Note to moderator

Dear Moderator,

My brief for my AS Media was to create a Front Cover, Contents Page and Double Page Spread for a new music magazine. I chose to do my music magazine in an indie based genre due to recent trends causing a higher demand for this genre of music magazine, therefore, in order to supply to an ever demanding audience, I wanted to give the preferred audience of males ageing between late teens to mid-twenties, a new and up to date magazine in which they can effectively be a pro-sumer and voice their views on what the magazine will contain.

I have used labels on my blog to make it easily navigable in order to find what you are looking for.

Yours Sincerely,

Sarah May Wilkinson, Edgbarrow School.

Candidate Number: 9243

Centre Number: 51111

FINAL PRODUCT

 

 

 

 

QUESTION 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge form and conventions of real media products?

QUESTION 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Created with Padlet

QUESTION 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?

            

QUESTION 4&5: Who would be the audience for your media product? And how would it attract? / Address your audience?

QUESTION 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

QUESTION 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

In my pictures here, you can clearly see the detail needed when constructing a magazine or any media product in that matter.

During the preliminary task process I learnt a lot of valuable information, for example, I learnt that the layout is one of the most important codes and conventions in a magazine. Although the content is very important, you can easily lose an audience if the features aren’t positioned and styled in an attractive and non-confusing manner. Thus creating a professional media platform. In my preliminary task I used simple layouts which, upon looking back on were very dull and wouldn't attract someones eye if on a shop shelf. In particular I wanted to ensure that the sizing and proportion of my title and pictures were accurate, this meaning I had to make sure it was the biggest font on the page. I also thought my preliminary task followed the codes and conventions of a typical music magazine well, for example, I used three main colours throughout which followed the style of the school logo.

Although in my final product I still used that simplistic style to represent my indie genre, I made sure it was presented in a more attractive manner, for example; on my double page spread, I cut up the main image and pulled parts out, creating that broken effect. That broken effect can then symbolise the common view on tattoos.

Also from my preliminary task I came up with the branding of the red line going through my logo, this of which then went on to be used in my final product. If I had not of done the preliminary task I would not of known how to use the technology needed (mainly Serif Page Plus and Photoshop), and thereforewouldn’t have had an idea of how to convey my ideas coherently and in professional manner. Serif in particular needed some getting used to before creating my coursework product. If I hadn't of learnt before hand, my piece wouldn't look and feel professional, therefore not appealing to my audience.

Although I felt my preliminary was successful, there was still room for improvement when it came to my final product. In order to do this, I did thing such as;

• using more appropriate images which reflected my indie genre
• kept thinking back to mise-en-scene in order to portray specific qualities to my target audience
• adding more tag lines and sub headings onto the front page, making it fuller and 'jam packed' with information for the reader.
• using a range of ICT by varying shapes and sizes throughout my pages.

Evalution Update

I have been updating my evaluation on the existing post, so far I have completed the following;

10/04/2014;

Question 2 - "You've misunderstood this- representation is how people are portrayed- are you showing band members to be hedonistic, attractive and quirky for example and how have you shown this through language, dress etc. You can link to audience but how they are PRESENTED in your mag. "

Question 3 - "Add in where you would place your mag- where on the shelf would it sit alongside others? How would it be distributed? what mags does this institution distribute already? "

18/04/2014;

Question 4/5 - "You have most of the key info here but consider how you DID address/attract audience not future tense as it's already made! I'm not sure this form of presenting the answer is that user-friendly. Refine it or break up the answers for clarity"

23/04/2014;

Question 7 - "This is a good overview but needs to be more specific with what you've learnt and show the prelim to allow us to see that progression clearly."

Question 1 - "Sarah, there is a good basis here but the expression needs a lot of work and you misuse terminology in places- refine the definition of codes and conventions- only focus on print based media as camera etc isn't too relevant. Make sure that you are rooting the answer mostly in your product rather than a general overview of what codes and conventions are. Pics of your RMA alongside others would be good."

28/04/2014;

Question 6 - "Sarah, Popplet works a little better here. This needs serious proofreading! Also, don't forget the hardware you used too- the pictures you used and in fact all the technology used at all 3 stages of the coursework."

Dolby

Sarah, see comments below your evaluation answers.

Evaluation: Question seven - draft

In my pictures here, you can clearly see the detail needed when constructing a magazine or any media product in that matter.

During the preliminary task process I learnt a lot of valuable information, for example, I learnt that the layout is one of the most important codes and conventions in a magazine. Although the content is very important, you can easily lose an audience if the features aren’t positioned and styled in an attractive and non-confusing manner. Thus creating a professional media platform. In my preliminary task I used simple layouts which, upon looking back on were very dull and wouldn't attract someones eye if on a shop shelf. In particular I wanted to ensure that the sizing and proportion of my title and pictures were accurate, this meaning I had to make sure it was the biggest font on the page. I also thought my preliminary task followed the codes and conventions of a typical music magazine well, for example, I used three main colours throughout which followed the style of the school logo.

 

 Although in my final product I still used that simplistic style to represent my indie genre, I made sure it was presented in a more attractive manner, for example; on my double page spread, I cut up the main image and pulled parts out, creating that broken effect. That broken effect can then symbolise the common view on tattoos.

 

Also from my preliminary task I came up with the branding of the red line going through my logo, this of which then went on to be used in my final product. If I had not of done the preliminary task I would not of known how to use the technology needed (mainly Serif Page Plus and Photoshop), and therefore wouldn’t have had an idea of how to convey my ideas coherently and in professional manner. Serif in particular needed some getting used to before creating my coursework product. If I hadn't of learnt before hand, my piece wouldn't look and feel professional, therefore not appealing to my audience.

 

Although I felt my preliminary was succesfful, there was still room for imporvement when it came to my final product. In order to do this, I did thing such as;

 

• useing more appropriate images which reflected my indie genre
• kept thinking back to mise en scene in order to portray specific qualitites to my target audience
• adding more tag lines and sub headings onto the front page, making it fuller and 'jam packed' with information for the reader.
• useing a range of ict by varying shapes and sizes throughout my pages.

 

Evaluation: Question six - draft

Evaluation: Question four and five - draft

Evaluation: Question three - draft

SCRIPT FOR RECORDING!

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

The Bauer Media Group is Europe’s largest privately owned publishing Group, with a worldwide media empire offering over 300 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations, employing some 6,400 people.

Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewarded as being industry modernisers, built on influential media brands with millions of personal relationships with engaged readers and listeners.

I believe Bauer would be a good media institution to distribute my magazine as its strategy and aim is similar to that of mine, “to connect audiences with excellent content through our broad multi-touch point brand platforms, wherever and whenever and however they want. Our wide portfolio of influential brands gives us advantages over pure play magazine or radio competitors”

Bauer also has a very good turnover at €2.129 Billion (2010), this meaning my magazine’s circulation would be very impressive for a starting company. Although, the initial cost to get it started will be slightly higher, as mine and Bauer’s motives are very similar, the two companies would coincide and cooperate well; increasing revenue on both behalves.

My magazine would be placed alongside with other music magazines, in order to not confuse audiences with differing layouts. Also, to keep the Bauer magazines together, I would have STACK placed next to or between Q magazine, MOJO and Kerrang! 

Bauer challenges itself to anticipate consumer trends and work with technological developments to ensure content is available whenever, wherever and however. Their advertising teams have a complete 360 degree view across all of their brands, across all platforms, and are passionate about developing customer partnerships through high calibre creative ideas that take advantage of the brands' consumer engagement.

This meaning that I would distribute my magazine through ways such as;

• Creating synergy with iTunes and offer a chance to win a voucher when buying the magazine.
• Use the app version of the magazine to be part of the Starbucks 'Pick of the Week',  where customers simply follow the instructions on the back of the card to get your free download.
• Have the magazine to be on sale at any gigs that we advertise with in the content.
• Bulk sell some issues to stores.

Evaluation: Question two - draft

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine, STACK, has a main target audience of males ageing from late teens to mid-twenties, with a psychographic of explorer, therefore, placing my audience into the demographic of C1-D.  

For this reason I want the artists and bands included to be portrayed as attractive and quirky. "People can stand in a gallery and be in awe of the art, so why can't they do the same for my sleeve. I wouldn't mind if someone just stood and stared at my arms." Because the language and interview is so laid back, it creates that easy going yet attractive approach that Brad Spectre has, which is then reinforced with comments like, "God I'm a rambler!". 

Added to this, the simplistic costume he is dressed in, plain white t-shirt, denim over coat and black jeans, gives that cool, explorer and 'not caring' feel to his identity. Of which is the type of person the audience would want to be like and look up to. As the ‘gig’ scene is stereotypically aimed at the younger generations, and the photos of Brad Spectre are mainly taken at one of his gigs, it meets their ever demanding need for updated information on the latest and hottest music artists and events. It also represents that easy going persona that Brad has.

In order to widen my circulation and improve my audience readership, my magazine also has aspects that attract other social groups. For example, this is done by the artists changing in each edition, therefore appealing to differing audiences. However, their style and portrayal will be similar, as it follows the 'Indie' persona seen throughout my magazine.

Evaluation: Question One - draft