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.