Practice Photoshoot

Practice Photos 1

 These photos were taken in front of a newspaper background. The this was the first time i used the lighting equipment and the studio and i think i still need to get used to the effect the lighting can have on the image. This has caused some shadows on the background which can be seen in the left image. This causes the image to look less professional and less streamlined because it makes the background standout more than the people in it. The image on the right is quite effective apart from the fact that the edge of the wall is visible, making it seem less suited for a professional magazine. Also, some shadows are visible on the backdrop. I think that i could improve these images if i spend some more time focusing on the lighting and composition of the image and not just the costumes and models positioning.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Uses and Gratifications theory

This provides the use of media based on the physiological needs of an individual. The consumer and the audience uses or buys the media product for their own gratification.

Based in 4 main reasons of why the audience may want to consume the media text:

Cultural Transmission

Entertainment

Correlation

Surveillance

In 1974 Researchers Blulmer and Katz published an updated version of these reasons based on why we would use a piece of media text.

Diversion - Escape form everyday routine

Personal Relationships - using media as emotional / intellectual interactions

Personal Identity - finding yourself reflected in texts

Surveillance - using media text to gain information that is useful for living

As time and technology has changed and expanded so have these reasons, particularly with new technologies such as Video Games and the internet.

http://www.mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/alevkeyconcepts/alevelkeycon.php?pageID=audience

Demographics

Demographics 

Measurable characteristics of media consumers such as age, gender, race, education and income level.

It is important to know the correct demographic when creating a magazine because it ensures that the correct target audience is aimed for and the topics and other issues attract them. If the magazine doesn't appeal to the correct demographic, the magazine will fail. for example if the magazine is aimed at people who are working class but costs too much, they wont be able to afford it so the magazine wont sell to the working class and the higher classes wont be attracted to the magazine because it wont be aimed at them as an audience. However if the magazine is aimed at the correct demographic.

Below is an example of a demographic table, this outlines the different classes of people and what their life stereo typically involves. This will help aim the magazine at the right people and make sure it suits the correct class of people.

My Demographic

From the polls i have conducted i have realised that my key audience prefers a cheaper fortnightly magazine and they are mostly in the E/D group of the above table because the are teens and many do not have jobs. This means the magazine cannot appeal to the elite but the everyday teenager who like this genre of music. Also the use of free items is a key influence for my target audience which i will have to include in my final piece because the poll shows it will increase the chance of my demographic being attracted to the magazine. 

Poll results 2

Poll 1

I asked people when they think a magazine should be published and how often. I noticed that people prefer to have a magazine be published every fortnight. I think that this will let me judge how much stuff should be in the magazine and how it should be communicated. For example if a magazine was published monthly, the articles must be much more concise and informative so it can get everything in while a weekly magazine can be more spread out but less substantial because of the lack of news to cover.

Poll 2

This poll asked whether a free gift or offer would encourage someone to buy the magazine. I found that it almost always will so i will use this on the cover of my magazine to attract an audience into buying it.

Poll 3

This poll asked people how much they think is a reasonable price for a music magazine. I chose the prices based on the variety of prices i found other music magazines to be. I found that people prefer a magazine price to be low as possible so i think that i will be able to use this on my front cover to advertise a lower price; causing more interest.

Genre Example - Florence and the Machine

Florence and the Machine - Kiss with a Fist

This music video fits the same genre i have chosen and i think that this is most suited to the conventional style used by the genre with all the cheap effects but fast pace and energetic feel making the video feel more intense and vibrant throughout. I wish to achieve this effect through the use of colour and text style 

Genre Example - Two Door Cinema Club

Two Door Cinema Club

This video also shows the type of music i wish to use as the main genre of my magazine. I notice that the use of colour is very distinctive which i think sets this genre apart from the others because each example is different and unique. I think i could include this in my main design by using a very distinctive colour scheme on each page but also keeping the same consistent theme.

Genre Example - Muse

Muse - Madness

This is the sort of music i want my magazine to be like and i aim to make it represent this particular type of music. Muse are also on the front cover on Q magazine which could be used as an example as to how this type of music is represented on a cover or double page spread