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

products?

1 – The Title of the Magazine I opted for a conventional masthead for my magazine. The font is

simple like other music magazines currently on the market, it is especially similar to that of Kerrang!. The colour of the text is black in order to follow the black, white and red colour scheme of the cover. The name of the magazine itself was carefully considered by myself, and then chosen by my target audience in my survey. It is short and snappy, and in fitting with the rock genre. The definition of ‘uproar’ is “a noisy excitement and confusion”, which could be one of describing rock music. The lines through the masthead were inspired by Kerrang!, they give the masthead more of an edgy, rock vibe. This helps to follow the conventions of a rock music magazine. I also added effects to the masthead such as emboss and satin to create a subtle crackly effect and make the characters un-level. This slight difference in the level of the characters is not a normal convention of rock music magazines, therefore my masthead challenges conventions slightly. But the visual impact should increase audience interest.

2- Mise-en-scene of images

My images are in fitting with the rock magazine genre. The settings of a park (with a Skater Park and grey wall with barbed wire), and an underpass are somewhat ‘dangerous’, which relates to rock music. In NME, the setting of a park is used. For the shoots, I told my cast to look serious, almost as if they were angry, which is how ‘The Vaccines’ and ‘Corey Taylor’ both look on the front of NME and Kerrang!.

There are also images of bands in concert in music magazine content pages and articles. I have included images like this, which I have taken from various gigs, in my magazine.

3- Costumes, Props and Make up

I have dressed the people in my images in clothing that reflects the rock magazine genre. For instance, the band wear predominantly black, a lot of leather, and heavy eye make up. The ‘front man’ of the band wears a red shirt however, which makes him stand out more than the others. This is also done to give the image a main focus, and to also comply with the colour scheme. In the images used of the band, the guitarist wears aviator sunglasses, which I had previously noticed were used quite a lot in popular rock magazines. E.g…

The female solo artist wears leopard print and black leather, which is also in keeping with the genre and follows conventions. Her hair is in a ‘quiff’ which is a punky hairstyle, and conventional for women in the genre.

4 – People I chose to keep the people on my front cover conventional.

There are four band members which is a common number for a rock band i.e. on the cover of NME analyzed, there are 4 men in the band. The band on the cover, however, challenge conventions by being a bit younger than real bands on covers, however I feel as though this will appeal to my younger target audience more than an older band might.

I do challenge conventions in my contents page, where the largest image is of a female. Women are included in rock magazines, as seen in NME, however, are not usually as bold in doing so. I did this to make it clear that my magazine is aimed at both males and females, in the hope that it would appeal to them both.

5- Title Font and Style All of the fonts used throughout

my magazine are bold and fairly simple. This follows conventions of rock music magazines. Throughout, my magazine uses text which is outlined in either black or white. This is sometimes done purely for effect and to stand out, but other times this is done to make text visible to the reader. Here are some examples of where this is used…

Outlining is used to make text visible...

Outlining is used for effect...

6- Written Content The written content of the letter from the editor is chatty and

informal and has a friendly tone like the letter in Kerrang!. The language in the features articles also follows conventions

of an interview in rock magazines. The language used is very informal with the occasional swear word and slang is included.

This appeals to my young target audience who are likely to use informal slang and occasional swear themselves.

Here is an example of where this is used in Kerrang!..

7- Music genre and how my magazine suggests it…

My magazine follows the rock genre but can sometimes drift slightly into the indie genre because of the influence of NME.

The mise-en-scene, however, generally suggests that my magazine is in the rock genre. The red, black and white layout of the front cover is a typical rock colour scheme, as is the black and yellow. Both of these connote danger and violence (as discussed in my research), which are both related to the rock genre.

Blue is also used which is typically a masculine colour, relating to rock music in general.

8 – Layout

The layout of my magazine is also very conventional. It includes various text and shapes, which are positioned at an angle on the page. This adds visual impact that appeals to the target audience. However my magazine challenges this in that there are no images positioned at angles.

9 – Front CoverFrom my research and looking at conventions, I decided that I wanted to include the

following, Harsh colour scheme (preferably red, black and white) – Included in my work. Represents

the rock genre well. A selling line at the top of the page – I included a selling line telling readers that they can

win a signed CD. A simple, yet interesting main image, maybe drained of colour slightly - I included a

simple yet interesting image. I also drained the colour slightly from the original. A consistent bold font throughout – All fonts were bold. Capitalised font throughout – All text was in capital letters. At least one or two other images (apart from the main image) to advertise what is inside

– Included. At least three cover lines (not including the main cover line) – Included. There is also a

part at the bottom which states some of the other bands featured in the magazine. A male band or artist on the cover – Male band chosen. Slanted angles to add interest – There are slanted angles which create aesthetical value

and capture the eyes of a young audience. A clear bar code – Included. This includes the issue number, date, price in sterling and

price in euros which are a convention.

10 – Contents PageFrom my research and looking at conventions, I decided that I wanted to include the

following, Colour scheme following on from the front cover – However I differed the colour scheme

for visual impact as Kerrang! did. Columns – I made sure that my contents page included columns for a clear and

conventional layout. Page numbers – My contents included page numbers Large heading – Included in my work. This is to make it clear what the page was for. Subscription advertisement with images of previous issues – Unfortunately I did not

have enough time to do this. If I had more time, I would have included this. Therefore, my magazine challenges this convention. This might not be a negative thing, because a younger target audience might be less likely to pay for monthly magazine subscriptions.

All capital letters – I followed this convention. Capital letters look harsher and bolder on the page.

Quotations from articles – I included this in my contents and page and in my front cover. This encourages people to read the magazine contents.

Letter from the editor/editorial – Included. Different sections/headings for a clearer layout – I followed a grid-like format in order to

make the layout clear and easy to navigate around, like in both Kerrang! and NME.

11 – Features ArticleFrom my research and looking at conventions, I decided that I wanted to include the

following, A page number at the bottom right hand side of at least one page with the magazine

title next to it – Included. This makes the magazine easier to navigate through. A big bold heading at the top of the page – Included. Uses a crackly font to look edgy

and draw attention. An introduction underneath the main heading – I have included an introduction which

follows conventions. Columns - Included for clarity and convention. 2/3rds of the two pages taken up by a main image – Included. This is eye-grabbing. Shapes – I didn’t use any random shapes in my features article. Perhaps if i’d had more

time, I would have done so. Connections to the front cover and/or contents page – This is done via the small

masthead (which is the same as that on the front cover and contents) in the right-hand corner with the page number.

Quotations – Included and layered over the image. A separate text box with separate text – Included to break up the structure of the article

to add appeal to a young audience.