The
masthead is placed on the left-hand side of the magazine page; usually the
title of the magazine in this case 'BASS' would be placed in the middle and
behind the music artist. This way I challenged this and placed in another area
which I believe has worked out well because the masthead is clear and eye
catching. Cover
lines on the front cover follow the exact convention that it is on a real front
cover. I have indicated in larger font the more relevant (or significant) parts
of the magazine and some that are in smaller font hinting what's inside the
magazine. Additionally the larger writing is indicated with a different font so
readers can know what bits a big news inside the magazine which tend to be
other music artists. Main
image is a portrait photo of the music artist that I used for my front page and
my double page spread, in which they show different poses as I wanted a variety
of shots for my magazine otherwise it would be repetitive. With this I believe
that I followed the convention by editing my front cover, same with contents
and double page spread. Secondly I have developed some conventions; usually the
image is a medium shot, when in fact the photo is a long shot showing the whole
artist which has worked out. With
the
bar code, I also included more promotions such as Facebook and Twitter which is
conventional in most magazines which develops this. I
have
analysed many professional music magazines which indicate similarities and
differences between my magazine and theirs. For instance the varied font sizes
to connote line of importance, the use of social media can be argued to have
been used in professional magazine and has been used effectively. On the other
hand there are several differences such as the image; normally taken inside in
a studio however I have taken image from outside which is pleasing to view
although I had to be cautious with the colour font I used.
I
believe that I followed the conventions of a normal contents page; the images
that I have chosen are all different pictures taken from different places so
everything is unique and not repetitive. The main image is similar editing but
a different person with this I've included two other photos but has been
challenged as I have changed their opacity to create an almost transparent
effect which unconventional as opposed to professional magazines.
Normally on double page spreads, it's common to have picture one photo of the
artist, however I wanted my magazine to have a balance of both image and text
which is why I used two photos instead of one which have been differently
edited (one being black and white and one being saturated). This in itself is
challenges the conventions, the fact that I used two photos with different
editing styles. The text I used on the double page spread differs to the ones used on the
other pages just to show the exclusiveness of that artist and the article
shown.
Q2. How does your media product
represent particular social groups?
I
used different photos in which contain different clothing. Firstly, in my
double page spread the rapper is wearing casual clothing in which keeps the
inference that he Is a rapper, such as the ‘MTV’ jumper. Secondly I used the
casual coat because I wanted to imply a sense casualness; rappers such as
‘Kendrick Lamar’ and ‘Wiz Khalifa’ don’t tend to have explicit clothing, so I
have challenged this convention in some cases like a teen heavy into rap would
wear. Props
that I have used also contributed to the rapper convention which is the Dre
Beats commonly used by modern rappers today. Furthermore the 'Afro comb' that is
on Henry’s hair targets a particular group (Afro culture) who tend to have
combs such as this, showing an identity. In my
magazine products, I have mainly structured and or targeted it at rap/ hip-hop
culture, given that my main artist is presented in that way to connote that’s
he is a rapper. Although there are some hints where I included guitar players
which goes towards another genre of music. The front cover of my magazine and
also my double page spread, I have used a rapper (Henry) to represent the group that this would fit
into; in which I have presented him in a way to infer that he is a rapper.
Moreover in my double page spread, Henry is posing in front of a wall, which is
quite urban/ city like showing quite hard-core rapper fan material. In addition
there is graffiti on the wall which benefited me so represents a hood feel to
the photo, putting emphasis on the character I’m portraying that’s he comes
from there and therefore people have link to this.
Q3. What kind of media institution
might distribute your media product and why?
With
much detail I believe that these two distributors would be more suitable for
distributing my magazine as they dispense various music genres so therefore my
magazine would fit in with this. Furthermore Condé Nast distribute magazines
such GQ which is pretty mainstream likewise with my magazine they both have
some qualities for instance I use rather mainstream artists therefore more
readers can read my magazine.
I
believe that my magazine would be put in WHSmith; they use subscriptions of
different music genre magazines one being rap, so it would suitable for it be
placed there.
My
second choice of place that my magazine would be suited is IPC media. IPC
Media (formerly International Publishing Corporation), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc.,
is
a consumer magazine and digital publisher in the United Kingdom,
with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year.
They are formally known to distribute their work across wider media
technologies. They have also been known to have support both the publisher and
adviser in which these attributes will benefit me greatly as my product can be
easily distributed efficiently and more fluently across all the media platforms
there are available to the audiences. In relation with my target audience I am
able to target my particular demographics (Rap and Hip Hop). In addition there
are many highly professional magazines that specify with my genre of music and
target the same audiences such ‘TheSource’ similarly with this magazine they
subscriptions therefore people can get the magazine every month which is what
needs to applied with my magazine so it makes the person feel exclusive to the
product. Not only this, being able to sell magazines in shops such as WHSmith
will benefit as it will gain more popularity and a wider audiences as opposed
to other shops such as a newsagent which won’t get me the same audience if they
were to buy it there (less likely to purchase).
Q4. Who would be the audience for
your media product?
From
my research of magazines and the types of people that will usually read my
magazine, I have concluded that my magazine targets rather a large rap/ hip-hop
group of people. The age would be targeted at ages 14-35 as I have used younger
models for my magazine thus reflecting youth. The class status that this would
be targeted at both the working and middle class readers; firstly that this
contains informal connotations which is the rapper – it is unlikely for a
person with higher status to be interested but on the other hand the magazine
shows sophistication and professional attributes e.g. the layout of the front,
contents and double page show simplistic yet professional editing. Moreover I
believe that ethnicity plays a big role to represent the type of people that
would be likely to read this magazine; which would be mainly of black and white
readers. This is shown as my front cover has black music artist (Henry) posing
which initially would attract this type of audience and the fact that it’s a
male on the front cover could encourage more female readers who are into rap
music to read this magazine and finally that in my contents page I have a white
model posing highlights the target audience. Additionally I believe that this
magazine would likely target male audiences as mostly rap artists in the modern
day have a high dominance of male artists in the game in which more males would
read this magazine. Relating back to the class of which this magazine fits
into, it fits into a working/middle class because the writing in the double
page spread is a mix simple and technical allowing these types readers to
engage in with the interview. However I believe it leans towards middle class
as I included a huge amount of writing but it is balanced with the two
pictures.
Q5. How did you attract/address
your audience?
Photo
covers the whole page, which also adds to the emphasis of the front cover. Also
a portrait photo showing to scale all of the artist. The
writing below the masthead may also have connotations of attracting audiences
who are rap crazed; they will see that this magazine is legit and will know
that it’s a top magazine thus drawing them in. normally people tend to prefer a
more mainstream magazine as it gains readers and popularity in which relates to
the sophistication of my product. In
addition to my cover lines, I have included a competition section to win
tickets for an upcoming festival which will draw more people into the
competition but also the content inside. In my front cover, I have used
advertisements of well known artists that generally a lot of people would know
about so people are more likely to be
interested in reading the magazine. I also included artists that are not
mainstream but are just made up e.g. ‘Alexx’ which opens up to new niche
audiences as he unheard of. With the pictures I chose a variety of artists to
represent my magazine pages which conclude to attracting the reader; for
instance the front cover would attract the youth preferably the urban areas of
London as I specified the character to be raised in that area hence the outdoor
picture. Big, bold masthead which has the main emphasis on the page attract
attention. Likewise with the name of the artist. Audiences are aware of who the
artist is and headlining for this magazine
therefore want to know who is this new and upcoming artist is.
The
fact that I used different people of gender and race will attract vast
audiences preferably multicultural aspects given that I have I used black and
white models in my photos highlights a sense of quality, therefore I am not out
casting anyone and using females as well puts on the emphasis of genders – male
and female to read this magazine. Again
using a large image of the artist which takes up the whole of the page which
puts emphasis on the page so people will concentrate on that only. A variety of
artists, with the small images so audiences can have choice of what they’re
looking inside the magazine pages. Title
of magazine is still there, following most conventions of professional
magazines. This time it hasn't got much emphasis as the front cover as so
people can ideally concentrate on the photos and the text showing the content
of the magazine. The issue of ‘69’ implies many connotations such as what issue the magazine but also
shows sexual connotations implying that this is quite adult-like and specifies
a reader type who are mid-teen to adult region. The font is also different,
connoting a uniqueness and the fact it’s bold highlights an importance of the
issue. In addition with the red colour adds onto the sexual connotations and
also danger. It is also first thing that the reader will see thus attracting
the audience. The fact that colour of red infers sexual connotations and also
danger are the things that teens admire. Content text is orderly in a column so
it’s neat and easy for the reader to see what is in the magazine. Font size is
kept small to put more emphasis on the artists connoting significance on the
page. Clothes
are kept to a casual standard, showing some signs of sophistication the page;
the headphones on the big picture connotes music in general and indicates that
he has music qualities. In the small pictures I also included guitar props a
common musical instrument thus reflecting a music magazine theme and
representing the genre but more based on rap and also attracting attention from
both sexes.
The
colour photo shows the urban like area that represents the artist himself –
about his life and stories which goes into detail in the text. The graffiti on
the wall shows a sense of rebellion about the artist; his life and personality
reflect his surroundings. Again his pose and emotion does question the reader
about this artist highlighting mystery and suspense. Additionally the reason
why I have chosen to take a photo outside a brick wall with graffiti gives an
80s look; reminiscing on past rappers. Relating to the target audience, it
infers rebellious implications like most teenagers would do. Photos
that I have chosen are different poses, shots and areas so that reader cannot
get bored easily. The black and white image connotes seriousness and mystery to
the artist therefore artists question about this artist evident with his
emotion which is unquestionable. Clothing
is very casual it’s not showing off connoting that the artist has nothing to
show off but his music. The Dre. Beats relates to the fact he does music and is
a big fan of music; initially it symbolises music in general and therefore it
targets not just my demographic of rap/hip hop teens but other demographics.
With
the article text I have kept it simple but adding on with technical vocabulary
which targets an educated area of readers which balances the sophistication
with the them of this page. I believe it does keep its sophistication therefore
attracting teenagers and perhaps young adults.
Text
of the page is written is small font which is common in all magazine double
page spreads. This in itself adds on emphasis to the pictures and the quote and
name. In relation with my key demographic, the writing is informally written to
connote a sense of no care/ rebellious. Font
is unique used for the artist only which connotes a unique element of the
artist. It also shows the concentrated areas because they stand out on this
page. The style is also urban the style and class of the page theme.
In
conclusion I believe that my magazine would appeal to my friend Taylor
Chambers. Taylor is a 16 year old unsigned rapper from Edgware who is deeply
into rap and hip hop music from the UK and the west side, normally listening to
music on Youtube tall mainly Grime artists such as ‘Dot Rotten’ and west coast
artists such as ‘Kendrick Lamar’. When he isn't listening to rap music, Taylor
records and makes his own music and uploads to Youtube; he mainly gets his
inspiration from other famous rappers. The reason why I believe that Taylor
would be attracted to reading my magazine is that mainly it’s a rap magazine
containing interviews and articles about rappers and also discusses various
other topic such the ‘heated debate – should marijuana be legalised’ which is
rather interesting and compelling to a reader like Taylor.
Q6. What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of constructing this product?
In
relation with my photos I used Youtube a lot in order to develop my photo
designs. Particularly I used this video: the effect and result of my photo gave
it a more vintage/ retro hence the title of the video. Additionally I
challenged this and developed my photos more by editing it to a professional
standard I want in my magazine in which I believe it worked successfully as my
final products show clear, crisp images which are eye catching towards the
audience.
Q7. Looking back at the preliminary
task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to a full
product?
Based
from the preliminary task and the final product, there are different aspects as
to how I approached both tasks and how I managed to do so. For the preliminary
task I believe I didn't need to go into much detail with the editing skills and
the photos I had to take but it was show an idea and highlight the conventions
of a magazine but I took them in hand when I approached my music magazine pages
to have both simple and technical features. I used more tools for my music
magazine to make it more professional and also professional towards the
audience for instance more editing on the photo and the fonts. Getting people
to get take pictures of in the preliminary task was arguably more easier than
getting people for my music magazine. I was able to use fellow classmates to be
my model for the school magazine and was more flexible to get pictures during
our class period. On the other hand getting models for my music magazine was
more frustrating as I needed a suitable time after school get my model (Henry
Mafeni) to get his clothes that I needed for the photo shoot and posing the way
a rapper would - which worked well in the end as it opened many connotations.
Secondly I also needed my models to have props with them which makes the photo
less boring things such as the Dr.
Dre Beats headphones which I borrowed from my friend
and guitar borrowed from the music department allowing the magazine to focus
mainly at music. Furthermore at first I was not happy with some of the photos I
had taken so I needed my model to take more photos during my coursework periods
and spend a good 15 minutes getting
‘high quality’ photos (outdoors) and
also including other mates to be part of the magazine.
