What kind of media institution will own my media product and why?

I think i am going to go with Bauer media group, which is an institution owned privately by the Bauer family. I have come to this decision as this company is very successful and operates in 15 countries, this would ensure that my magazine gets worldwide coverage. I also believe that this institution will fit the genre of my magazine as it deals with magazine's such as Mojo which is mainly indie/rock based and Q, which is also mainly indie/rock but features a mixture of artists. I would like my magazine to have a similar house style and genre to Mojo and Q, so the Bauer media group would understand how i would like the magazine to be presented as they have prior knowledge and are already successful.

Double page spread Q magazine!

For my next double page spread analysis i have chosen an article from Q magazine as has a mixed genre ranging from indie/rock to pop/R&B. So it will be interesting to see how it differs from Mojo's article.

What first grabbed my attention here was the long shot of Shakira, the setting makes her look like a normal working girl, and indicates to the audience that this will be the main theme of the text, it is the achorage between the text and the picture. There is also another picture of Shakira which is a medium close up which is more "done up" than than the main picture, perhaps this is to show Shakira as a normal everyday girl at work and then later looking "glamorous". The picture suggests that the demographic is Shakira fans and mainly more females than males. Is this suggesting that we now live in a world where females are considered strong working women? This was a concern for theorists such as Laura Mulvey who thought that women were being overpowered and dominated by men, but this picture could be suggesting that women have now eventually won there right to be a strong working figure and are not subservient to men.

The headline is "Danger Shakira at work", we could relate this to the theory of Cohen's moral panic, the headline is trying to portray a moral panic situation. Headlines would read similar things in a real panic situation. The white headline contrasts against the picture used as the background so it is easily seen. The picture is a good size and is laid out nicely on the page so it looks as though the text is readable and there is not a ridiculous amount, which could put the reader off.

The article starts with a drop capitals, as most do as this is a main convention of articles and double page spreads. The text immediately starts with information about Shakira at work in the studio. You then begin to know that the text will be about her music and particularly her new song "she wolf". This requires a small amount of prior knowledge of the singer but not a lot as the article introduces what she does and gives information. If we deconstruct the text we realise the mode of address is very informal, like the article is interacting with everyday people, and particularly teenagers and Shakira fans. The article also sells Shakira as an artist; "she wolf the album is due for a 5 October release - will contain two songs recorded in both English and Spanish", this informs the reader and even impresses them to make them want to know more about Shakira and buy her album. The article discusses Shakira's recent work but then also includes quotes from her, to add a personal touch, it is not a full interview but is made to look like one, with things such as; "I used to be a shy girl", this lets the audience into her personal life and is more intriguing, this happens throughout.

A stapline is also used near the gutters; "I now go after my desires in a predatory way- with teeth and claws". Again this is a quote from Shakira the mode of Address is very informal this lairs the audience into wanting to read the article as many straplines also do.

The colour red is also used to indicate important parts, such as the writers name, the release date of her single and it is also the colour of her shoes. An average working girl would know that the bottom of her shoes being red probably means they are "Christian Laboutin" shoes and this could also connote that the target here is females/teenagers.

There is a small caption under the smaller picture of Shakira, "wouldn't you know it her clothes have fallen off again", this adds a hint of humor and could portray that Shakira is not just all work she also likes to "play".

Doves two page spread article!

I have chosen this doves article to analyse as part of my preparation for my own article. The text that immediately grabs your attention is the headline reading "Two Nights In Bird Land". Not only is this headline in Bold black writing on a bright yellow background it is also a pun on words- the band is called the doves (also a type of bird) and the headline uses the word "Bird land". The imagery used is realistic but uses unusual colours. There are three main close up pictures of the band members, they are in black and white with a white edging frame to catch the readers attention. The pictures are so realistic they could be compared to prison pictures, they are really close up and give you a realistic image of the band member's faces.

The main centre picture in my opinion looks like a low angle shot almost like someone is looking up at the band, they are the successful ones that we should look up to. The lights used in the background are dramatised even more. The colours of the lights are made so they stand out, particularly the yellow which is used throughout as a main colour. The bright lights make the picture look more exciting and eye-grabbing rather than just a normal picture of the band. When making my double page spread i will also edit my picture to make it look more dramatic. The colours here look "electric" and the picture looks alive.

The article starts off with a lead paragraph in bold as most articles do, it informs the demographic- (which could be said to be lovers of rock music/Doves) of what the article is about. In this small paragraph the writer uses the word "pound" a very powerful word to be used straight away, this language could suggest that the doves are also a very powerful successful band.

The magazines mode of address is very casual, like the writer is talking to a close friend, it is quite informal. The first line reads "Doves nominal frontman Jimi Goodwin doesn't smile much on stage". This is informative but yet not too formal and is more colloquial. The text then goes on to describe a gig at the Manchester Academy, the text is very graphic using many verbs such as pumping, pounding. The article then goes into an interview with quotes from members of the band, it does this throughout. This adds a personal touch to the text and allows the audience to connect with the band. The text ends with a positive point portraying that the band have a future and more success ahead of them.

You could say the layout of the magazine is the housestyle; the article is from the music magazine "Mojo", the genre of this magazine is mainly rock perhaps also indie. The layout is edgy with bright colours and large pictures showing the band in action, and with informal text, this keeps in line with the indie/rock genre and also the housestyle of Mojo Magazine.

There is a grey box in the right hand corner of the magazine, with extra quotes from the band, like a mini interview for the reader. It involves a lot of colloquial language such as "bloody hell" and is even more personal than the main article, it lets the audience into the world of the doves. The picture next to the grey box of producer William orbit is in very unusual colours, his face is in bright yellow while placed on a blue background, you would not normally see these colours used on an image. However they are used well as the picture stands out and if you where to know who it is you can identify with the image immediately. The blue and the yellow co ordinate with the colours used on the main image.

There is anchorage is the pictures just show what the text says, the text is personal and informal and so are the pictures of the band, but this is attractive to the demographic.

Kerrang Magazine contents page!

After debating over what other contents to analyse i decided to go for one from a magazine i would not normally read; Kerrang! it differs from the contents page of Q because its demographic is mainly just people who like rock music, whereas Q and NME are mainly indie/rock based but Q has elements of POP and R&B and also rap.

The yellow blocks over the straplines and text here really stands out to draw the audience in. I thought that the way the masthead saying contents is in yellow with a black background and the text displaying the pages is yellow on a blackbackground, they contrast nicely. This could be said to connote that the magazine style is unusual and "alternative" as it has different styles from others such as Q and NME. The yellow allows you to distinguish from the normal black text.

I also thought the imagery here was very unusual, there is a central picture of an artist which makes you think this is what the article will be about, but then there are also medium close up's and long shots placed in small frames around the main image. This gives the reader a clue as to what else to expect throughout the magazine.

A picture of the front cover is placed also on the contents page as a thumbnail size. By the look of the front cover the style is kept the same on both the contents page and the front cover. The Background is a grey-ish colour on both and the text is also bold on both. This may be the housestyle of the magazine.

The graphology is what we would expect from a rock magazine, edgy text and pictures in action, unlike pop magazines and mixed genre magazines where the pictures tend to be more "still" and airbrushed.

At the top of the contents there is a quote from Metallica, this is the headline on the front page, it corresponds with the quote.

All of the main coneventions are still present; list of pages and page number, one main focus picture, a quote from an artist and bold text for headlines and straplines.

Smash hits magazine!

I have decided to analyse Smash Hits magzine as it forms a different genre from the others that i have discussed. The demographic here is those who love pop music and this could be said to be aimed at females with typical colours being used such as pink, which often connotes females and "love". The mast head is in a sans serif font to stand out, even on different magazines of smash hits the masthead remains the same as this is a known convention of this magazine, all magazine's also have this known convention.

The main image here is of popstars "pink" and "Avril Lavigne". The layout is created as though it looks like they are in competition with eachother. With the main strap line being Avril V Pink, this is the achorage between the picture and the strapline i.e they are linked, the text displays the meaning behind the main imagery.

The colours used on this front page are very bright, even the text. It differs from magazine you would see today which are oftren more "contemporary" looking with a general colour scheme. The colours contrast against the pink background for a bright "wacky" effect. There are various puffs in bright text such as "AAARGH CRINGE", which will draw the audience into reading the magazine. Also the puff reading "FREE" is in bold capitals contrasting against the pink to stand out, again this would entise readers into buying the magazine. I have noticed that all music magazine's have puffs that include attractive information that will entise readers to buy that magazine; they are usually bold straplines.

The aesthetic here is a required taste, those who like "cheesy pop", this is in my opinion the target audience. As mentioned earlier this type of magazine layout would not be seen today as music magazines have progressed into a more abstract era, and look more proffesional.

The sell line here is "hogging the hits" it is not in really bold text but still can be seen. This could be compared to kerrangs sell line which is "Life is loud" alot more intruiging than "hogging the hits".

Pop music magazines as a seperate genre are not very popular, but music magazines such as Q feature different genre's from indie/rock down to pop including aritcles on people such as Beyonce and coldplay; the genres vary.

I have noticed that music magazines often quote what celebrities have said to attract a wider demoraphic, in pink bold text a quote from britney is "snogging Madonna was cool". This is used to make people want to buy the magazine and read this aritcle, the quote is in pink text to stand out from all of the other text. The colour pink is used alot on this cover, pink is always associated with girls and this is very stereotypical.

Quiz

I currently adding my questionaire to my blog, it is on the left hand side i would appreciate it if you took part in it as it will help me when creating my magazine.... thanks!

Beth Ditto: NME magazine

I chose this front cover to Analise next as it grabbed my attention and it i think it will help me when creating mine.

The first thing you immediately notice on the front on this cover is the unusual revealing picture of Beth Ditto. This is not representing the usual ideology of women. Women are associated with a polite nature other than the one shown here. Which is why we could call the picture a "moral panic". It is unusual to society, particularly to this magazine which is mainly male dominated showing a male artist or group on the front. Laura Mulvey's theory of feminism can also be seen here, Beth Ditto is the domineering female who will not stand to be passive to the male.

The words "Kiss my ass" written on her display her confidence and attitude towards success. The font here looks like it is a serif font, used to grab the readers attention.

The demographic that this magazine is focusing on is women, probably aged 17 upwards. The magazine has a more "girly" feel than usual we can tell this by the font used and even the lipstick marks on placed on her.

The yellow background is contrasted well with her red lipstick and red nails. Red is a theme used throughout so everything matches nicely. If a different colour was to be used it would spoil the cover completely. I have noticed the colour scheme is a main convention of all music magazine's then tend to have one main colour throughout, so it is recognisable as being that magazine. The colour red here may be used to connotate different things. For example red is often associated with love but also anger, or a perhaps a fiery personality we could pressume this is what is being said about Beth Ditto. We should love her for who she is and the "Kiss my ass" banner indicates us that she is "fiery" and lively.

Even though the cover is different to how it usually is, the house style is still present, it still contains the masthead in red writing so we can tell it is still NME, it is not unrecognisable.

The main strap lines are both printed in black this also contrasts with the yellow background, they stand out immediately.

Research about Indie Rock music

As i am going to be using an indie rock band for my magazine i have decided to do a little bit of research about the genre. This type of music originated in the 1980's in the United States and the United Kingdom, this type of music is sometimes released on independent record labels, rather than major record labels. A lot of sub genres are also associated and have an overlap with indie rock such as indie folk and dance-punk. Throughout the 1980's Indie rock was basically the same as alternative rock, well known bands throughout the last 20 years are bands such as Stone roses, radiohead and in this day in age we would call bands such as the Arctic Monkeys an indie rock band.

Analysis of Contents page of Q magazine!

I have decided to analyse a contents page from a typical Q magazine as i have previously analysed a front cover from this magazine.

The first thing that attracted me wen I first looked at this contents page was the text, the logo is red and the text reading 232, matches this, as though it is an important aspect of the magazine, the text at the bottom is also in red to attract the audience. Red can often be associated with warning or danger so it is a risky colour to use, but when it is used well it becomes welcoming and attractive.

The main importance of this page is clearly the close up of James Blunt; he is the main focus of this page, he takes up all of the room. Having studied other contents pages I think this is very unusual just having one picture that dominates the whole page. usually there are a number of thumbnail size pictures, or at least no bigger than a medium close up.

He is the domineering male (according to Laura Mulvey's theory of feminism). He could become an object that we look at voyuristically and fetishistically. This could be offensive to feminists as there are no females present or particularly mentioned on this contents page.

The background is white to keep the main focus as the image as it is a close up. The text showing the main contents is plain still keeping the picture as the main focus. The masthead is the same as it is always, displaying the masthead (logo) on the front cover and the contents page is a typical convention of music magazines.

This analysis will help me when creating the mock up contents page for my preliminary task, but mainly for my final music magazine. I have decided to label the important parts to help me get to grips with the conventions of a typical contents page.

ClICK TO ENLARGE DIAGRAM!

Band for my music magazine!

This the band i am going to be using for my final music magazine cover, i have decided to go for the theme indie/rock as i think this is popular these days and is becoming the new generation of music following bands such as the Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys.

I will use my own pciture for the front cover which will be a medium close up, i will also use a similar picture for the double page spread.

Any ideas on the type of picture i could take? colours, lighting, rule of thirds etc?

Q analysis

I will be analysing two front covers of magazines to help me with my coursework, feel free to add anything you think I have missed out when discussing them!

This front cover is a 2008 edition of Q, a popular music magazine which I am sure you have read or at least heard about. I chose this edition as it looks different to the typical Q magazines that are released. The text claiming "and now for something completely different" indicates this and is immediately talking about the band "coldplay", they have something new and different that us as an audience can read about. At the time they were currently releasing their album Viva la vida, so this may also be reffering to this.

Noticabley I am sure you will agree that this magazine is only attracting codplay fans, males or females this is the target audience. They are the main focus of the magazine and the masthead is entirely focused on only them.

We could apply the theory of Laura mulvey to this cover, Mulvey discusses feminism and how males are usually the dominant chracters, here is no different. Coldplay are the male dominant chracters making a "come back" no females are featured on the front of the magazine, nor are they mentioned. However we can also associated this picture with another thing that Mulvey disscussed; the male gaze. This means that males would look at this picture of the band and almost want to be them, to be like them because of their power and fame. Females may look at them and focus on them as an object of attraction or desire.

The image is different to the usual type on a magazine the cover is grey and dull and the background looks like it is western themed, it may be attempting to show that coldplay are out of their comfort zone and have become "different" to what they used to be. The masthead saying "coldplay" is bold but yet not standing out too much from the background, this could connate that the band have changed but deep down not really that much, they are still the old coldplay that fans love!

Q magazine has all the typical conventions of a magazine cover, a bold masthead, puffs, communicating information and the title of the magazine. The name of the magazine is in red as it always is as this allows the readers to immediately know what magazine it is, red is the trademark colour for Q.

feel free to add comments on my progress so far!

Q magazine

I have just noticed another convention off all magazines, although it is not really important- the bar code is usually displayed on the front of the cover, i will also have to use a bar code to make my magazine cover look realistic!