Media Evaluation - Q5

Use of direct superlatives; These words create a 'buzz' for the magazine e.g. "Exclusive" and "new". These appeal to the target audience, as they are typically interested in music 'gossip' and the exclusivity sells the magazine as a worthy product and a good source for old and new music news.

In terms of language content, the mode of address used is primarily informal/colloquial, in order to appeal to the teenage target audience, as this suits their natural speaking habits and they would understand it easily. For example, words such as 'deets' are used as colloquialisms

The text also speaks directly to the audience, as it uses inclusive and involving language, by directly addressing them in the coverlines on the contents page; "what you should be listening to right now." This is an effective magazine convention and I have used it to my advantage.

I used a more indirect mode of address in terms of the front page image; the model is looking down at her guitar rather than straight-on at the camera. I think this creates a more musically-authentic atmosphere for the image and also goes against existing magazine stereotypes. From research, I found that most of the model eye-contact was face-on to the camera and I decided to subvert this convention.

Mode Of Address

How did I attract/address the audience?

Recieving Target Audience Feedback

After showing my friends my finished magazine elements (being members of my magazine’s target audience) I asked them to give me some feedback for my finished media products. They said the following things:

Colour Scheme

“I would definitely read your magazine, it actually looks pretty cool and realistic.”

“I like the way it kinda looks like NME, just more aimed at teenagers.”

“Yeah, I would read it if it was a real magazine, looks there could be some good articles in it. I like the gig picture for the double page article, it’s unusual to see photos like that.”

Imaging

By using a highly-relevant and modern image red, black and white colour scheme, I have been able to appeal directly to both genders of my teenage target audience. From previous research into magazines such as NME and Q, I have found that my chosen colour scheme conforms to a common convention, but I have used this is widen the appeal of my magazine and allow it to fit into the existing titles market. I have broken away from the colour scheme for the double page spread article, however this was necessary to keep the magazine fresh and exciting, which would consequently engage a teenage audience for longer.

In order to appeal to and initially address the audience, I used a model for the front cover that was a musician of the same age and the ideal target reader. This means direct relatable address to them and also is more likely to attract both genders as Connie (the model) is a girl and is musically-talented, suiting the content of the magazine well. In terms of costume and make up, I decided to have her dress casually but also fashionably to suit the trends of the season, as fashion is a main

interest of the typical target demographic.

Use Of Technology/Effects

In order to keep my magazine appearing engaging to the teenage eye, I have used various media software programs and techniques to create imaging and layout effects. For example, I used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign during the creation of the front cover. The main image has a 'lens flare' effect to create a more current, new and exciting aesthetic for the image and the front cover as a whole. I used a black and white filter to edit the image and break conventions of existing magazines, which tend to be printed in glossy colour. Also, I used a brush and colour dropper technique to remove the unwanted background detials of the image e.g. plug sockets on the backdrop walls, so I used a wide diameter brush tool and the colour picker to make sure the effect looks as professional as possible. I also used various techniques to create the contents page on InDesign\

Genre Appeal

As the target audience tends to have a passion for music and also be interested in both the modern chart hits and older music genres, I have been able to appeal to them directly by focusing the genre theme of my magazine on both chart music and some older, more globally-known artists with exclusive interviews ans such like. By doing this, I am going against the exisitng notion that music magazine focus on one gnre of music. I decided to make my product unique by including mixed-genre content