Progression

From looking back at my preliminary task i feel i have learnt a lot in order to improve my full finished product. As firstly the main image for my preliminary did not look effective or professional at all so i had to take into account the outfit, make up, lighting pose etc. when doing the photo shoot for my main images. I also considered the colour scheme for my magazine and wanted it to be suitable for the genre and appeal to my target audience, this is why conducting a questionnaire was useful in my planning as i could find out what the audience I'm aiming at want to see. I also thought about the layout of my magazine a lot more as in my preliminary i wasn't too sure where to place certain information and images, but from researching similar magazines to my chosen genre i decided on a much more effective layout that fitted in with the typical conventions of this genre. I also had to consider how i cut out the images for my magazine as in my preliminary the main image looked very messy and unprofessional because of the edges so i took all of these problems into account and thought how they could be improved.

Technologies

In creating my media product i used the technology programme photo shop this was very useful as it enabled me to continuously develop the look of my magazine. So with the main images in my magazine i could import them to photo shop and then develop them and make them look more professional as seen in real magazines. I could also alter the font so that it looks more effective and follows the conventions of my chosen genre. Photo shop has moved forward from years ago as it has become a lot more intricate and detailed, the first photo shop featured just four programmers and more and more have been added subsequently. For example, Path and layer features were added in early 90's, and more recently the Masks and Adjustments panel was added. All the features add to a wider choice to enable you to develop photos professionally.

Target Audience

The audience for my media product would be young girls aged 15-20 years old, this is because i think that my magazine is more appealing to this audience. As firstly all of the main images in my magazine are of girls in this age group, so the audience would feel they can relate more to the magazine and be more attracted to it. It also still contains a lot of the typical conventions of a R&B/hip-hop magazine but is just made more feminine so challenges these conventions to enable the magazine to appeal to a different audience. Magazine of this genre usually have much more masculine features with a well known male artist on the cover, where as mine is more feminine with the image of a female singer. This creates the opportunity for a magazine of this genre to appeal to a different target audience instead of following the typical conventions. Example of more masculine magazine coverMasculine Cover


Also from researching different articles covered on the double page spread, gave me ideas as to what to include in my intereview. Conducting my questionnaire also helped me decide what sort of questions my target audience would be interested in reading about.

Distribution Ideas

I think that a media institution that would possibly distribute my music magazine would be WWMD as this is a very large distribution company for magazines. Information about the company; WWMD Other options would be to use the distributors of the music magazine 'VIBE' or 'Rap up' as these have the same genre as my magazine, and are of a similar layout and style etc.

Representing Social Groups

My magazine represents the social group of teenagers in particular as it shows them being very independent, mature and approachable young girls. This helps the magazine appeal more to its target audience as it challenges the typical perception people have of teenagers. My magazine also represents ethnicity as in a R&B magazine you would usually expect to see a male figure of a different race, where as i have used young girls. I have represented gender as i have used girls as the main images throughout my magazine instead of following the typical convents of a R&B/hip-hop magazine and used boys, so i have shown that this genre can appeal to a wider audience.

Using, Developing and Challenging Conventions

For my media product i decided to use the print option and make a music magazine with a R&B/hip-hop genre and titled the magazine 'Base'. I think that it fits in with the typical conventions of a R&B/hip-hop magazine as i have researched different magazines of this genre and tried to make my magazine fit these conventions. Firstly the main image on the cover is often a very masculine well known male artist with hip-hop features being shown in his style. However my main image is quite a seductive and revealing picture of a woman that shows a lot a feminine features e.g. having hair down beside face, and some flesh on show, so this challenges the typical conventions for the main image of a hip-hop/R&B magazine. The title of my magazine fits in with this genre as it is related to music and is an easy name to remember. The font used is very big and bold and follows a consistent colour scheme, it is also quite grouped together so i have followed this layout for my magazine. The example that i used for my magazine cover was VIBE eg

The contents page of my magazine again challenges most of the typical conventions of this genre magazine as you would usually see a masculine male artist, where as i have used a female in a very seductive pose revealing a lot of flesh. However i have found another example of this being used; Contents Eg

which is where i got my idea, i think that this has made my magazine consistently appeal to the same audience by making it more feminine.
My contents page has followed the same colour scheme as the cover so that the magazine is clearly the same throughout and looks more effective rather than having a large range of different colours and looking too busy, so here i have followed the typical conventions of a music magazine. The text also follows the typical conventions as i have used a very small font and used to headings about the features inside the magazine which is commonly used in R&B/hip-hop magazines.

The double page spread of my magazine does challenge the typical conventions of this genre magazine as i have again used a female as my main image. She is posed again revealing some flesh to appeal more attractive, and is sat in a pose with her legs up to show them off but in a more descrete way. The layout of my double page however does fit in with the typical conventions as i have grouped the relative questions and answers together to make it clear for the reader to understand. I have also again stuck to the main colour scheme so that it is consistent throughout my magazine, and used a white background to make the image and text stand out, this is also commonly done on the double page spread of this genre magazine. An example of a double page spread similar to mine would be Double Pg Spread Eg
although i decided to use a different pose for the main image.

Plan For Contents Page Photoshoot

This photo will be taken on a plain white background but then edited so that it starts dark at the top and fades from grey into white. So that it is slightly different from the plain white backgrounds i have used and makes the page look more interesting.

Outfit
- Black lace leotard
- High Heels

I have chosen this outfit because i am trying to make the image fit in with the typical representation of woman,and female celebrities. So the outfit is quite revealing , and is very feminine a long with the heels giving sex appeal.

Hair and Make up
- natural base make up
- dark around the eyes

I have chosen t have the eyes quite dark so that they stand out more and i is clear when she is looking a the camera. This make up also helps to give the seductive impression and show the femininity.

Pose
- led down with one leg bent and other kicking up straight
- arms tucked behind head
- serious facial expression

I chose this pose as i think it is quite a seductive pose which is commonly used in magazine for female singers. It also helps to create the effect of her leg kicking the word contents which again makes it look more interesting.

Ideas for magazine

Front cover layout plan

I got the idea for my cover from the R&B magazine VIBE and have decided to use very bold fonts to follow the typical conventions of this genre. Also to maintain a red, black, purple, skin colour and white colour scheme so that it is consistent throughout the magazine and involves bright colours and neutral colours to make certain information stand out. I have also decided to use a large mid shot image of a young girl to appeal to my target audience and challenge the conventions of this genre.

Plan for double page spread photoshoot

This photo will also be taken on a plain white background so that the main photo stands out better, and look simple yet effective. These pages will be following the same colour scheme as the front cover so that it is clear and is recognised as the same magazine.

outfit
- loose off the shoulder grey top
- purple vest top
- high- waisted shorts
- high heels

I have chosen to use this outfit because it gives an edgy party look but at the same time looks casual. It is also slightly revealing which is a typical convention of photos of female artists, and it helps to put across her femine side but at the same time there is not too much on show. So this helps fit in with my chosen genre as it has the typical conventions of photos in R&B magazines.

hair and make-up
- big wavy hair style
- bold eye make-up
- still quite natural

pose
- high angle shot
- she will be sat down and looking at her hand
- long shot

Pitch

My intentions for the front cover of my magazine are that i am trying to show clearly that my magazine fits in with the hip hop genre. So firstly the layout of my magazine will have most of the headings neatly layed out down one of the cover side in a bold font, using a range of colours and sizes, but at the same time following a consistent colour scheme. I will then have a different heading on the opposite side of the cover relating to the main image so that it is is separate from the rest of the information, and is clear that it is a story about the artist on the cover. This is done in most hip hop music magazines so that the story about the celebrity stands out and looks more interesting to the reader. This layout is similar to the hip hop magazine 'VIBE' i liked this layout as it is very simple yet effective.

The target audience for my magazine will be 16- 21 year olds, this is because i think my magazine has more of a young vibe to it, as most of the artists described on the cover are very recent so will appeal more to teenagers in this age group. Also the fact that the person on the cover is in this age groups relates to it being more attracted to people her age.

The results of my questionnaire have shown that most people think i should follow a black purple and red colour scheme. I think that this will look nice on my cover as it is quite simple and involves dark colours but bright colours as well so they will stand out more on the page. They also fit in with the genre of the magazine as they are not too dark or too bright. It also shows that i have chosen a suitable title for this genre as 'BASE' relates to music and is effective. I asked people aged 16-17 questions so this shows that my magazine will appeal to my target audience as they are in that age group.

Questionnaire

1. Do you think that 'Base' is a suitable title for my music magazine?

Yes I I I No

2. Which colour scheme do you think would be most suitable?

Pink, white and blue I Black, purple and red I I Green, cream and black Other suggestions

3. Do you think that RnB is a good choice of genre?

Yes I I I No

4. How much would you be willing to pay for the magazine?

£1.00 £1.50 I I £2.00 £2.50 I £3.00 £3.50 £4.00 other

5. What would you expect to be included in a RnB magazine?

Celebrities I Music updates I I Gossip Competitions Other

6. What sort of questions would you like the artist/band to be asked?
please give example; who is your biggest idol that you aspire to be as good as? Are you currently in a relationship or is there anyone that your interested in? How were you found, how did you become known for your music?

Plan for cover photoshoot

The photo will be taken on a white background then edited so that it is more of a pale pink or blue depending on which makes the photo stand out better. The colour scheme will be neutral colours such as, pink, blue, green etc but some brighter than others so that certain headings stand out more.

outfit
- white vest top
- black lace top underneath
- jeans/denim shorts
- bangles/ chunky bracelets

I have chosen to use this outfit because the black lace top with the white vest top gives the idea of innocence hiding a more seductive and daring side similar to what has been used in other magazines of this genre.


hair and make-up
- bold around the eyes
- neutral skin and lips
- hair down, big and messy

pose
- girly/ feminine
- pushing hair up
- hand on hip etc.

Magazine Analysis

Vibe Magazine

This magazine fits into the R&B genre, i think that it would attract a young age group around 16-20 year old. This is because they can relate to the artists that a being described on the cover, as they are very modern such as; 'Rihanna'.
The image is a mid shot of Janet Jackson, this picture fits In with the typical feminine conventions. As she is posing with her hip out to the side, and slightly lowering the front of her jeans revealing a netted top underneath which adds sex appeal. She is also wearing a very fitted white vest top, to show off her figure and assets. She has her hair in a very wild and messy style but is very long and falling around her face which adds to her femininity. However, she is wearing very chunky black bracelets and jewelery that matches the black netted top she is revealing. This gives her more a a punk style, which gives the idea that she has two different sides and is interested in different styles. As if she is wearing subtle feminine clothes, and revealing her sexy punk style.

The magazine has maintained a peach, black, blue, and white colour scheme. This is effective as they are very plain and natural colours that blend well with Janet Jackson's outfit. They are also very appealing colours as they are not to bright and distracting. The headings are layed out so that certain bits are together in a neat straight line. Whilst others are scattered on the Page somewhere, this adds interest to the cover and allows the reader to focus on certain things. There is a range of font sizes used, however a lot are lot that are next to eachother are the same size. The heading '15 crucial video games' has the '15' in a larger font so that it stands out and makes the heading look more interesting.

I think it is effective have they have made Janet Jackson pose holding a camera, as it could be relating to the paparazzi or the heading next to her; ;Janet Jackson likes to watch'. This grabs the readers attention and would appeal more to their target audience.

Magazine Analysis

NME Magazine

I think that this magazine would be targeted at people aged 20-30 year olds, as it has a range of artists on the front from different generations. As the main image on the cover is of Lily Allen, howvever there is a smaller image of David Bowie in the corner.

The main image on the cover is a mid shot from a high angle of Lily Allen, it shows that she is challenging the typical female conventions for a magazine. As she is not revealing a lot of flesh, by wearing a bagging shirt which gives her more of a masculine edge. Her hair an make-up look very punk rocker, as she has messed up her hair asnd used quite sutble make-up that is dark around the eyes so that they stand out. She is looking up at the camera with a confused facial expression, which is unusal for the cover of a magazine yet effective.

The magazine has used a consistant colour scheme of black, white, red, and yellow, this is effective as it has mixed plain simple colours, with bright and bold colours. The layout of the headings are scattered around the page, using a range of font sizes, and the font is very slanted and waving to make it look more interesting. The heading 'Lily Allen takes on the world' is written in a very large font and is very bold, so it stands out. It is slightly overlapping the image of Lily Allen so makes it clear that she is a big story in the magazine, and catches the readers attention.

Magazine Analysis

Q magazine

The title of this magazine is 'Q', I think that this magazine is targeted at people aged 20- 35, as the people on the cover are around this around this age group but the age does range. The acts described on the cover also range from generations, so will appeal to a wider audience.

Th image o the cover is a close up of 'Cheryl Cole' this does not fit all of the typical feminine conventions for a magazine. As she is not revealing a lot of felsh which is very common so that the celebritys have sex appeal, but she is still maintaing that appeal with her facial expression. As she is licking her sharp ring in a very seductive way, and keeping eye contact with the camera to grab your attention and draw your eye to her mouth. There is also the effect of rain falling in this image, so cheryl is wet with her hair falling by her face, this is a typical convetion for females as it adds to their femininity.
She is also wearing all black, and has a black background, this gives her more of a rock and roll look and contrast with her feminine side.

The cover maintains a red, white, black, and grey colour scheme. So it uses quite simple and plain colours but this is very effective as it allows certain headings to stand out more. It also uses a range of font sizes to add interest such as; '3 words... Cheryl Cole Rocks' the font gradually gets bigger on this heading and 'Rocks' is written in a very large font so it draws the readers attention to it. The cover also decribes artists such as; 'Paul Weller, and John Lennon' where as the image on the cover is 'cheryl Cole' so this relates to the fact that the magazine is open to a variety of age groups.

Magazine Analysis

Rolling stone magazine

I think that this magazine's target audience would be 18-26 year old, as the people on the cover are a similar age group, and it would be more appeal to this audience.
The title of the magazine is 'Rolling Stone' this has the connotations of a 'rolling stone gathers no moss' this saying means that something is always moving and never standing still, which could relate to the magazine always being up to date. It has the denotations of it being related to music, because of the group 'the rolling stones'.

The cover of this magazine has a large image of Zac Afron on a clear white background which dominates the cover. His pose has the typical masculine conventions for a magazine cover, as he is revealing a bit of his body and holding his chest with his arms to try and show of some muscle. He is also smiling and looking in a different direction, this gives a more innocent nature to his pose so that he looks seductive but in a discreet way.

The headings are laid out so that they are all down one side of the page, but it uses a range of font sizes to make it look more interesting, and maintains a orange, grey, red and yellow colour scheme which is very effective. The heading 'The new American heart throb' is made clear that it is referring to Zac Afron as it is slightly overlapping his image and is in a larger font to the other headings to stand out, with his name written smaller beneath. So it is made clear that they want to draw the readers attention to Zac Afron and interest them in reading more about him.

Film Analysis

The Hole

The opening of this film bgins with the title flashing on a black background, to give the effect of lights in a dark hole searching around which relates to the title of the film 'The Hole'. We then see an ariel shot of a car driving and hear suspious music playing whilst a siren is blairing. There is a tracking used to follow the journey of the cars, and show how impressive the building is. The credits are appearing in the same way as the title, to again relate to the name of the film. The view of the buildings already gives the audience the idea that the characters are privelliged. We then hear the music start to fade, and they run a news report over the sound of the sirens. This immediately tells the audience what has happened and builds up tension. It cuts to different news reporters using mid shots and pans across very fast, this creates a chaotic atmosphere and makes the audience feel very anxious. The mid shot of the photographers diving on the front of the car, is effective as we see only a police hat on the top of the dashboard, which gives us the idea of this character being important, and a high ranking police officer. We then see an ariel shot of the crime scene, which gives the audience an idea to the story line, as they appear to be in a hole. We suddenly see a long shot of a girl lying on a hospital bed, the music is still continuoulsy played throughout and sounds similar to a heatbeat which is effective as it creates an intense mood, there is also no dialogue used in the scene which is effective. Everything in the room is white and clinical, where as she is very dirty which suggests she has been involved in the crime. The nurses then begin to examin her, and she starts screaming and curls up into the foetal postion. This represents this character as being very stressed, and hints that she has been involved in some sort of tragic accident.

film Analysis

What Lies Beneath

The opening of the film 'What Lies Beneath' begins with very creepy, and ghostly music playing, as the credits appear on the screen. There is a foggy black background with the credits appearing and then fading away. This gives the effect of them floating in the water, especially with the title of the film. Gradually after the title has appeared we see a sudden change, as the music starts to fade then speeds up. We then see a close up of a woman with her head under water in the bath. It makes it seem as if she is drowning or attemping to drown herself. The woman is paniking as if she can't breathe, it then cuts straight to a long shot of her in the bath catching her breathe. Whilst the camera slowly zooms in towards her, to give the effect of something creeping up on her. This represents the woman as if she is having some problems, or going through some issues, as it seems like she was trying to drown herself. We see a close up of her hand as she reaches to turn the hair dryer on, and jumps as she is electricuted by it. This is effective as just before this the hair dryer stopped working. So the shock of being electricuted will suprise the audience as it is built up with tension and is unexpected. We then see a pan of the woman blowdrying the steam off the mirror, which leads to a mid shot of her reflection in the mirror. This is effective, as it could be relating to the title of the film 'What Lies Beneath' as the steam is fading away and you start to see her appear.