Blumler and Katz theory

The blumler and Katz theory is linked in with my music magazine because the magazine which i have created has all five reasons why the audience are interested in the media. This magazine entertains,informs of new bands, allows the audience to relate to artists or situations, to socially interact with others about what they have seen or read and to escape their daily troubles.

Evaluation questions.

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

I feel that the magazine which i have created mostly follows the conventions of other music magazines for example 'Q' and 'Mojo' this is because on the front cover they always have one main image which i also have. However i challenge these forms when using an unknown artist on the front cover, as most magazines use a well known artist who will entice people to buy this magazine. Another way that i follow the conventions is the magazine name, which is "Bass Line" with bold text, other music magazines have a bold title and this is brand loyalty, people buying magazines because of the producer for example 'Q'. Buzz words used for example 'exclusive' also uses the conventions of other magazines because this entices people to buy the magazine, these words give connotations of never seen before gossip and stories.

On the contents page i have developed the conventions of real media products with a main image, faded this creates a lot of the acoustic effect with the guitar and shows my skills on Photoshop. In some ways i feel the contents page goes against the conventions of a music magazine because it is very neat and after looking at others it shows the differences between them.

The double page spread is also very much following and using the conventions of other music magazines this is because there is a few more images but one image is the focus on the page. the band name is normally at the top which i have done and the text is in sections and can be questions and answers like i have done.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product represents 'teen's' and 'indie' people in a positive way, having a young acoustic style boy on the frontcover shows how young people can achieve their dreams. As well as how the 'indie' and 'acoustic' artists are very popular today and have made a lot of progress in the music business.

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

When making my music magazine i had to consider who would distribute this magazine and which company would be able to make it very successful. I did some research and found that the Bauer Media Group were very successful and would want them to distribute my magazine. I found that this company distributes 'Q' and 'Kerrang', these are very successful music magazines and shows that they know what they are doing when it comes to distributing music magazines. There is a gap in the market for 'acoustic' magazines so there will not be much competition.

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

Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience for my music magazine is a wider audience with young people who like acoustic types of music like 'James Morrison' and older people who also like this type of music. This magazine will appeal to my audience as it will highlight new songs and show backstage stories about the artists.

How did you attract/address your audience?

To attract my audience i used an 'indie' style boy on the front cover, with a guitar showing the acoustic genre. This immediately indicates that this magazine is acoustic. Using the questionnaire results i took into account what my audience was looking for in a music magazine and the colours they would like to be used. The black and white theme created a lot of effect and made the magazine look professional as well as giving it that 'indie' style.

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

To create my music magazine i used Photoshop i was not very familiar with this program but using it for my magazine allowed me to learn. For the first few hours i had a play round trying to get used to it and then finally made my magazine. I edited all my pictures using this and i think it made a lot of effect for example when i changed the front cover to black and white it created that acoustic style i was after.

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

When looking back at the preliminary task it shows how much i have developed my skills from then and now. In preliminary task i felt the picture was not very good as the editing skills were very weak as i was just learning at that point. You can see the change when looking at my preliminary task and final product. On the final task i used a lot of editing skills on the picture for example i changed the colour to black and white, sharpened the image and many more i also cut round the person because i felt the background took the effect of the image and a plain black background looks a lot better.

Final products

Double page spread evaluation.

Please click on text image to see double page spread evaluation.

Contents page evaluation.

Please click on text image to see contents page evaluation.

Front page evaluation.

Please click on the text image to read front page evaluation.

Original picture and my edited picture.

As you can see i have edited the picture changing it to black and white and cut round the image; this creates more effect and gives it more of an acoustic feel.

Comparing my finished preliminary task with St Ambrose Barlow front cover.

When comparing my finished front page and St Ambrose Barlow magazine front covers i found many differences, i had chosen to make mine into a magazine and they designed theres like a newspaper.

We both used school logos to show a sense of group identity and a mast head to grab the readers attention. The use of colour schemes to mirror the school logo's was also used on both.

Overall i think my front cover of the magazine meets its intended audience and gives a sense of identity for the school as a whole showing all its achievements for both school productions and academic subjects.

Preliminary research.

When looking at the St Ambrose Barlow news letter they have a lot of features relate to school life.

The school's logo is on the top of the page showing a group identity and the colours used matches the schools colour scheme. Hints of green are used to show enviroment and gives connotations of a well looked after school.

The text format is in a newsletter style making it look formal and it is written by a student showing its audience is mainly aimed for the students.

The before and after shots are very different: one is a long shot showing the school very dull and the other is a medium shot showing the school being green and picturesque.

After looking at this i will be able to finish my own school magazine for my preliminary task. I will use different graphology because i dont like the layout and my audience i feel would prefer me to set it out in a different way as it will catch their eye. The text would be set out differently as i would like it to be easier and faster to read. For my own school magazine front cover i will use a logo and mast head following this front cover.

Questionnaire results.

With these results it allows me to create a magazine which targets my audience.

My preliminary task contents page!

This is how i would like my contents page for my preliminary tasks school magazine. I have briefly designed it with pictures i have chosen to feature; these pictures i have used are from the deyes high school website.

I have included important pages with all sorts of different information to appeal to a lot of different audiences.

The school logo has been included to allow the students to feel part of the school and recognise its the school's magazine. This gives a sense of group identity.

My School Magazine Front Page finished!

This is the finished front page of my preliminary task 'School magazine'.

I have added a title at the top saying "whats new with... Deyes High" this title is aimed towards a younger audience, giving connotations of a young and new magazine.

I have then added my medium close up picture which is of a girl working, giving connotations of an academic school.

I have included the logo on the front cover to give connotations of a group identity showing they belong to a school community.

Writing which is advertising the school production of Grease is included on the front page, makes people want to read on incase any information about the production is included. This also entices people to take part in the production or to go and watch the show.

I have then used pictures from the internet to cover different areas from school with captions. These are used to entice all different types of groups in school life.

My preliminary task front page draft!

For my preliminary task i have made a school magazine. This is my draft I have made this draft on publisher but when creating this i will create it on photoshop.
Please make any comments about this thanks.

Double Page spread analysis of Q magazine!

I have analysed this two page spread as i felt it would be useful for when i design my own. I can look at the structure and graphology.

The image used shows Shakira sitting in a studio working, indicates her working on her music. Smaller pictures are scattered of her in the She Wolf music video and another of her body with her hand used as a claw, these pictures break up the text and makes it more interesting.

Headings used "access all areas" makes people want to read on as it gives connotations of exclusive and backstage gossip.

I looked at a double page spread of an article from Q magazine, this is very different from the Doves article. This is about a single artist "Shakira" and reviews the singer explaining how she has produced her albums and explaining that there are a lot more to come. Talking specifically about her new song "she wolf", you can see this when the artical states "key players on She Wolf include Williams, Wyclef Jean and Santogold collaborator John Hill, each bringing sophisticated beats, soulful ballads and super-charged electro-pop to the party." Which shows how well thoughtout and planned this track was; showing Shakira's desire to appeal to a wider audience.

This article then changes in to a interview format when Shakira says "I used to be a shy girl, but hey i'm 32 now and i feel compelled to express my thoughts and feelings in a way i might have been more afraid to do in the past." This shows an insight into her life and makes readers feel it is an exclusive interview.

Then they use advertising format saying "The track is due for release as the album's first single in september". This is used to inform the general public about the track and when they can buy it.

My analysis of the Doves double page spread!

I have analysed a double page spread from the Mojo Magazine featuring the Kings of Leon on the front cover.

When looking at this double page spread i noticed many things the pictures are scattered around on the page mixing images and text together making the page look more interesting. The main picture is a member of the band playing the guitar with the lighting contrasting the title "Two nights in bird land", which is also a pun headline as the band is called Doves. The other images in black and white gives connotations of tough and shows they are more of a old band.

When looking at the structure of the article it starts off as a review of the Doves and then goes on to talk about the biography. The use of rhetorical questions such as "do you know what i mean?" suggests this was part of an interview talking to the band. Then a discussion about one of the band members dad being a rockstar and him following in his footsteps. Journalisic comments are made throughout the peice such as "that it has" shows them agreeing with the band. A lot of the speech is very colloquial showing it was a relaxed interview and reflects there background. The mention of other artist such as Lady Gaga shows context for a younger audiences.

Finally the little section on the bottom right hand side uses a lot more taboo language which is a lot more informal.

My analysis of NME contents page!

After looking at Q's contents page i looked at NME and noticed that this magazine's contents page is a lot more cluttered and doesnt look as professional.

The image is in the centre of the page and stands out, with a band index on the left hand side.

On the right hand side all the sections are split up so readers can find the stories that interest them.

I also noticed that they include information about how to suscribe to get the magazine.

The use of the words "plus" entices an audience to buy this magazine as it makes them want to read on and makes them feel like they are getting an offer.

My analysis of Q contents page!

I am now looking at starting to create a contents page as i have ideas for my front page. I began by looking at contents pages for different magazines and the layout, Q contents pages are all structured in the same way.


Including a picture on the right hand side of a band featured attracting your attention, including the page number where this band is featured.


A title "features" on the left in red making it stand out with all the different artists and stories included with page numbers and a slight story indicating what will be on this page.


Underneath it includes a band special and this time is an "Oasis special" including interviews, exclusive pictures and songs mentioned.


Underneath this i have noticed there is a section again in red saying "Every Month" which includes Q mail, subscriptions and a crossword; this will be kept the same every month as it is included in every issue.


There is another section split up called review which will be reviewing all the music as it states "the world's biggest and best music guide". This section is also neatly laid out and includes another image.


Altogether the layout of Q's contents page very effective being neat and splitting the sections up to allow readers to find pages easily.

My written analysis of Mojo magazine front cover!

When looking at the front cover of Mojo magazine the title is always kept the same, this helps the readers identify the magazine from others.

The colour scheme is always changed depending on the artist, most are black and white with a hint of colour. This one for example as the Kings of Leon CD uses green a lot the magazine also reflects this with the green colour scheme.

This magazine always neat and professional looking and gives connoatations of being a up market magazine.

The picture of the Kings of Leon with the main singer in the front draws your attention straight to the picture, the main singer is the most attractive also so can attract a female audience. Using black and white for the band gives them more of a 'rugged' look.

The use of words like "exclusive" and "free" makes people feel as if they are getting an offer or brand new stories and exclusive access these words convey hidden meanings tempting people to want to read the magazine.

The phrase "On the road with the world's biggest rock band!" also entices an audience as they may want to get to know the new up and coming rock band.

The mention of different artists also widens the audience; Sex pistols can entice a bigger audience as it is a well known group and more for the older generation.

My analysis of Mojo magazine.

Before going on to write up my analysis of Mojo magazine i have wrote notes to include. Here i have noticed key features of the magazine which will enable me to look at the layout of front covers.

Case study on artist that fits my genre.

Case study on James Morrison

For my artist on the front cover of my magazine, I have chosen a single artist who plays the acoustic guitar. His genre would follow James Morrison's which is soft rock, using only his guitar and voice.
James Morrison was born in Britain and is a huge hit with his debut single in 2006 “you give me something” which was very popular in Europe, Australia and Japan. James Morrison followed a very similar life to my artist who is featured on my front cover, learning as a teenager he progressed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Morrison_(singer)
I found some useful information about this artist on this website and used some of the information.
Looking at a professional artist helped me follow this style in creating my magazine. Please make any comments thanks!

Labelled analysis of Q magazine front cover

This is a front cover which i labelled first before writing my analysis of it, i labelled the key features which i noticed this magazine had used.

Analysis of Q magazine front cover!

I have now done some research about different music magazines. I have looked at front covers of Q, Mojo, Kerrang, Rolling Stones, DJ and NME.

The front cover of Q has included the logo in the top left hand corner which is very common with this magazine. The logo uses the same colours in every magazine, this is so the audience can relate to the front cover.

The picture of Lily Allen topless attracts more of a male audience, although females like the singer Lily Allen so will still be interested in the magazine. The images of the animals with Lily Allen and a caption saying sexy beast; can be a play on words as it could mean either about the animals or calling Lily Allen a sexy beast.

A title saying "Lily Allen and her wicked, wicked ways..." is an interesting title and will entice both a male and female audience; making people want to read on.

Different artists mentioned on the front cover is another way to attract a wider audience, as people may want to find out information and gossip about these singers.

Using words like "exclusive" gives connotations of never seen before information and pictures; so still attracts an audience.

This magazine title also mentions movies this will appeal to people and make this audience even wider, but making sure it links in with the magazine it is "greatest rock movies".

Please leave any comments. Thanks =)

Welcome to my AS coursework media blog (lauren filson)

In year 12 i have had a set task of creating two magazines.
One of which was a preliminary task to create a school magazine's front cover and contents page. The one key task which was asked of this magazine was to include a medium close up shot; everything else will be justified.
The main task was to create a music magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread. Showing good editing and photography skills.
I have chosen to post my media coursework on here as i would like people to leave comments and see how i am getting on with the task.
I am planning on creating my preliminary task first making sure everything i do to this is justified. I will then go on to do some research for a music magazine, i will annotate many music magazines for example Q and Mojo, this will help me to focus on how these types of magazines are set out.
Thankyou for reading have a look and leave comments, Lauren Filson