AS Media Coursework

By Nisha Rait

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

My magazine uses many conventions of magazines. On the front cover I have a large image of the main artist which complements the music theme, this relates to the conventions of music magazines as most also have a large image of the main artist in the centre on the front cover. I have challenged conventions of a typical music magazine by having my model do side poses as on typical music magazines the model is usually standing and facing towards the camera. Also the main image is taken in a eye level angle which also challenges conventions as most magazines use a medium shot.

One way in which my magazine challenges conventions is with the theme, from my research I have found out that there is no funky house magazine in the market, therefore this makes my magazine original and fills a niche in the market.

Another way my magazine challenges conventions is the colour scheme. When researching different music magazines I discovered that each magazines colour schemes were simple. Whereas for my magazine I combined bright neon colours together so that my magazine stands out and looks bright, young and vibrant as my magazine was the summer issue.

Furthermore I have added a strapline beneath the title which says “UK’S NO.1 MUSIC MAGAZINE” this verifies standard forms and conventions of a typical music magazine. From my research I came across straplines on many magazines such as NME and Kerrang.

2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine represents young females who are interested in a crazy, fun, informal magazine and enjoy funky house music. The target audience are females aged 12-19yrs, this represents different social groups as 12-17yrs are females in secondary and 18+ are females in university therefore it represents different social groups.

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

I am going to use IPC media institution to distribute my media product, this is because IPC media produces 60 iconic media brands, with print alone reaching almost two thirds of UK women. This is suitable a my target audience are females.

The mass market women’s division comprises famous women’s weeklies including Look, Now, Chat and women; TV entertainment brands including Whats on TV, TVTimes and TV & Satelite Week and online the good to know network.

Here is a liink from the website I used:http://www.ipcmedia.com/

4) Who would be the target audience for your media product?

My target audience are young females aged 12-19yrs.My magazine attracts the target audience by its bright summery

colours as it is very eye-catching, young and vibrant. In addition the font I have used is very big and bold which also is eye-catching and helps attract the target audience.

I have included pleasantly attractive pictures to help attract the target audience which are young females and also by including free downloads as they will be interested.

I have used a direct fun tone to address the audience so that the audience feel as if the magazine is talking directly to them.

For my models I have used young females as this goes with the target audience who are also young females.

Furthermore I have used a variety of shots to make the magazine look more interesting and creative.

FRONT COVERThe main image is eye level angle and medium close up, this stands out

most on the magazine therefore helps attract the target audience as it is eye catching and also a young female similar to the target audience. I have chosen the mise en scene accordingly to go with the theme and target audience. For the costume I have used a bright orange top so that it goes with the summery funky theme, with a black leather jacket so that it contrasts from the orange background. The lighting is very bright, I did this so that it looks as if there is a spotlight on the main artist.

5) How did you attract/address your audience?

• I have attracted my audience visually by using bright and vibrant colours and including many pictures and bold fonts.

• I have also carried out a successful colour scheme of yellow, orange, purple and white throughout the magazine which will keep the audience attracted.

6) What have your learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

When I started this project I had no experience or knowledge on how to use Adobe Photoshop and Prezi. I have now learnt how to use Adobe Photoshop to help edit my photos and make magazines and posters. I have learnt many techniques.

I tried to create my magazine similar to the ‘Rap Up’ magazine. I have followed conventions of this magazine by adding artists along the top above the title. I have also added a large title which says “MAKE IT FUNKY FOR ME” which is similar to the ‘Rap Up’ magazine as it also has a large title in the same position which says “OH SNAP STARRING CIARA”

Here on the front cover I have used Adobe Photoshop to add a outer glow around the model so that she stands out and it seems as if there is a spotlight on her as she is the main artist.

I have also used Adobe Photoshop to colour the models hair brown so that it suits the theme and looks summery as it is a summer issue.

Also I have added a outer glow around the title so that it stands out more.

I have also used the smudge and blur tool to airbrush the models face so tat it looks more professional. I have changed the contrast so that its brighter.

Here I have picked a darker shade to the skin tone and used a paintbrush with very low exposure and decreased hardness so that the colour wasn’t bold and solid, I used this to darken the skin so that it looks more tanned and professional to go with the summer theme.

For the contents page I have kept the colour scheme from the front page which is orange, purple, yellow and white. I have challenged conventions of magazines as I rotated the “INSIDE” title so that it is sideways and vertical, which makes it unique to help my magazine stand out. I have once again added a outer glow around the title so that it relates to the theme of the front cover and stands out. I have included three different images which each are different shots and angles. For each of these images I have blended them with the background making them transparent so that it looks more professional and effective. It also makes the font easier to read for the audience.

This image is a medium shot as it is taken from a medium distance. I have cropped and resized it.

The image is a high angle shot as it is taken from a high point a the camera is located above eye level.

This image is a long shot as it shows everyone and what is happening.

When constructing my double page spread I had to ensure that it challenges and uses conventions as well as appeal to the target audience. Here I have challenged conventions as from my research I found that most double page spreads are layed out with the image on the right and writing on the left, therefore I swapped this around so my magazine seems unique. I have also matched the font of “MC ASHH” with the introduction on the front cover, this follows conventions as from my research I realised most magazines do this. The model in my image was originally wearing a red top but I changed it to black by using the paint tool on Adobe Photoshop so that there is a interlinking theme throughout the magazine, it also goes with the background which makes her face stand out more. In addition I have added a spotlight on the models face so that she stands out more and it looks professional. I have kept the colour scheme of purple, orange, yellow and white to keep a interlinking theme throughout the magazine.

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

product?

• Looking back at my preliminary task its obvious I have learnt a lot. On my school magazine I have no effects added or editing done to the images. Also on the school magazine it is all very simple and plain, the fonts are all different which does not follow conventions of a magazine. Looking at my music magazine I have added many effects to all the images, Furthermore I have added glows and spotlights to help images and fonts stand out. I edited a lot of the images so that it complements the music theme which is funky house.