approach when I was talking on my DPS, as I felt a more laid back attitude addressed a younger audience better than a formal, descriptive tone. I used an informal approach when I was talking on my DPS, as I felt a more laid back attitude addressed a younger audience better than a formal, descriptive tone. The colours of my magazine where all decides by the target audience, in colours they would prefer to see on a music magazine, which was blue. I chose the blue to be vibrant, and very appealing to look at as it would be eye-catching and make reading the magazine more enjoyable. The colours of my magazine where all decides by the target audience, in colours they would prefer to see on a music magazine, which was blue. I chose the blue to be vibrant, and very appealing to look at as it would be eye-catching and make reading the magazine more enjoyable.

How did you attract/ address your audience?

How I Attracted my Audience I addressed my audience in a informal way, such as the DPS which had a very laid back tone, I felt this would attract more teenagers to read my magazine rather than a formal tone. I addressed my audience in a informal way, such as the DPS which had a very laid back tone, I felt this would attract more teenagers to read my magazine rather than a formal tone. When looking from my questionnaires, I noticed that everyone was more inclined to buy my magazine if it had freebies, which was why I had a freebie puff in the middle of my cover so it would lure my target audience in. When looking from my questionnaires, I noticed that everyone was more inclined to buy my magazine if it had freebies, which was why I had a freebie puff in the middle of my cover so it would lure my target audience in. On the cover of my magazine I included cover lines such as ‘Top ten Chart list inside’ and ‘Oblivion’s new photoshoot’, to lure my target audience in, as I understood that teens would be more inclined to lift my magazine from the shelf if cover lines popped out at them like that. On the cover of my magazine I included cover lines such as ‘Top ten Chart list inside’ and ‘Oblivion’s new photoshoot’, to lure my target audience in, as I understood that teens would be more inclined to lift my magazine from the shelf if cover lines popped out at them like that.

When doing the questionnaires I found my target audience were more eager to see a solo artist than a band, so I found my female mode, choosing her to be female since the majority of my target audience were females as found my questionnaire research, and I did her hair and chose her clothing to that of a indie/rock artist. I felt that by doing this my magazine would stand out to my target audience since it holds things that address them. When doing the questionnaires I found my target audience were more eager to see a solo artist than a band, so I found my female mode, choosing her to be female since the majority of my target audience were females as found my questionnaire research, and I did her hair and chose her clothing to that of a indie/rock artist. I felt that by doing this my magazine would stand out to my target audience since it holds things that address them. I chose my colour scheme to be blue as my target audience chose blue as their main colour they would want to see in a music magazine, so by choosing blue it would again address them and stand out on the shelf. I chose my colour scheme to be blue as my target audience chose blue as their main colour they would want to see in a music magazine, so by choosing blue it would again address them and stand out on the shelf. I was very careful to follow exactly what my target audience wanted, as it is them I want my magazine to be most appealing to, so by choosing a indie/rock theme, a female artist, and a blue colour scheme I felt I couldn’t gop wrong in terms of presentation. I was very careful to follow exactly what my target audience wanted, as it is them I want my magazine to be most appealing to, so by choosing a indie/rock theme, a female artist, and a blue colour scheme I felt I couldn’t gop wrong in terms of presentation.

My Solo Artist

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

The many Technologies I used: Photoshop Photoshop Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Microsoft Word PB Works PB Works & my own Olympus sp 800uz & my own Olympus sp 800uz

PB Works PB works was the site I had to upload all my work onto, and it was my first experience using a blog. I didn’t however like using PB works, as I found it could often be very slow and sometimes difficult to work. It took a long time uploading my work, which was annoying since I didn’t exactly have a lot of time to waste. I wouldn’t like to use PB works again, as I found it frustrating to use and it was hard to work out how to change the layout and font style, so I had to take some time at the start learning how to use the blogging site. PB works was the site I had to upload all my work onto, and it was my first experience using a blog. I didn’t however like using PB works, as I found it could often be very slow and sometimes difficult to work. It took a long time uploading my work, which was annoying since I didn’t exactly have a lot of time to waste. I wouldn’t like to use PB works again, as I found it frustrating to use and it was hard to work out how to change the layout and font style, so I had to take some time at the start learning how to use the blogging site.

Photoshop I had a lot of experience using Photoshop since I have it at home on my own computer, so I didn’t have to take time out to learn how to use it. By having photoshop at home it allowed me to be able to download new brushes and fonts, something I couldn’t do on the C2K network in schools, so I had a lot more freedom in trying to make my product look professional. I had a lot of experience using Photoshop since I have it at home on my own computer, so I didn’t have to take time out to learn how to use it. By having photoshop at home it allowed me to be able to download new brushes and fonts, something I couldn’t do on the C2K network in schools, so I had a lot more freedom in trying to make my product look professional. I often stuck to the same tools which I was farmiliar with, such as the Clone Stamp Tool, the Magic Wand tool and the Lasso Tool. I often stuck to the same tools which I was farmiliar with, such as the Clone Stamp Tool, the Magic Wand tool and the Lasso Tool. I also used a lot of effects such as the distorts and the swirl, this gave my contents and DPS the swirl effect in the background, along with some useful brushes I obtained off the internet. I also used a lot of effects such as the distorts and the swirl, this gave my contents and DPS the swirl effect in the background, along with some useful brushes I obtained off the internet.

Microsoft Office Microsoft Word allowed me to write up a lot of my research and planning whilst Microsoft PowerPoint allowed me to enter the results of my Questionnaires and my Evaluations. I have been using these two software's for years so it wasn’t hard at all. Microsoft Word allowed me to write up a lot of my research and planning whilst Microsoft PowerPoint allowed me to enter the results of my Questionnaires and my Evaluations. I have been using these two software's for years so it wasn’t hard at all. Also, things like Microsoft Exel allowed me to make my tables for my Questionnaire results to help me decipher my target audience, I wasn’t as familiar with Exel but it took no time to get to know how to use. Also, things like Microsoft Exel allowed me to make my tables for my Questionnaire results to help me decipher my target audience, I wasn’t as familiar with Exel but it took no time to get to know how to use.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

My Cover and Contents

What I have learnt ; I feel as though I have learnt a great deal from the Preliminary task to now. I feel as though I have learnt a great deal from the Preliminary task to now. I have learnt how to analyse magazines by using the correct terminology, I feel now that I could analyse a front cover a magazine thoroughly in the correct way. I learnt how to make my own magazine front cover, DPS and Contents in a professional way, and the ways to make it look professional. I have learnt how to analyse magazines by using the correct terminology, I feel now that I could analyse a front cover a magazine thoroughly in the correct way. I learnt how to make my own magazine front cover, DPS and Contents in a professional way, and the ways to make it look professional. I would now feel more confident using things like blogging websites and how to go about getting a target audience. I would now feel more confident using things like blogging websites and how to go about getting a target audience.

Communication The communication with my classmates has improved, when I ever had a problem or needed some guidance I simply would speak to the girls from my class via Facebook, where they were able to help me if need be. The communication with my classmates has improved, when I ever had a problem or needed some guidance I simply would speak to the girls from my class via Facebook, where they were able to help me if need be. When getting my target audience I got information via Questionnaires, I feel that the Preliminary task helped me know what to expect in the Main task, so I felt more confident in doing research and analysing magazines, as well as writing up Questionnaires and doing the bar charts to complete my results. When getting my target audience I got information via Questionnaires, I feel that the Preliminary task helped me know what to expect in the Main task, so I felt more confident in doing research and analysing magazines, as well as writing up Questionnaires and doing the bar charts to complete my results.

In Conclusion Overall I have learnt that making a magazine cover, contents and DPS takes a lot more time and effort than just putting an image and few cover lines on a page. So much time must be dedicated to do research and planning, to choosing the cover lines, the layout and the model you’re going toput in the magazine and why. I now understand that a Target Audience is needed and the entire magazine must be aimed at them, keeping them in account at all times. Choosing things like the colour, the font and the layout of the magazine must be planned, as well as analysing other covers and contents pages in order to understand what must be done. Overall I have learnt that making a magazine cover, contents and DPS takes a lot more time and effort than just putting an image and few cover lines on a page. So much time must be dedicated to do research and planning, to choosing the cover lines, the layout and the model you’re going toput in the magazine and why. I now understand that a Target Audience is needed and the entire magazine must be aimed at them, keeping them in account at all times. Choosing things like the colour, the font and the layout of the magazine must be planned, as well as analysing other covers and contents pages in order to understand what must be done. Its helped me realise how much hard work it is to make a magazine, and I had a lot of fun creating my own. Its helped me realise how much hard work it is to make a magazine, and I had a lot of fun creating my own.