Evaluation (1/2)

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

My music magazine uses the forms and conventions of generic music magazines. For example, there is a large medium shot image on the front cover, which makes eye contact with the reader. On the contents page, I have smaller images on the page linking to each article and text on what the article is about and what page number it is on. My double page spread is also set out with one large image, making eye contact with the reader like my front cover to make the reader feel involved with the article while they are reading it. The page style is conventional for other similar magazines with this genre, like XXL and Scratch.

How does your media product represent particular social groups and who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience for my magazine would be 14-19 years old, with an interest in modern rap music. It is designed to appeal more to a male audience and is quite ‘laddish’ in terms of appearance and contents. For example, the colour scheme of red, grey and black and appear masculine. Despite featuring a good-looking male on the front cover, which may also appeal to girls, the target audience is primarily teenage boys. The name of the magazine (Urban) suggests that the magazine specialises in Rap music in the same way that ‘Kerrang!’ suggests that it specialises in Rock music, even before you see what it looks like. This would engage my target audience and grab their attention.

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

Major publishers, distributing nationwide in newsagents such as WH Smiths would distribute my music magazine. Rap is a popular genre with a wide appeal and therefore sales would be favourable if the magazine were distributed in this way. At £3.99 per issue, the magazine would be published monthly by publishers such as ‘Devin Lazerine’ (who also publish music magazines of a similar genre such as ‘Rap Up’).

How did you attract/address your audience?

The name of the magazine ‘Urban’ suggests popular, modern music and up to date news and views, which will make people feel included and ‘filled in’ on all the latest gossip from their favourite genre of music. The choice of model on the front cover of the magazine may also attract the audience because he is photogenic and boys will aspire to be like him. Finally the contents, in the forms of interviews, posters and reviews, promise to keep the reader entertained and informed. While at £3.99 it is value for money in today’s market. I addressed the audience as if I was an older brother, who would give them advice on things, and tell them what is goin on in the subject of rap music.