What kind of media institution might distribute my media product?

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

My media product uses, develops and challenges the forms and conventions of real media products in one way or another. My front cover for instance, challenges the forms and conventions of many music magazines as in conventions it is simplistic and plain with not much variety in images either. However, although these conventions go against the typical conventions of music magazines it does manage to stick to the conventions of typical 'Indie' magazines of which I had researched. I felt that this was vital for the genre I had chosen as it is not very mainstream or popular as other genres, also I felt that this would make it much easier to appeal and reach out to my target audience so that they can recognise the genre of my magazine.
My Images:
The images I had chosen to take and use for my production only featured one subject/model and were made to look plain and simplistic. I had considered the Mise-en-scene of my images and although I had the option to include a variety of backgrounds, I instead chose to keep a white background for my images and focused more on the compositions of the photos. I felt that this stuck to the typical conventions of music magazines of my genre. But also develops forms and conventions of real media products even in 'Indie' magazines as I have shown a new layout and integration of my images.  
Font:
My font again also sticks to the typical conventions of an 'Indie' magazine but not so much of other mainstream genres. I chose to use an informal font for my subheading on my front page as this is a typical trait on most 'Indie' magazines and I felt that this showed a nice contrast to the font of my masthead.
Layout:
The layout of my front cover, contents page and double page spread also challenges forms and conventions of real media products in the market. I have chosen for my contents page to have minimal images by only selecting one of the artist in which I had chosen to dedicate to my issue, and have chosen to place my text around it. This uses forms and conventions of real media products as the text on contents pages are usually placed around the images on a magazine.

Ultimately, when looking at my media product I can now see where I have used, developed and challenged conventions of real media products. I feel that I have done this successfully as now my magazine has elements of real media products and also challenges their forms.

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

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

When producing my media product I feel that I have learnt a lot about technologies in the process, I have managed to gain key skills in Media and knowledge of Softwares of which I had no previous experience with before. I am now confident in using these Softwares and key skills that I have learnt in the process of constructing my product, and can now apply them to my A2 course to come in later Media Studies.

One of the Softwares I learnt to use properly was Adobe Photoshop, this was due to my previous experience with it in my preliminary as I had been given help in doing so. By the time I started the process of constructing my media product, I was able to use Photoshop with no help needed. I used Photoshop for every part of my production; creating my masthead, arranging images and arranging the forms and conventions of a magazine.

I did however use a website called 'Da font' to get the font size and style that I felt was best suited for the genre of my magazine, after I had chosen my font I transferred the masthead to Photoshop and made my logo to fit the masthead.
I decided to use 'Survey monkey' in the process of my research, this helped me gather easy and efficient responses to the questions I wanted asked about my media product. Once I had made the survey and gathered my information I then posted my results onto my Blog to show evidence of my research, at this point I was needed to know how to use 'Blogger' so my Media tutor could keep track of my development.

To take my Photos for my Photoshoot, I was needed to gain more experience of the SLR camera of which we was provided with, this would ensure that I was able to get the right angles and compositions to capture the right images to put onto my final production.
Overall, I feel that in the process of constructing my media product I have learnt a great deal about technologies and Media skills that would help me develop onto the A2 course. I feel that I am now much more confident in using new Softwares and technologies, and it has helped me create the image for my media product of which I was aiming for.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I feel that when looking back at my preliminary task I have learnt so much from the progression of it to my final product. I have managed to gain key skills in Softwares and in using technologies, and this has been helpful for me when making my production. When comparing the front cover I had produced for a school magazine in my preliminary task with the one that I had recently produced for my final task, I can clearly identify my progression in layout and integrating text and images.

                                                  




As seen my school magazine of which I had produced in my preliminary task named 'Students 2 Students' was aimed at a very different audience to the audience I was targeting for my 'Indie' magazine. However, from this I learnt how to integrate my masthead with my image as well as the texts used on my front cover. I can clearly see that my final product looks much more professional than my magazine cover for my preliminary task. Through taking my images I had learnt to think about Mise-en-scene wisely and how it may effect my target audience and the message I was going for. In this I recognise that the Mise-en-scene used in my school magazine from my preliminary task shows a school environment in which would clearly indicate the genre of my magazine to my audience. Whereas, the Mise-en-scene shown in my final production shows a clear white background of which connotes the simplicity and inexpedience of my genre making it clear for my audience to relate.

The contents page of my preliminary task and the one produced for my final product shows a clear indication of my progression also, yet I do not believe that my progression is as clear than it is when comparing the front covers I had produced. From this I used some of the forms and conventions used for my preliminary into my final production, I also managed to adopt the skills I had learnt in Softwares such as, Photoshop and Fireworks.

Ultimately, I am able to recognise from my preliminary task what I have learnt in progression to my final production.

Who would be the audience of my media product? How would you attract/address your audience?

How does my media product represent a particular social group?

My media product represents the social group I am aiming my magazine at which is; Indie/alternative music lovers. My magazine represents this Social group by sticking to the typical conventions of an Indie magazine this includes: a plain housing, simple layout, unique style and an Urban feel. I believe that the typicality of my magazine cover, double page spread and contents page shows a clear indication of whom and what my music magazine is representing.

When doing my research on the social group I wanted to represent through my media product I saw that Independence was a key theme and message the genre had to offer, this was a clear pattern within the genre's magazines I had seen also as many of the models and artists featured would be photographed alone or solo artists. I chose to do the same when producing my media product as I wanted my magazine to appeal and relate to the Social group I was representing. Of course I recognized the risk I would be taking as I would be going against many of the typical conventions of a music magazine, but I felt that it would be most important to attract the social group I was aiming my magazine at.

My artist representation:
The model I decided to chose to use on my Front cover, double page spread and contents page was one I thought best suited the genre of my music magazine as she had the exact style I was looking for. The makeup and costume used when photographing the model had an Urban yet vintage/retro feel to it also. I wanted to emphasize and capture the essence of the street style most associated with the Indie/alternative genre.
I chose a female artist to represent my genre as when doing my research and collecting my servey results I realised that most of my responses were from female audiences, this way I felt that my magazine and artist could have a more personal effect to my readers. Again this was also a common trait within all 'Indie' magazines of which I had researched as most of the artists/models featured were female. I wanted my artist to have a positive effect on the social group I was aiming to represent and by doing so I wanted to be sure that my artist fit the stereotypical 'Indie' style and could be relatable to my target audience. I also decided not to make my artist look stereotypically seductive as based on the genre and target audience I felt that this would be an inappropriate choice, instead I wanted to present my artist as independent and inspirational.
My models posture and body language is slanted and shows her leaning forward, connoting that she is a confident in herself. This presents my artist as an aspirational figure as she is not promoting herself or being sexualised, this is shown through the choice of clothing and makeup as it is not seductive or too vibrant. This I felt would attract my younger audience and represent the genre accurately as well as positively.
My social group representation:
Many would agree that 'Indie' is very much dependant on music, yet is influenced more by fashion and unique sense of style. I tried to incorporate fashion as much as I could within my product as I felt it was essential when targeting my audience, mostly my female audience, hence my choice in a female artist.
Clothing:
When doing my research on the genre and my social group I saw that clothing played a huge role in portraying the genre. 'Indie' clothing is a mixture between a retro 80's style of bagginess and funky, with a modern twist of wild and carefree. As the style originated and is still inspired by the 80's I wanted to incorporate this within my artists choice of clothing by giving her, leggings to wear with a long oversized shirt and Doc Marten's, this I felt would be most relatable to my target audience as I have seen many females dress this way. Clothing from the 80's tended to have a rebellious feel, with women wearing baggy jackets, ripped tights or leggings and not to mention crazy hairstyles, this shows a carefree attitude with women now lacking in vanity. This streak is now seen in 'Indie' style where females are adopting this careless attitude. The 'messy look' still seems to be a common look within my social group as it presents the urban look to the style as well as the retro feel from iconic artists such as 'Madonna' from the 80's. This not only shows the wild carefree look of my social group but also the fun, upbeat look that is explored.
Hair and makeup:
Hair and makeup has changed in terms of time within the 'Indie' look, as it appears to be more tamed and neutral, as in the 80's makeup was more vibrant and hair was a lot more wild and colourful. When doing my research on my social group I saw that much of my audience had quite natural wavy hair on the borderline of the messy look, again this showed a less vain audience as they are not as fond on spending time on their hair. This also seems to connote a fun upbeat characteristic of my social group, even showing a childish manner. Makeup is also very neutral and minimal, this shows confidence within my audience as they are not worried to show their natural beauty and makes the females seem less seductive. Although, many tend to want focus around the eye by wearing thick eye-liner or mascara to make up for the pale skin.

Final contents page

Final double page spread

Second draft Contents page

Final draft of Front Cover

Double page spread

Contents page

First draft of Front cover

Final design of Masthead

I decided to go for this design of my masthead as my final as I felt it best suited the genre. Typically Indie magazines tend to use formal and capital letters for their mastheads and I wanted to stick to this convention, so that it was obvious of the genre of my magazine. I felt like the colour black would give higher definition to my masthead and stand out as a contrast to the background of my magazine.
I then decided to place the symbols of which I had found and felt reprented 'Indie' as my logo underneath my masthead as I believed it would give the masthead uniqueness, and stand out from other music magazines. With this I wanted my magazine to stand out and be recognisable, and I now feel that when looking at the final result I have managed to be successeful in doing so.

First design of masthead

This is my first design of my masthead/logo. With this I decided to take a less formal approach with the font used for my masthead as the typography I will use for my front cover will be formal, this seems to be a common trait within typical and most 'Indie' magazines. I decided to call my masthead 'The Tape' as when I had asked my target audience in my questionnaire it seemed to be what they preferred, they all agreed that this was the name that best suited the genre I was going for. 'Tape' also connotes music, this is of course what I am aiming for as I would like my magazine to stand out as an 'Indie' music magazine. I decided to place my logo underneath my masthead as I wanted my masthead combined with my logo to be one logo of its own. I felt that this showed uniqueness as when doing my research not many music magazines seemed to have such a logo as this, also the symbols below link to the genre of 'Indie'.

Images and target audience

   

These were the images of which my target audience had selected from my photoshoot, as they thought they were the best suited for my genre. I decided to use three of the photographs for my project those are; the first three shown.

These are some of the responses I received from my target audience:

"The photo's look unique, and quirky"

"Very out there"

"Simple but unique"

"Very different"

"Love the use of contrast on the full image"

"The positioning of the person in the image reflects Indie style"

 

 

With these responses I was able to apply the best images of which I and my target audience thought best represented the genre of 'Indie'. Overall, I am glad that I had shown my images to my target audience as this ensured that I was making the best decisions for my magazine.

Photoshoot

My aim for this photoshoot was to capture a simplistic yet effective style for my images, in doing so I provided very limited props and a plain background. The reason for this, was that I wanted to stick to the conventions of Indie magazines as well as standing out from other music magazines.
My featured model is Rada, of whom I felt best suited my genre as she had the 'Indie look' in which I was aiming to capture. I decided to keep her hair natural to show the 'Street style' look that goes with the genre. However, I wanted her make-up to show definition and by doing so we provided thick black eye-liner around her eyes to show difference and independence  elements that connote the genre of Indie for me. I decided to only add one prop of which was the flowered headpiece in which is only shown in two pictures, I felt that this headband had a 'Hippie' trend to it which may sometimes be associated with the Indie style.
As the photoshoot itself was Plain and simple, I encouraged my model to have fun and be free with the poses to show a variety of shots and compositions. The poses show elements of freeness and independence all of which describe Indie style and music.
I've also only chosen to feature one model for my photoshoot and for my final production simply because, when doing my research on the genre this seemed to be a common trait within all Indie music magazines.

Overall, I believe that my photoshoot went successfully as I had captured the images as I had aimed to in the first place. Also I feel that they stick to my genre successfully and are aimed appropriately at my target audience.

Planning of Photoshoot

Model and costume:
I will be asking a female to feature in my magazine, for my front cover, double page spread and contents page. When doing so I have to ensure that my female model suits my genre of Indie and can relate to my target audience, for this the female I would like to approach is Rada of whom I think is best suited for this part. My thoughts are to only feature one model as this I feel connotes independence of which my genre relies on, I also feel that this will show uniqueness to my magazine for many mainstream magazines do not go by this convention.
For the costume that I would like my model to be wearing, I am going to provide a basic shirt or laced top varying from neutral colours or dark to show contrast in my Mise-en-scene. Leggings or shorts may also be provided as well as dark boots to show the street style/urban look explored in the genre.
The makeup provided would show a natural look with definition on the eyes of my model as this is a trend shown in Indie style most.

Location/Mise-en-scene:
I have decided that I would like take my photographs in front of a plain white or black background, as I would like my photo-shoot to have a professional effect. This is also significant to the genre as it shows simplicity as well as uniqueness.
Again the Mise-en-scene will be plain with either, natural lighting if use of white background and artificial lighting for the use of a darker background like black or grey.

Camera shots:
For my front cover I would like to use either, a medium close up shot or medium long shot of my featured model to show the positioning of my models poses and outfit clearly as my genre is very much dependent on style.
For my other images I will be using a variety of shots from; close ups, long shots, medium shots, and medium close up shots. These will all ensure that I get a variety of compositions within my images in my magazine.

Inspiration for photoshoot

Here are a variety of images from Photoshoots of which I am inspired by for the photoshoot I will be producing. From each of these images I like the simplicity yet powerful poses from the models/artists featured in them.
From these I have decided to go for a plain background for my own photoshoot and a natural look for my model, as I can see the effectiveness of this. I may also decide to edit one of my photos to balck and white as it looks strong and stands out, however I do not want to do much editing on my photos as I feel that it is important for my genre to keep it simple and natural.
The costumes featured in these photos appear to show contrast to the background making them stand out and much more appealing. The makeup in most of the photographs is natural and not overdone, this is another element I would like to take for my photoshoot as this would go for the look I am aiming for.

Contents page flat plan