OCR Media Studies – AS Level

Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in MediaPreliminary Task, Log Book and Evaluation

Name: Nora Bakoa-KelaCandidate Number: 6601 Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770

Set Brief - Print

Music Magazine – Production

Preliminary Task Progression, Log Book and Evaluation

PRELIMINARY TASK - FRONT COVER: STEP-BY-STEP

In order to start my front cover, I found a model who I thought i would be suitable for my front cover. Once I had found someone I made sure that they looked like a school student, by making her wear a sixth form lanyard and carry some books, this way she looked like she had just come from a lesson which was the look I was going for. After this, because the background of the image had so much going on I decided to blur it so that the focus was the model and not what was in the background. Then I came up with some headlines, in order to do this I used events that

were happening in that same week, so that it made sense and these were placed on the left hand side. After that, the other side of my magazine was looking rather empty so, I filled it with more cover lines but in a different style to the others, I started off by getting polaroid template and putting in images of the Sixth Form Centre that way more space was filled up and something different was on the front rather than just text. Then I added another form of a cover line by using shapes rather than using text. Lastly I added in the website and social media of the magazine as well as the barcode which then completed the whole front cover.

PRELIMINARY TASK - FRONT COVER: STEP-BY-STEP

Then to do my contents page, I first started off by, diving the page into section so that I had a place for the headline, story lines, page numbers, editorial page and images. After that I put in all the necessary bits for the top section which were the school logo, heading at the issue number I didn't want to overwhelm this section so I kept it nice and simple. The next thing was the main section with all the stories that would be in the magazine, I started by making the page numbers that corresponded with the ones on the front cover and then I filled the rest in with page

numbers as well. The stories that I used in this section were either fake or related to what was happening in the school that week. For the colour scheme I kept to the yellow and navy so that it was consistent throughout and there wasn't any colours in there that didn't need to be. As for the images I added under some of the cover lines, these were so that it wasn't just a page full of writing and there were visual elements for the readers to look at. I also added a competition in the bottom left hand corner so that there was something that could intrigue the readers to want to buy the magazine and find out how to win these tickets. Lastly my editorial section was placed in the bottom right hand corner,with a simple message nothing too complicated for the readers to read with an image of me and my contact information if they wanted to get in contact with me.

Music magazines consist of many sub-genre's, them being Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, etc. they typically include music, news, interviews, photoshoots, essays, record reviews, concert reviews and occasionally have cover mount with recorded music.

The images above are of different types of music magazines, the first one is called XXL magazine, this is a Hip-hop/Rap magazine that was established in 1997 by a former employee of Source magazine and made XXL in a similar style. XXL and source are the most widely read magazine based on the Hip-hop genre and has branched out into different magazines such as Scratch magazine, Hip-hop Soul and Eye Candy.The target audience of XXL magazine is the same as source magazine and this appeals to young adults because this type of genre targets a younger audience. The next magazine is Billboard which is a R&B magazine, it is an international weekly news magazine, devoted to music and it's industry. Billboard is intended for music professionals, such as record label executives, artists, music retailers andradite DJs. Overall it is aimed towards both genders usually depending on the cover star and the age range for the target audience is around 25-54 year olds. As for Top of the Pops which is a magazine for people who love pop music, it was launched in February 1995 and mainly focuses on one genres which is pop, the main content of this magazine includes celebrity gossip, cringes, fashion and beauty advice, articles on op and movie stars, quizzes, horoscopes, posters and song lyrics. The brand identity of the magazine is a happy, cherry, pop music teen magazine and it conforms to dominant ideology and is aimed at a younger market interested in celebrities and teen stars. Something different like NME magazine which is an Indie/Rock magazine that stands for New Musical Express, it is published weekly since March 1952 and belongs to the company called IPC, they target all genders aged 16-19 years old. Lastly the magazine classics music which is clearly is a magazine that promotes classical music and is mainly aimed at the older generation as the music is very slow and relaxing.

MUSIC MAGAZINE: GENRE RESEARCH

The reason why I chose billboard magazine for my music magazine is because all of their front covers consist of the Billboard masthead which is key for their magazine, that is like a signature for them as well as including a dominant male or female that everybody knows or can relate to so that they can widen their target audience, so I felt that this was a good magazine choice for me to take inspiration from. Another thing that they do is change the colour and styling for each magazine to suit the star appeal who is on the front cover. Billboard magazine is a chart magazine with a varying target audience and genre depending on what is in the charts at the time. For my future magazine I thought that this is a good technique to apply to my magazine so that from the front cover to the contents page and from the contents page to the double page spread, it all flowed together and there is no questioning as to why something in a certain way if it all flows. Overall billboard is aimed towards both genders, but it usually depends on the cover star, as for my magazine I haven't decided on what gender I want to do yet so this could influence me in a way, and also the age range for their target audience is usually around 25-54 years old.

As you can see from this chart 68% of Billboards readers are college graduates, 25% are post-graduate degree students and 49% are senior/upper management. This connotes that Billboards target audience are aged around 17/18 and up as the content that they use attracts this age range. The chart also denotes that 71% of their readers spend 30 minutes or more per week with Billboard media, this connotes that they have another way of their audience to read their magazine and therefore are targeting a wider audience through this is they happen to not be able to pick up a magazine.

The target audience for Billboard magazine can be denoted as young teens, from the age of 16 to young adults, from the age of 26. This is due to the content that the magazine provides which are the latest updates from the charts that range from different and various types of genres. For example Hip-hop, R&B to Rock and Country music. This is done to widen the target audience for Billboard and acquire to those who like Metal, Pop, Rock and R&B. The layout of the magazine has a lot to do with this as, it is very mature due to it not being over crowded with images of artists and bands. The colour palette is very simple too, this minimizes there being any clashes on the magazine. Furthermore it doesn't’t advertise news and gossip of the artist’s lives but only weekly updates of the music charts so, it can’t reach out to that specific target audience.

Katz’s theory on uses & gratification links well as, the front cover of Billboard is of a star which is Rihanna. Rihanna is a well known artist and her being on the front cover of the magazine means that it makes people want to aspire to be like her, with all her unique styles that make her who she is. Also Laura Mulvey’s idea on male gaze on the front cover because Rihanna is on the front cover it attracts male readers. From the research completed into this media product, I think the USP, which is the unique selling point, for this magazine is the fact that it reaches out to many genres and not just a specific genre like R&B but in fact it reaches out to people that like Rock, Country and many more.

Masthead- the master head is important because it informs the reader of the magazine. It is placed at the top of the magazine so that you know where to look, when trying to find the title of the magazine. On this magazine the ‘b’ and the ‘o’ are covered by the main image this shows the importance of the image. the effect of the master head is to attract the readers attention to that magazine and give off a modern feel to the magazine due to the bold font and minimal colour.

Main image- the main image is important because it lets the reader know who the main focus of the magazine is, in this case the main focus is Rihanna. The effect of the main image is to denote the star appeal which is Rihanna. On this magazine the main image is placed right on top of the masthead, this give the reader the idea that the article about Rihanna is of high importance.

Main headline- the main headline is important because, it gives the reader something to look forward to in the magazine if they are just scanning the mag. The effect of the main headline being so big and eye catching, is so that it is the first thing you see when you look at the magazine, which can make you want to read on inside.

Cover lines- the cover lines are important because they let the reader know what else is in store for them once they purchase the magazine. The effect of the cover lines are to advertise so that the readers can feel engaged with the stories inside.Barcode- the barcode is important because it lets the reader know the price and the issue date. The billboard magazines barcode is slightly larger than other magazines so that it is easier to see. The effect of the barcode is to then inform the reader whether or not the story lines are recent or old.

Prometheus Global Media is a media company, that was formed in December 2009, they own and operate many entertainment industry's for example Billboard magazine, Adweek, Back Stage, Film Journal and The Hollywood Reporter. It is based in New York City, United States and the CEO which is the Chief Executive officer is Ross Levinsohn. The company produces a number of trade events, such as the CLIO Awards and the Billboard Music Awards.Prometheus’s top competitors are:• Advanstar Communications Inc.• Reed Business information-us• Mail.com Media Corporation

Billboard is mostly targeted at Americans due to it being published by an American publisher, but due to it being international it allows other people around the world access to it and is sold in other countries such as Japan and Brazil. It’s main buyer is students at college as stated because of the audience the magazine reach out to. The Reader profile: 71% of Billboard readers spend 30 minutes or more per week with Billboard media, 60% of readers receive their copy of Billboard at home, an excellent environment for engaged, in-depth reading. 45% of readers save their copy of Billboard, keeping it close at hand to refer to throughoutthe year.

Masthead- the masthead is big and bold, also stands out from the background colour. It is effective in the way that the positioning of the model portrays a hard gangster vibe and the hat he is wearing and the way he is clenching them are effective mis-en-scene.

Date

Coverlines– the names of the rappers and in a larger bold white font which detracts them from the other parts of the text as they stand out and is what the reader sees before anything else.

'Exclusive' is used to let the readers know that they have an insight on the new headline about T.I, this is placed right next to T.I's face so that they know that it him and who they are referring to.

Barcode, QR code, Website giving many different forms of media.

The use of the consistent white and red shows that there is a particular gender as they colours associated with males and makes the magazine look as though it is aimed at this type of gender but in fact, VIBE change their colour scheme to suit the star appeal.

The idea that the main headline is placed on the side rather than in the middle of the page like some other magazines suggest some difference which links to Steve Neale's theory, and they possibly did this because they didn't want to detract the readers away from the main image.

Promotions – the idea that they have 'we have got gifts' implies that they are trying to attract more people in to buying the magazine, because knowing that theirs is something in it for you if you buy the magazine makes you intrigued to find out the type of gifts that they are offering and find out how you can get hold of them, this is a unique selling point for them.

Masthead – the masthead is large, bold and consistent therefore it catches your attention instantly, due to the red background and white font it makes the text stand out.

Date

Barcode, Website giving many different forms of media.

Strapline – they have their signature strapline which is 'hip-hop on a higher level' that they have placed near the masthead so that it is also what you see when you look there. This makes the readers think that this magazine is on a superior level to any other hip-hop magazine therefore they should buy this one rather than any other.

Headline – the headline is placed really big across the front of the magazine which informs the readers straight away what the whole magazine is based on this issue.

Using the term 'exclusive' to address the main headline lets the readers feel as though they are the first people getting an insight on the new article about the star appeal therefore they should buy the magazine if they want to find out what he has been doing.

The fact that all magazines often have their cover lines on either side of the main image, XXL didn't want to detract the readers away from the main image, so they put their cover lines as the background of the front cover and this presents difference which links to Steve Neale.

Main Image – the main image is eye catching in the way that it reflects the genre of the magazine as it is a Hip-hop magazine, the model is wearing big gold chains and has tattoos as well as gold teeth which links well.

My chosen magazine genre was initially R&B but I felt as though I include something else so I chose POP also, they are quite similar in that some artists produce both R&B and Pop so this fitted in well. Another reason is that not many magazines incorporate two music genres so I thought that I would be different and not just do one. Although I knew it would be difficult to both attract both genres in a way that they were both intrigued to read the magazine I was willing to take on the challenge. I decided to model after many different magazines because I think that just doing one meant that I was restricted with that particular one and can't branch out to do other things that another magazine might have. So, picking four magazines that I like and taking aspects of one and another meant that I could reach out to my target audience in a better way than I would if I only did one particular magazine. I also liked the designs of all of them so I couldn't pick one that I wanted to do and stick with that.Below are the images of the four magazines that I have chosen to take inspiration from, I think that these are best suited to the end result that I want to produce because they all have what I'm looking my final magazine to look like so I think that incorporating aspects of them is a great way for me to reach my target audience in an effective way due to having two sub genres that I'll have as my music magazine.

Masthead

Coverlines

Barcode

Date/Issue Number

Strapline

PriceHeadline

Main Image

Images – five men strategically placed around the information of the contents page which engages the readers interest as the models are all wearing different styles but in similar locations, then keeping a neutral colour scheme which doesn't distract from the main focus of the spread.

Font – the font is key as the main title is presented in s simple bold styled font which makes it easy to read. Whereas the subtle volume is typed in an elegant font which engages the reader and also adds to the style. The actual information has a simple font choice that is easy to read.

Colour Scheme – the colour scheme is black and white, which makes it easy for the reader to see, with the important parts in red. As for s use of technological convergence by showing the reader what can be accessed on their website.

Layout – the layout of the page leaves a lot to the readers imagination as to wonder what the photographs are really representing which then draws them in to further read on.

Credits Issue Number

Main image

Sub-Images

QuotePage numbers

Interview

Layout – I think that the layout it simple yet really eye catching at the same time because of the simple colour scheme and use of creativity with the sub-Images rather than just having one main image for the whole double page spread.

The target audience for VIBE magazine can be denoted as young adults, from the age of 16-24 year olds. This is due to the content that the magazine provides it is aimed at young snd urban audiences who follow hip-hop when first launched. However since 2012 it has covered more commercial music so therefore attracts a wider variety of people who are interested in hip-hop/pop music and a fan of the culture think links to Hartley's theory. The audience would conform to being social climbers which links to Maslows Hierachy theory, as the magazine features lots of fashion adverts and campaigns that are mainly by current hip-hop/pop artists that have their own clothing brand for example Kanye West. As a result of this the VIBE readers can be informed on the latest fashion trends and buy these clothes before any of their friends do. Also VIBE offers more knowledge on the origin of the hip-hop culture and therefore the readers can be informed and educated which links to Katz's theory and gain knowledge that maybe others don't know.

From looking at VIBE magazine I think that the unique selling point is the star appeal, the person they choose to feature on the front cover, this is because nowadays hip-pop/pop is what people tend to listen to so the big artists' slide Kanye West, Rihanna, Jay Z etc. are the people who are featured on the front and therefore have s massive impact on the readers so they gravitate towards buying the magazine. These iconic front covers are typically close ups or mid shots of the main artist features and give the impression that they are directly looking at you the reader and ip therefore gives each front cover a personal feel.

Intermedia VIBE Holdings is a company who brought blackbook in 2012. it is based in New York City, US, it predominately features R&B and Hip-hop musice and was founded by Quincy Jones in 1993 in partnership with Time Inc. Before it was named what it is now it was called Volume before co-founder Scott Poulson-Bryant called it VIBE.Billboard is a music entertainment magazine founded in 1993, known as ‘Volume’. The genre is R&B/Hip and re-launched in 2009. the target audience of Vibe magazine is Teenage followers of the rap culture, mainly between the age of 16-30 of both genders. Therefore according to Hartley’s theory, VIBE’s readers are Middle Class which is reflected in the price, both genders aged 16-30. The circulation in 2007 was 800,000 and 300,000 in 2012, suggesting there has been a downfall in popularity of the magazine and magazines in general because more and more people tend to go online to read magazines and don’t go and buy them from the stores. The word ‘VIBE’ defines as “to enjoy oneself by listening to or dancing to popular music” so the masthead is a connotation of the music genre , which is important as it is more relatable to the audience and will always be associated as music magazine.

RESEARCH FOR MY MAGAZINE: SURVEY MONKEY

This is the sample of the questions that I used to put on survey monkey put into a form that I could hand out to people and get instant results quickly.

RESEARCH FOR MY MAGAZINE: SURVEY MONKEY

As on survey monkey, I didn’t get many results, so I decided to get my peers to do so, and this is two of the responses I got. I figured that this was a quick way that I could get an instant response from people who are close to me rather than wait for people who I don’t know.

RESEARCH FOR MY MAGAZINE: SURVEY MONKEY

As on survey monkey, I didn’t get many results, so I decided to get my peers to do so, and this is two of the responses I got. I figured that this was a quick way that I could get an instant response from people who are close to me rather than wait for people who I don’t know.

RESEARCH FOR MY MAGAZINE: RESULTS

What is your age?

Under 1011 to 1516 to 2021 and above

What is your gender?

MaleFemale

How much would you spend on a magazine?

Nothing£1 to £2£3 to £4£5 to £6

What is the most important aspect of a magazine front cover?

Main image with Star Appeal (Richard Dyer)

Masthead

Main headline

Social Network Links

All of the above

RESEARCH FOR MY MAGAZINE: RESULTS

Do you listen to R&B music?

YesNoSometimes

Other questions that I asked were ‘What would you expect to see in an R&B/Pop magazine and most of the answers were well known R&B and Pop artists on the front cover to attract the audience and grab the readers attention, the latest music, insight on exclusive aspects that nobody else knows about and competitions that can draw the readers in. Another question was ‘What colours would you like to see in a R&B/Pop magazine?’ and some of the answers were Black, White and Purple, which overall says they like to see plain neutral colours and then a pop of one colour reoccurring throughout. Lastly the other question that I asked was ‘What would you expect an interview in a R&B/Pop magazine to consist of?’ and the answers were question and answers so that it was quick short and straight to the point, upcoming music and music videos so that they knew what was coming out and an insight into the artists lifestyle.

Lastly, the last additional question that I asked was ‘What would you expect someone featured in a R&B/Pop magazine to be wearing?’ and the answers that I got were modern day wear that you would see on people the age of 16 and above, this wat the audience can relate to them more as they are the same age as the model and it is seen to be on trend,

As a result of the responses I received from doing all these surveys, I have decided that the colour scheme of my magazine will be neutral colours with a pop of a few colours so that I could incorporate different styles and give off a different vibe with each colour. I did this due to the result of my surveys so that I had a reason behind doing it and I will be attracting the right audience. I will definitely take into accoung the style suggestions that were received from my surveys and input them into my final design.

PLANNING MY MAGAZINE: HAND DRAWN DRAFTS

These are the screenshots of my hand drawn drafts for my main task.

PLANNING MY MAGAZINE: PHOTOGRAPHS

In order for me to have successful photographs for my magazine, I had to really plan ahead as to who I was going to use what I was going to do and where I was going to do it and ensuring that the style of my model corresponded with what the audience would expect from a R&B/Pop magazine. I first texted my friend Suheila because I had once seen her in this jacket that I thought would look really good as a front cover image for my magazine, as this jacket was a trendy style that was in season and everyone was/is wearing it. Then the next thing I needed to do was find a model who suited the look I was going for, I resulted in my friend Rhiya, as she had done photo shoots before it wasn't anything new to her and I didn't have an awkward model. The last action that I needed to take was to find a location for the photo shoot to take place, so I asked my friend Alfie, Alfie has professional lighting and DSLR camera so I knew I had to use it, I asked him and he was happy to help since he does media too. We had to negotiate on a day and time as we do not go to the same college, so our timetables are different, once we had a date, everything was falling into place and it was time for the photo shoot. Taking into consideration the answers I got in my feedback I requested that Rhiya brought a black suit, this was to give off a sophisticated look for my double page spread and contents as this is what I was going for that I wanted to be subtle throughout the while magazine. We did one photo shoot and came out with over 100 photos, I purposely made sure that these photos were taken on a plain background as when it came to editing I didn't have any trouble, this was good for me because it meant that I had a lot of options when it came to choosing what photo I wanted to use for each of the pages and also whether or not I wanted to remove the background or not.

CONTACT SHEET: FRONT COVER

Above are some of the best images that I took, and below is the image that I chose for my front cover as well as he before and after once I edited it to how I wanted it. Editing software used was PowerPoint.

CONTACT SHEET: CONTENTS PAGE

Above are some of the best images that I took, and below is the image that I chose for my contents page as well as he before and after once I edited it to how I wanted it. Editing software used was PowerPoint.

CONTACT SHEET: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

Above are some of the best images that I took, and below is the image that I chose for my double page spread as well as he before and after once I edited it to how I wanted it. Editing software used was PowerPoint.