AS Generic Conventions

I researched several magazines and browsed through images of the front covers, mindful of the certain generic conventions such as the masthead and main image. It appeared to me that all the magazines had similar conventions such as direct mode of address of the main image, masthead positioned at the top justified to the left and a specific tagline which stands out more than the rest.

Some uses of conventions

The main function of the front covers of magazines is to sell the magazine. They are the shop front of the magazine so they are deliberately eye catching, appealing and often bright. The housetyle is clearly displayed to create and maintain a loyal audience/readership. The masthead is positioned at the top center on most magazines. The main image is usually of a famous figure to entice or draw the readers attention.The direct gaze is often welcoming and creates a bond between the magazine and the reader.

AS Research

I examined several front covers and contents pages, focusing on the conventions they all have in common. I focused specifically on the music and school magazines. I also briefly researched the social class table for target audiences to give me an insight of what to expect when researching the target audiences for specific music magazines.

 The different types of magazine genres:

• Fashion
• Teen
• Kids
• Wedding
• Trendy
• Lifestyle
• Travel
• Music
• Celebrity gossip/Lifestyle
• Entertainment/TV

AS Magazine Analysis

I analysed several magazines in order to adapt a better idea of the conventions of music magazines. One of those was Kerrang.

The Masthead

The masthead uses onomatopoeia of a strumming noise made by an electric Guitar linking to the magazines themes which are loud, violent and intense.

It creates a housestyle that is well known and easily recognizable. The masthead can sometimes be partly covered by the main image.

Loudness and breaking the rules are stereo-typically related to masculinity, heavy metal and rock.

The serif font has a smashed glass effect, which connotes the extremity of the music that the magazine represents.

Facts and Figures

The publishing company for Kerrang is Bauer Consumer Media

The cover price is at £2.20 which is a standard price for the audience - who are mostly students with low income. EMAP advertise the magazine more through Kerrang TV and Radio, which allows for more circulation figures. It overtook 'NME' as the number one rock/music magazine in the UK.

Target Audience

Kerrang is aimed at a male audience and appeals to them by using content such as hard rock and metal iconic male bands on the front cover with angry faces.

Female readers are targeted by the use of male bands on free pull out posters or feature interviews.

The edgy underground and individual style appeals to rock readers. Advertisements such as Xbox, play.com and HMV appeal to the young male individuals who are the majority of the magazines demographics. Kerrang identifies its audience as,' individually minded, independent of thought and musically experienced, an audience defined by passion, loyalty and attitude.'

The audience of rock fans is made up of 60% male and 40% female. Kerrangs audience fall into the social class D-C. The magazine accommodates the young readership by using advertisements that relate to their interests.

Promotion

As well as owning a magazine, Bauer also own Kerrang's website, Kerrang TV and Kerrang Radio, as a result they can easily promote the magazine through these media products attracting a greater readership.

AS Introduction

The key purpose to this unit is to assess your creative and technical ability to research, plan and construct a magazine using an appropriate program. Candidates must produce a mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate your grasp of the programme. Additionally to assess your understand in evaluating your own work and to reflect upon the creative process you must be able to answer the key questions below:

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge conventions of real media products?
• What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?
• Who is the potential audience and how did attract them?
• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing your product?

Main Task

The front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text in the constructing process must be your own. (Minimum of four images)

Marking Criteria

The unit is marked out of 100: 20 marks for the presentation of the planning and research; 60 marks for the construction; 20 marks for the evaluation.