In what ways does my Media Product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

EVALUATION QUESTION 1

First of all, I think my media product does not challenge any of the codes and conventions of a real music magazine as I followed each task to ensure that all codes and conventions were produced and demonstrated. In relation to the front cover of my media product, I believe that my front cover image links with other music magazines as the model conveys a serious attitude as well as looking laid-back and cool. The model also wears a specific type of clothing which could be easily recognised as “indie”.

As you can see, my front cover image doesn’t look that much different to the image on “Q’s” cover as they are both portraying a serious attitude which follows codes and conventions; as this is an ideal way to attract the target audience. In relation to the clothing, my model wears a shirt buttoned up to the top followed by a jumper over it. Meanwhile, the model on Q’s cover is wearing of what looks like a leather jacket which is seen as an indie type of clothing too.

FRONT COVER

Another code and convention which is used within my front cover is the background. Usually, indie music magazines tend to have a plain background containing one or two colours as this draws more attention to the image than the background. I think this has been used because if the background looked busy, it could make the magazine look over crowded and the target audience could be put off from buying it.

As you can see, the background to my front cover uses a contrast gradient of two different colours (black and a musty red). This contrasts with my colour scheme and makes the image stand out a lot more. Meanwhile, Q’s cover also contains a plain background only they use different shades of grey as a gradient and this also contrasts with their colour scheme which is very similar to mine.

Another code and convention which I followed is the title of my magazine. Realistically, indie music magazines tend to have a short and snappy title as this makes it easy to remember for the target audience. Also, the title tends to be a certain size and font, again, so that its easily recognisable for the target audience.

As you can see, my title “STRUM” is in capital letters and is a bold and wide font just like “NME” which is a popular indie music magazine. The actual font for both titles are one colour and the background is a different colour. This is used for effect and draws attention to the person who is interesting in buying the magazine.

Moreover, another code and convention which I followed is the cover-lines which are present on my front cover. All indie music magazines in the industry today, contain cover-lines simply to intrigue the audience as this makes them want to find out more about them. It gives them a taste of what the magazine has to offer and what is inside. For my cover-lines, I used bands and artists as well as a strip-line underneath which gives a little heading about that cover-line. This draws the reader in and makes them want to turn to that page and read all about it. I used fewer words as possible as this is used to make it brief which draws the audience in immediately. MY MAGAZINE:

Q MAGAZINE:

As you can see, my cover-lines contain a band or artist with a short caption underneath which gives the audience a reminder of what the cover-line represents. Meanwhile, Q’s cover-lines have a similar connection and also give a short description.

Finally, a code and convention I followed and used was the direct address which is usually present on an indie music magazine front cover. Direct address is used because this catches the readers eye and creates a connection which pulls them in. Direct address can be also used to intimate the reader as if the artist is looking directly at them in some way encouraging them to buy the magazine.

MY MAGAZINE: Q MAGAZINE:

As you can see, my model is using direct address as well as the artist on Q’s front cover. Even though the facial expression is nothing special, it creates a serious attitude but can also portray sex appeal too, especially if the artist is female.

For my contents page, I followed the codes and conventions by including features that would attract and appeal to the audience as its full of articles and information about the bands and artists the readers enjoy reading about. I also included regulars and reviews as this is to get the target audience familiar with the magazine and they can easily recognise it next time they read it. My contents is in columns of three and are in set rows as this looks appealing to the audience and is laid out evenly so that the readers don’t get confused on what to read next. This makes it organised and makes the audience feel like the magazine is approachable and easy to understand.

CONTENTS PAGE

As you can see, my contents page has the headings “Features” at the top of the first column as this is probably the first thing the audience will read first. In relation to this, Q’s contents page is very similar as the layout and structure are pretty much the same. The page number is printed in red like mine and the articles are highlighted bold as this tells the reader what the article consists of.

Another code and convention I followed was that my colour scheme was carried on throughout. This is important as this reminds the audience of what the magazine is; simply by the colours that are used which are black, red and white for my particular indie music magazine. This makes the magazine look neat and professional as well as attracting the audience. As well as the colour scheme, I followed the convention of using specific images which are used on indie music magazines. I used a guitar as one of my images as this can relate to the majority of indie bands. I used a photo of a member of the band I interviewed as this gives a taster for the audience of what a part of them looks like before they even look at the article and finally I have used photos which too place at a gig/concert in which a band or artist performed.

My magazine and Q have the same colour scheme as I feel black, white and red are strong colours which will appeal to the indie audience.

As you can see, the images I used are structured out neatly as this gives it a professional and organised look. Meanwhile Q’s content is similar to mine as this also demonstrates a neat looking layout of images.

Another code and convention which I followed is that at the top of my contents page, I used an issue number followed my a web-link and a social networking site link. This is used to create a bigger fan base for the magazine and it appeals to the audience as this is another way they can access the latest music and information about that specific magazine.

As you can see, I have included the issue number and used a web-link and social networking address directly underneath it. In relation to this, Q magazine have also used this on their contents page.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREADFor my double page spread, I followed a range of codes and conventions in which would appeal to my target audience. For my image, I used a photo which bled slightly on to the other page which created an effect. I also put a black and white effect onto the image as this made it look professional and collective. I also created a red border around my double page spread as this made it look more bold and made it look bigger and brighter.

As you can see, my image is not using direct address simply because its not designed to intimidate the audience but because it gives the reader an interest on watching the band or artist in the image focusing on something which makes them feel intrigued to read the article that goes with it. Contrastingly, Q’s double page spread is similar to mine as it uses a leaking image as well as the same colour sub-title.

Another code and convention which is used on my double page spread is that the headline is the biggest text on the page followed by the stand first which is usually the second largest text on the page. This catches the readers eye as this makes them want to read the article. The stand first is used as an introduction to the article as this gives a brief explanation on what the article is about.

As you can see, I have used a simple but bold title in which this will stand out to the audience. I have also used a rating in which this attract the audience as they will know what other people think of the band or artist as well as them. This gives them more of on opportunity to listen to their music and discover their own personal ratings. In relation to this, Q’s headline and rating are all very similar to mine as this is probably one of the most important codes and conventions on a double page spread.

The last code and convention in which I have followed is that I have separated my article into two separate columns as this makes it look neat and organised as well as looking professional and making it easy for the audience to read. This makes it a lot more visual and approachable for the audience. Also, I have included a by-line in which this tells the reader who took the photograph and who wrote the article. The text size for this is a size 6pt. It is important that by-lines are very small so it doesn’t interfere with photos or are the articles.

Even though it is very hard to tell; because its so small; I have used my name as the by-line which is positioned in the bottom right corner of the photo. The majority of readers don’t notice the by-lines but some readers may be interested in the photographer if they think the photo is appealing. Q magazine had exactly the same thing near their photo aswell.