Key media definition

Media consumption - the sum of information and entertainment media taken in by an individual or                                        group.

Audience behaviour - how a crowd reacts.

Media ownership - process whereby progressively fewer individuals or organisations control                                              increasing shares.

Technologies - application of scientific knowledge.

Audiences - the people that are supposed to see and buy the product.

National - relating to or characteristic of a nation; common to a whole nation.

Local - restricted to a particular area or one's neighbourhood.

National audience - spectators in a country.

Local audience - spectators or listeners in a particular area.

Institution - organisations founded for a purpose.

Global - world wide.

Global institution - world wide organisation.

Hardware - physical aspects of computers.

Content - what something includes.

Convergence - process of merging together.

Synergy - the interaction or co-operation of two or more organisations to increase profit.

Proliferation - a document created regarding yourself.

Issues - supply or distribute for use of sale.

Abraham Maslow- The hierarchy of need

The hierarchy of needs was created by Abraham Maslow, who was a psychologist, in 1943. I learnt how all of these are closely linked to media and examples of each stage being linked. At the bottom of the pyramid, there is Physiological needs, this is things like food, water warmth and rest, which is labelled under the 'basic needs' section, an example of when this is in the media is things like food bank posters which would help people achieve this need. The second one is Safety needs, this is things like safety and security, which is also labelled under  'basic needs', an example of this is house adverts either outside estate agents or in newspapers. The third one is Belongingness and love needs, this is intimate relationships and friends,this is in the section 'psychological needs' examples of where this comes into media is online dating to get a relationship and social media to connect with old friends and meet new ones. The fourth one is Esteem needs, this is prestige and a feeling of accomplishment, which is also under 'psychological needs', an example of this is also social media and radios where your accomplishment is shown to others and makes you feel better about yourself. The last one is Self-actualisation, this is under 'self-fulfilment needs'  which is achieving life's goal and an example of this is on the internet like on things like Thomas Cook if your goal is to go travelling, but this could differ a lot because obviously everyone's goals are different. All these needs are linked because to achieve one thing you need the needs from another level of the hierarchy, for example, to go travelling to achieve life's goal, you need the basic needs like food, water and safety.    

Deconstructing and analysing magazine covers

The first task is to make a front cover to a sixth form magazine of Ryde Academy. To help me with this we have been analysing other front covers and seeing the type of things that I need to include in mine.

Tommies' Times

Masthead - The masthead is the title of the magazine is in the top left of the front cover, it will stay in this place so when future magazines are made the readers can become familiar with the layout and will look out this magazine in the future. The colour of the masthead is a good choice because it is the same colour as the badge of their school, it is also in big font and much bigger than the rest of the writing so it is eye catching by customers and is eye catching. 


Main image - The main image is probably the most important thing included on a front cover of a magazine, this is because its the first thing people will look at and decide if they want to buy the magazine, like a first impression. On this particular magazine this quite a main image because it is truly focused on the girl and she looks intelligent, also the background isn't in focus to bring out the importance of the girl, who is in focus. This image appeals to the target audience because she looks quite intelligent and would appeal to people who want to go to sixth form.

Gaze - The model for this is looking away for effect, this could be appealing to some but in my opinion I personally do not think this is the best way to intrigue the audience. this will help me with making mine because now I know that looking directly at the camera is the most effective way of gaining attention of an audience.

Date and bar code -  In this particular magazine there is no date or bar code, which I think gives it an unrealistic look. This means that in mine I will be adding this features to make mine more realistic and better Tommies' Times.

  

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my AS Media blog

I will be blogging frequently about my coursework and by the end of the course I hope to have had
gained knowledge about media.

Brief: Print: Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program.

Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new magazine (if done as a group task,each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style). Maximum four members to a group. All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate(s), minimum of FOUR images per candidate.