MAGAZINE STYLE RADIO
Genre Research:
Magazine style radios contain several features that allow us to recognise their genre.
These include:
- A variety of topics
- A chatty presenter
- No dead air(musical interludes)
- Interactive with the audience (texts, phone calls, social media)
Before i create my own magazine style radio, i need to research the genre. Genre allows someone to specify what type of radio station they want to listen to. In order to show my understanding of different genres of magazine style radio, I will be presenting 1 style of magazine style radios from different genres here on my blog. This way, I am able to analyse and recognise the key features of magazine style radio.To do this i went on BBC Radio iPlayer and found the below magazine style radio show. Click this link:
This is a magazine style radio because:
1. Presenter greets his audience, this is important because radio is a very personal medium compared to print magazines because the person is speaking directly to you, so there job is to make you feel welcomed.
2. Presenter lists the contents of the show which is necessary because the listener needs to know if it is worth tuning in (like a table of contents in a print magazine)
3. Contents vary. This is good in a magazine style radio because if the content doesn't change then it turns into a factual radio show and not a magazine style.
Magazines are partly identified by their mixture of topics; this is also called by hybridity of content. In our radio magazine show we have these following topics.
Sender Message Receiver
Cbeebies Young children
Encoder Code Decoder
All communications are encoded. For the communication to be successful, the receiver has to understand the code. For example, a language has to be understood in order to receive the message that someone is trying to send. Some messages are more complicated than others, however each message has a code. Everything from television to speech, are messages being sent to an audience or person (the decoder), and they must know the code in order to receive it successfully.
Research For Shopaholics Target Audience
Magazines are partly identified by their mixture of topics; this is also called by hybridity of content. In our radio magazine show we have these following topics.
Sender
Cbeebies
Encoder
All communications are encoded. For the communication to be successful, the receiver has to understand the code. For example, a language has to be understood in order to receive the message that someone is trying to send. Some messages are more complicated than others, however each message has a code. Everything from television to speech, are messages being sent to an audience or person (the decoder), and they must know the code in order to receive it successfully.
Research For Shopaholics Target Audience
Research Methods
From our research, we know that magazines are partly identified by their mixture of topics; this is also called hybridity of content. In our own magazine style radio, we have kept this in mind in choosing our four topics. These four topics include, Black Friday Women's Health and Fitness, favourite shopping destinations and Compulsive Behaviour. As you can see these topics are all very different com one another, however they are all linked through the target audience, this being Shopaholics.
2. What is your average budget when you go shopping?
3. How do you feel when you buy items while shopping?
4. Have you ever lost time at work/valuable time to go shopping?
5. How would you describe your feelings when you do not shop for some time?
Research For Shopaholics Target Audience
From our research, we know that magazines are partly identified by their mixture of topics; this is also called hybridity of content. In our own magazine style radio, we have kept this in mind in choosing our four topics. These four topics include, Black Friday Women's Health and Fitness, favourite shopping destinations and Compulsive Behaviour. As you can see these topics are all very different com one another, however they are all linked through the target audience, this being Shopaholics.
- Audience Research - Interview with people who claim to be shopaholics.
- Shopaholic Documentary (based under compulsive behaviour topic)
- Questionnaire- We can use a simple questionnaire to retrieve general information and statistics on our target audience. Often used to collect data from a mass number of people.
- Interviews- An effective way of research, as we are able to get up close and personal with the source, and find out key information. Example interview questions:
2. What is your average budget when you go shopping?
3. How do you feel when you buy items while shopping?
4. Have you ever lost time at work/valuable time to go shopping?
5. How would you describe your feelings when you do not shop for some time?
Research For Shopaholics Target Audience
Topic 1: Black Friday
Research:
Police in Manchester tweeted: "At least two people arrested at #BlackFriday sales events already this morning. Keep calm people!"
1. Zara
2. H&M
3.Topshop
4.River Island
5.Next
There are also many countries in the world which are known for their famous shopping destinations. CNN Traveller states that to pinpoint which cities around the world deliver the most gratifying, enjoyable shopping experiences they have consulted global experts which work in the fashion merchandising business.
1. New York
2. Tokyo
3. London
4. Kuala Lumpur
5. Paris
6. Hong Kong
7. Buenos Aires
8. Vienna
9. Dubai
10. Madrid
Topic 3: Health and Fitness
Research
We have included a topic on Women's Health and Fitness, considering it fits with our target audience being women. The script will consist of fitness tips, general women's health facts and more. In the picture above, I have researched the women's health website; and came across trending topics that can be used as a foundation for our radio station. All of these topics are aimed at women, and are informative and entertaining for the target audience.
This topic includes an interview with Dorian who will play as 'Dr Brown'. After being introduced he will talk to us about 3 top tips concerning Women's Health Tips. These will be:
1. Firstly, you should never skip breakfast. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.
2. Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering.
Following up from this part of the interview, Beatriz and Amber will thank Mr Brown for taking his time to come to the radio show and this will finish our 3rd topic.
SCRIPT (TOPIC 2):
Amber: Next were going to talk about women's health and fitness. We have a special guest to give you ladies some tips on keeping fit and healthy.
Beatriz: Welcome Dr Brown, who has been a doctor for many years, and specialises in general Women's health. He is her to not only discuss matters on Women's health, but to offer some tips on how to stay healthy swell.
Dorian: Hello Radio 1 for shopaholics! Women nowadays are very interested in their image and health. My first health tip would be, that fibre in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and fill yourself up yourself on sugar. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.
Amber: Yes image is very important to women these days.
Dorian: My second tip would be, if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. So take a pain reliever instead!
Beatriz: That's all we have time for with Dr Brown, thank you for coming in today and giving us your top tips.
Amber: If you had any other questions for Dr Brown, you can visit his website at www.doctorbrownsmedicalcentre.co.uk
Dorian: Remember folks, stay healthy!
Topic 4: Compulsive Behaviour
Research Method: Public Observation
Our final research method involved witnessing shopaholics in their own environment. Therefore, we used a video from youtube, showing shopaholics in their element and live, doing what they do best; shopping..
Compulsive behaviour is a need to reduce apprehension caused by internal feelings a person wants to abstain or control.
There are also many other types of compulsive behaviour. These include: hoarding, excessive cleaning/hoarding, 'making sure' of certain things.
Script:
Dorian:Compulsive behaviour is defined as performing an act persistently and repetitively without it necessarily leading to an actual reward or pleasure.
Beatriz: Shopping is also a compulsive disorder, among many others including eating, skin picking and hoarding.
Amber: So what causes compulsive behaviour? It has been proven by doctors that compulsive behaviour is caused by simply inner feelings that a person wants to control. People with compulsive disorders have no other way of controlling these feelings, therefore they result to compulsively doing something- which explains compulsive behaviour.
Dorian: But compulsive behaviour can be controlled or contained by seeing a therapist or doctor. But I'm sure all you shopaholics out there have no intention of curing your addiction to shop tip you drop!
Beatriz: I suppose that finishes our radio show for today shopaholics. Tune in tomorrow for the next show from radio 1 for shopaholics.
Production:
Research:
Police in Manchester tweeted: "At least two people arrested at #BlackFriday sales events already this morning. Keep calm people!"
The force said there had been "disturbances" at the seven Tesco stores. Incidents included:
- About 200 shoppers refused to leave a store in Middleton.
- Fights broke out between shoppers in Stretford, and a woman suffered "minor injuries" after being hit by a falling television.
- A man was arrested in Salford after he threatened to "smash a staff member's face in".
- In Wigan, officers were called to reports of "several hundred people trying to enter the store".
- There were reports of fighting in a store in Hattersley, where a man was arrested for a public order offence.
The research was conducted by fashion recommendation site Dressipi. From our online research we have found to that the Top 5 High Street Stores for under 40s, since 2012 are:
1. Zara
2. H&M
3.Topshop
4.River Island
5.Next
There are also many countries in the world which are known for their famous shopping destinations. CNN Traveller states that to pinpoint which cities around the world deliver the most gratifying, enjoyable shopping experiences they have consulted global experts which work in the fashion merchandising business.
1. New York
2. Tokyo
3. London
4. Kuala Lumpur
5. Paris
6. Hong Kong
7. Buenos Aires
8. Vienna
9. Dubai
10. Madrid
Script:
Amber: Shopaholics everywhere tend to shop in more preferred destinations. From a survey conducted in the UK, it was discovered that the favourite high street shop was 'Zara', while the top ten favourite included that of Chanel and Prada. We conducted our own surgery for several people from a range of different ages and genders. This is what w were told... VOXPOP
Dorian: But why are certain shops preferred over others?
Beatriz: I suppose its because of what they sell. I know i prefer certain clothing shops over others.
Dorian: Feel free to complete our online survey on your favourite shops at www.radio1/shopaholics.co.uk
Amber: On a broader scale, the top 3 shopping cities in the world include New York, Moscow and Tokyo, that receive billions of visits every year from people from all corners of the world.
Beatriz: I guess the whole world has an inclination to shop, let alone shopaholics.
Dorian: That's true, i mean, who doesn't like shopping? Were going out to Amber now who is interviewing people on the high street about their favourite shops.
Outside broadcast.
Amber: Hi Dorian, I'm here today in oxford St with ...... , a 16 year old girl from London. So ..... , whats your favourite shop?
Interviewee: Well id have to say Topshop because they sell my style of clothes. I'm always buying things in there whenever i go shopping!
Amber: Haha id agree. And what is your least favourite shop?
Interviewee: That would be Zara. I think the clothes are quite basic and yet there so expensive.
Amber: That's it from us, back to you guys in the studio.
Dorian:Maybe shopping is naturally addictive, but some people fall under the spell more easily than others depending on how they feel.
Beatriz: This leads us onto the next topic of today, Compulsive behaviour!
Topic 3: Health and Fitness
Research
We have included a topic on Women's Health and Fitness, considering it fits with our target audience being women. The script will consist of fitness tips, general women's health facts and more. In the picture above, I have researched the women's health website; and came across trending topics that can be used as a foundation for our radio station. All of these topics are aimed at women, and are informative and entertaining for the target audience.
This topic includes an interview with Dorian who will play as 'Dr Brown'. After being introduced he will talk to us about 3 top tips concerning Women's Health Tips. These will be:
1. Firstly, you should never skip breakfast. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.
2. Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering.
Following up from this part of the interview, Beatriz and Amber will thank Mr Brown for taking his time to come to the radio show and this will finish our 3rd topic.
SCRIPT (TOPIC 2):
Amber: Next were going to talk about women's health and fitness. We have a special guest to give you ladies some tips on keeping fit and healthy.
Beatriz: Welcome Dr Brown, who has been a doctor for many years, and specialises in general Women's health. He is her to not only discuss matters on Women's health, but to offer some tips on how to stay healthy swell.
Dorian: Hello Radio 1 for shopaholics! Women nowadays are very interested in their image and health. My first health tip would be, that fibre in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and fill yourself up yourself on sugar. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day; breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.
Amber: Yes image is very important to women these days.
Dorian: My second tip would be, if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. So take a pain reliever instead!
Beatriz: That's all we have time for with Dr Brown, thank you for coming in today and giving us your top tips.
Amber: If you had any other questions for Dr Brown, you can visit his website at www.doctorbrownsmedicalcentre.co.uk
Dorian: Remember folks, stay healthy!
Topic 4: Compulsive Behaviour
Research Method: Public Observation
Our final research method involved witnessing shopaholics in their own environment. Therefore, we used a video from youtube, showing shopaholics in their element and live, doing what they do best; shopping..
Compulsive behaviour is a need to reduce apprehension caused by internal feelings a person wants to abstain or control.
There are also many other types of compulsive behaviour. These include: hoarding, excessive cleaning/hoarding, 'making sure' of certain things.
Script:
Dorian:Compulsive behaviour is defined as performing an act persistently and repetitively without it necessarily leading to an actual reward or pleasure.
Beatriz: Shopping is also a compulsive disorder, among many others including eating, skin picking and hoarding.
Amber: So what causes compulsive behaviour? It has been proven by doctors that compulsive behaviour is caused by simply inner feelings that a person wants to control. People with compulsive disorders have no other way of controlling these feelings, therefore they result to compulsively doing something- which explains compulsive behaviour.
Dorian: But compulsive behaviour can be controlled or contained by seeing a therapist or doctor. But I'm sure all you shopaholics out there have no intention of curing your addiction to shop tip you drop!
Beatriz: I suppose that finishes our radio show for today shopaholics. Tune in tomorrow for the next show from radio 1 for shopaholics.
Progress Record:
Throughout our production log we have managed to use 3 research methods to research our target audience. This allowed us to come up with 4 appropriate topics for our magazine style radio which would appeal and interest our target audience. By looking at the components of a magazine style radio we can produce our own by including the specific features. Our next step in the process of making our magazine style radio would be to write the remaining part of our script, and then record it using audacity.
Summary of Roles
In my institution of 3 members, I have the role of the editor of our radio show. Amber was he script writer. Where as Dorian has been held in charge of recording the interviews themselves, although we did OB's as a group. We have all played a part in recording the voxpop, and all conducted research for at least one topic each.
Production Stage 2: Recording&Editing
In order to record our radio show, interviews, outside broadcast and voxpop, we used a USB microphone and a portable microphone for the voxpop and outside broadcast. The USB microphone is a more efficient as the sound is more clearly heard. However the portable microphone allows us to record outside to gather our primary research.
In order to create our title music, Amber used Garage band. Firstly, she selected the type of sound we wanted and based this choice on our target audience. The title music would be featured at the beginning of the radio, and therefore would have to attract and appeal to them.
In order to record our radio show, interviews, outside broadcast and voxpop, we used a USB microphone and a portable microphone for the voxpop and outside broadcast. The USB microphone is a more efficient as the sound is more clearly heard. However the portable microphone allows us to record outside to gather our primary research.
In order to create our title music, Amber used Garage band. Firstly, she selected the type of sound we wanted and based this choice on our target audience. The title music would be featured at the beginning of the radio, and therefore would have to attract and appeal to them.
The second stage of creating our title music involved creating a 'fade out' effect for when the presenter first begins to speak. This was done so that when the first presenter introduces the show they can be clearly heard.
Tools used on audacity include multi-tracking and the envelope tool. This allowed us to edit tracks easily and view each track on the screen altogether.
 |
| Freesound is a Creative Commons website, other people can use free resources to help them create new products. Freesound is constructed from audio files which people upload so that people can use them creatively. I have chosen the sound effects of a gymnasium to use in my Women's health and fitness topic. |
Evaluation
1. Strengths and Weaknesses of Decisions:
In the construction of our show we made a number of important decisions. Firstly, we allocated roles in our team to decide who wanted to do certain roles, this would help my group work more efficiently. At the beginning of planning our radio show we decided that our target audience was going to be 'shopaholics'. We included 4 topics to talk about, which fitted the criteria given of a magazine style radio. We decided to include options that people could 'text' the show or visit our 'website', this would help the radio show sound more realistic. These were beneficial decisions that made our production move faster. One of the decisions we made was to write each script for each topic before recording, which was a weak decision. Although we had written 4 detailed scripts, it had left us with little time to record our radio show. This was a weakness in one of our decisions as it affected our overall production.
2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Research into other Magazine Style Radios:
I conducted my research on other magazine style radios in order to understand the codes and conventions in a magazine style radio itself. Strengths of this research would have included when I listened to several examples of other magazine style radios; as it allowed me to understand the components of a magazine style radio, it also was able to inspire me and give me basic ideas of things I could include my own. I have analysed a radio show above. I believe that the only weakness in my research into other magazine style radio shows was that i only included 1 example which didn't help me see the variation on such a broad media production. However, the research I did complete helped me understand the hybridity in my own chosen topics.
3. Strength's and/or weaknesses into the research for target
audience of our Magazine Style Radio.
Research methods into our target audience consisted of holding interviews with shopaholics answering a variety of questions, watching a shopaholic documentary. In my opinion our research was one of our strongest points of our production because we managed to gain information needed to fully understand or target audience.
