Media Commentry:
I decided to do the print brief for my media work. Simply because I enjoy the creative side of media, and prefer the idea of a music magazine, to a film. I produced a front cover, a double page spread and the contents page of my magazine, AMP (alternative musical publication).
The genre of my magazine is Indie, and Alternative. Although an element of it is also Punk and New Wave, as certain articles or "one off specials" would focus on that aspect of genre. Therefore the target audience of my magazine is quite difficult to define. The older generation (35-50) would be interested as it involves punk music from the 70’s through to the early 80’s, as well as the younger generation because the majority of the magazine focuses on new, undiscovered bands. The average age of my audience however would be 15-25.My audience would have a serious interest in music, and discovering new music. The bands, and artist’s who would appear in my magazine wouldn’t be commercial, and known through chart music – they would be discovered independently. Gigs and reviews would always be printed in AMP, so the people buying my magazine would enjoy going to gigs, and listening to live music.
I’ve used informal language and "slang", non-standard English, as a way of communicating with my target audience directly and personally, as well as being appealing to a younger generation. In Blumler and Katz (1970) theory of Uses and Gratifications, one of the ways in which audiences get pleasure from the media is through developing a relationship with the text, in this case my magazine. I’ve done this by using a socialect associated with my target audience, for example elliptical words such as kiddin’. To capture the spoken voice in the interview, I also used linguistic features such as "fillers", for example, "you know" or "yeah". Also, I’ve missed out a few auxiliary verbs to show accents and individual characteristics amongst the band. All these kind of language features help to establish the informal tone in my magazine. It also makes the magazine be spontaneous and fun, Media consumers want interactivity and to be active when reading text.
The weekly music magazine NME inspired me to create my magazine. It has similar codes and conventions, such as the language and layout. I personally buy the NME every week, and find I can relate to it really well, and this is what I’m trying to achieve with AMP.
My magazine consists of lots of "follow throughs" which persuade the audience to get involved. For example, at the end of my double page spread interview, I included a box saying "now head to amp.com/blogs to hear Parallel's new single". This is then promoting the magazines website, as well as the band the viewers are reading about.
On the front cover, I included a 'call-out' advertising the opportunity to vote for "AMP Awards". This is another way in which readers can relate, and co-operate towards the magazine. On the double page spread, very similar to NME, I promoted an offer to subscribe monthly to the magazine, and save money. This would appeal to regular readers, and possibly gain a larger audience.
I decided to keep the same specific code and conventions throughout my magazine at all times, for e.g. font and colouring. This is so its audience would recognize the style. On the front cover I put an effect on the masthead. The effect is supposed to show noise, and as it's unusual it would easily be recognised as it’s constantly used through out the whole magazine. The effect of my distorted lettering and background to my lettering has connatations of live music and non-conformity.
The lead article, and main quote is layered on what looks like a "ripped post it note" so it stands out, and the ripped effect shows the magazine isn’t formal. Along the top and bottom of my magazine, I headlined different bands which would attract people’s attention. I also advertised other bands through cover lines, and their own personal quotes which I put in speech marks.
The contents page is extremely similar to NME. I've kept the same font to relate the front cover and contents together. Above the main image I wrote the words "exclusive" which could give a sense of importance. 'Exclusive' is also a grab word which offers a unique selling point. The features of the magazine are listed down the left hand side, so my readers are able to scan down and find the article which appeals to them. In the corner is the date, issue number and page number.
My double page spread is the main article of my magazine, which was advertised on the front cover. The band is called Parallel and to show their identity, I used completely the same colouring and text when printing their name.
On the main image I included a pull-quote saying "Can't stand all this commercial tin sounding crap" this is informal language, which again shows attitudes and individual characteristic as it’s quoted. The two people on the main image are looking directly at the camera in a medium shot to directly inform the audience. I edited the photo using Photoshop to exaggerate the contrast, but I kept my pink lipstick bright, and used the exact same pink amongst the two pages for things such as borders. The bright pink lipstick is a connotation which is associated with Punk.
In the left hand corner I used two by-lines to state the editor and photographer, just to keep it looking professional and realistic.
I wrote the interview myself, and to show each members personalities I put verbs in '*'s, for example *laughs*. This is just a way to show body language through text. I used things such as alliteration to make the interview interesting.
My media represents particular social groups through the people included within the product. For example the band on the front cover is one male and one female with represents gender equality as each member is the same size on the page. This then shows that the magazine is appealing to both genders. The cultural ideology of my product again relates to the people on the front cover - White British. The majority of music in AMP is British, English bands, although American Punk is sometimes issued (as you can see by Green Day, Foo Fighters & New York Dolls being USP's on the front cover).
The dress code also helps to recognize social groups. The people in my magazine wouldn’t be wearing designer names such as Gucci, as it's aimed at middle class people/lower class people, therefore they would be able to relate to the people represented.
The bands facial expressions also state the genre of music my magazine is. Both members have no emotion, just straight faces which could represent anarchy, and attitude's which fit together with alternative and punk music. It also clearly states the genre. The audience would look at this magazine and instantly grasp it's not "poppy", cute or innocent like Smash Hits simply by the colouring being mainly red and black, not pastel colours.
My magazine would be printed in a non-glossy tabloid format on standard newsprint. This is to support the idea that my magazine is not elitist or superficial - it's real music for real music fans.
Media institutions that would distribute my magazine would be high street shops such as WHSmith and local newsagents. Because my magazine is sold weekly for £2.40, it would have to be sold somewhere local and easy to get too or people would be put off buying it.
However, if it was published monthly, it would be acceptable for people to subscribe online. Although, it is available to subscribe to my magazine, and receive it through the post monthly. So, the magazines website itself distributes it, as well as high street newsagents.
Looking back at my preliminary task, I have definatley improved my skills on Photoshop and paint.net, which helps my magazine to look a lot more professional and authentic. I've also learnt how to look into magazines with more detail, focusing on things such as Maslow's theory and the Blumler and Katz theory.
I have also studied NME so much more than normal, and learnt lots of things such as it's media institution, how readers are targeted and how the magazine is distributed. I really enjoyed making the four pages of my magazine, and have now learnt there's a lot more behind a magazine than what you see on the shelf.
Overall, the aim of my magazine is to inform it's readers of information they would want too know. People who would buy it would know it suits their interest just by looking at the front cover: Indie, Alternative and Punk music. The purpose of it is too teach it's readers of new music that have got AMP's approval or disapproval. The audience would look up to my magazine, and specifically buy it to find out about a certain band, or read a review knowing it was genuine. In relation to Blumler and Katz, the four categories of need gratifications would be met:
Social Interaction
Identification
Entertainment
Inform and Education
In conclusion, i feel that i have successfully created an authentic, interesting and original new music magazine which is fit-for-purpose, and would slot seamlessly into the market, onto the shelves and into peoples lives.
