Slimming World Magazine

Slimming world was officially launched in October 1998 and went on sale for members of the public to purchase, it hit the news stands in 1999 becoming one of the UKs best selling slimming title in the same year that it was launched. This magazine has been available for purchases for almost fourteen years now and the magazine itself is still the best selling slimming title in the country. The latest 'ABC' figures that were released in August, show that the Slimming World magazines buying and viewing figures are up to 420,011 per issue.

Target Audience

Demographics:
The age range that the magazine itself targets at is aimed for people in their early- mid thirties+ preferably people who have a partner and kids as the a lot of the magazines content is family based.The gender that the magazine aims at is both male and female, this is because of the content that the magazine itself and the articles contain. There is a lot of images that shows both male and female figures this portrays them as a family.

Sexual Orientation:
The sexual orientation of Slimming world is not applicable as this is more about losing weight and gaining a healthy lifestyle, however they portray male and females together as a couple.

Standard Occupational Classification (A, B, C1, C2, D ,E):
I think that the standard occupational classification would be aimed at people in the A,B,C1 group, as the price of the magazine isn't that cheap, you would need to be on good wages to be able to afford the magazine subscriptions along with the products that they promote.

Lifestyle (pyschographics):
Slimming world is a magazine that targets people who are looking for a healthier lifestyle.The lifestyle that people who read this magazine would live would be more of a healthy eating, dieting lifestyle. People who like to look after themselves and also lose weight. Also, people who aspire to lose weight.

Modes of address (language):
The language thats used in the magazine is informal and chatty, it makes you feel as if your involved in the conversation like your chatting to a friend. This is good because it will encourage more people to read the magazine. People who read the Slimming World Magazine buy it because of the ideas and support the can get from it, the magazine itself gives them a sense of community and makes them feel good about themselves and that they're not alone throughout it.

ASA- Advertising Standards Agency:
The Advertising Standards Authority is the UKs most independent regulator of advertising across all types of media. They apply the advertising codes which are written by the committees of advertising practice. There work includes acting on complaints that are made about the media product and proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.

The ASA would have to make sure that the adverts that are in the Slimming World magazine aren't false information and misleading, if theres an advert about losing weight in just a week then the ASA would have to looking into that as this could give the readers false hope.

PCC- Press Complaints Commision:
The Press Complaints Commision is an independent body which adminsiters the system of self regulation for the press. It does so primarily by dealing with complaints, framed within the terms of the Editors' Code of Practice, about the editorial content of the newspapers and magazines and the conduct of journalists.

Slimming world magazine have to go by the editorial code of conduct, the PCC deals with the complaints that are made against the Slimming world magazine, the PCC make sure that no one gets offended by what the magazine entails and makes sure that the magazine is suitable for all readers.

Media Audience Products- Hollyoaks

Hollyoaks (TV Series)

I have chosen the TV show Hollyoaks to research and analyze. Hollyoaks is a British television soap opera that is broadcasted on channel 4. The first broadcast of this show was the 23^rd October 1995.It was originally created by Phil Redmond though it has have many previous producers during its time on channel 4. The main transmission of the show currently broadcasts at 18:30 each weekday on channel 4, with the launch of channel 4 +1 in 2007 allowing viewers to see the main broadcast replayed at 19:30. Since the channel’s launch in 2001, the channel 4’s digital fellow station E4 airs a daily ‘First Look’ episode at 19:00 each weekday, in which viewers are able to watch the episode that is shown on channel 4 the following day. The ‘First Look’ episode is replayed on E4 +1 at 20:00. Each episode that is shown on channel 4 throughout the week is brought together in an omnibus episode that airs on Sunday mornings. Following T4s move to E4 the omnibus is now aired on E4 instead of channel 4 on Sunday mornings, there is also a repeat of the omnibus shown on channel 4 in the early hours of Monday morning. This programme is set in a fictional suburb of Chester called ‘Hollyoaks’ and features a large cast of characters mainly ages between the ages of 16-35. Beginning with a cast of just seven main characters in 1995, the show now had approximately 50 main cast members. Hollyoaks has a high cast income in comparison with other British soaps. Hollyoaks originally aired weekly in 1995. In July 1996, Mersey TV chose to recommission the show and increase its production to twice a week. A third episode was introduced in September 2001 and a fourth also in 2001. In November 2003 the show increased its productivity with a fifth episode, which has remained to this date.

The target audience for Hollyoaks is for teenagers/ young adults male and female from the age of 16-24, who are students of college or university, there are many different reasons with one being the age and appearance of the characters in the programme. There are many different characters who are young and attractive people, this will appeal to the target audience as many are of the same age this means that they can relate to the characters on a more intimate level. With having attractive characters this may keep the target audience engaged in the program as they are attracted to certain characters. Mild sexual and violent scenes are shown in the programme to engage the audiences attention as it excites and entertains them, mainly the younger viewers.

The langauge that is used in Hollyoaks is very informal this is so that it can reflect to everyday normal life, this is so that the audience can relate to the real life events that they feature. The show is filmed in Chester, the characters accents are based around there to make it feel more like real life, you get the occasional new character thats not based from around there. The Narrative structure is open, the storyline continures beyond the end of an episode for them to do this they leave the episode at a cliff hanger to make you want to watch more. Its also multi-strand, the narrative focuses upon a group of central characters. Its also linear, the narrative unfolds in a chronological order throughout the episode. The way the characters are seen and how they dress are relatable, the audience can relate to them and the issues that they face in day to day life the characters become like a role model to the audience. The camera work that is used whilst filming the show is very naturalistic and smooth, the producers film with real lighting sources and they avoid the use of special effects throughout the episode. The soundtrack that is used throughout is general natural sounds, noice that you would hear when your walking down your own street, this is to make it feel real for the watchers. They use music tracks at the beginning and end of the episodes, they use a backing track that is played over the montage showingthe cast at the beginning and again at the end when the credits start rolling. Also, at the beginning of each episode after the montage theres normally a song track that is either a charted track or from unsigned bands and this introduces the episode for the first scene.

Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions

Television News Programme:

Television news shows have a set time to be broadcast for example the BBC news starts at six o'clock and it shows the main headlines/stories for the first five minutes, at around about twenty past you'll get sport stories and at half past six its the weather before it changes over to BBC London news. The BBC use multi-cameras to move around each angle so they can show the on location stories this is to keep you focused and entertained. They have the studio set up to in a certain position this is where the desk and other furniture in the studio are placed. The reports that they show are structured from; main headline, top story, national story, local story, feel good story followed by the weather.The background music is played before the show and after the show. The presenters who sit at the desk in the BBC have an authoritative figure and have to maintain professionalism whilst on air.The field reporters are the reporters who go out to a certain location and do a news broadcast from there and its played in the studio, field reporters usually interview experts or eye witnesses. There a lot of video and photo images throughout a TV news report they usually show clips or images that are related to the report headlines this way the audience know what to expect.The captions/titles they use tell you the location or town they're reporting from and also informs you of the name who's speaking.

Documentaries:

Documentaries have a narrative voice over this leads the audience into a preferred reading.Single/ hand held cameras are used for realism and truth following their day to day activities depending on what the documentary is about. Natural sound and lighting is used when filming because the sun is the best source of light and it's doesn't cost, you end up with better results.
Vox Pops and Interviews are held with experts/ witnesses and participants in the documentary to get their views/ opinions on the matter. Text is used to label items or locations and dates that are used or filmed  in the documentary. They use archive footage so that they can support filmed scenes. The use of real footage of surroundings is one of the main parts when filming a documentary as it based on real life issues. 
Reconstructions are used when they want to recreate a scene where somethings happened for example; crime watch reconstruct the crimes that are committed to make the audience aware.

Newspapers:

The masthead is the title block that contains the name of the newspaper, this is on the front-page of every newspaper. There's always a dramatic headline in each paper this usually is used with the splash; the splash is the main story on the front of every newspaper. The purpose of the images that are used in the newspapers are so that the readers don't get bored from reading and also it grabs their attention, or to go with the stories and headlines. The price of the newspaper is usually located in the pugs, these are the areas at the top left and top right hand side of the pages, these grab the readers eyesight and are used to show the date and price.
The difference between a local newspaper and a national newspapers is that in the local newspapers include local advertisements of items that are for sale or wanted, local schools details, jobs within the area, local company advertisements, classified adverts and local stores in the area, house sections showing the local houses that are up for sale also they base their stories locally. Newspapers come in two sizes Broadsheet and Tabloids. Broadsheets have a more in depth coverage of the news stories. Broadsheets are mainly about Business and news in the politics e.g, The Independent  The Times and The Guardian and are read by more authoritative people. Tabloids are smaller with shorter articles and are more about celebrities and local new stories such like The Sun, Evening Gazette and the Daily mirror.

Job Types

Work Experience

This is where you can gain experience in the job by working there for a few days/weeks or even months. You don't get paid for doing work experience.

Undergraduate degree

This is a first degree that you complete before going onto higher education/ postgraduate degree. This usually takes 3-4 years to complete.

Postgraduate degreeThis is where you study for degrees or others qualifications that qualify for a first 'bachelors' degree. This is part of higher education. Undergraduate degree is the degree that comes before being offered a higher education with the postgraduate degree.  

Voluntary work

Voluntary work is where you volunteer to work without pay, this is normally done for experience and something to put down on a CV.

Casual employment

This is where you are hired on a needed basis, this can be as a replacement for employees who are out on short and long term absences.

Runner job

This is where you start of in a industry like radio/film as someone who makes the teas or helps out with the preparation. Most people start off as runners to network with people to move up in the Industry, this is an entry level job with pay.

Paid Internship

This is like work experience except you get paid a salary for working. Paid internships can offer hourly compensation or weekly payments. This is just to gain experience and see what it's like in work with a certain Industry, after completing an internship you could be offered a job if they see potential or are pleased with the way you work.

Job Contracts

Full Time:

This is where you work between the hours of 37-29 hours at the most a week. You get full pay including holiday and sick pay, and also maternity and pension pay. You have to give atleast one-three months notice before you want to leave.

Permanent:

This is where you have the job until you decide to leave on your own accord or the company you work for doesn't need to emplot you any more.You have to give atleast a one-three months notice before you leave.

Part-time work:

This is where you work half the hours that you would work if you were working full time, so that would mean you would be working about 18 hours a week on average. You still get all the advantages that you would get if you worked full time.

Office Hours:

This is where you work the normal hours a day shift which is 9 till 5 five days a week. You get normal pay/

Irregular Hours:

This is where you could work for about ten hours one week and then the next week you might only work two hours, your work hours change on a regular basis.

Anti-social Hours:

This is where you work the evening and night shifts, you could be starting work at 10 till 4am or 1 till 6am, it depends on the place where you working and their opening times.

Salaried:

This is where you get a set amount pf pay throughout each year but is divided by the months so you would get a certain amount a month continously throughout the years. For example; if you were to get payed £24.000 annually you would recieve a pay of £2,000 each month, a proportion of your pay goes towards tax and national insurance.

Hourly:

This is where when your working you get payed hourly. If your under the age of 18 you get payed minimum wage until you are old enough to get maximum pay per hour.

On Completion:

This is where you get payed for doing your job there and then as soon as your finished. This can apply for builders, plumbers and other job roles etc..

Geographical Scope

Multinational:

This is where the media product for example; television, film and radio transmits and broadcasts around the world so that each country has access to it.

National:

This is where the media products such as; television, film and radio can only be accessed within the country that you are in. An example of this would the UK televison show Hollyoaks this is only broadcasted in the UK.

Local:

This is where the media product can only be accessed within the local area, for example; TFM Radio can only be accessed from people around the Teeside area.

Cross Media:

This is where the media company is linked with both radio and television and also the internet. An example of this would be the BBC as they have BBC Radio Channels, BBC website and televison news shows.

Private:

This is where the companies are funded by the profits that you make through advertisment, for example; ITV and Channel 4 are funded by the profits that they make.

Public:

This is where the companies are funded through the publics TV license fee, for example; the BBC is funded through their TV license fees. It costs around £145.50 for a colour license and £49 for a black and white TV license.

Community:

This is a vert small station that is set up within the community and is partly funded by advertisement and by the local people. For example; 'Palace FM' is a community radio station that can has been set up in a small town of Redcar by the a group of people.

 

 

Job Roles: Interactive Media

Interactive Media: Job Roles

It is worth several billion pounds annually and employs around 34,300 people, representing approximately 7% of the total Creative Industries. Its creation and use is increasingly becoming part of everyday activity across all sectors of industry in general.

 

Programmer- Programmers generate software applications or functionality as part of an interactive media product.

• Good knowledge of programming principles
• Knowledge of programming languages
• Knowledge of database design and optimisation
• Ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work under pressure

Designer- The role of the Designer is to produce the 'look and feel' of an interactive media product. What this actually contains can vary, depending on the size of team the Designer is part of, or the type of company they are working for.

• Design talent
• Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks and work under pressure
• Good drawing and diagramming ability Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedure.

Information architect- Information Architects understand high-level requirements in order to design the overall user experience of an interactive media product.

• Good problem solving skills
• Good knowledge of technical authoring
• Good presentations skills
• Attention to detail

Web writer- Web Writers generate text content for web sites, generally as part of the site development, though they may also be involved with on-going publishing after launch. This is mainly a journalistic role, although writing for the web can be a little different to writing for other media.

• Excellent proofreading skills
• Precise attention to detail

Producer-Producers are responsible for identifying and specifying an interactive media product’s high-level requirements or purpose, and ensuring that its business objectives and creative vision are understood and maintained by everyone involved in the project.

• Good problem solving abilities
• Multi-disciplinary expertise
• Good written, verbal and interpersonal communication
• Good people and client management

Gaming

The UK's Game Industry is a massive part of a global industry that is gaining more importance in its sector.

Sales are now breaking records with the new popular games in this industry.

The first games in this Industry to be released was in the 1960's by the 1970's the industry had been recognized and in the 1980's the industry had expanded massively. With the advances of better technology there are more career opportunities  Gaming is now one of the biggest sectors in creative media with its growing audience. The computer games workforce's is situated evenly all around the UK.

The skills that you need to work in the Gaming sector are:

• Creativity
• Communication skills
• Problem solving abilities
• Team skills
• Tenacity

Hours and Salaries:

• Game designers usually work up to 35 hours a week or more. 
• The starting salary for  a new game designer is from £19,000 to £55,000 a year.
• If you have a little experience with designing games the starting salary can rise between £25,000 to £35,000 a year.
• A lead games designers salary can start from £35,000 to £55,000 a year.

Jobs in the gaming sector:

• Games Designer
• Programmer
• External Producer
• Artist
• Lead Programmer
• Creative Director
• Technical Artist
• Level Editor
• Animator
• Project Manager

Photography

Just over 44,000 people in the economy work in the photo imaging industry.

Just under half of the workforce is based in the South of England.

There is almost 14,000 companies in the photo imaging industry, the percentages of them are;

58% Photography, 35% Image production companies, 5% are agencies, 3% are manufacturers.

Virtually over half of the companies are freelance photographers.

Only 93% of companies employ 5 people or less a year.

 

The skills that are needed to work in the Photo Imaging sector are:

• Good eyesight
• Close attention to detail
• Ambition and self confidence
• Business and organisation skills
• Creative eye for color, shape, pattern, form and tone
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Patience

Courses that can help you get the degree in photo imaging that you need:

• City and Guilds levels 1, 2 and 3 in Photography and Photo Imaging
• A Level Photography
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma Art and Design (Photography)
• BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HND)
• Foundation Degrees
• University Degrees
• Professional Qualifying Examination of the British Institute of Professional Photographers

Hours and Salaries:

• Photographic technicians usually work from 37-40 hours a week, overtime is usually necessary.
• The starting salary for new photographic technicians is from £10,000 to £15,000 a year.

Job roles in the photo imaging sector:

• Photographic technicians
• Photographers
• Photo Retail
• Manufacturers
• Image Producers

Advertising & Marketing

The Advertising Industry is bringing in £6.2 billion a year for the UK economy. There are around 13,000 advertising companies and almost 250,000 individuals in this industry.

This is a large sector ranging from creative agencies to sales departments. Advertising is a form of communication that is needed to persuade an audience of its target to take action.

70% of the industry is based in London. 47% of workers are under the age of 34, 46% of the workforce is females.

In the UK this is the third biggest advertising sector in the world. The creative part of this sector can be split into two parts: creative agencies and media industries. 17% of the workforce is freelance.

Over half the people working in advertising have at least a level 4 qualification and nearly a third have a level 2 or level 3 qualification.

The skills that are needed for working in the advertising sector are:

• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Good at presenting.
• Good 'people' skills.
• Teamwork and Creativity. 

The skills that are needed for working in the marketing sector are:

• Organisation skills.
• Creativity.
• Communication skills.
• Teamwork.
• Confidence.

Hours and Salaries:

• Marketing Research Executives work up to 30-40 hours per week. 
• They earn a salary of £19,000 or more a year.
• In advertising the hours are variable.
• The salary starts from £18,000 or more a year.

Job roles in the advertising  sector are:

• Advertising copywrighters
• Writer
• Proofreader
• Illustrator

Job roles in the marketing sector are:

• Market research executive
• Market research interviewer
• Marketing executive/manager

Film

The UK's Film Industry is part of a constant growing creative media landscape. There are six different sectors in this industry; Development, Production, Facilities, Distribution, Exhibition and Export.

There are 400 permanent film companies distributed around the UK.

43% are production, 13% are distribution and 44% are exhibition companies.

In 2006 the UK Film Industry contributed £4.3 billion to the UK economy. In 2007 the activity in the Film Industry was £747 million.

The skills that you need to work in the Film sector are:

• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Commitment
• Strong interpersonal skills

Hours and salaries:

• A film production crew earn an income around £33,726.
• Men earn more than woman, men; £35,827, women; £30,754.
• Salary incomes increase with age and decreases slightly in the 50+ age range.

The hours that people work in film are long and irregular. You may have to work late night and/or early mornings. You need to be able to work with short time notice.

Job roles in the sector:

• Production Accountant
• Production Designer
• Camera Operator
• Casting Assistant
• Director
• Editor
• Actor
• Runner

Animation

Animation is used in many of the sectors that are in creative media. It is used on television, feature films, commercials, and websites and mainly in video/computer games. Just over 2000 people work in animation in the UK, nearly half of them self-employed, and there are currently more than 300 companies creating a range of work. Animation is a small sector but increases more and more each day.

The skills that you need to work in the Animation sector are:

• Organisation
• Time management
• Creativity/ Artistic
• Teamwork
• Patience
• Coordination

Hours and Salaries:

• Animators usually work normal office hours which is 35-40 hours a week. Many work freelance.
• Newly-qualified animators may earn around £19,440 a year.
• Experience animators may earn up to £23,680.
• Highly skilled animators may earn around £26,120 a year.

Job roles in the animation sector:

• Animator
• User interface Designer
• Storyboard Artist
• Texture Artist
• 3D Artist
• Technical Artist

Publishing

Publishing is made up of a varied group of industries such as: Books, Directories  Mailing Lists, Journals, Magazines and Newspapers.Journalism, commissioning editor, designer, advertising executive and multimedia formats mean the industry is at a thrilling time and subject to quick change. The Publishing industry produces an income in the region of £10.1 billion GVA (Gross Value Added) and is one of the largest and leading earners and exporters for the UK Creative Media Industries. The industry contains a mainstream of small companies: 88% of them having less than 10 employees. The 3% with 200 or more employees require over half of all those working in the industry on their payroll.

 

The skills that you need to work in the Publishing sector are:

• Teamwork
• Good spoken and written communication
• Attention to detail
• Keen commercial sense

Hours and Salaries:

• Publishers work normal office hours which is usually 35-40 hours a week.
• The salary in the publishing sector varies from £20,000 upwards depending on your job role.

Job roles in the Publishing sector:

• Copy Editor
• Magazine Journalist
• Newspaper Journalist
• Proofreader
• Publishing Editor
• Writer 

 

Radio

 

There are three sectors in the Radio Industry; public, private and community. Public is the BBC  this is funded by the public's license fees. The BBC operates Radio services nationally, regionally and locally. Private is capital, kerrang and other Radio stations that are owned by private companies. These advertise and broadcast for profit. By selling, advertising and sponsorship they create a income for the company. Community is local radio stations in your community such as; student radio and hospital radio. These are non- profitable and only operated for short duration's  There are around 120 commercial radio groups, 180 community radio stations and 50 independent radio production companies. Number of UK employers: 350.  Number of UK employees 22,800.  Gender: 52% male, 48% female. 42% of the workforce is under 35 years of age.

The skills that you need to work in the Radio sector are:

• Confidence
• Teamwork
• Good spoken communication
• Patience

Jobs in the Radio sector:

• Radio Presenter
• Broadcast Assistant
• Reporter
• Radio Producer
• Station Manager
• Radio Traffic Manager

Television

 

 

Television is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. British viewers on average watch TV twenty hours or more per week. There are around 850 independent production companies; these are the companies that produce the main TV programmes such as; X Factor and Big Brother, etc.  The greater companies can earn around £100-200 million per year. Throughout the course of the year they employ millions of people to work with that company. There are around 238,000,000 that watch television each day.  Around about, 55,800 people in total that works in the television sector alone.  On the 26^th September 2012 analogue TV got switched off and changed over to digital. This is so that each viewer can receive better signals and quality.

The skills that you need to work in the Television sector are:

• Confidence
• Patience
• Teamwork
• Good communication skills
• Good spoken skills

Jobs in the Television sector:

• Camera
• Art and Design
• Hair and Make up
• Lighting
• Sound Operators
• Performers
• Production