Content analysis of Music Magazine - Q

Basic layout/columns – there is a slight impression of a grid being used for the layout of this double page spread including the sub-heading, masthead and introduction. In order to differentiate the three, three different fonts have been used; giving the page an artistic look. Plus the columns used for the text of the article are the same width and height, which looks very professional.

Use of space – the majority of the space is used up by the main image, with similar denotations of the contents page main image and the cover page main image. Grayscale has been used to make the image look quite serious, giving the band a stern impression. Towards the bottom half of the double page spread the majority of the text is used, which is an interview with the band U2. The main image takes up more space so that the article looks more visual and less boring for the target audience. The left third is used for the introduction, masthead and sub-heading so that it doesn’t over-lap with any of the models from the group in the main image.

Quotation – the key quotation from the interview is situated in the right third of the double page spread, layered on top of the main image means that it will be one of the first things that the target audience will read. The quotation is in a different font compared to the other texts, and also of a different size in order to make it unique. Plus the quote is quite shocking (‘kill myself’) so that will attract the target audience to read more about the article because they would want to find out more.

How image and text are integrated – the masthead, quotation and sub-heading are all layered on top of the main image as they pose of some importance to the target audience so that they can see the basis of what the article. The font of the text has the connotation of being masculine as they are very straight and bold, the image used is similar as the image shows the group standing up-straight with very masculine body postures. Plus with the mention of ‘Music’ , the text and the image are connected again as the image shows the group holding musical instruments.

Drop Cap – the double page spread conventionally uses a drop cap (large letter at the start of the columns) so that it shows the target audience where the article begins.

Overall Impression – the overall impression of the double page spread is that the group are very serious about their career, this is shown through the colour of the images and content of the text. This article is mainly used to inform the target audience about the band, and what the band are currently up to; which directly addresses the media audience as they will feel like the band are answering the questions for them.

Content analysis of Music Magazine - Q

Page number references – the page numbers have the denotation of different coloured circles with a tiny arrows pointing to the article which is is linked to. These page number references stand out compared to the white mise-en-scene which then makes it easier to inform the target audience of what pages the different articles are on.

Mode of address – the overall mode of address is quite excited and very direct which would create an intimate atmosphere between writer and reader. Plus the vocabulary used is all linked with the genre of the film, for example ‘sound’, ‘Led Zeppelin’ and so on.

Layout – clearly the producers of this magazine have un-conventionally not used columns for the layout of the contents page. However they have used a grid-layout instead to separate the different articles which then give the contents page a different yet professional look.

Main Image + Linked Images – with some of the separate articles they have individual pictures of the featured artists, which gives the contents page colour for attraction and also helps the target audience to recognise any familiar artist instantaneously. Plus the main image for this contents page is similar to the one used for the cover page, using a medium long shot of the band U2, in grayscale. This helps the reader link the two pages together and also find what page they are on as well.

Masthead – for the contents page the masthead is at the very top of the page; in a large sized font that means that the target audience will be able to see which page they are on so that they can find other articles within the magazine. The black box as a background for the masthead also means that the white font will stand out and inform the reader, clearly.Sub-headings – all of

the sub-headings include the names of different artists and bands; linking in with the genre of the music magazine will also attract the target audience to the different articles on the different musicians and musical groups.

House style – similar to the colour scheme of the cover page, black and white are mostly used for the contents page. With a white mise-en-scene and black font, they work together in order to make sure that the target audience can clearly read the text within the contents page. Also there are small aspects of red dotted around the contents page, so that the connotation of trouble and danger sticks with style and impression of the magazine. Plus, danger, trouble and the connotation of blood is usually affiliated with the genre of rock music as well.

Content analysis of Music Magazine - Q

Masthead – the masthead fits in with the colour scheme of the cover page: black, white and red; giving the whole page a professional look. The masthead is also layered behind the main image so the main attraction [U2] can be seen first in order to draw in the target audience, however with the white font and the red background, which means that the masthead is very clear and legible for the media audience to read.

Rule of thirds – following the codes and conventions of a music magazine, this cover page uses the rule of thirds to their advantage. Using a medium-long shot of the band ‘U2’ their position means that they are within hotspots, so that they are the first thing that the target audience will see. Also the left third is also conventionally used for smaller cover-lines and a puff so that this will inform the reader of what’s to come and what is inside the magazine.

The main image – with this cover page, the main image consists of a medium long shot of the band, U2. The image has been edited to become almost monochrome, with the use of Grayscale. This then means that the main image fits in with the colour scheme to give the magazine a professional and creative look. Plus the colour of the image and the facial expressions given from the band implies the connotation of being serious and maybe dangerous/troublesome. The main image is layered behind the cover lines as they only cover up of the body of the band, they are layered in front of the masthead otherwise one of their faces would have been covered up.

Main cover line – the main cover line is in big, bold white writing which helps it stand out from the rest of the cover lines. Also, the fact that the name of the band is in the biggest font in comparison to the other cover lines means that the target audience knows exactly who the main feature of the article is, and that would hopefully attract more than just the target audience. The connotation of the main cover line could also link with the connotation of the main image; like they’ve been troublesome so they need to ‘explain themselves’.

Colour scheme – the colour scheme of the cover page consists of: black, white and red. The black and white have the connotation of being quite serious, whereas the colour red has the connotation of blood and danger which all links in with the connotation of the main image.

Cover lines – all the cover lines are linked in with the genre of the magazine because there are mentions of other rock musicians, for instance Alt J, which would additionally appeal to the target audience because there other attractions that the target audience would like to read about. All the cover lines are in the same font in comparison to the main cover line so that the main cover line can stand out the most.

Skyline – the skyline is unconventionally the cover mount; offering free music which would indefinitely appeal to the target audience because they would be interested in music as they are buying a music magazine.