my evaluation of media product : music magazine

1. Evaluation

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media products? My magazine is both conventional and unconventional as it follows normal layouts as the photograph is behind the text and the text is written on top of it without covering the face which is seen on my front cover also it uses similar colour schemes related to my genre of music . But its also unconventional as the magazine name is on a tilt and has little items in the title which is different other magazines in my music genre as they would use a bold straight font as used in say NME as its just two colours very bold and on a level angle. I have used a medium close up photograph which is unconventional as normally there would be a medium shot or long shot of the artist but I have typically gone for a moody looking indie rock teenager which is who the genre appeals to in a general sense. I dark colour scheme just like mine but with one bright colour which is very similar to mine. This is more like my colour scheme for the same type of music genre showing that my magazine is conventional in some aspects Splash the same position and the same mine, across the artist as well. The same as my magazine

3. My contents page is also typical of a indie music magazine and of any normal music magazine as it has page numbers and pictures just like a conventional contents page as it also has sub titles for the articles inside. But also its unconventional as everything is slanted but also in conventional magazines there is text underneath but mine doesn't showing its unconventional . The numbers on the photographs is something seen in other music magazines as seen on the examples below. Also having contents written on the page is also similar to other magazines in my genre i have research but yet again its conventional but unconventional as the contents just like the magazine name is on a tilt to the left showing both the conventional and unconventional layout of my magazine. The effects also make it the contents unconventional as from my examples they don't have any in them not to say that some may have them in as they try to keep the full photograph which have done with one of the photographs, were as they use all the photograph which shows I am keeping to the general layout of my chosen genres magazine. My contents page also develops the idea of the conventions in my indie genre music magazine as the normal layout is there but has be enhanced more as I have added my own twist on it. These are areas I have used from other magazines in my genre. As these are part of the normal indie magazine this shows my contents page is conventional in some areas, Another point that makes my magazine unconventional as the examples photographs or in boxes/ frames unlike mine as one isn't straight either and one isn't in a box or frame.

4. This is my double page spread which I have kept very conventional as it has its has columns just like normal double page spreads. Also a photograph on the side of the text which links heavily the article also the page break is clear on the double page spread. But what is unconventional is the effects in the background and on the photograph as normally the photograph would just be kept the same without anything like effects on top. But the title of the article is over the photograph which is on my magazine example 2 as its very similar also big and bold and the only thing you can read from a distance like both of this magazines. The also unconventional thing about my double page spread is the photo in the frame as its makes it unique and isn't seen on other magazine but there is like a little profile box in the corner to link with the article so it could be conventional just a different item. Overall its both conventional and unconventional to show both its unique side but also trying to make the magazine appeal to a wide audience.

5. How does your media product represent particular social groups? The sort of people my music magazine is aimed at 16+ teenage girls of any class and aimed at a group of indie music fans from my photographs used on my media product. Also through the colour schemes it has some feminine colours such as the purple. But however I Think my font could represent both genders and the same age but I feel it still represents females in the age group of 16 to 23. My main article inside would mostly appeal to a female audience as its about a girl making it big in the music industry and could go on to inspire young teenage girls to do the same. Through my photographs and articles what I am trying to say about these people are that they aspirational but also rebellious and moody teenagers as well. It can also be said that my magazine overall represents music fans as well and that the teenage generation in general are really update with music. But my magazine represents rebellious moody teenagers. Also could represent indie music teenagers as well they are fans of the genre.

6. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? I would clearly chose a music magazine publishers to distribute my magazine as my product can attract buyers especially the teenage market as it aimed at teenagers. The articles inside would also attract readers and Indie music fans and the photographs used on the front cover, contents and double page spread would catch the attention of readers as well. But what could be a problem as its a very direct magazine as it has a direct genre and not a mixture of genres so it may not attract that many people that would make the publisher think it wouldn’t be making a profit. So then it shows that my magazine couldn't be published in certain music magazines publishers as there would be other magazines with different genres inside and attract a mass audience of all ages and genders and therefore create more money . Music mags This a music magazine publisher who publish one genre of music which is the genre my magazine represents. It publishes magazines like instrument magazines but also magazines about new bands which is very similar to mine.

7. Music mags They encourage positive perceptions on musicians which is what I was going for trying to give the artist a positive look. Also they are fast at disturbing magazines and it seems they take on anything that is different and unique in the indie they also sell in any music shop as well so the magazines would get noticed and brought also they sell magazines world wide so it would get the attention of a bigger audience and which would equal more profit and sales. I would like my magazine to be published by music mags beacause... They have experience and a well trusted organisation also they publish my magazine genre as well also I would like my magazine to be published in actual form instead of emailed and a online magazine however, having a online magazine would help to a get wider range of audience as its the world wide web. My magazine could also be given away for free in some music shops and get reviews from readers and if its a hit then maybe a charge a fee but not expensive as I want my readers to be able to but something filled with what they want to read about music and its all about the music .

8. Who would be the audience for your media product? With my media product I was attempting to attract a mass audience but my product may just attract a niche as maybe indie music isn't a popular genre with everyone as may only attract a certain group of people, which are fans of the music and the genre may not be a big hit everywhere. But my magazine could attract a mass audience as it the magazine is aimed at teenagers and indie music could be really popular and attract a mass audience, I am trying to attract a mass audience but maybe people from the indie niche audience would also buy it as well so again attract a greater audience but if would attract a niche it would make my magazine less commercial and more unique for the music fans . If it were to a niche audience it would become more about the music and less commercial and also very unconventional but if it would attract only a few people it would not make a lot of profit . However starting out as niche audience could therefore develop into a mass audience. As news of the magazine could spread around and it can become more popular therefore attracted more and more people.

9. How did you attract /address your audience? To get the attention of my audience I would use advertising in music shops such as posters in the shops or leaflets but maybe a television advert do it would be seen by a bigger audience than posters in a music shop as not many people go into shops but most people or giving free samples of the magazine not the full article but almost like a sneak peek at what the magazine is all about and giving them away in news agents and also music shops as well so the magazine can been seen by lots of people, the mass audience and also by the niche audience as well. Also these enables feed back from the readers to whether its good or not, so I am advertising the product but also gaining back reaction from the readers as well. What also could be a good idea is again only a send a free sample of the magazine with bits of the article but send it via email so they don't even have to go out we could send it to them but they may just delete the email, but this is a good way of reaching again a wider audience.

10. What would attract the audience most about my front cover is maybe the photograph as it is the dominating thing on the page it also stands out very well from the dark black background. The photograph itself would attract the audience as its posed in mysterious yet mischievous way which would attract the audience and would make them read on further to find out who she is or what the article is about. The colour scheme could also attract the audience as a dark background and the lighter text and effects (white and purple) would also attract attention as it really stands out from a distance and close up and the white text really works well with the dark background but also the photograph to make it eye catching. Also I think the name would also attract the audience as ‘unzipped’ used as music but the things behind the music which would intrigue the readers into reading the magazine. Also how the magazine name is set out as it has little items on the letters but also as its on angle shows its different from other magazine and this unique style would grab the audience/readers attention . The fonts on the cover would also attract the readers attention as ifs different sizes and thicknesses for the artists name also different letters are different fonts which make it different . Also the sub headings are also in a similar font but different to again makes this cover artistic and unique. Which would stand out and catch the eye of the audience. The effects on the front cover could also attract the audience as they stand out from the black background and the photograph.

11. My products have been written in a formal why but an informal way almost casual. As its a magazine it has to have some formality to it such as how it is written but I have tired to make this very casual but if it was too casual it wouldn't be very professional. I have tried to make it casual enough to relate to my target audience as teenagers want to read something fun but it isn't complex or complicated so I have tired to appeal to the teenage market but still trying to keep it formal and professional. I am trying to address my market in a professional formal manner but also I am trying to address them in a casual informal way as well.

12. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product ? What I have learnt about in construction process I discovered how to use fireworks especially the magic wand tool. As this allows to get rid of the back ground or bits that I didn’t want on the photograph easier that the rubber. I also learnt how to manipulate photographs to change the colour of the them or photo effects using the hue and saturation These are things that I have learnt to use of fireworks the schools computer programme Font button I also discovered how to use the font button and how to change fonts and also how to give the font different colours or gradients. But what was important was changing the outside colour of the font as I have done that a lot in my magazine product.

13. I also used another program like fireworks but hugely different I used Adobe Photoshop as well in my magazine making process. I learnt how to get different brush effects such paint splatters and spray paint effects which I used on the magazine the front cover, contents and the double page spread. I also learnt how to change its colour and the size of the brush so it would easily slot on to my magazine as i could change the size but also the colour as well to fit in with my colour scheme

14. Also during the magazine process and research I have become skilled at how to use Blogger where everything I have created, planned or researched as been posted on my blog to show my process. I learnt how to write a post with Blogger and also how to place photographs on there as well so everything is kept neatly together. I also figured out how to save posts as drafts so I am able to keep the on going but also save the work and do it from home as well before I actually post them so I am able to check spellings and punctuation. Also to link with Blogger was slideshare a place where I could load up my PowerPoint presentations and this will allow to placed on my blog as well to show I have used different ways of communicating my product and its research. I learnt how to upload my presentations and how to post them on my blog and on the website you are able keep the presentations and edit them as well.

15. I also discovered a website called dafont.com and this website allows access to a massive variety of fonts and styles with hundreds of different themes as well. I learnt how to download different types of fonts and the one highlighted is the one I used for my media product. I have also downloaded more from this website for parts of my media magazine. These fonts I was able to download them, and then use them on fireworks were I was able to change colours and do a many different things to the fonts to suit my magazine.

16. I also learnt how to use my camera properly as I was able to take different photographs I also learnt that the lighting would have to be right and how to take photos from different angles as well. I also learnt about Mise-en- scene as I made my artist wear something that had part of the colour scheme on it to link back to my magazine and the magazine colour scheme. What I really learnt was how to link all my pages together with effects, photographs and colours in a professional manner.

17. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? From then to now What i have learnt from my preliminary task is how to make a magazine look authentic and professional in the real world but using different process and technologies such fireworks and blogger. I have also learnt that magazines have to use many techniques and research to get there magazine right for whatever they are doing their magazine for such as a school magazine and music magazine and that it takes time for a product to fully develop.

18. How I have learnt to make an authentic magazine is by doing lots of research and looking at the conventions of other magazines and i tried to keep to conventions of music magazines, to make my authentic and look like other magazines but also I learnt to go against some of the conventions to make my magazine different but also to keep its authenticity as some things that are used in magazines are used in my magazine also to keep making it look professional. I have learnt about conventions in the magazine world which help a magazine to look professional as all of the magazine follow some conventions of magazines but they always go against them to make them different but to a professional level, also to make them look professional is the technology used also helps magazines look authentic as there are different effects and also the photographs are an important part making a magazine looking professional but also different.

19. Through research and advice from others I have been able to learn a lot about targeting but also attracting an audience as different people are attracted to different things and to target an audience was simply but colour schemes and photographs as photographs can target a certain group and a mass audience or a niche audience as well. So certain things will attract the attention of that group such as the colours and effects on the magazine. Photographs i have discovered attract an audience as some photos maybe bright and colour which would attract children but some are dark and moody to attract teenagers or adults depending on what the magazine is about. I have also learnt how to communicate to with a audience as my magazine is suppose to attract the teenage market it written in a formal way but also causal as teenagers are attracted to that tyoe of thing but also because they want to be interested and what to be able to relate to the article. Overall I learnt a lot about making a magazine from research and feedback but also how to make it appeal to a certain audience maybe it be a mass audience or niche market. Importantly i have learnt processes to make an authentic magazine and professional looking as well.