The document summarizes research on genre conventions for pop music magazines. It finds that pop magazines typically follow conventional layouts, with mastheads at the top of the front cover alongside a central artist image. Cover stories are typically on the lower right with cover lines on the left. Imagery of artists is meant to portray an energetic style stereotypical of pop music. Technical elements like camera angles, lighting, and stylistic choices are used to represent artists in ways that attract target audiences. Language aims to be informal to relate to younger readers through references they will understand.

1. SUMMARY OF GENRE RESEARCH
After conducting this research for the genre I wish to base my
magazine on I have developed my knowledge on several key
technical elements and features, in order to produce the magazine I
want effectively, in addition attract and appeal to my potential target
audience.

2. CONVENTION OF FORM
For the genre of pop, the layout is significant for the all pages I have
analysed which is; front cover, contents page and double page spread.
Depending on the demographic and psychographics on your
audience, your layout can slightly differentiate on the front page.
However most magazines follows a conventional layout that is
effective.
This is where the image is placed in the centre of the page as it is
where there is most focus, (dominance)
The section above, at the top of the page is where the masthead is
positioned and conventionally the image of the main artist overlaps to
suggest the brands significance in the market (establishment) / create
a dominating portrayal of the artist.
The cover story is positioned on the lower right hand section, the
name of artist positioned / expanded across that lower area of the
page alongside a pull quote aligned below it.
The majority of the cover lines are conventionally placed on the left
hand side, there are 3 / 4 cover lines and some have images
incorporated next to them.
Advertisements of products or promotions of events are
conventionally placed in puff or positioned above the masthead or on
the bottom left.

3. FRONT COVER
The front cover is the most influential page on a magazine, its elements and features can affect the demand for your magazine by your target audience,
Masthead: This has great importance as it where the reader mainly focuses on the page.
Gives you the opportunity to create the brand identity you want to create.
The use of typography can influence this and it has to attract your audience
meaning relate to them and meet their expectations so that they can appeal to your
magazine. In addition it should differentiate from competitors on the shelf / and in your
market.
Coverstory: This should stand out from other cover lines, through the use of layout and
typography, as it will be your main leading article on the front cover. It should have your
audience’s relative mode of address whether it’s colloquial language or formal language
the most appeal to. It should tease the reader some insight of the possible contents they
appeal to, so that they are appealed then intrigued to read your magazine.
Coverlines: Are important captions on magazine cover, again the mode of address
should be relative to their psychographics and demographics to appeal to them, and in
addition these contents should use manipulative language and should meet their
demands of content. Pull quotes, are a great feature to include to attract to them as
this is generates the idea of the magazine being personalised.
House of style: The consistent use of the same fonts, colour palette and mode of
address the magazine uses, makes their brand memorable and have an effective use of
brand identity, which is key to attracting the audience in which you target.

4. CONVENTION OF FORM – CONTENTS
PAGE
The contents page is very important when it applies to form whether it is a
young or older audience you aim for. The structure must be ordered in
order to make it easier for the reader to navigate through the magazine.
Conventionally the layout is in 3 / 4 sections. There are 3 / 4 images
incorporated, 1 being the most significant and the rest insignificant.
The music chart which is a conventional feature for Billboard and for pop
music based magazines, it is positioned on the left side of the page, where
it is spread across from upper to centre to lower third.
One section is the dominant section, where the significant image is placed
and the main feature is placed.
Other images are placed else where but for Billboard it is positioned above.
There are also captions that give a slight insight on some of the content
positioned on the lower third.
Page numbers are positioned next to the main feature, also for the contents
that are not placed on the centre have page numbers beside to make it
easier for the reader. In addition the page numbers are also incorporated
on the right hand bottom corner of each page to make the structured
ordered and easier for their reader.
The magazine logo is positioned on the top third, to make it easier to see
for the reader.

5. CONVENTION OF FORM - DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD
Layout is also significant for this page, it must be structured in
an ordered way, however they can be altered very slightly
dependant on the target audience.
The headline is conventionally positioned above the feature or
can be expanded to take up across both pages at the top.
One side of the page must be the image of the artist that is in
the feature, the feature being on the other.
If the headline is positioned on that side of the page it would
be placed at the top.
The stand first is positioned below it, and below this is also
where the byline is.
The feature will then be split up into columns, and begins with
a kicker. In this case the feature is not long enough for their to
be any need of columns.
If the feature involves the artist being interviewed, the
questions will be separated from their answers in paragraphs.
The questions conventionally as a different font style and / or
is in a different colour.

6. CONVENTIONS OF GENRE
The house of style used for pop magazines are conventionally a reflection of the genre. For instances, the colour scheme will
typically be brighter or if not may have a tone that connotes a sense of energy to it.
The typography for pop are conventionally has a mixture of font styles either sans or sans serif. The colours of these usually
match house of style and the theme of the issue. They conventionally use this variety and in addition range the font sizes to
emphasis on significant features like coverlines , cover story, headlines, kickers and so on. For instance the headline on the
double page spread would be in a much larger font size, and be in a different colour.
The layout for pop is conventionally ordered and structured however to generate a sense of energy ( again reflecting the
genre of pop ) some elements are tilted to a slight angle.
The images incorporated for pop are conventionally, mid-shots, wide-shots, or long-shots which frame happy or excited
facial expressions, in addition energetic or powerful body language.
The mise-en scene for pop, conventionally involves glamourous costumes, hair and makeup. Lighting can sometimes vary,
typically high-key lighting but can also be key-lighting to mimic the idea of dominance. Props incorporated are
conventionally music-related e.g. guitar / headphones /fingerless gloves.
The language used can vary dependant on demographics and psychographics of audience. It can sometimes have informal
or formal, indirect or direct mode of address, conventionally however informal mode of address will be used as it is very
effective in persuading the audience and communicating with them in the young age bracket they are in, however like I said
this depends of targeted demo and psycho, and which kind of mode of address they are most likely to appeal to. In addition
the brand identity can also have an affect on this.

7. MODE OF ADDRESS
Through this research, I have learnt that mode of address is key as it is how you are going to
communicate with your targeted audience, the messages you want to send are important in
order to attract and then appeal to them.
Like I mentioned in the previous slide, mode of address can vary dependant on the
demographic and psychographics you intended to attract. Although the conventional mode of
address for pop music is formal it doesn’t always mean it will be effective for your audience. In
addition genre will have an influence in the mode of address you choose.
For the genre of pop, I have discovered that it is more informal direct leaning however there is a
mixture of formal address. This is because, the target market for pop magazine usually has a
target audience of young people and the most effective use of mode of address would be
informal and direct because it’s it is stereotypically what they use for daily. Colloquial language
can make them feel like they can relate to the magazine’s content.
I have also noticed consistent use of intertextuality with their language such as social media
references, digital devices, TV shows, retail brands that are local or global that fit within their
social class, in terms of income and society. This ensures that they can attract their audience,
through the use of intertextuality as they feel that they can relate and are more appealed and
intrigued.

8. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS
Technical elements are significantly important in a magazine, it can influence the attraction of the consumers, if
they will appeal to it, and in addition has an affect on the representation of the artists.
Camerawork has a great importance in this. Mid-shots, wide-shots, close-ups and long-shots are conventionally
used to capture the body language, facial expression and mise-en scene and ensure it is in frame for the
audience to view.
Within this body language and facial expressions affect the way in which the audience are attracted depending
on their psychographics and the content they expect, a positive body language and happy facial expression will
attract a reader who wants to read contents that are happy and uplifting. A rebellious facial expression and
stubborn body language will attract a reader who wants to know what is happening with the artist’s life. These
elements can also affect representation of the artist and the portrayal of the content they feature in, in addition
affecting the brand identity in which they want to have.
Mise-en scene is also an importance in magazines, costumes can generate a representation of the artist, and the
feeling it creates and can be a way of attracting the audience if it relates to their psychographics.
Props are also a key in this, a young audience will be attracted with the latest devices their favourite artist may
own and musically related props like instruments will also attract to them.
Through this research I have also discovered lighting plays a key role, as it can manipulate the feelings of the
reader. Conventionally high-key lighting will be used to reflect the genre of pop, which is energetic and happy.

9. IMAGES
The use of technical elements also adds a significant contribution in attracting your audience.
The use of camerawork has to convey a sense of feeling and has to represent
the artist in a way in which the target audience may be attracted to, or can
relate to, this also helps to create the brand identity the magazine chooses. If
the representation of artists portrayed happily, they would be known as a
magazine who likes to report on positive things. It must also frame the use of
mise-en scene which is key to representing the artist. Costume, hair and
makeup, props, setting, lighting and use of editing can generate a portrayal of
the artist also affecting the brand identity of the magazine. And so, choosing
the correct use of mise-en scene is key to the type of representation you want.
The body language and facial expression can also influence attracting your
audience, the camerawork plays a significant role in this as it can help
generate and / or emphasis the impression you want the artist to have. It can
also reflect the content including and what the feature is based upon.
For the genre of pop, I have learnt that it is conventional for the artist to be
portrayed in an energetic way that is stereotypical. Pop artists are
stereotypically young, many magazines use stereotypes such as rebellion to
portray them in order to attract their targeted audience.

10. REPRESENTATIONS
From my analysis I have discovered that, representation
is an important. The overall messages being created
through this will impact upon the brand identity and
has an affect on the audience in terms of their
attraction to the magazine. Representation can be
created through technical elements and the language
used in the content they feature in.
Pop magazines conventionally lean towards stereotypes
with gender and social class, and have somewhat
relativeness to their psychographics and their social
group.
Males have a stereotypical representation, which is
rebellious and heart-breakers. Females are also
represented stereotypically as girly, very ‘gossipy’,
drama queens and are heartbroken. These stereotypes
are relative to the audience, and this will ensure young
people will appeal to their favourite celebrities because
they are relatable.