Due to the responses i got from my questionnaire, i found out that there was a gap in the market for a new childrens pop magazine. Similarly to Top of The Pops, and Smash Hits, my magazine will include stories on and interviews with current pop stars admired by children.
I have also decided to include a gossip page, music and film reviews, a letters page, and a horoscopes page. This is because these are the most likely aspects to appear in a music magazine aimed at a younger audience of children.
front cover
my front cover will have a main, midshot image featuring a new and upcoming artist. this will be a picture i have taken and organised myself and will feature a friend who is willing to help me out. Below this picture i am having an eye grabbing headline including the artists name and a quote from their interview (see double page). i feel this will grab the readers attention and make then intriged to read the magazine. also on the front cover, i am going to have a section featuring the latest fashions based on well known and liked artists and bands of the readers. additionally, i am going to have a few more small headlines along with pictures on latest stories and gossip about the reader's favourite artists. finally, my front cover will have its title at the very top and will also feature a small barcode section which will provide the area for the issue number, date and price.
Contents page
my contents page will have the different page topics and sections down the left hand side of the page with the page number following soon after. the page topics will include some very typical ones of this type of music genre. For example, i am going to put in a horoscopes page, simple children's film and pop music reviews, fashion section, gossip page, exclusive stories, and an interview page. the house sytle and colour scheme of this page will be the same as the front cover, this is to show continuity.
double page spread
my double page spread will be an interview with the artist featured mainly on the front cover. this interview will be made up and will include more pictures of the artist taken myself.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Thursday 24 March 2011
Evolution of genres in music magazines
These theories originally and usually apply to film studies, however they can be adapted to other mediums such as music magazines too.
Prototype(s):
this is the original seminal texts of a genre. At this point conventions are not yet set so there may be variety in magazines.
Classical:
the conventions are established here. Texts are 'perfect' examples of genre. These dont have to be good, just conventional.
Revisionist:
the conventions are rewritten here. this is becuase society changes and classic conventions become stale, therefore they are modernised to that they are not changed dramatically.
Postmodern:
one of the main aspects of post-modernism is bricolage. this is where old elements from different cultures are recombined into creating something new. It is also the obsession with 'retro', as people claim that everything has been done before.
with this in mind, i think my magazine would fit into the revisionist theory on evolution of genres.
Prototype(s):
this is the original seminal texts of a genre. At this point conventions are not yet set so there may be variety in magazines.
Classical:
the conventions are established here. Texts are 'perfect' examples of genre. These dont have to be good, just conventional.
Revisionist:
the conventions are rewritten here. this is becuase society changes and classic conventions become stale, therefore they are modernised to that they are not changed dramatically.
Postmodern:
one of the main aspects of post-modernism is bricolage. this is where old elements from different cultures are recombined into creating something new. It is also the obsession with 'retro', as people claim that everything has been done before.
with this in mind, i think my magazine would fit into the revisionist theory on evolution of genres.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Questionnaire
As part of my AS media coursework, i am producing a new music magazine. The magazine will have a main front cover image, contents page and a double page spread. This questionnaire below will help me to decide what genre i want to base the magazine on, and more importantly, what consumers want to have provided for them in this magazine.
1) how often do you read or purchase music magazines?
5) do you feel that there is a need for a new innovative music magazine aimed at females?
6) which do you prefer?
1) how often do you read or purchase music magazines?
- Weekly
- Fortnightly
- Monthly
- Every few months
- Never
2) what genre of music would you prefer to see this new music magazine based upon?
3) list some of the following that you like to see/have in music magazines
- free downloads
- posters
- interviews
- tour dates
- music charts
- featured columnists
- news/stories regarding bands, artists and upcoming music events
- upcoming bands
- suggestions of new songs to listen to
- film, tv, and music reviews
- letters page
- horoscopes
- band merchandise
- fashion based on band/artists
5) do you feel that there is a need for a new innovative music magazine aimed at females?
6) which do you prefer?
- A weekly magazine with all the latest news/music
- A fortnightly magazine with a longer period within each issue, therefore being able to put more content into an issue.
- Or, a monthly issue with all the biggest news/ music of that month
7) how much would you be willing to spend on an issue of a music magazine?
- £1.00-£2.00
- £2.00-£3.00
- £3.00-£4.00
- £4.00 +
Friday 11 March 2011
Mood board
This is the mood board which i created. The colour scheme displayed here is similar to the once which i am thinking of using for my magazine. This is because, most music magazines are male orientated, so i would like to aim mine more towards women.
Recce
Firstly, i need to decide where i am going to take my pictures for my music magazine front cover and pages. Initially, i thought that using a plain colour background will be effective. this was because it meant that i could allow the models and objects to stand out a lot more and put the emphasis on them without the reader being distracted by something is the background. By taking these pictures inside, i have have the opportunity to manipulate the lighting and make it more effective. I have noticed that many other music magazines have chosen to do this. For example, this Q magazine cover featuring Lily Allen has a plain background and makes her stand out.
Still focusing on my plain background idea, there are a lot more locations i could try. A popular one with many magazine pictures is a brick wall as a back ground. This would be effective and fit in with the theme of a music magazine, but there will be the complications of taking pictures outside. Lots of things could affect this such as the weather and different dangers specified in my risk assessment blog.
At this point in my progress, i have not decided what kind of shot i am going to use. I think the most simple shots are almost the best ones. For example, a close up or a mid shot. I do not think a long distance shot would be adequate for the front cover image. This is because, this image needs to have an impact on the reader and grab their attention and this kind of picture would not do that.
Still focusing on my plain background idea, there are a lot more locations i could try. A popular one with many magazine pictures is a brick wall as a back ground. This would be effective and fit in with the theme of a music magazine, but there will be the complications of taking pictures outside. Lots of things could affect this such as the weather and different dangers specified in my risk assessment blog.
At this point in my progress, i have not decided what kind of shot i am going to use. I think the most simple shots are almost the best ones. For example, a close up or a mid shot. I do not think a long distance shot would be adequate for the front cover image. This is because, this image needs to have an impact on the reader and grab their attention and this kind of picture would not do that.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Risk assessment
By taking my pictures outdoors, there are many risks involved. Below, i have listed as many as i can, along with the measures being taken to control this and any addition relevant information.
Hazard: Traffic/journey to venue
Control measures: be aware of all crossing points in advance, then look out for everybody in the group when crossing roads.
Hazard: fire/insurance
Control measures: fire protection and procedures in place and checked on pre visit. in the event of the building needing to be evacuated, all members of the group should be briefed on an emergancy action plan in event of a person/group of people becoming detatched form the main group.
Hazard: lost member/stranger danger
Control measures: always be aware of everybody around the group, and do not give any reason for a stranger to come into contact with the group.
Additional information: always have a contact number for everybody in the group and also an emergancy contact number for a next of kin for everybody in the group.
Hazard: slipping/tripping/falling
Control measures: previsit to determine tripping hazards, for examle rocks/change in ground levels.
Additional information: have a first aid kit handy incase of any accidents.
Hazard: Traffic/journey to venue
Control measures: be aware of all crossing points in advance, then look out for everybody in the group when crossing roads.
Hazard: fire/insurance
Control measures: fire protection and procedures in place and checked on pre visit. in the event of the building needing to be evacuated, all members of the group should be briefed on an emergancy action plan in event of a person/group of people becoming detatched form the main group.
Hazard: lost member/stranger danger
Control measures: always be aware of everybody around the group, and do not give any reason for a stranger to come into contact with the group.
Additional information: always have a contact number for everybody in the group and also an emergancy contact number for a next of kin for everybody in the group.
Hazard: slipping/tripping/falling
Control measures: previsit to determine tripping hazards, for examle rocks/change in ground levels.
Additional information: have a first aid kit handy incase of any accidents.
Uses and gratifications
Denis McQuail is an academic and a writer in the field of communication theories. In 1983 he classified four main, common reasons for media use: Information, Personal Identity, Integration and Social interaction, and Entertainment.
Information
This means finding out current events and information. So for example, in music magazines, the reader is given information about current music events, for example tour dates, and the latest information on bands. This information also satisfys the curiousity and interests that the reader has. Additionally, this information educates the readers on a topic the they are initially interested in. The readers will have the opportunity to learn about things such as the history of certain music genres, information about the bands and general knowledge about music.
Personal Identity
In music magazines, readers often find reinforcement for their personal values. For example, when reading a music magazine orientated around a particular music genre, readers can often find other views similar to their own which are meaningful to them. Additionally, within music magazines, readers can also find role models which they aspire to. These role models can also influence the behavior and ways of life of a person. Finally, many readers of music magazines feel that they can relate to the band and artists featured in the issues, as a result from interviews and personal quotations. This can make the reader feel valued and also have a sense of belonging.
Integration and Social Interaction
Readers of media can gain insight into the circumstances of others. This can then lead to them identifying with them and learn about different situations and hardships that bands and artists in the music works can go through.
As i said before, music magazine readers can also identify with the people they read about and therefore achieve a sense of belonging. They may feel that they have been through similar experiences and matters as the bands or artists they read about.
Information in music magazines and other media, provides a basis for conversations and social interactions. This is because many people can enjoy one genre of music, and therefore use this as a basis for conversation. In music magazines, there is often a thead for conversation about a range of topics. For example, about a certain band, or a tour.
Entertainment
Many people like to listen to or read the media to escape their own personal problems. For example, to read a magazine to take them somewhere else. Therefore, a person who reads music magazines may read a magazine containing articles and stories about recent performances and upcoming tours, to take them somewhere else and to relax from everyday stresses.
Information
This means finding out current events and information. So for example, in music magazines, the reader is given information about current music events, for example tour dates, and the latest information on bands. This information also satisfys the curiousity and interests that the reader has. Additionally, this information educates the readers on a topic the they are initially interested in. The readers will have the opportunity to learn about things such as the history of certain music genres, information about the bands and general knowledge about music.
Personal Identity
In music magazines, readers often find reinforcement for their personal values. For example, when reading a music magazine orientated around a particular music genre, readers can often find other views similar to their own which are meaningful to them. Additionally, within music magazines, readers can also find role models which they aspire to. These role models can also influence the behavior and ways of life of a person. Finally, many readers of music magazines feel that they can relate to the band and artists featured in the issues, as a result from interviews and personal quotations. This can make the reader feel valued and also have a sense of belonging.
Integration and Social Interaction
Readers of media can gain insight into the circumstances of others. This can then lead to them identifying with them and learn about different situations and hardships that bands and artists in the music works can go through.
As i said before, music magazine readers can also identify with the people they read about and therefore achieve a sense of belonging. They may feel that they have been through similar experiences and matters as the bands or artists they read about.
Information in music magazines and other media, provides a basis for conversations and social interactions. This is because many people can enjoy one genre of music, and therefore use this as a basis for conversation. In music magazines, there is often a thead for conversation about a range of topics. For example, about a certain band, or a tour.
Entertainment
Many people like to listen to or read the media to escape their own personal problems. For example, to read a magazine to take them somewhere else. Therefore, a person who reads music magazines may read a magazine containing articles and stories about recent performances and upcoming tours, to take them somewhere else and to relax from everyday stresses.
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