Question 1

1
Question 1

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

2
Strapline/selling line
Masthead
Issue number
Feature Article Photo
Direct mode of address
Direct mode of address
Headline
Kickers
Anchorage
Menu Strip
Plug
Bar Code
Date Line
Flash
3
I also used anchorage as the quiz links with the
feature article photo and the headline. I used
this because it shows all 3 members to choose
which one you are most like.
On my cover page I used a masthead because it is
a main convention used on all magazines.
Therefore I conformed to the conventions of a
magazine. Another convention I followed was to
make the masthead the biggest text on the cover
page.
I added a menu strip to the bottom of the page as
the magazine I was basing my cover page off used
this and if I havent have placed that here then
I dont know what I would have placed in the
space. Therefore, I think using the menu strip
payed off and adds to the feel of the cover page.
In the menu strip I used a flash to introduce the
menu strip.
I used a strapline/selling line because most
indie magazines use one and also it works well
with the masthead. I used the same colours for
the strapline/selling line and the flash because
they are at the top and bottom of the magazine
and I think this looks best if the text is the
same colour and the boxes behind are the same
colour as it adds to the house style of the
magazine.
I used a plug because it shows that the magazine
is worth looking at as you can win items from
entering a competition.
4
I used a feature article photo as again this is a
main convention to follow. In the feature article
photo the direct mode of address used shows that
the models are confident and connects with the
audience. The direct mode of address used shows
that the models are confident with the cameras
and shows that they have some Attitude. When
taking this shot I changed the look of the photo
as their eyes arent in the top third of the
photo or the cover page. However, when looking at
the magazine the main feature that you look at is
their eyes and so therefore I think that me
changing this convention slightly has created a
really good cover page photo. I also thought
about mise-en-scene which literally means set on
stage which includes thinking about the
lighting, props and clothing when taking the
image. I thought about their clothing as I wanted
them mainly in either black, white or red as this
is my house style for the magazine.
I also used a headline because I needed to link
the kickers with the image and the image needed
some text explaining whether this was going to be
the exclusive interview on the double page
spread. I changed the colour of the text and the
boxes behind because it stands out as being the
headline. I did have it all the same and then
decided to change it as it would make it clearer
that the first band mentioned was the headline
and linked with the feature article photo.
I placed the issue number on the right hand side
under the masthead because on most magazines they
are placed here.
I put the date line underneath the barcode
because it looks most effective here as in indie
rock magazines the barcode and date line are
usually placed together.
Additionally, I used a bar code as all magazine
have to have a barcode somewhere on the page. I
placed it in the bottom corner because it is
usually placed in the corner of a magazine.
5
Dateline
Section Header
Divider
Navigation Panel (with header)
Main Feature (with inset pictures)
Pictorial insets (of highlights exclusives)
Numbered itemised list
Page numbers
Subscription box
Signed Editorial
6
On my contents page I used the house style to
make sure the pages looked like they belonged to
the same magazine. I did this by using the same
colours from the rest of the pages which were
red, black and white and these colours link to
indie rock music (the genre of music used).
However, I added the colour yellow to the
description box at the bottom of the page because
I needed a new colour that was vibrant. On a
Kerrang contents page there was a subscription
box that had different coloured information and I
thought that it would work on my contents page as
they were similarly styled. My section header
uses the colour red in the A as this was used
in the initial title for my magazine.
Additionally, I have used a section of white
space to the right of my navigation panel as it
adds to the impact and appeal but I didnt use
this intentionally, I placed the news at the top
as I had seen a Kerrang magazine that used this
style and so I used this to base my ideas off.
The smaller named bands just happened to be in
the news category and so the white space was
left. However, I dont want to place anything in
the gap as it is quite a small gap and whatever
would be there wouldnt be seen clearly but also
that it would ruin the whole impact and style of
the contents page.
I have used pictorial insets of highlights and
exclusives because I needed some other images on
the page apart from the main feature. When taking
these images I thought about mise-en-scene, so I
had to think about everything set up in
photograph before shooting. Therefore, I asked my
model to wear a certain outfit that linked with
indie rock music and the props used in the
photos. Another convention used are page
numbers. I used these so that the images used in
the contents page have links to the navigation
panel.
7
I also added a signed editorial as every magazine
has one of these. I added a photo also so that
the audience can see what the editor looks like
and again most magazines have one. I used the
same Kerrang magazine mentioned earlier to decide
how to present the text and image belonging to
the editorial. I used a different font to sign
the editorial off as again most indie rock
magazines do this and so that it looks like the
editor has actually written this by hand.
I used a navigation bar to address to the reader
what is included in the magazine and I also used
a numbered itemised list which tells the reader
which page they might want to read if they are
specifically looking for something they are
interested in.
I used dividers throughout all the pages of the
magazine, this reinforces the house style as I
have kept the same colour and thickness of border
throughout.
I also added a dateline so that I stuck to the
main conventions. It also shows the reader when
the magazine is released and keep track to where
they are in there collection, as they may decide
to collect this type of magazine. I placed it on
one side because I had a gap at the end of the
section header and thought that the dateline
would still be able to be read on one side.
Another convention I used was a main feature
article as this is the biggest image on the page
but also links with my article used. I did this
so that the magazine had some links throughout
all the pages as well as the house style.
8
Headline
Leading text
Masthead
Banner
Pull Quote
Dropped Capital
Graphic Feature
Columns
Background Photo
Dividers
9
On my double page spread I used a banner because
the audience may need to know what section of the
magazine they are in.
I also used dividers because they have separated
the columns of text up in the article. I also
used these because they have been used in all the
other pages and this keeps the style of the pages
the same.
I used columns as this is typically used on a
magazine for an article. I also think it is a
good way of presenting the text on a double page
spread. I used a dropped capital for my text
because usually magazines use these.
Additionally, I think it makes the page look
professional.
I used a pull quote because I needed some extra
writing on the left page but I also think it adds
to the overall feel and look of the whole
magazine. I used a graphic feature in the pull
quote as in some magazines they use graphic
features and I thought I could use this idea on
my double page spread.
10
I used a headline on this page because it is a
main convention that is normally used on all
magazines. Therefore, I thought I should include
this convention on my double page spread. I also
used leading text because it introduces the
exclusive interview and it also fills in a gap
that I would have had spare.
I also used a background photo because my double
page spread needed an image in the background
that linked with the headline on the cover page.
I used the shot of my model close up because the
use of direct mode of address illustrates that
she is confident but also comfortable with the
camera being close to her face which links with
the title of the magazine, Attitude. When
deciding on where to take the photo I thought
about mise-en-scene. One of the things to think
about when choosing where to take your photo is
lighting. I thought about the lighting when
taking this image because I wanted the natural
light to hit her face at the right angle.
The masthead used is the letter A which I used
because the title of my magazine is called
Attitude and so the A is the section of the
title that is used on all pages.
I additionally thought about the rule of thirds,
I wanted her eyes to be slightly below the top
third. Usually in magazines the eyes are
positioned in the top third. However, I wanted to
do something slightly different and so I
positioned them just under the top third. I think
this works with my magazine as the eyes are just
below her name on the opposite page. I used the
background for my model as outside as I thought
that the colours of the sky and the blue section
at the top of the opposite page. I blurred the
background that my model is stood at because it
adds effect to the overall feel and look of the
page but also the whole magazine.