Friday 4 May 2012

Evaluation Question 1 - In what does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product? (front)

Evaluation Question 1 - In what does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product? (contents)

Evaluation Question 1 - In what does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product? (double page)



Evaluation Question 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation question 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Evaluation Question 4 - Who would be the audience of your media product?

Evaluation Question 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?




Evaluation Question 6 - What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

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






Wednesday 25 April 2012

NME Magazine Target Audience Research


Some of the Main Key Facts About NME Magazine


Price                 £2.20
Frequency         Weekly 
Circulation            56,284 
Readership           411,000 
Launch Date        1952
Male/Female        73%/27%
Average Age   25
ABC1                   73% 
Target Market   Men 17-30


NME Readers are entertainment enthusiasts!

80% of NME readers feel that music is an important part of their lives
79% of NME readers like to listen to new bands 
63% specially choose to listen to indie/guitar bands 
49% specially choose to listen to live bands in studio
52% are interested in taking a musical course/qualification 
36% are thinking of buying a musical instrument in the next year


More about the reader

34% are working full time, 18% are working part time and 26% are full time students
62% read at least 3 out of 4 issues 
Almost half (49%) have been reading NME for at least 3 years 
84% think the magazine gives them what they want spending an average of 46 minutes reading each issue


NME's regular buyers could vary due to their different genres of bands and artists within the magazines articles every week. It can contain bands from 80's and 90's and modern 'techo' music aimed at the generation growing up now.


Tuesday 3 April 2012

Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product?' (Double Page)




























My double page spread contains a convention of a real media product by containing the information of a name of a writer of the article (bottom right) and the person that was the photographer for the images used for the double page article. This is to let the reader know a more detailed insight to the people behind the magazine, if they are interested and want to do more research into the magazines' background.

The images I have used carry on the same look as the other images in the magazine. For example the tones when I edited them in photoshop. I have a browny/redy tone and tinge to the finished photograph. These pictures on the double page are yet again taken with my nikon D40 and 50mm lens. So I could created depth of field and decide where the main crisp focus would be placed. I also made sure the school hall was  a main focal point in the image as the band members are still within school ages and school is mentioned in the interview.

 Another convention I met is that it contains a main, bold masthead that states the name of the band getting interviewed. It also contains sub-headings that gives the reader more instand information about the band in the article.

Conventions of colour schemes is met throughout my magazine product. As the same colours are still used in my double page article. In addition to this the same background texture was used in this double page spread as my contents page. i did this because my style model had a nice, yet subtle texture in the background. I personally think it is better than having a blank background.

I decided to have my main image to go over the half way point of the double page spread due to my style model having this feature and I thought it looked different to other music magazines.

Within the interview 'IRM' is used in bold capitals, this is the logo. Although it isn't straight forward to notice straight away it is within the text of the interview. to carry on the knowledge it is 'IRM' magazine that the person is reading, exclusive to that magazine brand. I also decided to have it within the text because my style model, 'NME' has this feature. There it is a convention that my media product has.

Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product?' (Contents Page)









































My contents page consists of the same colour scheme as my front page. It has browns, maroons and reds along with blacks. This is also reflected through the tones of the images that were all also taken with my nikon D40, 50mm lens. With the guitar pictures on the left hand side I added a colour layer to add that maroon tinge into the background that was originally black when it was first taken.

This page has a website on the left under the guitar images. This follows conventions of a typical media product. Also it makes it look more professional.

It contains the logo that is on the front page, 'IRM' in the same bold eye catching font on the top of the page. This technique is used in my style model, NME magazine.

Bold titles are still used on this contents page. This includes the sub-heading of 'Half full of infinity' under the main image of the contents page. This is so it stands out as it is the main article in the issue.

The conventions of the way it is set out is very accutage to my style model issue I have picked. It has all the contents of the issue on the right hand side. Although I did my own slant on the NME style as the guitar images on the left and the whole left column isn't on my style model.

Another convention that is often used in contents pages' is the issue image on the page. Mine is on the bottom left hand side. Along with an image of another article that is in the issue.

Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real media product?' (Front Page)









































My magazine front cover features a bar code along with the issue number and date of the magazines release. This therefore meets one of the many main conventions of a magazine. However the front page does not contain a website, but I decided that my contents page would be better to have that convention.

It also has a feature cover line which in my case says 'Half full of infinity' it tells the viewer what is going to be inside this issue and othern articles in the magazine that are also featured like on the left hand side I have other images of things that are inside the magazine. They are in bold and in the colour scheme to stand out to passers by, for example in a shop or store.

My music magazine 'IRM' has that has its logo it is presented throughout the front page, contents and is mentioned in the double page spread within the interview.
'IRM' is featured on the right hand side in a thich, bold contrasting colour against the background of the main image. This is turn makes it clear and easily seen from a distance to get possible buyers interested to take a futher look at the media product.

Bold titles or another name for them is mastheads are created and put on magazines and such like to make the words stand out to the reader and grab their attention. My music magazine follows this convention due to the title 'IRM' being a bold, simple and straight to the point font. I did this to compliment my style model, which is NME. I liked the three letter bold look. I created a three dimensional look on photoshop by duplicating the layer and making it black then moving it slightly underneath to create the 3D look.

My magazine consists of a main image that has not had the background cut out as I thought it added needed mis en scene. It is eye catching due to the guitar and the models clothing. It is obvious straight away that it is a rock/music magazine. I used my nikon D40 camera with my 50mm  lens. I used that particular lens to add depth of field onto the image as 50mm allows you to chose where the main focus point of the photograph will be. So I made sure the only person in total focus was 'Sophie' the front member of the band and all the others where out of focus but still able to be seen by the reader.

I made a strict colour scheme that is shown through all of my media products. I used maroon, brown and blacks. I did this to add a professional edge to the magazine.

Friday 2 March 2012

Composition Of Main Article Picture


I made the eye level more central in the photograph because i wanted the background to be seen. As the band members are still at school studying their a levels.
I also used mis en scene with Sophie (far right) holding a microphone to insinuate that she is the front band member. As well as that I also have another photo of her on the other page to show this to readers.
An extra note about the double page spread that I have edited is that I have added a fake name at the bottom right hand corner stating who has supposedly written the article/interview. 

Thursday 9 February 2012

Double Page Article

When I got home onto my own laptop with photoshop I finished off my double page artcile. I still may change a few things about it. To improve the way it looks. But this is how it's looking at this particular time.
I used a texture in the background because my style model used it for theirs and I thought it was a good effect.

Double Page Update





This is what I did within my media lesson today. I have started making the double page article for my music magazine. When I get home I will be adding the proper font for the 'Half Full of Infinity' since it doesn't have the same one on the schools photoshop. I'm going to be using the same font to keep up with the house style model. To produce a more professional finished look.


I have made the main image on the left go slightly over the half way line of the double page as this is what they sometimes do in the NME magazine which is my style model. I quite like the look of it going light over the middle. 



Tuesday 7 February 2012

Photographs taken for Main Article page

In todays media lesson I took a few shots for my double page main article in my music magazine. As of yet I'm not 100% sure if they will be used in the actual magazine. They might just end up being draft images.







These next photographs are of the process before the above photographs were taken. Make up getting applied for mis en scene.





With all photographs I used my Nikon D40 with manual 50mm lens.

Friday 3 February 2012

Double Page Article Ideas

I have been browsing different NME double page articles and the varieties of layouts they do. These are a few that have caught my eye that I like the look of due to the layouts and size of the main image.




I will be taking the photographs for my double page article next week on Tuesday within my media lesson. I have already arranged this with the models I am using and will be bringing my own camera and lens in with props of make-up and hair products.

Evaluation Point - Question 1

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

In todays lesson I will be answering the first evaluation point that has been given to us via a printed out sheet.
The ways that my media product of a music magazine hits the classic conventions of a real music magazine is that it has the standard bar code.
This shows the possible buyer what issue this magazine is and when it was first published.










Another convention my product contains is that is has a colour scheme that is shown through the front page and contents page. This will be continued through my main double page article also. The colours I have used on the front page are the following: Yellow, dark brown, black and maroon. Then the contents page is the same without the yellow.

Thirdly another convention is that the masthead (Name of magazine) is clear, bold and easy to see from a distance. Along with this I have also made a tag line for my front page that is just on top of my title.
I decided to have this kind of title because my style model has something as simple so I thought since I'm going down the 'NME' style model road that I'd make the name of the magazine simple and quick, straight to the point.

The front page contains the names of other articles that are in the magazine in my case it was the fact that in my music magazine you get a few free posters of artists and bands. 
As well as the selling points of 'free' and the '&' sign it also has little versions of the bigger product that is in side. These photographs were taken with my Nikon D40 with nikkor 50mm lens. I used that particular lens because I wanted to decide where the focus was and the depth of field of the image such as the main image used on the front cover, I wanted main front girl of the band in focus the most and have the other band members out of focus meaning they're blurry slightly. In addition to that technique I made sure the models I used had direct eye contact with the camera.

I have made sure that the name of the band this issue is promoting is big, bold and colourful compared to the background image. You want the band name to stand out the most so fans see it and want to buy and read the magazine.
Here is the name of the band 'Half Full of Infinity' on the left hand side. I have used the similar style of font and colours as my style model by NME that is placed on the right hand side. I decided to use the maroon shade with the yellow because of the front models hair was of a dark red shade. I though the maroon font complimented it well. 

Although NME doesn't tend to have a tagline I decided I wanted one, for an additional selling point for passers by. As it lists the good things that are involved within the magazine itself.



Sunday 22 January 2012

Finished Contents Page


There may be small little details that I change or enhance in the future weeks. But right now this is what my front and contents page of my music magazine looks like.
For the front page my main image contains depth of field created by my 50mm nikkor lens. I wanted the closest girl (Sophie) to have the full focus, giving the impression of her being the front girl of the rock band. I also made sure that Sophie had direct eye contact with the camera to reach out to the viewers of the magazine. The models in the background were also looking directing in the camera but as they're out of focus and slightly blurry you may not be able to tell too well. I added a 'rockier' vibe via mis en scene of the leather jacket worn by sophie and the guitar in her hand. Also the environment of the alley way that the band are in gives off that grunge, indie feel which I quite liked.


For the contents page I used another image taken of the main article band and another image taken of one of the free poster models.
I was happy with the look of the contents page but then I noticed it was kind of dull and boring with empty spaces on the left side so I took a few macro pictures of the guitar used in the other pictures I have taken.



 

(Above) My style Models front and contents page.

Extra Contents Page Pictures




I took this pictures with my Nikon D40 SLR. With my 50mm lens attached. I used that particular lens because it gets a crisp detailed depth of field. In addition to this it also allows you to pick the area you want to be in focus and in this case I wanted the strings and the tone and volume buttons to be the focus point of the image. Since this is were the main part of rock music gets created.

Friday 20 January 2012

Nearly Completed Contents Page

I think I've pretty much finished my contents page. I have strictly followed to look of my style model. Whilst adding a few slight changes. I have stuck to a colour scheme also, with pale greys, rusty red, black and very dark brown. I will be keeping this colour scheme throughout the double page article also.

Thursday 19 January 2012

Photoshop

 Here I am showing the Recrangle tool of which I have used rather a lot on both my contents and front cover page. I like this look as well as it being used on my style model, NME magazine.
Here is both my contents page and front cover open in photoshop showing all the layers I have made to make the front page/contents page look the way it does.

Start of Final Music Magazine Contents Page

Update of my Contents page:
I have yet to finish the right side colum, adding details like what is on each page. In addition to that I will be adding a picture of the front cover in the bottom corner stating 'this issue with include the following things'.
       I will also be adding a few more images that will hint towards the free posters and other articles within the music magazine.




















This the style model I  am getting my ideas from. NME, the same as the style model of my front page. It is my favourite layout of magazines.

Friday 13 January 2012

Final Magazine Front Cover

First Idea of my final front cover of my magazine:











Second Version of my final magazine front cover:
I had a change of plan due to thinking my other draft of my final magazine cover didn't have a very accurate style model obvious to the naked eye. Whereas now my front page has a more fluid style model.  I also have more of a colour scheme with this version, I got the colours/idea of fonts and layours from the NME cover underneath.
















This is my Style Model Image:
 I like 'NME' magazine because of it's bold simple layouts with highlights underneath the sub-headings and side details. In addition to this the audience of NME buyers have the same target audience I would have mine aimed at. The roughly 15-30 years old age group. People with possibly the odd pound from either wages or pocket money to spare on their favourite rock/indie band. Audiences that prefer the possibly less mainstream bands around at the moment. Because NME can sometimes contain just or about to get signed bands.