History of Radio

Origins of Radio

On 31 August 1920 the first known radio news program was broadcast by station 8MK, the unlicensed predecessor of WWJ (AM) in Detroit, Michigan. In 1922 regular wireless broadcasts for entertainment began in the UK from the Marconi Research Centre 2MT at Writtle near Chelmsford, England: an Italian inventor, proved the feasibility of radio communication. He sent and received his first radio signal in Italy in 1895.

Year	What happened
1895	Guglielmo Marconi built a wireless system capable of transmitting signals at long distances
1981	Marconi conducts the first successful transatlantic radio communication.
1905	John Felming invents the vacuum tube diode that helps to invent the Audion
1912	The wireless ship act requires all U.S. ships travelling over 200 miles off the coast to be equipped with the wireless radio
1919	Radio Corporation of America (RCA) is established
1920	The first radio program is broadcasted
1923	The Radio Act of 1927 re-assigns to clear frequencies to make radio stations for the public
1933	People use radio for entertainment during the Great Depression. Edwin Armstrong invents FM (frequency modulation) radio.
1950	TV takes over radio
1963	The first radio communication satellite, Telstar, is launched into space
1984	RDS allows small bits of data to be included in FM broadcasts, allowing stations to include artists and song information on digital radio displays.
1990	Began to use computers with audio cards to process radio signals, and the first digital transmissions begin to be broadcast
1998	The Digital Millennium Copyright Act - Internet radio to  pay additional royalty fees
2003	Online internet radio value is at $49 million
2004	Podcasting became popular
2008	Streaming music allowed radio’s revenue to rise above $500 million.

Audience

This has changed massively as in the 1920s the radio was the people’s only real new technology for entertainment. This meant it had a mass audience for quite a while especially throughout the Great Depression when entertainment was needed in order for people to cope. Although the audience decreased in 1950 due to the Television being introduced. Radio wasn’t the new craze anymore and was out shined by the likes of moving pictures. 

Making a magazine front cover 1

I chose this image due to the texture behind the wall and the composition of the photo. The model looks happy and contempt with herself which is what I wanted her to look like when taking the photo. I wanted the model to portray these traits as she represents how a model student is supposed to be which reflects the genre. This image will appeal to the target audience of 16-25 years old as she is an attractive young model who is a college student, which many people in the target audience will identify with. I chose a bold font style in 'Rockwell extra bold' as i thought it worked nicely against her bold look and the textured background. I used a mixture of reds, yellows and blacks to grab the audiences attention. The red was used to highlight the most important features of the magazine such as the plug and the exclusive interview. The yellow was used to highlight the interview points which the target audience may be interested in and the black highlights some of the models key points of the interview. I chose to include an interview as many students would like to know how to manage their time efficiently while also keeping their social life. The plug was used to further encourage the target audience to buy the magazine by offering them a free item they wouldn't obtain anywhere else.
The masthead would appeal to the target audience as it is not harsh in font and it is quite big. This would appeal to them as 'Lifestyle' is a topic the target audience would be interested in. I included a circle puff around the plug to highlight the importance of it. I used red to do this as it is a striking colour which catches the audiences attention. I think the size of the puff works well on the magazine as it doesn't cover the model and it is just big enough to grab attention.
I think i have created brand identity through synergy as the red and yellow work nicely together through contrast. If I was to only use red for the synergy it would of looked too violent so the yellow tones the colour down slightly which creates a good balance throughout the magazine. If I was to keep using the synergy it would definitely create a brand identity. The use of media language helps create representations. Buzz words such as 'free' and 'exclusive' further grab the attention of the target audience. This links into the representation of teenagers as they like to hear about gossip and they don't have much money so they would appreciate free add on's.
When I create products for my 03/04 production I would do everything I have already done as well as adding more pugs such as bar codes to create a more authentic magazine cover. I would also make sure the text is all level to make the cover look professional.

TA Research of my images

For this caption the student is telling me that they would like more light to be cast on the models face, while overall saying they like the picture. This helped me to realise that in the future, if we use a back lit background, we should bring a light reflector with us to balance out the image for future photos. The comment also helped me realise that I maybe should choose a different image for projects such as websites and magazine covers instead of this one due to the lighting.

For this photo the comments helped me realise that her pose looks slightly awkward and that if I was to take future photos like this I should make sure to pose her correctly during the shoot. The comments also helped me realise that I should possibly use this photo for projects such as websites as they say they like it.

For this image the comments are telling me that they like the composition however the rule of thirds is slightly off. If I was to crop it slightly so the eyes would rest 2/3 of the way into the photo then it would be a good photo. The comments have also made me realise that I should possibly use this photo for a magazine cover as students like the photo.

Selection & Rejection of Photographs 1

Selects

This is one of the best photos of the group we took as the lighting is well balanced and we had experimented with the use of depth of field. The photograph has a main focus point of the models face which doesn't change with the depth of field being in use. The fore ground starts with the leaves at the right hand side, then the mid ground is the models face and body and then the background is the bush behind the model. The colour palate is very neutral with greens, browns and blues complimenting each other. I like how the models pose looks relaxed yet mysterious and how the white balance is accurate. the rule of thirds is used nicely in this picture as well as the models eyes are in 2/3 of the photo and in the middle. The way the model is looking into the camera is also a convention which is used in magazines so this could be easily used for a front cover.

I liked this photo as the rule of thirds is used well and their is a depth of field in the picture. I placed the model behind the few branches so the photo wouldn't look as staged. The branches on the right are used as the fore ground which then make the audience look towards the mid ground (which is the main focus) and then the background of the bush. The bright blue works nicely to create contrast against the grey of the fence behind the model as well as to grab the audiences attention. The model is also again looking into the camera which creates a convention which is used for magazines and front covers. The rule of thirds also works nicely here as the models eyes are in 2/3 of the way into the photo which is where most of the audiences attention is focused on. When I was taking the photo I wanted the model to look innocent and beautiful like nature is and I think she did this quite well. However if I was to take the photo again I would position the models legs a little bit differently as it comes off as a bit awkward to the audience.

For my final select I chose this one which I really like due to the composition. The lighting is perfect and doesn't create any harsh shadows on the models face. The rule of thirds again is used as the eyes on the model are in 2/3 of the way into the photo. The way the blue jumper harmonises with the green grass and the fence creates a great colour palate which overall makes the photo look pleasing for the audience. There is also a subtle use of a lead in line with the fence which guides the audiences attention towards the main focus, the model. The model is looking away from the camera which would break conventions if it was to be used on a magazine cover. I like how the hand on her shoulder makes the model seem more closed off, as if the model is holding back information to the audience. Although if I was to publish this somewhere for a website or a magazine cover I would photoshop the tree behind her out of the photo as it does distract the audiences attention slightly from the main focus.

Rejects

I didn't like this photo as the lighting was very dark and didn't produce a clear image. Their is also a grey colour palate used for this which isn't pleasing towards the audiences eye. The main focus of the model is slightly lost as the model is too far away from the camera. The use of the lead in line is alright but it distracts the audiences focus of the model slightly. I don't like how the model is slightly out of focus too. The lamp to the right also distracts the audiences attention from the model too. The use of the rule of thirds is also lost as the model is off centre and the eyes aren't 2/3 of the way into the photo. Overall if I was to retake the photo I would use a complimentary colour palate and light boxes to bring more light into the picture.

I rejected this photo as it was a candid shot of the model and it didn't look serious and actually looked quite comical. The main focus of the models face is lost as her glasses are falling down her face which makes for a blurred photo. The rule of thirds is also lost as the eyes aren't in 2/3 of the picture. There is no use of a depth of field or a lead in line so the photograph looks quite boring. The convention of the model looking into camera is also lost as she is looking at her glasses falling down. If I was to take the photo again I would have took a candid photo of the model while she was walking or dancing. 

I rejected this photo as it doesn't look pleasing for the audience. I tried to add texture behind the model by using a brick wall however the white balance ruined the effect of this. The photo does follow the rule of thirds, with the models face being the prime focus, however the model looks slightly awkward in her pose which creates an awkward atmosphere for the audience viewing the photo. If it was to be used on the front cover of a magazine I don't think it would grab many peoples attention due to the composition of the photo. Overall the photo is not bad, however the white balance and the posing of the model ruined the photo for me and the audience.

Research: Advertising and Branding

Q) How is America and American teenage life represented in the adverts?

A) In the first Levi’s advert American teenage life is represented as fun and exciting. The bright lights contrast with the night time sky creating a beautiful and perfect party scene. Lots of young people are shown to be there too in the shots which produces an idealised image of teen life in America. The girl is seen to be attracted to the guy across the floor due to them both not being heavily influenced by their phones - which implies that most teenagers are obsessed with technology-, and as the advert goes on they become closer until they finally kiss and fall into the pool. This series of shots create an idealism that you will find love in America and that when you are young you are free and able to express yourself. The mies-en-scene of these shots also allow the audience to be immersed in the atmosphere. The girl is dressed in a casual yet edgy styled outfit with simplistic makeup, implying to the audience that teenagers don't all wear a lot of makeup or go all out on their outfits in order to look attractive. The guy is also shown in a casual outfit which matches her style. This advert targets mainly a girl teen audience as it focuses on her falling in love with a guy, which links back to old sex stereotypes of that women should find a man to marry.

In the second advert lots of people from different ethnicities join together to dance and have good time together. Everyone smiles and enjoys themselves throughout the outfit implying to the audience that no matter who you are or where you come from you should be accepted and treated correctly without any hate. In todays modern world there is still a lot of bad stereotypes and representation of age, sex, race and religion, and what this advert tries to do is send a message to the world that we shouldn't stereotype. Many people who don't live in America would view this advert and think that America is accepting of all people, which creates a friendly atmosphere for the audience. At the end of the advert they use many tag lines including all of the different representations they accept and hope to unite, this ends the advert nicely obtaining their main objective of uniting.

Q) Why/how might this representation be seductive or attractive to teenagers living in Britain?

A) Both of these adverts attract the British teenage audience as they want to be able to have fun with lots of people their age. The first Levi’s advert attracts them by idealising relationships and that if they were to be in America and leave their phones for a while they would be able to mingle with new people and find someone for them. While in the second advert many different people from different backgrounds come together to be one and enjoy themselves. This seduces teenagers in Britain that if they was to experience life in America they would be appreciated and accepted for whoever they are. This advert attracts to every teenager as they all want to be accepted for who they are and they may not feel welcome where they live. Although this is giving the audience a positive outcome of American life it is only an ideal image of what it could be. This misleads British teens into thinking that everything is perfect and that the ‘American Dream’ is real.

Q) Do you think adverts like this erode cultural differences? Give reasons for your answers.

A) Personally I feel that yes these adverts do erode cultural differences to some extent. With the second advert it defiantly erodes cultural differences as lots of people from different ethnicities come together and enjoy each others company through dance. This implies to the audience that we should aim to accept everyone no matter what their sexuality, race, sex or religion is. This also reminds the audience that we are all human and we shouldn't stereotype people which destroys the negativity around cultural assumptions. However in the first advert they mainly focus on two white people getting together in a heterosexual relationship. This doesn't expand to all people meaning it doesn't erode any cultural differences. Instead it still enforces the idea that all women should find a boyfriend in order to be happy and succeed in a modern way, influencing teenagers around the world that this is the normal. Overall I feel that company's like Levi's are trying to erode cultural differences however they could try harder to create more adverts like the second advert. 

The first Levi's advert 
The second Levi's advert

Research of Institutions carried on: Bauer Media

Research of Institutions 2: Bauer Media

Homepage:

The use of cross media codes to allows the website to introduce the audience to a slidely. This grabs the audience’s attention by the use of the bright technical codes while also introducing niche topics to a mass audience to gain more popularity.

Although slidely doesn’t stop changing this banner is consistent, advertising their success of the institution to the mass audience.

Alongside the slidely there is another banner, which presents more information to the audience about the chosen media companies. These are such as ‘empire’ and ‘magic’. In this they also advertise companies such as “The academy” and “absolute radio” which appeals to a niche audience.

Links:

On the website there are many links which makes it easy for the audience to navigate around the site. This allows for a mass audience to occur with its simple navigation as well as a broad selection of information. The colour scheme of the site relies on deep blues and whites which link into the colour scheme of the logo, which is easily recognisable.

Technological convergence:

At the bottom of the homepage there is also a twitter link that you as an audience can interact with for Bauer Medias twitter page. This allows for a branch to occur reaching out to a larger audience who may be interested in the institution of Bauer Media. There are also links to job options in which you can work for the institution as well as a help link to help you find an audience for your own company if you have one.

Genre of texts:

Most of the texts are based around the genre of entertainment however within the categories (such as music and radio) there are sub genres which appeal to different target audiences. Kerrang and Heat are good examples as one appeals to a younger target audience who like the punk rock genre of music, while the other appeals to a woman based "group c" audience who like to read up on celebrity’s gossip.

Audience

Bauer media covers a mass audience with niche topics, mostly appealing to the younger audience. As Curran and Seaton once said “Newspapers and magazines respond to the concerns of their readers if they are to stay in business”, Bauer does this by appealing to a mass target audience including loads of individual magazine brands with different topics to gain more popularity. 

The History of The Big Issue

The history of the big issue from AbbieTutty