organisation

self assessment of codes and conventions task

1. i feel i have justified my decisions well on my blog post, i explained which codes and conventions i included and for what effect (like the connotative effect of colours)
However to improve the front covers, i could have used more detailed cover lines and secondary images in all of them to make them more realistic. Also i think when adding in codes and conventions i need to consider what one would work in each magazine and which ones wouldn't work rather than just adding in the same conventions for each because each magazine should be different because of their different styles

2. I plan to use this in the future for my drafting and planning of my own music magazine because it has helped me in finding out what codes and conventions work best and has also aided my knowledge on what to use for each different style of magazine.

drafting and planning, codes and conventions

We were given the task of completing 5 music magazine front covers using our knowledge on codes and conventions. Each cover had a main cover star, masthead and barcode and it was our task to add to it. I was able to do this task because of my knowledge of codes and conventions shown in this previous task: http://stevesasmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/in-one-of-my-media-studies-lessons-we.html

Here I implemented a main cover line

that matched the masthead, both in font

and in colour and for the other cover lines

I also used red and black which altogether

created a consistent colour scheme.

I also organized the cover lines around the main

image which created a clear layout. In the

the cover lines I used red to emphasize a

word's importance to the viewers that would also

make them interested.

The anchorage text also entices the readers

to read the article as it briefly reveals what the

article is about and its separated out into three
main lines, 'drake, revealed, the man...' which is a typical convention of music magazines

 Here I used a similar font for the main cover line

that is big and bold, which gives clarity to the

potential buyers and its a typical convention for

music magazines.

I implemented a puff with 'exclusive' this is in contrast

to the text around it so it stands out and intrigues the

potential buyers who would be attracted to it and seek to find out more.

I also added in a secondary image which is another

convention that visually communicates the other content

in the magazine.

The colour scheme contains lively and bright colours

because of the warm lively colours of the image

as well as the bright happy facial expressions of the cover stars

Here I used a soft and round edged font which matches

that of the masthead and complies with the gentle

calm nature of the main image. The colours also comply with this as they are soft and match the tint of the image.

The font that I used for the rest of the text is quite quirky, which complies with the Niche market that this magazine would be aimed at.

I also included two more typical conventions, a puff and

a band list. These help advertise the variety of content within the

magazine and demonstrates that there is more than one reason to buy it

Here, I added in anchorage text (the main cover line was already there) to entice the reader about the band being featured and I used a font that matched the cover line and the formal, conventional style of this type of magazine.

I made it the colour red so that it complied with the masthead and the other cover line to create a conventional colour scheme with the connotative effect being that kings of leon are a dangerous buy band, a typical image.

I also included a secondary image of the arctic monkeys which are another boy band that would more than likely fit the genre of music this magazine is aimed at.

Here I used an edgy font that is bold and clear which communicates the serious style of this genre of music but also helps to generate a fear factor in combination with the image. This would be one of the conventions of a niche magazine of this kind.

 I used the colour red again to comply with the masthead and the serious, dangerous style of the magazine.

I then implemented an artist list in the secondary colour, white, as these aren't as important as Marilyn manson or nine inch nails the second featured band/ artist. The font I used for this is edgy and serious but is simple and clear, so its still in compliance with the serious niche style of this magazine

drafting and planning

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/app/view

This is a link to a valuable online resource that I was informed about called 'The Visual Thesaurus' where multiple words are gathered automatically that all string from one word (that you enter).

I have recently used this to gain ideas towards the name of my indie rock band. I enter words that would partly describe the image of a typical rock band, and therefore my own band, with words like 'rebel' or 'intimidate' and I look for similar words that are intriguing and are relevant to the genre.

Here are some words that I found by typing in 'rebel' and expanding on some words to fin others, these could all potentially be the name of my band:

• Maverick
• Renegade
• Rise or Arise
• The Freedom Fighters
• The Desperados
• The insurgents
• subversive
• The crusaders 

I like the sound of these names especially since they carry meaning, however quite a few indie rock bands have random, somewhat ambiguous , yet intriguing names. For example 'The Arctic Monkeys' so I may wish to consider coming up with some names that are random but have a ring to them.

This type of name would demonstrate that indie rock is a unique and quirky genre that doesn't comply with the typical conventions of most other music genres

drafting and planning

MAGAZINE NAME IDEAS

recently I have been brainstorming ideas for the name of the music magazine that I will be creating. I wanted to come up with a name that was not only unique but also short, sharp and intriguing for my target audience. Here is a selection of my favorite names:

• BASS - I like this because its short and simple and it comes from the bass guitar which is a common yet very popular instrument present in almost all indie rock music, however it could be seen as a bit boring and not very unique.

• ROYALE - I like this name because its sounds very prestigious which reflects indie rock as a prestigious and high quality genre of music however i think it suits pop as a genre rather than the more hardened rock genre

• INDIE SOUND - I like this name because it does what it says on the tin, its simple yet bold and really gives indie rock music a name for itself however it is very similar to 'Rock sound' a popular rock music magazine so its not very unique

• IGNITE - I like this name because its unique and out going, it describes indie rock music as fiery, passionate music that really packs a punch, and this boldness could really intrigue the target audience however its questionable whether it would suit this genre

• STRIKE - i like this name because its short, sharp and sounds very powerful and superior which creates a good image for the indie rock music genre however it could be seen as a bit too bold and hardcore for this genre

After evaluating these names i decided that the one that is the most unique and intriguing that would also fit the genre best would have to be 'IGNITE'.

Target audience

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B3D9B5M
This is a link to a website called survey monkey that allows you to create a survey for other people to fill out online. I created this survey (the link above) to help me find out more about my target audience (people interested in indie rock music) which will aid me in the drafting and planning for my music magazine

organisation

i used a tracker to highlight where my strengths and weaknesses are in my current blog feed. It showed me that i have plenty of research and planning, however i lack a variety of posts, so i now need to focus on different areas like, target audience and organization

organisation

Early organisation for photo-shoot

For my music magazine I will have to use images of my created band for the front cover, contents page and the double page spread article.

• I will group with two or three friends and they will act as my made up indie rock band, or I myself could join them and add one additional member to the band, but I don't think ill do this because there needs to be a cameraman and I have an idea of what shot types and angles that I want for the band's images.

• The photo shoot could take place in the school drama studio, or at my house, however I think it should take place in the drama studio because there are various lighting options and there wont be any unwanted objects in the background.

• It will take place after school or during school as this is most convenient for everyone and it should happen after half term, so about early December 

• Very few props will be used because only a limited amount of props are used in music magazines images. The only props that I think would be necessary and effective would be something like dark sunglasses, because they help conceal the band/ artist and create a cool rebellious and intimidating image. This is a feature used effectively by famous indie rock bands like 'The Arctic Monkeys' which is another reason why I would want to include this prop because it enhances the image and the attitude of the band.

• The costumes will be fairly plain, nothing over the top, jeans and coats or maybe jackets which will all be fairly dull colors, like black or grey because these connote a serious attitude. This is a common convention of the images of most indie rock bands who wish to create a serious image.

• Finally I will, like most other music bands, use blocking to effect. I will use it to make the lead singer of the band distinct from the other members by having him positioned in the foreground standing in front of the other members who will be in the background.



drafting and planning

For the band that I will be creating I have researched into record labels that would work with my band and sell it's music.

There are two main record labels, major and independent. Major record labels are often under the control of corporate organizations called 'music groups' where as independent labels are not corporately owned, they are, as their name suggests, independent.

The 'Big three' record labels are all American and are the labels of the most popular mainstream bands/ artists in the world, there is universal music group, Sony music entertainment and warner music group:

revenue - $2.78 billion
founded - 1958

revenue - $6.552 billion
founded - 1934




revenue - $4.89 billion
founded - 1929

however for my band I do not want a major record label because I have chosen the genre of indie rock, meaning it isn't a mainstream market because it is more of an independent genre therefore I will choose an independent record label. My favorite band 'The Arctic Monkeys' are an example of this because they are an indie rock band and have an independent record label, 'domino' in London.



founded - 1993

I would also like the record label I choose to be situated in Birmingham because that's where I live and therefore that's where i live and where my created band will originate from.

I looked into small record companies in birmingham and found some results on this website called the birmingham music network: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/resources/record-labels/.
I decided to choose 'smokin records' http://www.smokinrecords.co.uk/ because they seem very professional and i think they would be the label most likely to sell my band's albums.

drafting and planning

ORIGINAL BAND/ ARTIST IDEAS



 

• Being as I have chosen the genre of indie rock, I will create a band/ artist that will suit this genre and it's target audience.

 

• I want to create a band rather than just a single artist because in real life, bands are most popular especially in this genre. I also want to make a band because it will give me more photography aspects like blocking and group costume.

• I think I will try and make this band suit the genre and its target audience by creating a serious and possibly intimidating image rather than a happy and playful image.

 

• I will try and achieve this through photography, typography(which I have been researching recently) and also text, which will obviously be from the point of view of my created band.

• A lot of rock band's have names that suit the seriousness of the genre more than others like 'The Killers' whereas some are quite random and ambiguous but are still appropriate, like 'The arctic Monkeys' and 'Muse'. This type of name gives the band a little bit extra in terms of personality and they are potentially intriguing names that might catch the eye or the hearing of the target audience.

 

• I would like to create a band name that is just as intriguing to the target audience and a name that is just as unique. This is important because that will make my band different and would potentially make it stand out amongst other indie rock bands

 

• I would like my created band to have about 3-4 members because thats a typical convention of most bands.

 

• I would also like my band to have a colour scheme that complies with colour schemes of this genre, for example, black, white, grey, dark blue and maybe red since it's connotations would comply with an image of danger but im not sure if i want that to be my band's main image.

target audience

SIMILAR BANDS/ ARTISTS
I have decided to research into my chosen genre of music and the target audience through, 'The
Arctic monkeys'. This is because I want to create a band that are similar to them because they are a typical indie rock band that suit my chosen music genre.

The arctic monkeys most often try and create a rebellious and intimidating image to its target audience which is typical of a rock/ indie rock band as this genre of music is very serious and there is little emotion.

This band creates such an image mainly through their facial expressions, costume and also blocking. The lead singer, Alex Turner, is always stood in front of the other members demonstrating his dominance whilst he is also often wearing black sunglasses which conceals himself and therefore makes him look more intimidating and menacing.

Most of the time, the band members are also wearing black clothing, which has connotations of things being dark and serious with little emotion like the genre of music.

The arctic monkeys also try and portray this image through typography. On a lot of their magazine covers their menacing appearance is matched by that of the headline which is in a big, bold and professional font which complies with their serious image.

As well as this they also use text, as in article body text. When they are being featured in the magazine they will continue to follow their image by being deadly serious or cocky and intimidating.

This rebellious and intimidating image appeals to an indie rock music target audience because they reflect the hard faced, serious genre of music that appeals to them they may feel a sense of awe at this authoritative and rebellious band whom they feel they can relate to through their music.

I would hope to produce work that is similar to that of the arctic monkeys, because they are the same genre and therefore the same target audience, so when I come to create my band I can follow some of the typical conventions of this genre like an intimidating image through the use of photography, typography and text.

Drafting and planning, investigating typography

This is a task we did in lesson on typography, we looked at different fonts in combination with other front cover magazine conventions like the main image. We were given 6 identical magazine front covers except from the fonts which are all different and it was our task to decide which type would combine best with the rest of the typography.

Best font: B, this is because this font complies with the mechanical style of the main image because it is bold, edgy and urban. The first letter in each word is bold so it creates a form of divide like the face in the image.

second best font: E, this is because it also has an edgy urban look that would comply with the image but its not too clear to the readers.

third best font: A, this is because it is very clear to the audience and its a professional font  but too formal for the style of this magazine and doesn't comply with the image

worst font: D, this is because its not clear to the reader at all and very difficult to read, plus its very rare that fonts of a hand written style are used for headlines.

second worst font: C, this is because its a common basic font that doesn't comply with the style of the image, however it is much more clear than font D

third worst font: F, this is because its bold and readable but there is nothing special about it, it doesn't fit with the theme of the image.

drafting and planning, school contents page

This is a basic draft for a contents page for the preliminary task.

 

I started off with the masthead that was included in my draft for the front cover and used it again here in the same position because this is a typical convention for most magazines.

 

I then added in some text next to it on the right hand side which labels this page as the contents page. I used a basic font called 'quicksand' which is a professional well rounded font which therefore suits the formal style of the school and it clearly communicates to the readers what this page is.

 

 I also made the text black because its part of the house colors for the school and it is contrast to the masthead which is red, making it stand out to the reader who will immediately see recognize this as the contents page.

 

I then added in sub headings which take the reader to exactly what they want to see and lists of features found in the magazine telling the viewers where to go to read about them with the use of numbering

 

Finally I put in 3 images, one being of me, which is the same one as on the front cover, another typical convention of contents pages and two other images that relate to other features in the magazine