Diary entry week 3- Music magazine analysis

This week, we were analysing different genres and types of music magazines along with the features in them; we looked at the articles and texts used in each magazine and how they would suit the codes and conventions. We also looked at how the producer would shoot the photographs for a front page making it attractive and interesting for the audiences, such as the colour scheme, lighting. Over the holidays we analyzed five magazine covers, contents pages and double page spreads.

Initial Ideas

This is a diagram of my initial ideas which I had made in the past week or so, it shows my concept ideas for the magazine I am currently thinking of, such as the codes and conventions I wish to use.

Audience Research

These files are the results of my audience research. I have asked 10 people to help fill in a questionnaire and have used Microsoft Excel to put particular results on a graph. I interviewed friends about more open questions by recording their voices with a microphone and my laptop.

Magazine analysis 5- Terrorizer

Terrorizer Magazine-This photograph consists of a straight medium-shot of the three band members are shown in a very strange, horror-like genre, as two of the men show a braindead mood as if they were zombies looking away and aimlessly, as the person in the middle stares at them in an annoyed mood. The clothing they use is smart and casual because they attempt to represent an old-fashioned horror film.The lighting is dark in particular areas such as the shadows of the characters covering the background and text behind them.The producer attempts to acheive in showing the literal horror in the magazine by name with the use of Metal band members.

Contents- There is a picture of the artist on the contents page, as he appears to be in a pub in a medium shot as he smiles to the reader while he raises a glass of beer.This can represent a positive mood, as a form of mise-en-scene, because it is usually traditional to celebrate an event with this type of drink.

DPS-The double page spread pictures show a relation to the front cover because the picture on the left shows some of the same band members and other characters in a horror-like costume,which can represent horror and strangeness which relates to their name Carnivale Bizarre; they use features such as devil horns and pointy ears to show the eerieness of the theme.The lighting in this picture is dark, which can show a creepy and sinister feel in the picture.

Magazine analysis 4- Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone cover-The picture is shown in a straight medium shot without any clothing on the upper body as well, however this person has a large tattoo on his left arm as well as a guitar by his chest. He, like in many magazine covers, looks at the reader in the photograph, as if he had a tired face. This can portray a relaxing moment. The lighting is bright, as it apears in the cornerof the bedroom, which can show this shoot was made in the morning.

Contents-The pictures shown on the contents are of different artists, one of the artists, Wyclef, is shown in a bigger image which stands out from the rest, he is walkingoutside an airport while everything else, such as the background is blurred out. Wyclef is being focussed on, wearing normal clothing, sunglasses and a backpack as he looks away from the camera as he walks towards a destination.This helps support the article which talks about his journey home.

DPS-The Spread has two pictures of a band, one of them, on the right is a concert photograph, where it is shot in the area where the audience is. The lighting makes the image of the people appear anonymous.This has an upbeat mood to the picture as the artists move and the audience jump and reach towards them.In the image on the left shows the band relaxing in a strangely coloured room whilst they sit down, read, drink or hold an ornament, showing a recreational and funny mood.

Magazine analysis 3- Rock Sound

Rock Sound cover-Ville Valo is shown in a straight close up without any clothing on his upper body, this can imply that the target audience is for more mature people.He is lying in what seems to be a bed as he looks towards the reader which could portray an erotic image for female audiences. The lighting is particularly dark in this scene,this is to achieve a sense of mystery in the photo.

Contents-The image in the contents page shows Ville Valo lying on the floor with a quotation of one of his opinions is shown on a dark part of his body. The illustration fits theimage where the text of contents is squeezed beside the picture filling in the gaps. This can relate to the front cover photo, showing laziness and curiosity.

DPS-The image covers the Spread entirely and it still fits the texts; on the right, Ville Valo's face is shown at the right, and is given focus and at a high angle andon the left the rest of Ville is blurred out for more focus on his face which is the main part of the double page spread.

Magazine analysis 2- Kerrang

Kerrang cover-The photograph shows three of Green Day's band members, with a medium shot of them as they look at the reader. The artist on the left shows a confused, puzzled yet humourous gesture, the person in the middle shows a serious face toward the reader and the person on the right gives a somewhat boastful gesture, this portrays several moods. Their hair and costumes are all dark which implies they are fans of metal, they can show an interest in heavy metal or their fondness in goth-like music.The location of the shoot would most likely be set in a studio, because there are no outdoor areas or sign of indoor places; the background has scribbles which can showa messy mise-en-scene of the band Green Day. They try to acheive in showing the personality of this band with the mise-en-scene. The colour scheme is a mixtrue of lightand dark, the background and the photo shows light on the band members which implies that the band does not necessarily represent elements of heavy metal despite the clothing.The target audience for this magazine is for mature teenagers who are interested in the depth of the information on this band.

Contents- The page has different images of the band,, one of which has the three band members sitting in a car trunk, showing more comedy towards the magazine, two other pictures arephoto shoots in a plain white background, one of them shows one of the crew holding his arms up while he wears a tuxedo, which shows a random element to the mood. The other picture showsthe band sleeping with the United States flag as a blanket. This can give reference to one of their songs 'American Idiot'. Two other pictures show photos of the singer during concerts,showing the experience of the singer in a concert.

DPS-The picture of a full shot of Billie Joe Armstrong is seen in the contents page, where he is wearing a tuxedo as he raises his arms as he looks at the reader in a white background.This shows a mysterious and strange mood which can confuse the audience.

Magazine Analysis 1- Classic Rock

Classic Rock Cover-The target audience would have to be people who are interested in the classic rock and of the artist, this is what the producer tries to show the audience.The camera angle is tilted, showing the full body of the artist while he is posing and looking at his guitar as if he was making music with it,which helps to portray a motivated and energetic mood and a professional image.The costume the artist wears consists of black leather clothing, several necklaces and white shoes, this gives a code andconvention which implies his interests and occupation as a rock star, because these are normal clothes which a rock artist would wear.

Contents-The contents page basically shows the same features as the front cover, they can relate because it shows the same grey location, however this time it shows Joe Perry sitting on a stool, lookingat the reader with a more serious face, showing a purposeful look towards the reader and article topic.

DPS-The double page spread in the CLassic Rock magazine has several images with a black and white colour scheme, some of which are during concerts, and others backstage, portraying what happens in the business.