AS Media Studies

Constructing and Presenting your Evaluation

(20 marks)

Question 1:

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

For this question use elements of your product research, where you have analysed existing products. Use the table below to help draft ideas

Music Magazine Done

The title of the Magazine: Fonts/Colour scheme/lexis (wording)

The title (masthead) of the magazine is a very clear, broad title which is obviously related to music, making it very obvious that the genre of the magazine is music before the reader even has to look at the articles. I also went for a bold, eye catching masthead as magazines such as NME have a very clear masthead. The lexis of the front cover involves a lot of proper nouns, which are other bands/ artists, these artists have a similar genre of music to the genre of the music magazine itself (indie). The colour scheme consists of mainly cold colours such as greys, black, whites and blues. I tried to keep this consistent throughout all 3 pieces of working however there is a lack of blues on my double page spread. The font of the title is very thick and bold, this is used to grab the attention of the readers, however the writing of the main text/ sub titles is very thin and small, this is so that the title of the piece is the main attraction, and then the text is a separate attraction to entertain the reader. Many music magazines also do this by using small more formal text for the main body of text such as Q, Kerrang and NME as well as many more.

design and layout/house style/Guttenberg principle

My front cover has a radial balance. This is because the main image (Abbie / Haylee Emett) is the main focal point of the magazine and then everything else around the image are visual weights distributed evenly, to grab the reader’s attention, yet not over throw the reader with too much information at one point. My contents page has an asymmetrical balance. This is because there different elements, with an equal visual weight on each side, this is because on each side there is an image and some text, even though there is the same elements, the sides aren’t completely identical as they have a different layout. Finally, the double page spread also has an asymmetrical balance as each side has different elements of equal weights to balance out the page. This is because on the left side, there is the main text/ information and on the right side there is the main image.

photography /mise en scene/rule of thirds/props

The main image of the whole piece is the image of Abbie (Haylee Emett) On my front cover. Her physicality on this image is quite serious, yet laid back, even though these contradict each other, I feel like they work very well with each other in this situation. This is because her facial expression looks quite serious, as the genre is indie, so it works well, yet the actual body is quite laid back, as it shows she is comfortable with her ‘Job’. I have used a microphone as a prop, as ‘Haylee’ is a solo artist and sings, therefore she’s the main vocalist, therefore would need a microphone for this image to work. I also used an electric guitar as a prop for Georgia and Sophie on the contents page, this Is to show that they are a different band to Abbie ( Haylee) , on the image of Georgia and Her outfit consists of blacks and greys, I think this works well with the genre as famous indie artists such as the Arctic Monkeys, wear very dark clothes such as black leather jackets and black jeans.

Special effects any image manipulation you have used on photography

The original image which I used for the front cover was originally an image of Abbie and Sophie, however I cropped Sophie out and just left Abbie. I did this as just using an image of Abbie worked better on my front cover and filled more space without leaving too much empty space which I wouldn’t be able to use. I then cut around the image of Abbie and used the paint fill tool to add color to the background. For the image of Abbie on the contents page and double page spread, I just used the dodge tool to whiten the background. I also used this for the image of Georgia and Sophie on the contents page.

Written article: Format/style/tone/use of journalistic techniques ie simile/hyperboleLayout of columns/use of kicker/pull quotes etc

I have used a pull quote on my double page spread; this is to attract the reader’s attention. The quote reads ‘Possibly a UK tour…’ This will attract readers, especially fans of ‘Haylee’ who live in the UK. I also decided to add this pull quote to my front cover, just underneath the cover line for the same reason, but also because the NME magazine also uses pull quotes from the artist/band featured on their front cover, underneath the cover lines and I decide to try it myself. My contents page is also similar to Kerrangs contents page as it shares a similar layout as I liked the design balance their contents page had and wanted to try and re-create some of their ideas onto my work.

For all of the above: Discuss the conventions you have used Evaluate how successful you have been in developing conventions Explain and describe influences on your text and how you have used conventions Use examples from real magazines and images of them, as well as examples from your own

magazine

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

How are age groups/gender/social classes represented? Use the skills and knowledge you gained for preparation of section A of the exam.

Question 2 Notes

The social groups of my magazine are represented as lower class. This is shown through their outfits mainly. They are all dressed in casual clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, jackets and trainers. Although they are casual they are branded clothes, this suggests that they aren’t under class as they have the money to be paying for branded items such as ADIDAS and Nike.

The participants who I have taken pictures of are females. Their facial expressions make them look as if they are moody or annoyed, as well as their posture as it’s very laid back and it seems as if they don’t care which could be quite stereotypical, however they are like this I think this sort of appearance goes well with the genre of the magazine.

The age of the participants that volunteered to be photographed for my magazine is also represented In quite a negative way. Due to them only being 16-17 they look very serious and this may come across as quite rebellious due to them being teenagers. This is a negative connotation of the participants as realistically their posture and facial expressions are all actor orientated.

Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

The two major publishing houses in the UK are Time Inc. and Bauer Media. Look at the profile of each of the magazines on the links below. Look at the existing magazines, or ‘brands’ they distribute. Are there any similar magazines/brands to yours? Would your magazine fit their profiles? Which of the publishing houses would best suit your magazine?

http://www.timeincuk.com/about/

http://www.timeincuk.com/brands/

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/about

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands

Question 3 Notes

Time Inc. UK might distribute my magazine as they my magazine is quite similar to NME which is a music magazine they distribute. This is because I have used ideas similar to theirs

such as the pull quote underneath my cover line which comes from the interview Haylee ‘participated’ in. However my magazine is also similar to Kerrang which is from the Bauer Media Group website. This is because my contents page has a similar layout to Kerrangs contents page, as I have used ideas from their layout as I really liked the look and how it left minimum empty space by having lots of pictures and text on the page without it being squashed and cramped together. I have done this by adding 3 columns of articles and adding 2 images, one of ‘Haylee Emett’, the main artist of the magazine and one of a sub band which is also featured a lot throughout the magazine.

Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?

Relate this to your existing market research. Also carry out a focus group over the break where you show your finished product to at least 5 people. The best way to do this is set up a closed group on Facebook and invite friends to comment upon your work. Screen shot these comments to present on your blog. Ask them questions related to the product i.e. Content/Genre/Photographs/Colours/Fonts and the overall success of the magazine you have produced.

For this I have posted pictures of my front cover, contents page and double page spread on a group on Facebook. This group has everyone from the media class in it, therefore will know what to judge exactly.

People have said that the color scheme of my work works very well, and the layout works well and isn’t too overpowering. There has been constructive criticism which I will look at to improve my work, these involve taking more pictures to add to my blog/ work and adding vital pieces of information to my front cover such as the date/ issue number and price. All subtle pieces yet, will work well on my front cover in order to make it look more like an actual magazine cover.

Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

State your target audience, based upon your market research. Assess the responses of your focus group from question 4. Consider how the content; photography, house style and design and layout of your magazine, as well as use of the Guttenberg principle on your cover/pages addresses the needs of your target audience.

Question 5 Notes

The main image on the front cover attracts my target audience as her clothing and posture relates to an indie artist.

The masthead of my front cover implies that the genre of the music magazine is either indie rock or rock, or alt. Each of these genres has a similar target audience and, if one likes indie rock, then they usually like alt too. Therefore this attracts the audience I want as amplified suggests heavy music.

The house style of my work will definitely work to attract the target audience as the colors of the work are very dark yet subtle, such as the light grey, working with the black and white. This attracts the audience as the colors are colors many indie genre based magazines use.

The language used on the double page spread works well to attract the target audience as its very informal and some taboo language is used throughout it. This shows the audience that ‘Haylee’ is quite laidback and doesn’t change her attitude or personality when being interrogated. This will attract the target audience as they will be interested in reading it.

The Gutenberg principle of my front cover works well, as the primary optical area is where the price of the magazine will be printed therefore, it will be the first thing the reader see’s and if it’s a reasonable price the target audience may be more interested in buying the magazine. The reading gravity goes over the main image, therefore fans of ‘Haylee’ will see this and will automatically be attracted to the magazine as they would be interested in reading about her for their own personal entertainment, this will also suggest the genre straight away as you wouldn’t find her on the front cover of a pop genre based magazine. The strong fallow area of the magazine falls out of the reading gravity and therefore receives minimal attention; however this has been emphasized by a competition, attracting the audience. The weak fallow area also receives minimal attention, however this has also been emphasized to the reader as there’s information as to where you can find ‘Haylee’s’ music or more information on the artist. Finally the terminals point of the magazine just shows the barcode which is only used for decoration.

Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluate your progress with all of the technologies you have used, such as Photoshop, Blogger, Slide share and digital cameras whilst completing your project

For all of the above assess:

• Successes in your use of them• Limitations in your use them

Comment upon how we use digital technology, via TECHNOLOGICAL CONVERGENCE, to research, record, edit, distribute and present our work from the same machine.

Question 6 Notes

My work has been done mainly from the use of a computer. This is because I have used Photoshop to edit my work as well as work on it and improve it. I have done this by cropping pictures, changing the colors and writing information on each my front cover, contents page and double page spread. This has all been done through the use of one application on a computer.

I have also used a computer to distribute my work. This has been done over a variety of websites such as Hotmail and Facebook. Each of these websites has helped me improve my work, as participants of the focus group on Facebook commented on strong points of my work and used constructive criticism on how to improve my work.

To take my pictures I used a camera however this were all uploaded onto a computer in which they were then edited and added to my work.

Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, (college magazine) what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Evaluate what you learnt on your ancillary, and how you have progressed in terms of use of:

Digital photography, (composition/rule of thirds/lighting/uploading and saving work etc.) knowledge of design and layout use of Photoshop and photo manipulation

Question 7 Notes

Since the preliminary task, I have learnt how to use more tools on Photoshop such as the doge tool which I use to whiten the background of the image. The paint fill tool, to add color to the background if I wanted to. And how to place the image better.

I have improved with my photography, as I have learnt how to place people when wanting to use the image for my front cover so that there is no empty space. This helps me when wanting to add cover lines and sub titles to attract the audience as all the space is being used either by an image or by text so the front cover isn’t too plain and empty.

I have learnt how to use lighting more effectively when taking portrait shots. This is very helpful as it adds a more natural glow to the color of people’s skin making their skin tone stand out a lot more, without making it look filtered and photo shopped. It could also be used to add a natural show to people/ props.

Even when it comes to laying out my work, I have improved as there’s not too much information in one point of the magazine making it look too crowded. This also works with the opposite results, with there not being too much empty space on the front cover with no writing or images filling it.

Presentation of your Evaluation

http://prezi.com/

Create an account with Prezi and practise creating Prezi’s over the break.

You will transfer your evaluation to a combination of Prezi, PowerPoint, audio and video, after you have submitted it on April 19th. Your work will be returned marked on April 22ndh and you will then create Prezi’s, video sections of your evaluation and redraft final coursework pieces, for the final submission date of Wednesday May 4th.

You will also use Sound cloud, to create podcasts for some of the questions. Each of your answers to the questions must be posted separately on your blog, in order 1-7

Create your Sound cloud account here:

http://soundcloud.com/

See the links below for level 4 examples of evaluations, completed using Prezi software and video

http://smithmediaportfolio.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/F%3A%20Evaluation

http://monahughesasmediafoundationporfolio.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/F%3A%20Evaluation