In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

Megan Fellowes

My Front Cover- My media product uses the codes and conventions of real media products as my main image links to the genre of the magazine through the mise en scene of nature and an earthy environment. Also, I have used direct address to draw the reader’s attention to the magazine and make them feel involved. Moreover, I have included an image on the front cover of the artist ‘Paige Cotton’, in which she is the main point of the magazine. I have followed the codes and conventions of an indie magazine as the mast-head of THS is in bold letters and in the colour red, this is a bright and dominating colour which catches the reader’s eye and this font and colour will be recognised for this brand of magazine. Furthermore, as the masthead is usually in red or white I have made mine follow this code and convention, keeping to its front cover colour scheme of red white black and yellow, which is a basic colour scheme which is usually used in indie magazines. The coverlines on my front cover are also written in Franklin Gothic Medium, which is simple reflecting the indie genre showing a friendly feel to engage the reader to read this magazine. I have included a special offers /promotion and this is yellow as this colour is mostly recognised with pricing and offers so this will catch the reader’s eye and entice them to read the magazine to win tickets to Leeds festival. The bar-code is placed at the bottom left hand corner, not much attention is put on the bar-code, so the reader’s attention goes on the main-image/headings first which will interest them in buying the magazine. However, near the barcode I have included the price and the website for my magazine, the readers will then know where to look for extra information about the articles inside. The use of words on the magazine such as ‘Newly Released’ and ‘Latest’ or ‘Plus’ leave the reader wanting to read inside as they think that this magazine is the only magazine that has this gossip as it is ‘exclusive’ so you can’t get it anywhere else. My front cover also challenges forms and conventions of real media products as on the bottom of my front cover is a slightly rotated black shape, this conveys a triangle which represents the indie genre. It can also illustrate originality as it is different and stands out which highlights the indie music genre as it is individuality.

My contents page uses the codes and conventions of real media products as The main image on the contents page suggests it will be the main, most important story in the magazine so I have positioned it in the middle/towards the side of the page and It is framed by the rest of the text. I have headings; ‘featured articles’ and ‘regulars’ which allow the reader to see what is new in this week’s article and to see what is featured in each week. Also, near the bottom of the page I have included subscriptions of the magazine as this develops the conventions of real media products due to it entices the readers to subscribe the magazine by giving them a relatively cheap offer The page numbers start at the left of each heading, so that the readers can clearly see where to go to look for an article. I have also included larger page numbers on my four images on the contents page so that people can easily go to the article page. The headings are short and catchy and then followed by a short sub line explaining more about the article to interest them further. My contents page is laid out into two columns, with the 1st column following the lining from the chunk of images so everything is in line. The 2nd column is to the side of the main image as if they are framing the image. They never overlap or cover the image. The font is in size 11pt and follows the same font as the front cover so everything links together of Franklin Gothic Medium, this simple font reflects the indie genre. At the bottom of the page there is a small copy of the magazine front cover to show the readers which issue this magazine is. The THS as the bottom of the page links in with the masthead as it’s the same font and style just different size; this is getting the readers familiar with this brand.

My Contents Page-

My double page spread challenges and develops the codes and conventions due to the main image of ‘Danny and the Plans’ has direct address which makes the reader feel involved, plus the colours used on this image link in with the rest of the colour scheme on the double page spread of red, white, black and yellow. This colour scheme is recognised as indie colours as they are natural and earthy and so I have used these several colours on my other media products so that my Double Page Spread links with both my Front Cover and Contents Page. I have not used more than 1 main image so that it is not too busy with images and you are clear on what the article is about and who it is about. The name of magazine at the bottom of the page in the usual brand font is a constant reminder of what the magazine is called and I have also used it to show that the article has finished. Next to this is the page number and it is used so that you know what page you are on when trying to find this specific article. The bold headline of ‘Danny and The Plans from the start’ draws the reader’s attention to the article as it is allowing them to get to know the band and the magazine, with the band name included makes the fans stop and read the article. I have used a drop capital which is when the first letter of the article is bold a larger so that the readers are clear on where the article starts. Also the article has a quote from the article so that the readers get hooked and ask themselves questions like what does that mean and what to read on to find out what it means, this is called a drop quote and this the first thing that catches your eye when you open the page as its colour is white on a contrasting background colour of black which will catch the reader’s attention.

My Double Page Spread-

Furthermore, inside the article I have used colloquial dialogue so that the readers feel like they can connect with the magazine as it is friendly and welcoming. All of the articles have an introduction to captivate the readers to read the article , so my stand first is at the bottom of the main image so this is the first piece of text you read it will draw the reader’s attention to the article as it sets the tone for the article as if you don’t like the introduction you aren’t going to read the article but I have made the stand first intriguing by using questions so it leaves the readers wanting to read more , which is also why I have included the magazine website at the bottom of the article so they can browse online for more of the latest information. I have followed the codes and conventions of indie music magazines and also challenged and developed them from each of my media products so that my magazine fits in with the other indie magazines on the shelf yet it stands out and catches your eye first.