I decided to present my evaluation in summary to an audience and ask them to ask questions at the end.
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Monday 10 May 2010
Evaluation
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My media product uses conventions from women’s weekly magazines, the way that the pages of these magazines are arranged influenced me to create my product around this bold, brassy and exciting layout, rather than traditional music magazines which I found were slightly dull and lacked colour. My media product therefore challenges forms and conventions from traditional music magazines because the colours used are not the same, and also the target audience for my magazine product is different to the two music magazines I looked at. My magazine product targets a more mainstream audience, whereas NME and Kerrang target an “indie/rock” target audience – making them both quite niche market magazines. My media product I think is new and there is not a successful similar product in the market today, it develops on traditional music magazines content by making the content more mainstream – but still using the same interview and page layout conventions.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my music magazine is definitely mainstream, I would like to think both genders would be interested, but most likely females will buy the magazine as the type of music that is girls seem to like is mainstream pop, whereas boys tend to like rock, indie and dance. I think that the age range could possibly be as low as 12, for buying my magazine – however, it is intended for the ages 14-30. I have decided this age range as it is the age range that buys the most magazines, and therefore is the largest age segment of customers, making my magazine more likely to swim rather than sink when it comes to sales.
How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted my audience by using bright colours and plenty of images, so that the magazine would stand out on the shelf compared to the other music magazines. There is a range of stories mentioned in the contents page, and I also think that this will entice audiences, because there are features in the magazine which allow the audience to be interactive. I especially like it in magazines when there are features showing opinions of “everyone else” about topical issues.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I have learnt how to use Photoshop effectively. Before this coursework I had used Photoshop, but not using the software to its full capacity. I browsed the software using effects that I never knew about, however I found that some of the effects made the final product look a bit to “full on” and over the top, so I edited and undid some of my actions. I already knew how to take photo’s using a digital camera, but I am now more conscience of the different angles and distances
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Since the preliminary task I have learnt how to use Photoshop. I at first had been introduced to the software, but was not fully competent at using the software. The preliminary task made my skills better, and allowed me to see what I could do to images and text – so this helped me when I came to plan my music magazine, as I was able to see what I was able and unable to do.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My music magazine represents celebrity musicians. This is a mix of the women’s weekly magazines who represent celebrities with limited or no talent and the music magazines who represent musicians with often a limited celebrity status. My music magazine mixes these representations and only includes celebrity musicians, so that the focus of the magazine is about music, and not about trivial idle gossip.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
A magazine institution such as Bauer or IPC would distribute my magazine because at this moment in time, these institutions currently publish magazines of a similar content. However, these institutions do attract a wide range of audience, so I think that any magazine could be published by IPC or Bauer. I think that smaller institutions would be reluctant to distribute my magazine product, mainly because there is a big risk with introducing new magazines to the industry – which is shrinking due to the use of the internet.
My media product uses conventions from women’s weekly magazines, the way that the pages of these magazines are arranged influenced me to create my product around this bold, brassy and exciting layout, rather than traditional music magazines which I found were slightly dull and lacked colour. My media product therefore challenges forms and conventions from traditional music magazines because the colours used are not the same, and also the target audience for my magazine product is different to the two music magazines I looked at. My magazine product targets a more mainstream audience, whereas NME and Kerrang target an “indie/rock” target audience – making them both quite niche market magazines. My media product I think is new and there is not a successful similar product in the market today, it develops on traditional music magazines content by making the content more mainstream – but still using the same interview and page layout conventions.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my music magazine is definitely mainstream, I would like to think both genders would be interested, but most likely females will buy the magazine as the type of music that is girls seem to like is mainstream pop, whereas boys tend to like rock, indie and dance. I think that the age range could possibly be as low as 12, for buying my magazine – however, it is intended for the ages 14-30. I have decided this age range as it is the age range that buys the most magazines, and therefore is the largest age segment of customers, making my magazine more likely to swim rather than sink when it comes to sales.
How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted my audience by using bright colours and plenty of images, so that the magazine would stand out on the shelf compared to the other music magazines. There is a range of stories mentioned in the contents page, and I also think that this will entice audiences, because there are features in the magazine which allow the audience to be interactive. I especially like it in magazines when there are features showing opinions of “everyone else” about topical issues.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I have learnt how to use Photoshop effectively. Before this coursework I had used Photoshop, but not using the software to its full capacity. I browsed the software using effects that I never knew about, however I found that some of the effects made the final product look a bit to “full on” and over the top, so I edited and undid some of my actions. I already knew how to take photo’s using a digital camera, but I am now more conscience of the different angles and distances
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Since the preliminary task I have learnt how to use Photoshop. I at first had been introduced to the software, but was not fully competent at using the software. The preliminary task made my skills better, and allowed me to see what I could do to images and text – so this helped me when I came to plan my music magazine, as I was able to see what I was able and unable to do.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My music magazine represents celebrity musicians. This is a mix of the women’s weekly magazines who represent celebrities with limited or no talent and the music magazines who represent musicians with often a limited celebrity status. My music magazine mixes these representations and only includes celebrity musicians, so that the focus of the magazine is about music, and not about trivial idle gossip.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
A magazine institution such as Bauer or IPC would distribute my magazine because at this moment in time, these institutions currently publish magazines of a similar content. However, these institutions do attract a wide range of audience, so I think that any magazine could be published by IPC or Bauer. I think that smaller institutions would be reluctant to distribute my magazine product, mainly because there is a big risk with introducing new magazines to the industry – which is shrinking due to the use of the internet.
Friday 7 May 2010
The Double Page Spread
This is the Interview with Nora Adrenaline (if the Writing is too small to read on the blog)Nora Adrenaline is the hottest new British pop star since Florence and the Machine. Music Mania has an exclusive interview with the diva herself.
Your new to the music industry – How did your success come about? You’ve had a sequence of Top 10 hits - How long do you intend this good run to go on for?
Well, I have been rather lucky, I was singing in my local pub when in walks Jenny Blue from Huge records. She came up to me once I had finished my gig, (although only 25 people were there) and said that if I wanted, I could perform some of my own material in front of some of the executives of Huge records. Jenny told me then that she thought I’d have a bright future. This was only 3 years ago mind, so I’m still slightly star struck. I think that my recent success has just got out of control and I can’t believe that I have been so accepted by my fans and the British public. I would love to think that my “good run” will carry on for quite a while, I’m still a baby compared to the likes of Madonna and Beyonce. I hope to still be making music when I’m Madonna’s age!
People say you’re a “workaholic” are you receiving any medication for this?
(Giggles) Who said that? Well, I have been known to stick to a strict schedule in terms of my workload. But I love it so much; I’m recording, touring, filming or doing these interviews – which I love! I don’t work around the clock 24/7 but I don’t waste my days, when I jump out of bed in a morning I have my day all planned out so there is no time to lazy about.
Do you get chance to watch much TV? What programs have you recently been enthralled with?
Well, I know I said I had a busy schedule, but I do find the time to fit in my two favourite shows; Desperate Housewives and Shameless. I just love the drama in shameless, it makes me appreciate the lifestyle I have and how lucky I am compared to those in our own UK who don’t receive the same luxury lifestyle which I do. Desperate Housewives always cheers me up, it is so unrealistic but I find the storylines gripping – and I cannot go by my week without watching it.
What’s your take on shows such as the X Factor? Do the winners deserve the success?
I do love X factor, but because of my work load, I never get to see a full episode. I love the shows when there are all them loony’s who think they can sing but can’t, I do watch the live shows, but to be honest I find them slightly boring, it’s like the 7th series of X factor now and its always the same stories, and always some joker who can’t sing but gets through every week. I think that the winners do deserve their success, its different from me, I had to prove myself to the record label, whereas X factor winners have to win over the British public. I find Leona Lewis an absolute drain, her songs are so weary and dull – I quite like Alexandra Burke though, she’s got more edge and charisma – which is essential if your going to make it in this industry.
If you could collaborate with any musician dead or alive, who would it be? Not Leona Lewis I take it?
(Giggles) Never say never, she’s alright and has a top set of Lungs on her, just don’t expect us to become “bezzie mates”! My absolute idol when I was younger was Michael Jackson, me, him and perhaps Madonna would be an absolute dream collaboration for me.
You have reportedly stated that you will be collaborating with Lady GaGa on her forthcoming album. Is this true?
Well, I couldn’t possibly lie to you – yes! The song has been written, we just need to set a date when we can record the song together. I think her album is expected out late August, but the single is the week before. I am so excited, she is one of the most controversial musicians of the decade and to be a part of the “GaGa” phenomenon is amazing. I don’t know why she picked me to sing with her? The song is called “dreadful days” and is about the aftermath of losing a boyfriend or girlfriend. I have seen some of the plans for the music video to – I think me and GaGa are playing lesbian lovers who go their separate ways.
What do you think people in 20 years time will think of your Music videos?
Well, 20 years ago was the beginning of the 90’s, I think that since then our music videos of today involve lots more technology and special effects. In 20 years I think that my music videos will lack the technology of the future and my children will probably laugh at the clothes I wear and my hairstyle, but its all part of being alive – things change. I hope that the message each of my music videos sends out is still interpreted by future audiences.
Your recent Music Video “The Grass isn’t Greener” involves some serious acting.
Yes, well this music video is very close to home. It is based on when my friend’s dad had an affair with this younger woman and left his wife and children behind. My friends mum suffered severe depression and my friend had to hold the family together. We later found out that my friend’s dad’s new girlfriend had conned him out of all his money and assets and was using him all along. His family didn’t take him back and he later committed suicide. The video is about me and I play the mother and wife, pleading him not to leave, some of the scenes are really emotional and I just hope that it relates to some of the audience who may be in a similar position.
Is acting your next career move perhaps?
I really like filming my music videos, I am really passionate about each one because they are all so personal to me. If I were to become an actress full time, I wouldn’t have that freedom of creating the stories and issues I want to be raised. I haven’t been approached by anyone so far so I think that my acting career is a long way away or never at all!
StoryBoard Ideas for my Double Page Spread
Layout of Double page spread
I have done two potential layouts for my magazine. Layout 1 is very simple, there are images on one side and text on the other, I thought that there wasn’t enough room for all the text to fit onto one side, and thought that the page looked a bit unbalanced, so I decided to do another layout – this time there is text and images on either page – like the double page spread in the Inside Soap magazine I looked at. I think that it is best to balance the pages out, as the first layout looked like an essay on the right hand side – which may demotivate readers to read. I think that I will use the second layout; I have found it easier planning the double page spread compared to the front and contents page, mainly because there is less detail, and more content involved.
What Questions to Ask in Interview
Why the QuestionsI have come up with a variety of questions to ask in the interview. I intended on only using some of the best questions, but I have a range of 10 good questions to ask and I think that I will ask them all. If later on, they don’t all fit on the page, or the answers I get from the questions are poor, then I will not put them in my final interview which will be part of my final piece.
Research on Contemporary Magazine Double Page spreads
Research on the Layout of double page spreads on contemporary magazinesI have looked at 5 magazines of different genres. I have picked a double page spread from each one, thinking that the way they are all presented is different. For example, alike the front cover on the NME front cover, the double page spread is very simple, black text on white paper, with a coloured image. There are no colourful glitzy boxes containing information unlike the Closer double page spread. I do quite like this layout, and makes the reader read the interview without distractions. On the other scale of the spectrum is the double page inside the Closer magazine. A women’s weekly magazine aimed at women. This double page spread is full of colour, special effects, images – but interestingly not a lot of interesting information. The NME interview discusses issues with singer Florence, unlike the Closer double page spread which includes discussion topics such as “who talked to Victoria Beckham on the phone last week”. I think that without out a doubt my music magazine will contain an interview along similar lines of that from the NME interview – after all, my magazine is a music magazine and not a celebrity gossip magazine. The inside soap double page spread is quite busy, there are 4 images used. From the double page spreads I have looked at, I can say that I want the story or interview to be the main focus of the page. I understand that my front cover and contents pages are “busy” but I think that once the audience has bought and is reading the magazine, there is no need for the “in your face” colours and shapes, I simply want the double page spread to show simplicity and quality content in the interview.
Content of Music Magazines - Introduction
Double Page Spread
I am going to create a double page spread for my Media AS coursework. The content will be of a music nature, as it is for a music magazine. I will research what stories are in contemporary music magazines. I will do this by a content analysis, where I simply go through the magazine and put the content of each page into categories and then fill in a tally chart. I will see how many adverts there are, what sort of features each of the 5 magazines (of which I have been researching for the front and contents pages) include. I have a full understanding of what then decided what stories I will write and put into the double page spread. I will then see how the double page spread is exposed in contemporary magazines, such as how the writing is aligned, and how many pictures are used.
What is the content of Music Magazines?
I have read through an NME magazine, while categorizing each single A4 page into different sections; Adverts, Stories/Interviews, Features, Reviews and pictures. The results are as follows in pages;
Adverts
30
Stories/Interviews
24
Features
27
Reviews on Albums, Concerts and TV and Film.
24
Pictures
6
From these results, I have found that a large proportion of magazine content is adverts. I think that it is unnecessary to ask audiences what they think should be in a music magazine, because I will most likely end up with the same results as above. I have quite easily decided that I want my double page spread to be an interview of a musician, talking about musical issues such as the Internet, Censorship and X factor. I have decided rather than me writing out a made up interview, I will write some questions I want to ask, and then go and find some eccentric person in school (most likely our drama teacher) and conduct the interview – writing out everything they say, as they will be in role play.
I am going to create a double page spread for my Media AS coursework. The content will be of a music nature, as it is for a music magazine. I will research what stories are in contemporary music magazines. I will do this by a content analysis, where I simply go through the magazine and put the content of each page into categories and then fill in a tally chart. I will see how many adverts there are, what sort of features each of the 5 magazines (of which I have been researching for the front and contents pages) include. I have a full understanding of what then decided what stories I will write and put into the double page spread. I will then see how the double page spread is exposed in contemporary magazines, such as how the writing is aligned, and how many pictures are used.
What is the content of Music Magazines?
I have read through an NME magazine, while categorizing each single A4 page into different sections; Adverts, Stories/Interviews, Features, Reviews and pictures. The results are as follows in pages;
Adverts
30
Stories/Interviews
24
Features
27
Reviews on Albums, Concerts and TV and Film.
24
Pictures
6
From these results, I have found that a large proportion of magazine content is adverts. I think that it is unnecessary to ask audiences what they think should be in a music magazine, because I will most likely end up with the same results as above. I have quite easily decided that I want my double page spread to be an interview of a musician, talking about musical issues such as the Internet, Censorship and X factor. I have decided rather than me writing out a made up interview, I will write some questions I want to ask, and then go and find some eccentric person in school (most likely our drama teacher) and conduct the interview – writing out everything they say, as they will be in role play.
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