How does your Media product represent particular social groups?

I have represented female teenagers from the age of 11 to 13. They are just learning about music so need a helping hand. They are not only interested in the music but more so on the individuals and the way they look and dress. Pop stars are the main focus of my magazine. I have used images of young inspiring female pop stars looking good. This gives them role models to look up to. The pictures of the girls do not have too much make up on and they look natural and classy yet cool. I have also used pictures of attractive young males. I chose not to use too many as it could put across the wrong impression to parents. The percentage of pictures to text would be about 45% to 55% on he double page spread. I wanted to keep it balanced so they are learning and finding out about the stars but can also see what they are wearing. The colours I have used represent young girls I have used pinks and purples. Also bright colours to show a sense of fun. I chose the colours depending on audience feedback. I Have used simple language which the girls will be able to relate to. The writing is all informal and is written in a friend like way. Like they are just having a gossip with a bunch of friends. Abbreviations such as ‘OMG’ are used to relate to the reader this is the sort of thing they would say if they read this magazine. The writing is very girly and the features are too.I have represented teenage girls in a very stereotypical way.

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

I have used conventions of a real media magazine by having my mast head at the top of the page which the customer would be able to recognise and identify even if it was covered up by the photo a little. This would be my brand identity, this is how the buyer would distinguish it from any other magazine. This also includes ‘the sweetest sounds in music’ this is a little saying that is catchy and easy to remember this makes it clear it is a music magazine. There are cover lines on the front page to summarise the most enticing features and articles which lure the reader to look inside the magazine. I have used a banner along the top of my front cover. This is used on many front covers to show competitions or free gifts. I have used a few different typeface as this is what young female magazines usually include. I have put the page numbers on my front page which makes the magazine look more realistic. The layout of my magazine is very realistic, it attracts your attention and is cluttered just like other teenage music magazines. There are free posters and gifts this is offered in most magazines. I have one main picture which fills most of the page. The person is looking at the camera this is common on lots of magazines. I have also used lots of smaller pictures which is the same on the front cover of ‘Top of the pops’. They also use big numbers to catch peoples eye so that they think they are getting more for their money. I have used this convention on my front cover too. They put exclusive stories on the cover lines to lure the reader inside and to make them think that they will be first to find out about the stars. I have also used this technique on my front cover. On my double spread page I have a large picture of my pop star and then an interview with the star herself. This is usually what a double spread page consists of. There are quotes from the interview enlarged to attract your attention this is a convention which is often used. I used a headline to make it realistic which is also a quote. My contents page is well laid out so it is easy to read. There are pictures to go with the text. I have used page numbers which are always used. I put in a editors message to make the contents page realistic and like other music magazines. It has a large masthead of contents. I have put my website on each of the pages and the masthead. ‘The sweetest thing’. I have pushed the boundaries of the normal convention by using a Masthead for my magazine which is not related to music. This could be seen as risky, i am relying on my brand identity to get people to keep buying my product. My contents page is less cluttered than the usual in a teenage magazine it is more sophisticated and clear. I also went for a special edition of a valentines theme, which also pushes the boundaries as a lot of magazines don't always have a theme as focused as that.

Edited picture of Molly

Edited Photo's of Hollie

Photo shoot with Hollie

Possible Pictures- some very similar... Please Comment

Layouts for Double page spread

These are my double page spread layouts. The second one is the best as is more complex and not as boring.