Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My music magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread all conform to the stereotypical features of existing magazines.

My front cover contains the following conventions, masthead, skyline, main image, secondary image, coverlines, barcode, price, issue number, date, anchorage text, puff and website address. Each and every one of those features is stereotypical to a front cover. I have followed existing music magazine cover designs when it comes to the anchorage text for example, they way I have displayed this text is very similar to ‘Kerrang!’ magazine. I have gone on to challenge magazines such as ‘Rock’ who present their masthead behind the main image, whereas I have left the masthead in full view. The reasoning behind placing a secondary image in the bottom left hand corner allows the reader to get an incite in what is featured further to come.

My contents page features orthodox conventions such as, the date, title, images, pull quote, page numbers and article information. I decided on two smaller images as a pose to one larger one because the readers are then under the impression that my magazine has a variety of different stories they have covered. I have challenged existing contents pages by displaying the male artists signature underneath the article information.

The conventions that have been presented within my double page spread are the title, kicker, main body text, pull quote, main image and a smaller secondary image. I have conformed to the same display of the main body text in the music magazine ‘Classic Rock’, they to have broken up the text with either a secondary image or a pull quote. I have presented my pull quote in the bottom right hand corner overlapping my main image, ‘Rock Sound’ also present their pull quote in this manner.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I believe my front cover, contents page and double page spread reach out to both genders, but sway more towards males. Starting with my front cover, my main image is of a strong willed male who has overcome problems in his life and is still presented as being in control. This motivates the male readers to be able to put their problems behind them and face the world. My smaller secondary image on my front cover also attracts the male audience is the female artist has been presented in quite a sexual pose and the fact she is holding a bottle of alcohol makes her look like a challenge and its stereotypical for males to be attracted to women who are headstrong. The female readers may also be persuaded to read my magazine as they could inspire to be like the female artist and it is possible for them to be attracted to the male singer too. When it comes to my contents page I have decided on two smaller images which again appeal to both genders but still the majority being male. The first image of the female artist may intimidate the female audience because she is clutching a bottle of vodka and smoking a cigarette. She has been presented as quite reckless and edgy which I believe in turn interests the male readers. The second image of the male artist looks very professional and smooth which charms the female readers but also once again inspires the males as he has been presented as a good role model. Lastly my double page spread, both images are of the female artist. The way she has been positioned doesn’t allow for eye contact with the reader, I believe this keeps the male readers interested and view her as a challenge whereas the females may see that as a threat.

Rock is typically aimed at males and I believe I have conformed to this stereotype through the use of colours in all three of my pages. I have stuck to the dark blues, greys and black throughout, this particular colour scheme appeals to an older audience as it symbolises maturity and sophistication and also an ounce of hidden depth, which wouldn’t interest a younger audience who would be looking for bright vibrant colours to keep them intrigued.

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

Bauer Media Group is one of the most popular institutions and after looking into them further I decided they would be perfect publishers for my magazine.

Bauer Media Group is a large European-based media company that I would like to distribute my music magazine. Bauer published Kerrang! a brand that specialises in Rock Music, it originally began as a magazine and in 2004 Kerrang Radio was launched.

Seeing as Kerrang! is known worldwide I came to the conclusion that my music magazine, ‘Revive’ could get to the same level of admiration as Kerrang! and then become one of Britain's best selling music magazines.

Who would be the audience for your media product & how did you attract/address your audience?

My target audience is aimed at 18 – 25 year males. The rock genre stereotypically appeals to the male gender. I decided on this particular age group because from the age of 18 people tend to be more mature and focus on the important articles rather than the pictures and freebies. My magazine will contain interesting information which music lovers will love to read. I decided on stopping in the mid-twenties because I believe the older audience wouldn’t be interested in this type of magazine. When it comes to attracting my audience

My main attraction in enticing the audience is the images. The young female artist can be seen as an inspiration to the younger females who aim to be successful in life. Throughout all three pages she has been presented as confident, powerful and authoritative. I wanted to portray this level of self-reliance throughout my magazine so the females out there can be inspired. My male artist can encourage males who may be going down the wrong path in life and inspire them to change their ways. On the front cover and contents page he has been looking off into the distance and avoiding all eye contact with the reader, this shows he has a focus in life and is deep in thought. I wanted the male readers to be enthused by his dominant appearance and strive to be like him one day.

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

Looking back to the preliminary task I didn’t take as much time on the front cover and contents page as I did with the final product. The more features I added to all three of the pages allowed me to develop my photoshop skills. In the preliminary task I didn’t push myself to learn new photoshop techniques whereas the final three pages I motivated myself to use more difficult methods. I now understand the importance of different conventions, such as the anchorage text, in the preliminary front cover I didn’t feature any to text to go with my main image whereas in my final piece that was one of my front covers main attraction. In development from my prelim I took more time to focus on the images. When we were asked to provide our own photography I planned two different occasions where I could get the perfect photos, whereas my prelim the photo was taken within minutes with not much thought put into it. Overall I enjoyed the final task more than the preliminary because I felt as if I could apply my skills and knowledge to a higher level.