Q Magazine Contents Page Deconstruction

Music Magazine Contents Page Deconstruction

The contents page of ‘Q’ includes all the codes and conventions when making a magazine. Unlike in most music magazines the images have been taken out of the studio indicating that this magazine will be more interesting and different than others.  It is evident by the main image who the main member of the band is as he is standing more forward than the others and he is wearing sunglasses. Because the sky on the image doesn’t look too bright, by wearing sunglasses it may show that the band is always in the spotlight. The image is anchored by a caption and page number letting the reader know they will find this article on that page.

                It includes the mast head in the top left corner. Also by the words contents in bold white writing allows the reader to clearly see that this is the contents page. The contrast between the black and white also make it stand out. The colour scheme is clear as it includes red, black and white. This may be a running theme throughout all Q magazines allowing its reader to easily identify the magazine.

                The magazine includes essential information such as issue number, date and also web links allowing readers to access more information if they want to. The use of the MySpace url allows readers who have MySpace to visit that site. At the time this magazine was printed it would have been popular to go on MySpace so it is current and gives readers another way to access the magazine or additional information. They are positioned in the top right so that people can see them.

                The contents page of this magazine is very organised and colour coordinated which may reflect the style of the magazine. Although there is quite a lot of text, because of the layout and organisation it is still easy to read and easily navigable for the reader.

                The page numbers and titles are in bold allowing the reader to find what they are looking for easily. It also provides an insight of what will be included on each page which allows the reader to see if they are interested in reading that article before reading the whole thing.

                The magazine also includes a separate section titled ‘OASIS SPECIAL’ which is in gold which could indicate that this is important. By including the word special in the title it makes the reader believe they are getting more for their money which may encourage then to buy this magazine more often.

Musical Stages Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Musical Theatre Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Because I am undecided whether to do a Musical Theatre magazine or a Chart Music magazine I have decided to analyse both genres of magazine.
  This is not a typical magazine as it does not include plugs or any sell lines which indicates it is not a typical magazine you would find on a shelf and that you have to be interested in musical theatre to know about this magazine. Because of this the target audience is musical theatre fans. Also because it is Britain’s only Glossy Musical Theatre magazine you would expect it to be released monthly.

The masthead 'Musical Stages' indicates that it covers many different areas informing its audience of where shows are touring and dates. It stands out against the black background making it visible, although this would not be as important if it wasn't on a shelf as the audience don’t have to notice it amongst other magazines and from a distance in a shop. 

By not having a barcode it also indicates that it is more common to subscribe online to this magazine rather than buy each magazine individually. Even though it does not include a barcode it still includes the essential information like issue number, date and price. However, it isn’t in the typical place you would normally find it.

The main image makes it clear that inside you will find information about 'Shrek the Musical', maybe information like tour dates and leading actors. It may also be a tool to advertise helping to promote and give coverage to new musical, which this would have been at the date of release shown on the cover. 

It includes elements of mise en scene as it indicates to the audience where this musical is set. This is also helped by the characters costumes and make-up as it is clear that it will include an ogre, donkey and princess, which also may indicate to people what the musical is about without giving too much away. It leaves the reader in some sort of suspense as they don’t know what has happened before this photograph was took or what will happen after, which may encourage them to buy tickets.

Denotations and Connotations

Denotation is a simple description of what can be seen or heard - It is factual and can be agreed by everyone.

Connotations are the meanings or associations suggested beyond this literal meaning - these are more dependent on the individual's perspective.

The denotations of this Musical Stages magazine are that it has John Barrowman on the front. This is because no one argue that he isnt on the front making it a denotation. It is also in black and white. 

The connotations of the is poster is that it may be in black and white because it is an old magazine. This is a connotation because people can argue that it is either in black and white because it is old or it is for added effect and is meant to be like this. 

For my magazine the way the model is posing on the front may give the reader hints as to what the magazine is like. Facial expressions will be an important part of how the reader will perceive the person on the front and the person on the front may play a part in whether the reader would buy the magazine or not.

Poses

I learnt that the pose on the front of a magazine can indicate what the magazine is about and who it is aimed at. For example on the front of the loaded magazine the models pose is combined with the sexual and super smiler pose. Although this indicates that the magazine could prodiminately appeal to men it may also apeal to women as she looks elegant and classy. Her face is lit so that the main focus of the cover is her face and not other areas of her body.

The different types of poses are:

Invitational: The mouth tends to be shut with just a hint of smile. The eyes are emphasised. The look is mysterious with the head tilted or looking back over the shoulder. This is a soft sell.

Romantic/Sexual: Either the overt 'come on' usually directed at the single male or the sensual, dreamy, self absorbed female icon only hinting at availability.

Super Smiler: A full face shot usually with a big smile. The models head is usually thrown back showing she is confident and assertive. This is a hard sell.

Chocolate Box: The look features a slight parting of the lips with a glimpse of teeth. The face is shot full on or slightly turned away. The emphasis is on flawless beauty.

Regardless of whether I do a musical theatre magazine or a chart music magazine I think that on my front cover I will use either an invitational or super smiler pose. This will allow my magazine to be available to a wider audience as the image will appeal to more people.

Although the magazines below are not music magazines the poses on them are similar as to what I may include on the front of my music magazine.

Billboard Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Music Magazine Front Cover Analysis

This Magazine has a very professional look as it contains more detail and looks more like a typical magazine front cover. The barcode is in the bottom left and for this magazine it seemed the obvious place because if it was placed in the bottom right it would have covered some of the picture and that is more important as the barcode is only for use of the retailer. Although this image is not very clear I presume the writing above the barcode is the essential information such as the date, price, issue number and website. The website is important as it gives the reader a chance to extend their music knowledge through the internet as accessibility to it continues to grow.

The colour scheme works well with the darker shades of colours, with the main image, ‘Lady Gaga’, dressed in a black coat with bright purple hair. This contrasts well against background.

The masthead is covered by the main image giving the appearance that the image is dominating the front cover. The name ‘Billboard’ may also suggest it has a wide audience like a billboard that is advertising something suggesting it is seen by many.

The cover is relatively simple as it just has the image of the artist; this makes all attention drawn to her bright hair and face. There aren’t too many sell/cover lines which is a good thing otherwise it could make the cover look over crowded/cluttered which could make the readers lose interest and may symbolise that the magazine is only for highly educated people as there is a lot of writing. By there not being a lot of writing this may make the magazine appeal to a wider audience. We can tell straight away which story is the most important as it is always in a larger font and is frequently associated with the main picture.

Hannah Batchelor

Magazine Proposal Form

AS Media Proposal Form

Hannah Batchelor

Proposal Form

Describe your idea for the brief: I am going to create a Music Magazine. It will either be a musical theatre magazine as I feel there are very few of these on the market. My other idea is a magazine including current chart music and popular music that people enjoy listening too as I feel this may appeal to a wider audience.

Genre/ sub genre: list similar texts which have inspired your thoughts: A Musical Theatre magazine may include many different genres of music depending on what musicals that particular issue is talking about and which historical period the musical is set and the portrayal of its society. Examples of Musical Theatre magazines are; Musical Stages and M Magazine. Also if I do a chart, current and popular music magazine it will also include many different genres as there are many different types of music in the charts today ranging from Pop, Rap and R&B. Examples of this type of magazine are; Vibe, RWD, Billboard and Q.

Target audience: gender/ age/ characteristics/ behaviour: I want to try and make my magazine accessible to a wide audience aimed mainly at teen and older people.

Major conventions I will use: My front page will include a bold title/masthead situated at the top either top left or all the way across, a main image and interesting storylines/sell lines which will catch the reader’s attention. It will also include the essential info such as barcode in bottom right and date and issue number.

Conventions I may subvert/ change/ not use: I feel for my magazine to look how I want I will have to include one main image instead of having a front cover with several images on like Kerrang.

Original images: what/ where/ what: I will recreate images which people symbolise with musical theatre like the phantom of the opera mask and the yellow brick road. My front cover will differ if I choose to do a current music magazine as I might have a close up face shot of somebody dressed up as an iconic singer/popular artist.