Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the the full product?
From the moment that planning I began to learn the importance of the preperation I was completing. Through drafting I began to realise how much more difficult it is to generate ideas the I originally thought it would be. Putting ideas to paper is far more time consuming then I originally believed, and therefore my organisation of time began to become more and more important. I decided to set myself deadlines and targets to keep myself focused throughout the production process. Before this project, I had never been quite so determined to set myself deadlines.
Whilst taking photos I began to realise a good photo is not as easy as it seems. Whilst researching into other magazines, the shots seem simple, and obvious, yet when beginning to do photography myself, I realised this certainly was not the case. One of the biggest issues was Mise en Scene. And to create meaningful photos for my cover and double paged I had to travel quite a distance. I wanted meaningful and creative backdrops, and to do this, I could not remain around college. Several other students and I decided to travel to Weston Super Mare and take photos using the sea scape as a backdrop. Whilst doing this we learn many things about framing and shot types, as well as angle. For example, when I wanted a model to dominate the shot, I would use a low angle shot to make him look far larger in the photo. Also, when I wanted to show emotion fully I would use a close up of the models face so that the audience could see all the emotion he was expressing.
Not Only have I learned this but I also learned a lot about general layout and design. You can see the difference between my preliminary design and my final design that I have learned several new skills, for example the fonts. The font I used for my original design was basic and generic on all of the cover lines, however on my final cover, it was far more original and well suited to my genre. Also, my Masthead itself was also more suited to an indie genre, where as my Masthead for my original task wasn't very well suited. Not only this but the difference in photography is also far more effective. The MCU contained on my final cover is Very suited to my genre and connotes everything that I intended, where as my original photo did not have a lot of meaning and therefore was slightly unsuited.

Question 6

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

Whilst working on my media product, I learned how to use many new programmes. One of which was photo shop, before this project I had very limited knowledge of photoshop or how to use it. However, whilst creating my front cover I was able to learn how to do many new things.

I was able to learn how to manipulate photos to fit into my cover, e.g. Changing the scale of a photo whilst still managing to keep it in proportion. This was done on several occasions, one of which was the splash effect in the upper right hand corner. It was far too large for my page and took up 1/2 the page. After I changed the size, whilst still keeping the image in proportion, it fitted comfortably in the corner of the page.

Not only this but I also learned how to use a digital SLR effectively. Before the project began, I hadn't needed to take artistic photos and therefore had not used a digital SLR. During the project I was taught the basic functions of the camera, and how to use it effectively. By being taught this, I was able to use the setting for bright sun light and therefore get for more impressive photos.

However, whilst I did get to learn about using photography, and the programmes that create a magazine, I also learned how to use the internet effectively to get a good audience response. Before the project, I had not used the likes of facebook to get opinions on my ideas, however by doing this I was able to generate and change my ideas positively so that they were more suited to my target audience. For example, I uploaded my montage of ideas onto facebook containing many photos that connoted ideas that I wanted to include within my magazine. From this I got responses that allowed me to adapt and change my ideas.

Question 4 + 5

Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my magazine would fall into the age range of 18-25. On the jicnar scale they would most likely be C1-C2, but hopefully the way I have constructed mt production would allow for a wider range. Most of my audience would be hedonists, and therefore be fun loving and relaxed. Even though my target audience would probably not be interested in freebies, by including it in my first issue, a wider audience may be reached. Even though originally my magazine was going to be male orientated for the majority, I feel that now both a male and femal audience would be able to enjoy it.
5. How did you Attract/Address your Audience?

I was able to attract my audience through my use of colours, fonts and layouts. Often I would use interesting colours that weren't overly bright. This would connote how my audience are hedonistic and fun loving, but also sophisticated and not necessarily just attracted by bright flashy colours. For example, the brightest colours I used for the front cover were maroon and Yellow. By doing this so often, it allowed me to create an interesting colour scheme and stop my cover from being bland and boring. These colours mixed with a black and white photo create an atmosphere that suits my target audience and is not over the top. To find out what a member of my target audience though of my choice of colour I spoke to a 17 year old male whose favoured of music is Indie. This was my response:

" I like how the main title is red, and then the cover line is reversed out. Also, the use of yellow adds an extra element of interest as its used at the main point of interest in the title"

From this response, I believe that the choice of colour I used was appropriate.

Also the fonts I used were able to create interest as well as fit my chosen genre.
The font I used was downloaded off of www.dafont.com. I believe this font connotes aggression or rebellion, similar to that of the music contained within my magazine and therefore as attractive to my audience as the music.

I feel that I have been successful with my choice of font and the response I got when I asked a member of my target audience seems to reinforce this.

The first person I asked was a 16 year old female, who is a fan of the Indie genre. When asked about the font, the response I was given was as follows:

"I believe that this font connotes the Indie genre and is similar to the fonts used on other well established magazines. I think the colours will also attract the target audience as they alternate between red and white"

From this response I can see that this font is well suited to my front cover.

Also, the layout itself was design to generate interest from my target audience. Often I used sharp straight edges to again connote aggression. Also, I added a Splash effect in the upper left hand corner, by doing this I believe I am connoting informality or untidiness. I interviewed several people about my cover, and when I asked an 18 year old male, this was his response about this effect:

"I like the splash mark in the corner, it looks like you flicked paint onto the page, it makes it look messy, but still seems professional rather then tacky"

Overall, from my audience responses I can see that my cover was well liked. The colour scheme was well approved, along with my fonts and layout. However, I did also learn about some improvements, most of which were aimed at my contents page. Many audience members felt as though it was incomplete and rushed due to the lack of colour. From this I can see that being minimalistic does not always go to plan and in fact I should have spent more time on the contents page ensuring it was done according to my colour scheme, possibly including colour backgrounds etc.

Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
For my magazine, I would only like it to be distributed by a mainstream distributor if it did not affect the integrity of it. For example IPC media distribute NME, however they also distribute magazines such as "boat owner" showing that they are not a specialist distributor and therefore could make my magazine eventually become generic. This can also be seen very clearly through IPC, with magazines "TV choice and "TV quick" looking almost identical to one another and containing the same stories. This is why I believe an Independent distributor would be a possibility. Whilst profit is an important factor, one of my main objectives with this magazine was to challenge the mainstream and generalised indie magazine, and by doing this i will be appealing to a niche audience, something that independent distributors specialise in. A Magazine such as "Losing Today" would be an example of this. By following in the footsteps of this magazine, I would be able to continue to make my magazine unique and how I want it, not have it generalised and spoilt.
By doing this, the retail outlet of my magazine will be different, for example, whilst many mainstream mgazines are sold in outlets such as "Sainsburys" and regular supermarkets, my magazine would be sold in music outlets hopefully including the likes of "HMV", places where people are genuinely interested in music. Having an independent distributor will also be perfect for the brand identity of my magazine, a unique magazine cannot be distributed by a generalised company, it needs to be specialist.
The distribution strategy of my magazine would probably have a large impact on the profit made by the magazine, it would be reduced severely as the amount of money that could be put into marketing would also be reduced. However, to change this I could use internet marketing as it is far cheaper, for example I could use viral marketing to create word of mouth.

Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
I feel that the title of my magazine it self shows some of the representations held by my production. "Offbeat" tells us that this magazine does not follow typical generic styings. Whilst it does appeal to similar audiences it does this in a different way.
I feel that the photographs included on my contents page show that this production is aimed at both genders, given that both male and female models are used. The fact that close ups are often used shows that this magazine is trying to appeal to both genders openly. Several of the photos are also taken at a straight angle, I feel that by doing this, coupled with a white background shows that I am not stereotyping my audience. Many magazines show photographs of bands performing, I feel that giving my models a white background gives a more sophisticated edge to my magazine and shows that my target audience are not always loud and aggressive. Also, the band photos taken for my double page spread of "The Avengers", rather then being of a heavy metal band, or performace, were taken at a seaside in Weston Supermare. By doing this I feel that the photography has been given an artistic edge. Also the models themselves have been dressed to look more stylish, rather then band T-shirts, long hair and Guitars. By doing this, I feel again that I wil be breaking the stereotype of who purchases Indie magazines. The target audience of my magazine was 18-25 year olds interested in indie and rock music. Often this target audience is far more intelligent then magazines such as Kerrang! give them credit for.

Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
When creating my media product I aimed to use similar conventions as magazines such as Kerrang! and NME. At the same time however, I wanted to make sure my magzine was original and unique by challenging certain conventions. My magzine contains a promenant masthead and a MCU of a band, similar to that of both Kerrang! and NME. By doing this, my magazine contains elements of Indie magazines that pretty much convey the image of the cover. Also, the design used for the "Free CD giveaway" is something often seen on Kerrang! magazine that I decided to adapt and develop for my own. I used the same colours for this feature as the rest of my cover so that it would seem fitting rather then Unnecessary. One of the ways in which my magazine cover is different then others is the use of a Splash effect in the upper right hand corner. I have not seen either Kerrang! or NME use this idea to sum up what is included within the magazine and thought it would be an interesting addition to my cover.
My Contents page contains several features that are common in Indie magazines. One of which is the use of a previous cover in the upper left hand corner with a caption. However, this being the first magazine of the series, I had to adapt this and use the current cover and use a more relevant caption to describe the magazine and what readers have to look forward to. One of the Features that is similar is the layout. The 3 column layout i used is common in Kerrang! magazine and is used to create an easy to understand format for the contents page that still looks professional. It is different in the way the photography has been done. The Photography contained on the contents pages in Kerrang! or NME, are often band photos on stage performing, however, my hotography is almost all done with the models being infront of a white background. This was done to make my contents page minimalistic and simple.

For my Double page spread I continued to keep things fairly simple. I kept the white colour scheme and used some of the colours from the cover/contents page for the larger fonts. By doing this, my magazine can remain consistant throughout. I feel this seperates it from many other indie magazines as they are often full of colours and pictures and can often be too busy. Alot of the colour within the photos themselves are also pale rather then bright and vivid. My double page spread is similar because of the information actually contained. The pages are about a new band and has an interview that contains input from each band member. This is quite commonly included within indie magazines and is therefore a good conversation topic. I believe that the layout I have used adapted the ideas used by other magazines. Often they have band photgraphs whilst performing, unlike mine. Also, the placement of the pictures and text is unusual in indie magazines.

The colours I have used for my magazine have been quite subdued. Often using dark red, yellow, Black + White. By doing this, I feel that I am stopping myself from bombarding my audience with loud and unnecessary colouring. By keeping it simple, I feel that the magazine will be more appealing to my C1/C2 audience (Jicnar Scale). I think this challenges dominant ideology as many people believe teenagers are becoming less intelligent, especially those who listen to indie/rock music, however, by including a simplistic and pale colour scheme and a lot of information on the double page spread it shows that this magazine is not appealing to a stereotypical audience, but an alternative audience.
I feel that the layout and design of my double page spread is the best example of my production giving an alternative representation of its target audience. Using a white background and pale colourings in the photos, continues my idea with the colour scheme, along with the dark red quote. Also, by filling the page with more artistic photography rather then performance shots gives the magazine more sophistication. Whilst keeping with an indie fashion sense, I feel the models have managed to keep the double page spread within its specified genre.