Final Products

Front Cover:

Contents Page:

Double Page Spread:

Evaluation Question 7

Below is my final question answered for my evaluation:

FP Question 7 from Dylan0akes

Evaluation Question 6

Below is my sixth question for my evaluation:

Evaluation Question 4 and Question 5

Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

My main target audiences were of a demographic of 16-22 who liked popular/mainstream genres of both genders. My audience would also appreciate many different styles of genres that come under the 'popular' music umbrella for example, indie, hip-hop, R&B, rock and pop. Below is a mood board of my main artist that I made during research:

This mood board showed artists and styles that would be classed as 'popular' and 'mainstream' in modern society although it has a slightly more indie background towards it. 

Using the 'Uses and Gratifications Theory' I wanted to create a music magazine that was to be used by my audience as a form of escapism. This part of my target audience was for the people who want this escapism in a media product. I have done this by making my media product interesting and captivating so they can divert from real life. Additionally, I have tried to make my main artist to be seen as a role model that people can create their own personal identity from. Most importantly, I wanted my target audience to be those who enjoy to read a music magazine and those who use it as a form of entertainment. Again, I feel as though by using exciting colours and captivating pictures I have made my product into a form of entertainment. 

My intended audience would have quite open ideologies about music. Most importantly, they would be accepting of different music styles rather than devoted to just one music style - this would mean they would by a music magazine devoted solely to that style. Additionally, they would be a lover of music festivals as there is a festival section. This is due to my use of 'The Ultimate Festival Guide' cover line on the front cover. 

My main artist was the most important aspect about my magazine this is because this would indicate and attract my audience the most. I have made my artist young - which fits the demographic and have an interesting back story - being on a popular TV show. This implies that my audience would be of this type of age as they would appeal to someone of similar age and by having an interesting back story I would be having an audience who tend to like to read about new stars and someone who is popular and well-known. 

I believe that this audience that I've chosen is appropriate for the product that I have created. This is because it's wide enough for me to make a reasonable amount of profits. Also it's not too narrow to match my product. It is appropriate as it is aimed at many genres so therefore it has to be wide to be able to appeal to the right amount of people. 

Question 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?

All of my intended audience is listed above in question 4. 

Firstly, in terms of general attraction of my audience - I believe I have carried this out well. I have used interesting colours which are eye-catching and would make someone want to read the magazine. Also I have used interesting typographies which would also make someone want to read my magazine. These types of features are what the audience would expect from a magazine - to be inviting an exciting. Below are some screen shot of how I have attracted an audience. 

• The colours I have used on my front cover and throughout my magazine are orange, blue, black and white. These colours stand out on the page and are exciting. 
• The typography I have used is also quite exiting. The 'Flynn Wills' typography stands out as it is different and looks as if it is handwritten - this is the kind of thing the audience would expect from a music magazine (a personal type of touch).
• Additionally, my main artist looks intriguing, cool and exciting as well. The audience would look at this artist and want to read about him. Also he is looking straight at the audience by using a direct gaze. This also allows to make connections with the audience.
• Lastly, the cover lines used are quite exacting too and inviting. For example 'The best 50 hip-hop songs' and the incentive cover line of a chance to win a year of spotify premium.

The demographic of my target audience was 16-22. I believe that I have addressed this part of my audience quite well. Firstly the colours of the magazine imply that this magazine is targeted at this demographic. If it was a younger audience the colours would be brighter and more fun-looking. And if it was for an older audience the colours used would be more sophisticated. Also, all of my artist on my contents page are all of this demographic. This ultimately appeals to this demographic if the artists involved are of the demographic. Below is my contents page which indicates this. Additionally the amount of text on the page also connotes the demographic that I have targeted. If this was targeted 

at a younger demographic the amount of text used would be minimal. And if it was targeted at an older demographic then there would probably be a lot more text. As my demographic is around teenager to young adult I have gone for a mix between picture and text so there is just the right balance. Other ways that I have addressed the demographic is through the mise-en-scene that I have used. My main artist is wearing clothes that would be considered as 'young' type clothing and would appeal to the demographic. The sun glasses, shirt, t-shirt and jeans would be typical for that demographic. Therefore by including this I have targeted this attracted this demographic. This could be classes as a semantic code in regards to Barthes' 5 code theory as it is suggesting a connoting the demographic that I am targeting. Or it could be a symbolic code as the mise-en-scene used is symbolising the type of clothing that this demographic wears and therefore connoting those ages. The audience would usually expect the music magazine to use codes that connote their age group. They would expect the artists to be of their ages so they can make personal connections with them. Also they would expect things to be included of what they like. For example the colours I have used match the demographic so therefore the audience would expect the magazine to look in this kind of way so that it appeals to them.

Another aspect of my target audience was to attract both male and females. The first way that I have carried this out is through the use of both male and female artists within my music magazine. This is present on my contents page. This will ultimately attract both genders, especially by using both genders on my contents page as this is one of the pages the reader would look at before purchasing the magazine. Additionally, on the front cover and contents page I have included both male and females names so therefore also attracting both genders. In addition to this the house style used is non-gender specific. Below is my front cover, contents page and DPS to show this:

• The house style colours I have used throughout the music magazine are orange, blue, black and white.
• I have used around 5 different fonts throughout.

Both of these aspects of house style indicate how my music magazine attracts both genders. The 4 colours I have used throughout are all colours that apply to both genders and would attract both genders. This is because they're all neutral colours that aren't exactly of a specific gender. Colours for boys would typically be darker colours including red, green and a darker blue. Girls would stereotypically be associated with pink, purple and a lighter blue as well. Furthermore, the typography I have used throughout my music magazine also indicate a gender-neutral feel. All of the fonts don't connote a certain gender and there is a mixture of both. So therefore this would also attract both sexes. I believe that I have effectively attracted both genders which was my aim. 

My target genre for my music magazine was for popular/mainstream music including multiple popular genres. I believe that I have carried this out successfully. Firstly, the mise-en-scene that I have included doesn't have specific genre connotations. 

For example my main artist on my front cover is wearing a shirt, a watch and some sun glasses. This could be considered as casual wear and what is most 'popular' and 'mainstream' of this time period. The clothing that my main artist is wearing would not be considered as specifically hip-hop or indie or rock but just what most people are wearing today, therefore I have achieved a 'mainstream' sort of look. Additionally my front cover shows different elements of different genres and therefore implying my 'multi-genre' goal:

• 'The best Hip-Hop songs of 2015'
• 'The ultimate festival guide' - includes many festivals from different genres.
• 'R&B through time'
• 'Modern Rock era'
• 'Country classics'

These elements of my front cover indicate that I have successfully included different genres which was my aim. Therefore, I believe that I have been successful in attracting my target genre which was multi-genre. 

In question 4 I referred to the Uses and Gratifications Theory. I said that I wanted my audience to be able to use my music magazine as a form of escapism, entertainment and to be able to create a personal identity from my main artist. My double page spread shows all of this:

• Firstly this could be used as a form of escapism due to the audience reading the interview and diverting themselves from the real world by reading about this artist. 
• Secondly this can be definitely used as a form of entertainment as reading about an artist is entertaining for those who like music magazines. By using this amount of text too it is not too boring and tedious and still entertaining. 
• Lastly, by using an interview on my double page spread, the audience can get to know this artist and they're able to create their own personal identity from finding out about this artist and connecting with him on a more personal level. Therefore, I believe I am successful in attracting an audience who want to be entertained by a music magazine as well as escaping from the real world and possibly creating their own personal identity. 

Lastly, the language that I have used throughout my music magazine will also attract my target audience.

For example by using this pull quote on my front cover makes excitement for the audience to find out more about this. Using the word 'crazy' also targets my demographic as it is the sort of words they would use and it also seem interesting.

Also by using 'the best' also attracts my audience as it also sounds exciting and intriguing. This would make my audience want to find out what songs are considered the best of 2015. Therefore, by using these language techniques I have attracted a general audience as my magazine sound exciting an intriguing and makes the audience want to find out more. 

Things that I could have made a lot better is the clarity of what my main character was trying to represent. Although I believe that my main artist attracts my target audience I could have done it a little bit better. Using Stuart Hall's Reception Theory I believe that my main character could have an oppositional reading as well as the dominant reading. The dominant reading that I would have liked to be noticed is the fact that my main artist is a star (using Dyer's Star Theory) and has a celebrity status. However, due to the mise-en-scen used, they may have been a oppositional reading. This is due to the clothing as he is wearing a jacket, jeans and non-branded clothing. This could be a connotation of someone who is just a 'normal' person and doesn't have the 'star' status. Therefore I believe that my audience could have the oppositional reading that my main artist is not a star and he is just a 'regular' person. This is definitely an area I could have improved on as music magazine usually represent their main artists as 'stars' and if my audience doesn't think this then I have not achieved my aim. 

To conclude, I strongly believe that my music magazine has attracted my target audience extremely well. Each aspect of my target audience (age, gender, genre...) have all been dealt with individually to attract each section. Additionally, I have also attracted those who use music magazines for entertainment, escapism and a way to form a personal identity.

Evaluation Question 3

Below is a Prezi of my third evaluation question:

Evaluation Question 2

Below is my answered second evaluation question:

Question 2 from Dylan0akes

Evaluation Question 1

My first evaluation question is below presented in a Prezi:

DPS First Drafts

Below is my first draft for my double page spread:



After receiving some feedback from my teacher, I changed it slightly:



This is slightly more creative, there's more Q and A's and the space is used much better. 

Contents Page Re-Done

After some feedback and re-visiting of my contents page I have decided to amend some of the pictures and the text.

Below is the re-done contents page:

Contents Page First Draft

I have been working on my contents page for my music magazine. Below is my first draft of my contents page:

Front Cover Progress

Below is my first draft of my front cover:

However, after receiving some feedback of my cover I have re-thought the look and the layout of the cover.

Below is my re-worked front cover:

Front Cover Image

For my front cover image I have chosen to use this photo from my photo shoot:

I have cut out this image, placed it on a white background, made the glasses darker to prevent the reflection image, made his skin a little bit darker and lightened up the shirt slightly using photoshop:

As hair is particularly hard to cut out, I watched a YouTube video to assist me in cutting out his hair. - I used this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ2ONalr2yE

Location of the Photo Shoot

For my photo shoot I chose one main location with multiples areas within it. Below are some images from the area which I took the majority of my photos:

I also took photos in other locations but this was my main location for my main artist. 

Research into Nikon D3200

The Nikon D3200 is the SLR that I will be using for my photo shoot. To enhance my understanding of the camera I have researched into it so I can produce a wide range of high-quality images. I have used http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D3200_EN.pdf to acquire the information about this SLR.

"Scene Modes":

• Additionally to this there is also the auto and flash off mode. - Flash off mode will be used for when I do not want the camera's flash in the image.
• For my photo shoot I will be most likely using Auto, Flash Off, Portrait and the Landscape mode (for taking images of the location).

Recording:

• I intend to post a blog post on my chosen locations for my photo shoots. So I have decided to record the surroundings on the SLR. To do this I need to learn how to record.
• By using the guide from the internet I have found that I need to start the camera as usual, pick my mode and then press the button with the red dot on the top part of the camera. This will then start to record. To stop recording I need to press the same button once more. 

Apart from these aspects, I believe that the SLR is fairly easy to use as I have used similar cameras to this one. So therefore I don't need to research into the basics of this SLR. 

Still Image and Mise-en-Scene Plans

Before my photo shoot I have thought about where I am going to take the images. However I need to decide what types of shots (i.e. medium shots, long...) and the mise-en-scene that will be in each shot.

Below is a Haiku Deck of what I intend to do on my front cover, DPS and contents page in terms of shot types, location and mise-en-scene:


NOTE: These ideas are not definite. I will be using these ideas as a fairly rough outline and they give me a place to start when taking my images. 

Location of My Photo Shoot

I have made a mood board which contains indie artists in a 'rural' location. For my music magazine I am going to take my photos in this rural-type area. Indie artists tend to have photo shoots in these areas, hence why I am going to also conduct my main photo shoot (for my front cover and DPS) in a countryside location. 

This mood board indicates how popular indie artists have multiple photo shoots in countryside locations:

• This mood board that I've created indicates how Indie bands all have their photo shoots in rural areas and it seems to be a popular and a reoccurring theme.  
• Although my main artist is a solo artist, this still applies and is still relevant as it acts as a convention for the indie genre. 
• Additionally to this there are other locations which indie bands do take photos in. However I have chosen to pick this sort of location for my main images for my music magazine, as I believe that they will produce the best images for my magazine.
• My music magazine will contain some images of this rural-type setting but it will also contain other locations (yet to be decided) for my contents page to increase variety and to also increase genres within my magazine as it is a multi-genre music magazine. 

Masthead Ideas

My masthead will be the first thing that the reader will see on the front cover so it is vital that is stands out. I have made some possible masthead styles and I am going to ask some people which ones they prefer. 

Below are the masthead styles that I have made (the colours of the masthead are not yet confirmed):

• After asking my peers and teachers I have decided that the best and most favourable masthead style is this masthead:

Main Artist Profile

My main artist will be the most important character of my music magazine. I have created a presentation which shows the details about my main artist including his name, genre, where he will be featured on my magazine and his back story with ideas on what the interview on the double page spread will be about. 

Main Artist Profile from Dylan0akes

Alteration of Brand Name and Slogan

To prevent repetition of the word 'fuse' I have decided to combine the brand name of my music magazine with my slogan. 

Previous Name: FUSE

Previous Slogan: Great Music - Fused!

Instead of this I am going to change my brand name so it will now be: 'FUSED'. Doing this will allow me to incorporate the slogan 'Great Music - Fused!' into the masthead rather than repeating the 'fused' again. So along side the masthead that reads 'Fused' will be the slogan 'Great Music'. 

Organisation of Models and Equipment

I will be soon taking photos for my music magazine, front cover, contents pages and double-page spread. I need to make sure that I am organised and ready for taking these photos. To do so I have taken a screen shot text messages sent to my friend which asks him about being in my magazine and the clothes he'll need to wear.

A long with this I have booked equipment out from the department including the SLR camera and a tripod which are obviously essential for taking the images.

I will most likely be using other people on my contents page for more variation. Lewis will be my main artist who will feature on my front cover and the double-page spread so it is essential that he knows what to expect and when the shoot will be happening. 

Production Action Plan

For my production part of my magazine I have an action plan which will allow me to stick to a plan with time management so I can finish with good time for improvement and for my evaluation.