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Magazine analysis
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- 3. The mast headis big with clear, bold, white writing on a red background- this makes it stand out. It is in the top left as when it’s stocked on a shelf, it is the first place people look at. The main image overlaps the title- which implies the band are more important than the title. It also signifies that the magazine brand is well- known already. If you were creating a brand new magazine- it would be best to show the entire title to allow people to learn it and recognise it. This sticks to conventions of a magazine as the title is big and bold, where people can easily see it. The main image usually overlaps the title. The main image is a long shot of Mumford and Sons. They are smiling, therefore they are portrayed as friendly. Their welcoming facial expressions could persuade the audience to buy the magazine- as well as because of the star appeal. This header is used to advertise the magazine. ‘Special Edition’ is used to attract the audience by claiming the magazine contains exclusive music. This cover breaks conventions as it does not have a barcode or a date line. The main image takes up most of the page- it is less conventional to have a long shot as a main image- and there is not much text. This is unusual for a magazine and could make this particular magazine stand out from the rest. These cover line lists some of the artists included in the magazine. It can attract the audience as they are likely to know some of these artists. It breaks conventions as they are on the right side of the rule of third grid- when they are usually on the left. Main cover line states the bands name who feature in the main image. This draws even more attention towards them. The guitar is slightly over the cover line, which is good use of editing technique. It is one of the main focuses of the front cover page, which demonstrates the importance of the band and reinforces the attention to the main image.
- 4. This header isused at the top of the page to attract the audience as they will see it easily. It makes the magazine seem more exclusive and advertises the magazine by insinuating you get what you pay for. Date line and price- conventional as it is usually at the top of the magazine above the title. The mast head is bold so the audience can clearly see it. NME is a well- known brand of magazine therefore people can easily see the title and recognise it straight away. Cover lines are used to entice the audience. They are used on the left hand side of the ‘rule of thirds’ grid. This is the part of the magazine which the audience mainly focus on when they see it on the shelf, because it is the first part they see. The cover lines include the content of the magazine- so that the audience know what to expect inside- however it does not give away too much information. A different font is used to name the artists- this displays the importance of them by making them stand out from the rest of the text on the page. They use a black background to reflect Eminem’s outfit, as well as his music being quite deep and saddening. Main image is between a medium shot and a medium long shot of Eminem in the mid-right of the page. He is the main focus of the cover. This reinforces the conventional idea of a magazine as a magazine usually has a main image in the centre. It has star appeal as Eminem is a very famous rap artist- therefore the fans of Eminem would be likely to buy the magazine. Also, it is an action shot, as his facial expression is not posed. He is wearing dark clothing and a cross necklacerepresenting his religion and the genre of music he creates- which can be seen as quite dark and gloomy. This main cover line adds to the star appeal as it presents the artists name in big font to attract the audience’s attention. The background is red, which connotes danger. It also matches with the colour scheme of the front coverblack, white and red. Barcode is in an unconventional place- as it is a slanted position which suits the structure of this particular magazine.
- 5. The mast headis black and bold- it has colours which fill the middle of the letters- the main colours of the page are yellow, white and black. The main image of Taylor Swift covers half of the mast head- which suggests the magazine is well-known alreadytherefore the mast head does not need to be fully seen. It also places most emphasis on the main image. If you were making a magazine for the first time, it would be wise to show the full mast head. These cover lines use the same colours as the rest of the magazinethey are yellow and white. There are deals and tips and details about what is included in the magazine. These function to entice the audience so that they are more likely to buy the magazine- as they have a few ideas about what it is about. It is also obvious it is a music magazine as a country music star features on the front and as there are ‘charts’ and ‘releases’. Barcode- this sticks to conventions as it is in the usual position of a barcode. Therefore, it clearly suits the structure of the rest of the magazine. When creating your own magazine cover, it is important to include a barcode to make the cover seem more realistic. The background is blurred yet Taylor is in full focus- meaning she is the main focus of the cover and it makes her stand out more when the back ground is out of focus. Main image- The main image is a medium shot of Taylor Swift. She is looking at the camera and her hair is blowing back. She looks quite fierce- showing her dominance in the shotwhich reinforces the importance of the main image- which is central to the magazine cover. The image sticks to conventions as most magazine covers have mid-shots as the main image. Also, it covers half of the title, therefore it is portrayed as the most important feature of the magazine cover. It is also star appeal for Taylor Swift fans who will read the magazine if they see her on the front. Main cover line includes star appeal and reflects Taylor Swifts important role for the cover. Also, it describes her below in yellow writing- as a ‘country’s teen queen’. This tells the audience a bit about her before they read the magazine- but doesn’t reveal too much information.
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- 7. The same fontis used for the ‘contents’ title and the KERRANG! title- therefore they have continued the theme throughout the contents page. This sticks to conventions as most magazines use the same theme font throughout. Also, it is yellow which matches with the yellow and white colour scheme of the page. Small images are dotted around to ensure the page is packed with things to keep the reader entertained. This is conventional for music magazines as they usually contain many images on the contents page of music artists. The magazine title is used in the contents page as it reiterates which magazine you are reading, as well as reminding the reader of the title, so that it sticks in their head and they will remember it. This is conventional. Many magazines use their titles/ logos in the contents page to reinforce it. Picture credit- sticks to conventions as most magazines have a picture credit to reference the person who took the photos/ edited them. Date line and issue number- most contents pages include the date, therefore this contents page is conventional. This is the main image of the contents page. It is the live action of somebody crowd surfingportraying their daring side- which reflects the idea of the ‘rock’ magazine. The image is clearly at a concert, which gives an idea of what could be included inside the magazine. It also interests the audience who have been to concerts/ are going. It is quite unconventional as it is not the usual shot type (e.g. mid shot). People who are interested in music (the audience of this magazine) would be intrigued by this picture and it is star appeal as lots of them would probably know the main person in the image. The pages listed are split into sections. This is conventional as most music magazines are split into sections. This allows the pages to be easier to find, as well as being able to reveal to the audience the type of content which will be included in the magazine. This puff/pug is used to show the audience what else is included in the magazine- in this particular one, you get a free poster. This makes the reader feel like they get what they pay for and extra. It seems like a gift for buying the magazine. Therefore, they are likely to pay again.
- 8. An email addressand website is included to give the audience the option of getting more involved. They are using as many media techniques as possible to include their audience more. There is also an image of a magazine special ‘poster mag’ which is available to buy. This advertises different KERRANG! magazines while the audience are currently reading this one- showing the variety of magazines available to purchase. These credits are quite an unusual convention as contents pages of magazines are usually split into sections of what features in the magazine. However, this uses the convention of ‘rule of thirds’ as the magazine is split up into the 3x3 grid- meaning the structure is conventional- but the content is not necessarily usual for a music magazine. Lots of pictures are used on the contents page to ensure the audience are kept intrigued and interested. This supports the conventional idea of a magazine contents page as they usually are filled with pictures of successful or upcoming artists. This ‘contents’ title matches the ‘It’s a riot’ font- which makes the page more consistent. However, it is unconventional as it doesn’t include a date linewhich magazines normally use. This main header ‘It’s a riot’ maintains the rocker look to the contents page as it portrays consistency by matching the ‘contents’ title. It is against a red background which looks as if its been scratched off at the edges. This portrays danger and blood, which fits in with a rock music theme. This is the main image of the contents page. It has star appeal as Hayley Williams (Paramore star) is featured in it. It has been edited so there are holes in her hands revealing her eyes. She is staring directly at the audience- like the others in the photo. This includes the audience. It also says ‘Giant pull-out poster’ meaning if you buy the magazine, you will get this poster with it. People are more likely to buy the magazine if they know they will get a poster of one of their favourite artists.
- 9. They have usedthe logo next to the word ‘contents’. This reiterates the magazine being read, as well as allowing the logo to become familiar with the reader. If they see it throughout the magazine- they will begin to remember it. The contents page has been split into sections which list the most important parts of the magazine. This is conventional as most magazines have a ‘features’ title on their contents page. Also, they include the most interesting parts of the magazine, so that the audience will be more likely to buy it as they will see the interesting stories, usually containing information about music/ music artists- they are bound to be fans of at least one music artist mentioned in the features. They also have an ‘every month’ section which includes the regular features of the magazine which are always present. This shows continuity, so that the regular purchasers of the magazine will see familiarity and look forward to the same types of things every month. This is a picture caption which explains who is in the photograph. Most images match a caption on magazine covers. The date line is conventional as most contents pages include the date. This main image is a close- up of the artist James Blunt. He is directly addressing the audience as he is staring straight into the camera. This makes them want to buy the magazine as they wonder why James Blunt is there and it allows them to be involved. It is the only image on the page, which is unconventional as most content pages have several images, yet this page just contains one main image. This draws further attention to the photo. Also, star appeal is presented as fans of James Blunt will wonder why he’s in the magazine- and want to read the rest of it. This footer also includes the content of the magazine as it provides a short quote and a page number- to find out more you have to read on. This is conventional as many magazines have a footer or a quote somewhere on their contents page.
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- 11. The main imagetakes up half of the page- which is conventional for a double page spread as one page is usually covered with an image. The people in the image are viewed as bizarre and extraordinary by the audience. This is provoked through the use of the rabbit costume and how the people are positioned in the photograph. It is a long shot group image- which presents the peculiar positioning of the people very well. The men are standing up in the background and the woman with the rabbit is the main focus of the image. This shows a gender gap between the people on the image. The layout of the page is split into three columns. This is conventional as most articles in magazines are structured into columns to make them look more professional. This article headline indicates the artists are young and enthusiastic. There is a red background behind the white text which creates a paint splatter effect. This could connote danger or deviance. This subheading is used to link the picture to the text by discussing the main focus of the double page spreadthe band featured on the main image. The big letter to begin the article is conventional as it is utilised on most double page spreads in magazines. A quote from one of the band members is used to add to the main image and text- which are all focused on that particular band. It adds star appeal to the double page spread. Other images are used alongside the main image to add more content for the audience to look out- to ensure they are kept interested. It makes the double page spread seem more full and not just text- images toowhich makes it more presentable.
- 12. The layout ofthe page is structured into two columns. Most articles in magazines are split into columns to make them look more presentable The main image is a slightly high angle shot of the band, looking down on them. This is unconventional as usually the camera is eye-level with the band or looking up at them- presenting them as dominant. However, they are still the main focus of the double page spread, and there is direct mode of address as they are looking straight at the reader. This allows the reader to feel more involved with the magazine. The big letter is used to begin the article. This is conventional as most double page spreads in magazines contain a big letter at the start of text. This heading is big and bold, meaning the reader will instantaneously focus their attention on it. It contains the band name of the main image- which links everything together. This piece of text is used under the heading as a subheading to add more information about the band which the article focuses on. This adds to the star appeal of the page as fans will be interested in any extra information which they can find out about their favourite band members. There is a quote from one of the band members which is used to add the main focus on that particular band. Also, it adds star appeal to the page as fans will be interested by what a band member has said.
- 13. The structure ofthe page is split into three columns. This is conventional because most articles in general magazines are structured into columns in order to make them look more professional. Also, there is usually an image to break up the columns and to break the continuity. This is a quote from Alexandra Burke, adding to the star appeal as well as summarising some parts of what she said in her interview. This gives an incite to the reader or an overall conclusion of the most important parts of the interview. Other images are used as well as the main image to maintain the focus on the artist throughout the double page spread. It also adds more interest for the readers as people generally prefer to look at images rather than read text. It adds to the professional structure of the page as it is in the bottom left hand corner so it is aligned with the text. Her website is displayed at the bottom- for the readers to get extra exclusive information. The main image takes up half of the page- portraying the importance in the role of the artist as she is being interviewed on the first page- therefore it matches with the text. Also, she is presented as quite glamorous with her silver jewellery as well as her facial expression, which looks fierce. This could reflect her personality in the interview- therefore could back up some of the things said. This adds to star appeal as she has been made up and is looking her best for the photographwhich attracts the fans to the magazine.