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

a.) The title of the magazine:-
For the masthead I used "Viner Hand ICT" for the font that I used to create "Vengeance". I choose black and red for the colours of my title because I felt they stood out more against the magazine. Also it give the title an edgy style which helps reflect the rock genre of my magazine.

I think my title follows some codes and conventions of real rock magazines. For example "Kerrang!" also has a rough edge to the writing and "Big Cheese" have included a border on their title to separate it from the background. However it also challenges the conventions of real rock magazines because I have added a drop shadow and a slight inner shadow to the writing so it looks more 3D. This also helps it to stand out from the rest of my front cover.


b.) Mise-en-scene of images:-
The mise-en-scene of the images I have used in my magazine uses the forms and conventions of real rock magazines such as "Big Cheese" because of the posture of the people included and also the raw edginess that the artists have themselves.

However I also think my images challenge the conventions of real rock magazines because of the anger and aggression that is portrayed in my images is not commonly used in real rock magazines as they generally tend to go for a more serious and moody expression to their images.

c.) Costumes and props:-

The costumes and props I have used throughout "Vengeance" use the conventions of real rock magazines because of the black top and skinny jeans combination. This is often the clothing of bands that are in real rock magazines. However I think the props that I have used develop the forms and conventions of real rock magazines because I used a microphone in my images. Usually you would find the band posing on their own or if it was featuring the guitarist they would include a guitar or drum sticks if they focused on the drummers. Which is why my props develop the conventions because the vocalist is only ever posed on their own. By me adding a microphone into the image I have created a unique image that I couldn't find an example of in any real rock magazines.


d.) People:-

The people in "Vengeance" use the conventions by the style of their clothing. However they also challenge the conventions because they aren't as obscure in their dress code as some of the people you would find in real rock magazines. In addition to this I haven't included a band picture which is very unusual as a picture of the band, normally a group of 4-5 males aged from 18 and above, would typically feature in a real rock magazine.


e.) Title font and style:-
I created the title "The crowd was insane!" using "Popular Std" on Photoshop. I edited it to add an outer glow and to also change the transparency of the text so that you could see the image behind it through the writing. By placing the text at an angle I have challenged the forms of real rock magazines as they tend to keep their titles in a straight line. However it also follows the forms because it is the largest font in my magazine except from the masthead. It is also in bold which makes it stand out against the rest of the page.

f.) Written content:-
The written content that I have included in "Vengeance" uses the forms and conventions of real rock magazines because I asked similar questions to what you would expect to find in rock magazines such as "Big Cheese". This is because I asked about touring, the band and their background. In addition to this, the editors note is friendly and laid back which can be linked to most real rock magazines as they feel addressing the reader as a friend makes them feel more welcome towards the magazine.

g.) Music genre and how your magazine suggests it:-

The genre of my magazine, "Vengeance" is rock with both punk and metal influences which is portrayed by the bands listed on the contents page. In addition to this the mise-en-scene of the images I have included all suggest a rock genre because of the attitude reflected in them. Also the colours; red, black and purple are all considered as classic rock colours. All in all they follow the forms and conventions of real rock magazines when suggesting that "Vengeance" is a rock magazine. Even the name on it's own sounds like it belongs to the rock genre which develops the conventions of real rock magazines because for example "Big Cheese" doesn't sound like a rock magazine when compared to something such as "Rocksound".

h.) Layout:-

The layout of my magazine typically follows the conventions of real rock magazines. Shown by the double spread page which is similar to "Kerrang!" with a large picture taking up 3/4 of the whole page and then the interview down one side. By including a quote in large writing across the page at a slight angle follows some conventions of real rock magazines, however as I have tilted the text I have challenged the forms and conventions as real rock magazines tend to keep their text in straight lines. On my front cover I have also challenged the conventions as the sub-heading text is also on a slant instead of a straight line. This looks dynamic and portrays an attitude of anti-authority.

 

i.) Contents page:-
My contents page challenges the conventions of real rock magazines because I have split the listings up into two separate ones almost as if they are in boxes. This is unconventional because when compared to real rock magazines for example "Big Cheese" list their contents in long columns rather then splitting them up like I have. By splitting mine apart and further separating them by placing images of bands between them I haven't used the forms and conventions of keeping the listings as one. Although my editors note with hand written signature, which I wrote and scanned into the computer, uses the conventions of real rock magazines because they all include a editors note with signature on the contents page. The signature adding a personal touch to the magazine so that the magazine isn't formal as it should be friendly towards its reader.