2nd December 2011
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My magazine follows several of the conventions set before it by other similar media products. An example of this is shown below:
My magazine is based on a similar BBC magazine: ‘Doctor Who’. I chose to base my magazine on the Doctor Who magazine because it also falls into the 6-12 year old target audience category. As my magazine is based on the Doctor Who magazine it follows a few of its conventions. One of the main visual conventions that my magazine uses is having the main character from the show in the centre of the page looking directly forward, I decided to use this as it engages the readers when they look at the magazine.
Another convention that I used from the Doctor Who magazine is the use of the strap line across the bottom of the cover; I used a similar design with my strap line as the one on the Doctor Who magazine was already eye catching, with the large bold ‘Plus!’ in a red explosion and the yellow to stand out against the background, I kept the red as it connotes excitement. I liked how the Doctor Who magazine used tardises to separate the text as it linked with the magazine, so I developed this idea to Blue Peter badges on my magazine as they are a symbol for Blue Peter and signify prizes.
A further convention that I used form the Doctor Who magazine was the use and placement of the ‘BBC’ logo, as the BBC have their logo on all of their publications in a similar position to show readers that it is their publication and will be to their high standard, while being suitable for the target audience.
My Magazine also follows the usual conventions of children’s magazines: having a price and date visible near the top, having a barcode and having giveaways.
My DVD also follows a few conventions of children’s DVD’s.
One of the main conventions that I used in creating my DVD were the use and positioning of the DVD and age certification logos as these appear on all DVD’s. I chose to have my DVD as a ‘U’ so that it is suitable for all audiences to view, as it is aimed at children.
Another convention I followed was the use of the DVD information on the reverse of the cover. I created this information in Photoshop form referencing another children’s DVD that I had at home, it includes all the specific information such as the length and format of the disk as well as the legal print.
The only BBC DVD that I had to reference was the Horrible Histories DVD, as this DVD was quite plain I decided to create mine in a different style. I chose to have the two presenters on the front of the cover on a plane background looking straight ahead to stand out and engage the viewers. The two presenters are popular and will be recognised by Blue Peter fans. I used a large Blue Peter title as it stands out on the cover of the DVD and is a highly known name.
On the back of the DVD I decided to create a Polaroid like effect for the images as viewers will see this and know that they were photos taken while Blue Peter were on this adventure. I also used the text ‘Are You Ready For An Adventure?’ on the back of the DVD as this will draw the viewers in, because all children like adventures.
A convention for DVD’s is to have quotes from magazines or reviewers rating the DVD, however Children may not be aware who these magazines or people are, therefore I decided to develop upon this convention and use quotations from children who have watched the DVD. An example of this is on the front cover: ’A 5 Star Adventure – Harry Aged 6’. Children will see these comments and know that other children their age have enjoyed the DVD so they will probably enjoy it too.
The only convention that my children's opening sequence follows is that it finishes with the name of the show. I decided to not copy any conventions of children's shows as I wanted to create something different and new, hopefully by doing this children will recognise that it is different and enjoy it. I decided to use stop motion to create my opening as every photo can be edited in Photoshop. The animation is of someone seeing ship in the sea, this ship signifies Blue Peter as it has their highly recognisable symbol of the sail, and their logo is a ship.
