Exam Information

Name: Max Coles
Candidate Number: 6094
Centre Number: 55227
School: Poole High School

My Final Magazine

Front Cover
Contents
Double Page Spread

My Preliminary Task

Front Cover

Contents Page

Introduction

This Blog will follow the progress of my Media Magazine I am producing. I will look at the key influences to the structure of my Magazine, its progress all the way to its eventual completion. I will be explaining who my magazine will appeal to, how I've structured it, and what I want to achieve. Shown above are two of the main influences on my Coursework "NME" and "Q"music magazine.

Textual Analysis: Codes & Conventions

Q and NME, have both similar Codes & Conventions. Each are represented as a Music Magazine which focuses on a particular genre of music, in this case its the Indie Rock genre.

Both of them have a very distinctive logo, which is almost iconic and easily recognisable among consumers. The covers both have their logos in the top left corner.

NME is in comparison to Q, very brightly coloured, and bold, with the use of: fonts, colours and photos. These sort of codes and conventions would appeal to teenagers, because of the use of a bold and brash layout, that is catching to the eye. NME trys to distance itself from the usual types of sensible music magazines, and has a more flamboyant approach.
For my coursework I will take the idea of a brightly coloured layout, and incorporate it into my magazine cover.

Q on the other hand, seems much more sensible, and the placement of images and text is laid out in a way that's much easier to distinguish and understand. All the text and fonts are sensible, there is a very limited use of colours, where in contrast to the NME which has a wide range, and finally, Q has a cover that seems to focus on one band/artist, where as the NME has a cover dedicated to many different bands and stories.
Q's use of a sensible layout, and limited colour scheme works very well, and I will use this concept on my front cover.

However in some ways, both magazines are similar:
- Both have distinctive Logo's.
- They have a pictures dedicated to one artists/band.
- Their covers seem to have small stories spread over the cover in order to almost convince the consumer to buy it.

Recognising My Audience

Every magazine has to have a target audience / social groups, to aim itself at. It will have to be able to represent particular attitudes to: music, culture, TV, Film, clothing etc.

A good example of a magazine incorporating this is once again NME.

As well as Music, the NME is known to also dabbling in subjects outside of the music concept, such as fashion trends, celebrities and daily News. This magazine has been now stereotyped to appeal to the Indie Music scene, because of the coverage of primarily independent, upcoming (and in most cases) flamboyant artists / bands.

So how would my magazine represent a particular social group? Well what I have done so far, would almost represent the exact same thing. The Indie social group. I have done this by putting a brand new band on the front cover, as well as also advertising another 50 bands coming out in the new year. Something I have noticed with these sorts of magazines, is that the readers are always interested in new and upcoming artists, and the covers will always extensively promote this. So I took advantage and dedicated the cover to new artists. Readers will then feel they can use this for Uses & Gratifications to get informed of new and upcoming music. Reasons behind this are the fact that people will always want to differentiate themselves from others, thinking to themselves that they knew about new artists before anyone else did. This idea will be something that readers can conform with, as it will say something about status within the community, about how the Indie scene is one step ahead of everyone else.

My audience will need to be able to identify with the magazine's conventions. For example my audience represents the idea of a non-mainstream group, who don't like the idea of music, clothes or anything Else related to their culture becoming too commercialised, so they are always on the look out for something new. This will be addressed with my text introducing new bands to my audience. Their identity is something that will also have to be addressed through the representation of their Culture, clothing style music etc. My social group identify with the non-mainstream, non-comfromist group, so this will have to be taken into account when prodcuing my media text. For example, what sort of stuff do they find acceptably likable? i.e an unsigned band, rather than an extremely popular, radio friendly band.

Also something else I have done, is try to make my cover as eye catching as possible in order to attract as many people as possible. Devices such as bold, colourful and big fonts, as well as the picture of the band sitting on a pavement (which would also tap into the idea of rebellious Rock N Roll style which would appeal to the social group) have all been used to both attract and address my audience. All of the members in the band photo, are also wearing similar almost iconic clothing, which adds to the culture factor of representing my social Group using different things, in this case similar fashion.

Something NME did really well was putting their logo behind the artists shown, almost to show as if its not important to flaunt it anymore, as its immediately recognisable and well established. So I will possibly take this into account, and add it to my cover.

Addressing & Attracting My Audience

My Media Product will conform to the idea of giving my Target audience a dominant Reading.

The concept of a dominant reading, is the idea of the audience passively agreeing with what is being presented to them, as it matches with their dominant values or beliefs.

My Text conforms to the dominant reading idea, of giving the audience information that is regarded as "correct" and something that agrees with the audiences Values.

For example, my Front Cover advertises a new Band, with writing underneath saying: "THE band set to take over 2009" Notice it could of said "IS THIS the band set to take over 2009?"

It is not giving the reader a negotiated response, giving them the option to accept or reject. It's instead more or less telling them. Giving them a Dominant Reading.

I've also thought of different methods of trying to attract my audience.

In it's current state, my front cover incorporates a large photo, followed by a number of mastheads and captions talking about new artists of 2009. I really wanted to get the idea of the Indie Community being savvy on the idea of new artists, so I turned the front cover into a special "New Year" edition.

An Early Look at my Media Text

This is an early image of my Front Cover. It's main focus is the photo, and the slogan in front of it. That's more or less it. I wanted to keep it as simple and easy to understand as possible. I believe that too much information cluttered onto one page, would discourage the audience / reader to buy it as, otherwise it would be too sophisticated for the Indie Social group. Considering the age range for my audience is about 16 - 25 I think, the majority would not conform with it.

The cover of this specific NME shown, had
a major influence on my cover. Notice the use of one photo and little writing in order to stand out. I tried to use this technique, as shown above.

The Image(s) used

This was the photo I used. I was quite happy with it, as I think it conformed to the stereotype of the average Indie Group, wearing the same clothes, looking straight at the camera, rough hair styles, the idea that these types of things will agree with the social group, and this will agree with their beliefs and values. The type of bands that would usually be featured in this sort of magazine. Also the way they are positioned as sat on a pavement, with the colour of the photo edited to black and yellow, gave it a professional touch.

Originally I was going to use it my Double Page spread, but for that I need a picture of each band member spread out, rather than close together. So instead this photo made it as the cover photo.

This is what the image originally looked like. It had to be cropped and re-sized using the Page Plus x3 software package, in order for it to fit onto the magazine front cover as seen above. Luckily it came out really well and the band can still be seen.
I thought this image was great. It's lighting came out really well. It shows half of their faces light up, while the other half is in darkness. This fitted in well with the conventions of the band, being new, and not known very well. The fact the image also appeared blurred was great, as it gives them a mysterious edge, which the readers will want to find out about.
All the images in the double page spread, are in a similar vain, to this one, the black and yellow colours with the band posing intimidatingly.

Inspiration: Double Page Spread

This is the Double Page Spread I will be using for the inspiration and development of my own Double Page Spread.

It has several typical conventions that are used in most Music Magazines, and Magazines in general.

First, is the use of a main photo, usually of the band themselves, or at least one member, preferably the Front Man. This a common convention that's used in Double Page Spreads. Very rarely, will it contain just text (writing.) The Main focus of the two pages will always be the image, or in some cases there will be a collection of images.

Then there is the convention, of either very little text, or no text at all on both pages. Seen here is a Double Page spread with about 2 paragraphs. I will incorporate this concept into the production of mine, as it will give the Magazine a professional look.

And finally, the other convention is the use of a slogan, usually with a large, bold font. This is usually used in order to set the reader up for what the article is about, as well as the fact when flicking through, it will have the ability to catch the readers attention, which Will be very important as my audience is predominantly teenagers, and the idea of a large amount of writing won't appeal to them . This is one convention that I will be using for in the production of my Text.

My double page spread

This is an image of an early version of my double page spread.

















I have a number of concepts about the type of photos that could be used. I'm thinking of using a large image of the band, either when they are up against a wall, in order to show an established image of each member.
A low angle photo, in order for the bands members to come across as dominating to show the values of the indie genre, of upcoming bands that the audience will want to know about.
Finally I might just use an image of one member of the band, preferably the front man, this is stereotypical convention among music magazines, to show one member and interview them across one article.
I will start the article with a little introduction of the band, in order to set a personal tone for the reader. It will contain no more than at least one paragraph of writing as I want the double page spread to be more based on a visual interpretation, than that of an article.

The masthead in the middle, has been used from getting an image of a Union Jack and cropping the image so that it fits into the slogan that has been placed over it:"A new Curve of British Music"

Contents Page

For my contents page I have drawn from a number of examples, in order to create my own.

I wanted it to look very simple, which is a convention I have used for most of my Magazine: Simplicity. I don't want the Indie Community to feel as if it's a complex and therefore a boring magazine to read. I want them to feel as if, its trustworthy and easy to get information from.

My contents page is roughly based on this one, from a drummer magazine, I liked the way it teased the reader with an image from an article, and also the layout of images and text.

Modifications to my Coursework

Front cover: Much has been changed, the main logo, has been completely re-done, and made to look less media friendly. I've now used a white typing font on a black background. It's made to look less mainstream, which is something the Indie community shy away from. They like the idea of non-conforming, which is shown with the use of the magazine representing new, unsigned bands that have yet to break into the mainstream music scene. I used it, as it vaguely reminded me, of the font used for The Sex Pistols logo, which were a band well known for not conforming or abiding by mainstream rules. I've also added a few more features such as a small, sort of circular sticker advertising "50 new bands." As well as adding the "New year issue" below the magazine logo, in order to emphasise the fact, the magazine includes new and exclusive content.

Contents: Again the magazine logo has been changed, and more information about the magazines contents has been added, but not a lot has changed, as I'm fairly happy with it.

Double Page Spread: My double page spread is near completion. I have moved the British flag with the title "A New Curve Of British Music?" into the middle of the two pages, in order for the feature to look less sloppy, and more professional. Three photos have been added, with a faded blurred effect, in order for the pictures to look much more integrated into the article, instead of just being added on in a rush. Also the whole feature of the band "The Curve" is that they are just rising to fame, so blurring the images of them, gives off the impression that they are still not very well known, so this will suggest to the reader that the magazine is giving the audience a dominated reading, saying to them, that they think this band will be big. This has also been referenced in the front cover "...the band coming out of focus into the new year." Finally a small paragraph has been added to give the band a small introduction to the reader, as well as a small caption of writing beneath the centre title.

All of the changes can be seen in the post below.

Current stage of Magazine

Front Cover



















Contents Page



















Double Page Spread

Distibution of My product through Institutions

It would expect my media product to be distributed through a small Institution, almost a niche institution. Rather than a huge multi-national conglomerate one, which would not fit into the conventions associated with the magazine style.

I'm looking for the ways that my social group (Indie) like their texts to be distributed. For example most texts like mine are distributed through retail institutions, the most obvious examples being places such as "ASDA" & "Tesco" where they are placed with many other magazines on racks. Other places you would find them would be music shops i.e. HMV.

But whether this would fit in with the beliefs and values of my social group is a different matter. I would think that they would prefer their texts to be distributed through places such as "Zavvi" or even a music shop, where they are less retail, and more music focused. Zavvi will sell music from an independent label and this will fit into the selling of the product. A magazine talking about independent music, in a shop that sells independent music. So the indie community will feel it is a useful place to consume from, as it keeps the "Indie" image.

So I would prefer it if my text was distributed through an institution that likes its independent image. For example Zavvi where they sell music from independent artists, and films from independent film makers, where everything is less mainstream, and more of a niche. This is where i would want my audience to consume from.

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

I feel like I have learnt a great deal from the beginning of my Preliminary Task, to the completion of my media text.

I have learnt more about the conventions and ways of producing a magazine. How to do it through the use of computer software, what to put onto my magazine and where, what my audience will be looking for in the magazine, and how it represents their particular social group.
I feel as if now I understand much more about how media texts are constructed, and what thought has to go into the distribution of them.
I thoroughly researched and looked into conventions of a standard music magazine and applied them to my text. Main influences being Q and NME.
This can be seen as with my Poole High Magazine, was based off nothing, and was put together with no structure in mind. The cover needed a medium long shot photo in it, however I didn't manage to get a hold of one, but this was going to be addressed if I had a longer period to finish it in.
Overall I now have more sufficient knowledge of constructing media texts. There are many things that need to be put into consideration when doing so:
- Your audience
- It's conventions
- It's distribution i.e. through institutions
- It's representation of your audience
- Devices used to attract your audience

In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop or Challenge Forms and Conventions of Real Media Products?

I think my media product has used alot of stereotypical conventions, as well challenging some of the typical conventions.

First, I used usual conventions such as the feature of a strap line at the very top of the front cover to advertise inside content. Next was one band being shown on the front cover as the main focus of the magazines attention. This is very common among music magazines, to focus on an artist or band, as the whole concept of these types of magazines cover new musical talent. Especially texts such as NME which is where I drove most of my inspiration.

I also seemed to challenge some of the typical conventions by not including things such as freebies, which seem to be included much more frequently these days, because of the rapid growth of the internet where people get their information. So this is not included, I want my audience to feel as if, my text contains trustworthy, and more infromation than you would get on the internet.

However most of my inspiration was drawn from a number of NME covers, the flamboyancy and the simpilcity is something I have taken and incroporated into my text. The Indie Scene is notable for its unusual and different dress sense, and this can be reflected with the presentation of the magazine and the artists included inside.

What Have I Learnt About Technolgies From The Process Of Constructing My Media Product

I have learnt a number of things. First how you would construct a magazine cover through the use of DTP (Desk Top Publishing) and all the features that it has, such as the ability to edit, crop and manipulate photos, in order for it to by added to the front cover. It's called "Image editing studio."Some of the options for example to filter and cut my photos, the ability to place writing at a slanted angle, and the wide variety of fonts available, gave my magazine its "Indie" style look.

The programme is called "Page Plus X3" and it has many features that are suitable for the construction of my text. It has a wide range of fonts that can be used for writing and logos etc. It also has a wide amount of functions, which helped me produce my media magazine. For example text and images can be laid on top of each other and can be re-arranged, this was very useful when producing my double page spread, as I needed text to be put over the top of white boxes, instead of behind where it would not be visible. In the future, if needs be, I could most definitely produce another magazine, of the same sort of caliber as my coursework. This is a very good DTP software package, easy to use, and quick to learn if you are not familiar with DTP. I can see institutions being able to use this software for producing the same text.

Front Cover Evaluation

This is the final version of my front cover.

Some minor things have been modified. I've completely changed the font and positioning of the band name "The Curve" it's not longer in 3-D, I've changed it into a more rough 2-D font, so that it fits better with the whole gritty / grunge style of the cover. I disliked the original clean cut font, it didn't fit with the whole theme, and connotations that are associated with an Indie magazine (non-mainstream and non-conformist) so it was changed.

Also the colour scheme has been changed of the circle to yellow, so it fits into the colour of the sepia photo. Overall I am happy with the final result.

Contents Page Evaluation

Next is my Final version of my Contents page.

Not a lot has been changed. Some minuscule things have been added, such as the inclusion of three photos of things included in the magazine. An "Exclusive" banner has been added, in order to entice my audience with the exclusivity of content the magazine holds. Also done in the same sense, is the fact I've added a little paragraph detailing the reviews of albums that are inside. Mentioned in earlier post's was the fact the Indie community will want to know about upcoming Music before others do. So by using these devices, this adds to the appeal of buying this magazine.

Nothing much else has changed.The fonts and colours have been kept the same as well as the layout, as I was fairly happy with it. But I am also happy with how it has turned out.

More Images Used

These were the image used for my Contents page:

This one was used for an artist who was giving advice on how to start up a band. The image was originally in colour, but Page Plus, allowed me to turn it black and white, as it fitted in with the bleak tone of the magazine itself. The person is supposed to look dominating, as in his article he is supposed to be giving reader's tips on how to start a band.

This was an image I used of myself. For the article about the 50 greatest front men. It was a great image to use as it looked slightly iconic. Because of the stereotypical attire of a leather jacket, which is associated with rock and roll (a culture and genre of music associated with my type of text.) So this one was used, and was slightly edited, as it was made smaller and feathered round the edges again using the same software package.


Finally this image was used, and was featured bigger than the previous two because the article for it was advertised on the front cover as a main feature. The article is about an artist coming out of Rehab and giving his first "Exclusive" interview. The picture taken was great, as he is looking at the ground almost in shame, and this fits in with the concept of him coming out of rehab.

Double Page Spread Evaluation

And Finally this is my finished Double Page Spread.

There are a few differences that have been put in. I have now included quotes from people (artists) to encourage the concept of a dominant reading. Each quote that has been written, is either praising the band "The Curve" or giving a positive opinion on them. I said from the beginning I wanted the magazine to give the audience a dominant reading, as in what they are reading is one opinion and one opinion only, rather than negotiated response, which would let the reader decide for themselves.

Also the picture of the band in the bottom right corner has been enlarged as it is the best picture of the band, you get a clear image of each member. Each of the pictures has been edited to some effect, they have mostly been made slightly transparent to fade into the black background. I didn't want the pictures to come across too bright or too high contrast to the rest of the article, so they were faded in order to blend in. This peice of my media text is probably the one I'm most satisfied with.