Mr. Games's reviews: 2011

Evaluation Questions by Andrew Games

Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products

In this piece I wanted to have an Independent, but professional theme, as the theme is based on Indie music and 80’s music. I wanted to add the 80’s music quality as its rare too see any 80’s themed music or bands in our magazines. I wanted to develop this too make it more professional than your average indie magazines, most indie magazines such as NME have a white background, may be good, but its used to often, its rare too see a background genuinely part of the picture, for example my permanent background of my magazine is a brick wall.

Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Realistically I would of liked it if all groups would like it, even though its got a very independent style to it. I would say the social groups that this magazine is aimed towards are indie kids and people with a taste of original, 80's, synth pop music. Realistically i wanted this to have a magazine which are not only for particular groups, but also aimed at Individuals, as there is barely any individualism any more, just groups. One thing that would attract the groups and help set the scene is the colour, contrast and tone of the front cover would be like, it has a rusty feel with a glowing effect to the figure on the picture.

Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I would reckon NME would take on my product, its fresh, original and its more or less leading back to the early roots on the Independent circuit. The different colour schemes, the clothing, the posture, the band name and also the name of the magazine, and what the magazine represents. The Indie Circuit would also like to show off the commitment that NME also holds and represents so the two forces combined together would help out a lot with possibly trying to make the Indie scene much better and spotlighted!

Q4. Who would be the audience of your media product?

My audience would be people of a variety of different styles, people who are into 80's music, synth pop, brit pop, and Indie pop. Different styles and dress tastes but exposing the freedom to be flamboyant, like the music based in the magazine would be like. I wouldn't really want to isolate other groups from it to! I would welcome other social groups and music genere gatherings to experiment with the music and products that we represent in our magazine! Other social groups could possibly share their creativity with us and and maybe create and unleash a new breed of music and followings!

Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?

The magazine cover would immediately attract a younger audience, as the image would have a 1960's colour quality photo, with the colour tone, and brightness. The picture's brightness has a cross process effect, and it has a warm glow towards the person in the image, which would give more of a neutral, but slick feel, as to be similar to many indie photo's of today, the picture and what the person wears would also give a flamboyant impression, it would also represent the music, as the music would be flamboyant as the 80's were too. It would also encourage individuals to dress up in flamboyant clothing and styles and to come out of their shells and have the ability to socialise and share their fashion & music taste with other individuals.

Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have learnt to use a website called Piknic, similar too photoshop, however its cheaper, and instead of several layers, Piknic only has one which is a disadvantages, however there are several things to do and use, such as different title fonts, cropping pictures, adding little extra accessory images into the full image. I have also learnt that it takes more than just an 'image' to captivate an audiance, you need the words, the text, the info in order to bring that audiance (or reader) to show an interest in what they see in front of them on the magazine! Back in GCSE Media, I was more or less blind to the knowledge, and now in A Level.. I can see, I can see the knowledge straight infront of me in my face!

Q7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I have learnt the boundaries of school magazines, what they usually contain and also it has helped flex my ideas for magazines, not just for this but also for the music magazine.. It has also helped me with my skills on computers and creativity in design! I have also faced the challenge of trying to make my school magazine look better than the ones we see currently in our school. I feel that I have succeeded in that task pretty well and I have learnt new simple ways, such as what the school its self would contain in their monthly magazine!