Analysis of Content Page #1 - Kerrang!

Language - This is quite a simple lay out for a content page but it works really well so it doesn't over power the page. To balance out the simple lay out the pictures are very colourful, vibrant and show the bands with lots of energy. In the list of the content itself they are separated into different categories and the headings of these are in bold contrasting colours so they stand out easily to show the organisation of the contents and it doesn't look has hectic as the front cover. However, it shares some  similarities with the front cover such as having one of the main stories with the biggest picture and having other stories around it, also the text is still in higher case so even though it's been simplified it still has the power impact that we saw on the front cover'

Ideology - 'Kerrang!' has readers that are independent and are loyal to the music and not the fashion. In other magazines the music changes but so does the style within the magazine when ever a new trend comes out and readers come and go as each edition that comes out is there to attract a different audience therefore showing that most music magazines aren't about the music but conform and show no independence.

Audience - 'Individually minded, independent of thought and musically experienced, an audience defined by attitude, passion and loyalty.' This quotation was taken from http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Kerrang/

Representation - Every picture of the band looks rebellious as none of them appear to be smiling or showing any emotions what so ever but this links in with the genre as it's meant to be a tough, male genre. However, each picture have very little in common with one another and this helps represent individuality.

Analysis of Music Magazine #3 - Q



Language - Just like all magazines, there are no full sentences, just quick and short phrases that give a brief of what the main stories are within the magazine. The main picture is quite primitive however I think in this case it has worked very well since the only part of the image that has had a bit of work put into it is the guitar to reflect on the main story. Everything within the front cover is very central and the whole cover seems to be symmetrical and this shows order and therefore a slightly older audience.

Institution - The publisher of 'Q' is 'Bauer Media' who also publishes 'Kerrang!' magazine and many others.

Ideology - Considering fact that the lead singer of the band is right in the centre of the front cover and everything else is surrounding him, it's like he's the centre off all music right now. Also, since one of the band members behind him is holding out a guitar in flames it links with the headline and the fact that they really are the hottest thing in music right now.

Audience - I have taken this quote from the site  http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Q/ as it explains the audience perfectly 'Open minded experience seekers, the Q audience don’t define themselves by the music they listen to. Music is an important passion, but their love of music will never be to the detriment of their other passions, such as film, sport and comedy.'

Representation - They are represented as very intimidating as the lighting is creating lots of shadows in their faces so it's difficult to see their eyes but at the same time it seems like they're staring right at you as just the colour of his eye has been enhanced.

Analysis of Music Magazine #2 - Metal Hammer

Language - The fact that it's one face covering the whole of the page seems very intimidating especially because you can't see the face, also that the mast head gives a metal effect and if covered in blood (which fits it quite well actually) nearly makes you feel that it's dangerous almost but this just shows that the music within the magazine is very aggressive and loud and could be a lot to handle if you're not suited to the genre. The claw marks on either side of the models face enhances the aggressiveness of the bands featured in this magazine, it's almost as though the model in particular is very violent and has tried to get out for any reason unknown. In comparison to 'Kerrang!' there are very few colours used, in fact the only actual colour on the cover that isn't grey is red which is commonly used to represent blood or anger.

Ideology - As said before this magazine shows a continuous trend of anger and violence. Strangely enough because of the metal appeal mask that the model is wearing he seems like a prisoner, like he's to dangerous to be trusted without it. What I find interesting is that the only part of his face that we can actually see is just one of his eyes, even the rest of his mask is out of focus and this instantly forces us to look into his eye which feels quite intimidating as it looks like he's staring right at you especially since his eye looks so piercing.

Institution - The publisher is 'Future Publishing Limited' which I'm guessing could be part of one of the major publishing companies.

Audience - I think this sort of magazine would be for and older teenager to young adult as I think it's heavier music when compared to 'Kerrang!' and is just a lot more violent in general from anything to the mast head to the bands featured. Also because the bands in the magazine are of an older generation so they'd be a lot more serious about their music and expect people to appreciate the meaning within the music.

Representation - It's quite easy to see that they are meant to look aggressive and intimidating, but at the same time mysterious as on the front cover the face of the model isn't shown. I think it's also trying to make a statement that it's a difficult music genre to enjoy as it's really brutal and loud and if you're not suited to it it's really not the magazine for you.    

Analysis of Music Magazine #1 - Kerrang!

Language - The first impression of the front cover seems a bit hectic due to the way the pictures are arranged and this actually reflects on the music genre that this magazine covers. The mast head is very strong in this case as it's in higher case letters and it's black on a white background which instantly creates impact. This adds to the effect by the fact that it looks like the mast head has cracks in it and is revealing the white background, because of this I think it looks like it is made out of a hard and brittle material like rock and someone thrown it down and cracked it which again successfully reflects the genre as well as the slogan which reads 'Life Is Loud'; this slogan stereotypes the genre perfectly as metal music is obviously going to be loud. In fact, every piece of text within the cover is written in higher case letters which shows power and aggression and both these factors reflect the genre and it has been made clear as to what this magazine represents.

Ideology - In nearly every photograph on the front cover the models are looking at the camera and none of them look particularly like normal people as some people may say, in fact none of them look like each other anyway, I believe that this helps show that no-one is the same as the next person that you'd see. However, because the images are all quite large and there are bold colours within the cover it all seems quite 'in your face' as it all seems to jump out at you when you first look at it because you suddenly see all these faces looking directly at you.

Institution - The publisher of 'Kerrang!' is 'Bauer Media' and owns more than eighty influential media magazines and also twenty local radio stations.

Audience - This magazine is aimed towards teenagers as teenage lives are more or less music orientated and influenced. The band members within the bands are also quite young as they are usually anything from 20 - 35 years of age. On the other hand, there are a few Rock/Metal bands that have been around for years and are still on the go; but the majority tend to be quite young. They also pose in a way that it doesn't seem like they are posing it just looks as though they really don't care and are just relaxed which is how teenagers tend to come across as so they can really relate to them.

Representation - From first impressions all the models come across as quite rebellious due to dark clothing and hair with facial piercings which instantly makes it seem like they aren't serious about themselves which makes the magazine seem like a fun thing to read as it doesn't give the impression that it's a standard magazine because they are not standard models. The fact that they have used bold colours also shows that the music is bold therefore so is the magazine.

Music Magazine Genre

What is the chosen music genre, which your magazine will focus upon?

At the moment I'm thinking of focusing my  magazine on 'Metal/Gothic Metal', not because I have models that would suit that genre but I have many props and clothes that would make them look like they're in a band of that genre. I know most about this genre therefore it would be the easiest for me to achieve.

What are the key features of this genre?

The main thing that is associated with this genre is that all or most of the bands are male with lots of tattoos; although this may be true but I intend to create a female metal band but with all the other aspects of a typical metal band. They are also wearing lots of black along with facial piercings and obviously tattoos. All metal bands wear very dark make-up (even if they're male) and are often seen wearing lots of metal on their clothing such as chains and studded belts. Usually there are guitars or drums to create impact and when used at such a rhythm and pace they become very brutal but even when on the front cover of a magazine they look very dangerous depending on the model who is playing the instrument.

What magazines already cover this genre?

Well known metal or rock associated magazines are Kerrang, Metal Hammer and arguably Rock Sound or NME as they cover a large variety of music genres and sub-genres.

LIIAR Analysis of Improved Front Cover

Language - The language is everything about a magazine even including pictures, so it's always important to get the mast head and the main picture right as they're usually the first things the audience sees. In this case the mast head is very bold and catches the eye straight away, this is also because of the fact that it is only three letters, 'LTD' meaning 'Living the Dream' which in most cases would be too long for a mast head if the full words were used.

Ideology - What this magazine wants to have as an image is that it believes in respect, that everyone is equal and that intelligence is an advantage in life. The third one has been stated mainly as the main story is 'Revealed: A new success a 99.7% pass rate' therefore saying that if you want to go to this college you want to succeed. This is also a reflection of the teaching which links into the representation.

Institution - The main instituation is Wyke College itself as no other company is on the front or have anything to do with the magazine. Eventhough there isn't a Wyke logo on the front it is still the institution as the magazine is actually for Wyke College.

Audience - Of course we want the main audience to be the potential students, however, it isn't only their opinion that matters. The parents of students will also be looking at this magazine as their childs future is getting to a vital point at this age where the right decisions have to be made. To attract the parents I have added the pass rate on the front as the main story, therefore instantly showing that the teaching is well above satisfactory.

Representation - I used a model that wouldn't normally be on the cover of a magazine, simply because I wanted students to think that's it's ok to be different here, and that really anyone can enroll. Overall, my model is represented as a learner however not overly serious, this is just to show that there are other factors of college life that doesn't mean work.

Improved Front Cover

Brief

The task we have been assigned is to create a music magazine, everything about he magazine must be our own work therefore no copyrighted images. The magazine must include front cover, draft contents page and a double page spread,  there has to be a minimum of four original pictures, however, I think that I may do more to get a variety of different camera angles. Something to keep in mind is that it would be a great advantage if I could link all pages so they look like they're in the same magazine; this will probably be achieved by using the same font through out the magazine. I also need to fit the font and colours used to link with the genre of the magazine.