Skill Development - Using Conventions From Real Media Texts

From completing my Foundation Portfolio, I now know the conventions of the front cover, contents page and double page spread of a music magazine. My knowledge of conventions expanded throughout my AS year, for example, after completing the preliminary task I realised the importance of using the conventional shot type of medium close-up for the main image of the magazine cover. Before doing my preliminary task I thought any shot type would be acceptable and look effective, but when looking back at it, I can see that it doesn’t look as appealing and professional as it would have done with if I followed conventions and used a medium close-up, correct lighting and a set pose, and if I had done this in my final product, I would have lost marks. I also gained knowledge in relation to other key conventions, such as the positioning of the masthead, a set colour scheme including three colours, including a plug, etc. In the evaluation of my final product, I completed a conventions analysis of each part of the product (front cover, contents page, and double page spread), which clearly showed the conventions I followed. These conventions included: a skyline, main image, masthead, plug, barcode, etc. on my front cover, a title, editor’s note, feature stories with their page numbers, multiple images, layout in columns, etc. on my contents page, and a stand first, drop cap, pull quote, article set out in columns, main image taking up a page, etc. on my double page spread.