Denotative and Connotative Analysis - Q cover page

Q music magazine cover page

Denotative

·         There are 3 people taking up a 3^rd of the page. Jay Z is at the fount of the group with Lady Gaga on the left side of him and Dave Grohl to the right. Jay Z is taking from a low angle shot. Lady Gaga and Dave Grohl are captured in a long shot.

·         Jay Z had a large bling necklace on, baggy jeans and a plain black t-shirt.

·         Lady Gaga has skimpy black shiny material shorts and bra on. A black glove in the same material. And a Cossack hat with many gold chains hanging down from it. She is in a solutes position.

·         Dave Grohl is holding a guitar in his left hand which is half covered. He is wearing a black shirt and skinny jeans. With a small chocker necklace with a cross on it.

·         Taking up the left top corner is a white Q in a red square. 9cm width by 8cm height.  Is in a sans serif font.

·         Underneath it is red writing saying “10 exclusive Interviews” the 10 is bigger and exclusive and interviews are parallel, however the exclusive is slightly bigger than the interviews.  Serif font.

·         Then is bright orange writing “Jay Z” then there is a quote underneath in a smaller black font. This carried on parallel to each other for Lady Gaga and Dave Grohl.  All serif fonts.

·         Under this are the bar code, date, price and website all in one small box. 4cm width by 2.1 cm height.  Bottom left corner. Date and price in a sans serif font. Website in a serif font.

·         On the right side of the page on the edge, in the centre is a red circle with a thin white ring around. In the red circle is a white font “42 pages of reviews!” the 42 is bigger than the other writing, which is parallel.  4.5 cm diameter. Under this circle over lapping over the top is a smaller black spiky circle with a small with font “& Robert plant live special”. All this is in a sans serif font. 

·         In the bottom right corner is a flash across the page.  This flash has a black tip and the rest of the rectangle is in the same bright orange as the Jay Z, lady gaga text. In the black tip is a white plus sign, in the orange box the writing is alternate black and white.  Serif font.

·         At the very top of the page is a banner, it is black with white font in it

 “THE 10 MOST ........ IN MUSIC NOW.” In the centre of the banner is a bright orange semi-circle with a spiky edge. In it says “EXCITING PEOPLE”. All of this is in a sans serif font.

Connotative

·         The images of the 3 people taking up most the page shows that they are the most important thing on the page.

·          As Jay z is at the front it shows he is the most respected and important. Being taking from a low angle shot makes him look bigger and in power which tells the audience that he is important in the music work.  His big chain shows he has money. His baggy jeans shows he is a more hip hop star as it what they tend to wear, but his simple black top contradicts this.

·         Lady Gaga’s outfit and stand has an element of sexiness to it. Dave Grohl looks the most rock out of the 3. His long hair is covering his face and the guitar determines that it is his style.  As they are both taking from long shots and stood behind Jay Z is shows they are to as important as him, but they are still taking up most of the page.

·         The Q is in the top left corner, this would because of the “Z” reading rule.  The white on red really makes it stand out.  It takes up most of the most of the top left quarter which shows it is important.

·         The “10 exclusive interviews” stands out as it is red next to the red square. The 10 and exclusive are bigger as they are the key words and the ones the reader will be most interested in.

·         The bright orange writing of the artist’s names is the most striking part of the magazine. These 3 artists are the ones the magazine wants to sell; they are also the thing the reader will read to see if they are interested in the stars features in the magazine that month. The quotations from the artists from the interview also draw in the reader as it gives them a taste of what there is to read.

·         The box with the barcode and price box is smaller as it is the least important information on the magazine but is a legal requirement. The magazine also doesn’t want the price to be the first thing the customer sees at it might put them off before seeing the contents.

·         The circle to the right side if another important sales point the magazine are trying to sell.  The 42 really stands out on the red background, and it is the biggest thing in that section. The Robert Plant bit is less important as it has a black background so it stands out less. 

·         The flash at the bottom of that page stands out as it is the bright orange again. The + lets the audience there is much more inside. The black and white font stands out but there is the most amount of block text there so the reader probably won’t read it all.

·         The banner at the top of the page is in black, the bright orange semi-circle stands out boldly, as does the big black writing in it. The white font on the black banner also stands out but not as much as the key selling point of this part, “Exciting people”

·         The magazine editors have only used 4 main colours ; red, white, black and the bright orange. This keeps the magazine easy on the eye and simple, but also makes certain parts and key points stand out.

                                                              

Generic Conventions - Double page spread

Generic Conventions for a double page spread

·         The title text, and pull out quotes are in a larger font to make them stand out.

·         The header ties the article in with the rest of the feature it is joined with.

·         The title text is bigger, and then the text in the article is smaller.

·         The title or image often overlaps the gutter to tie the spread together.

·         Cohesion brings the story that 2 page spread together. For example the image is slightly pink, as it the title colour.

·         There are often logos all over the spread to promote the brand name.

·         The images instantly tell the reader who they are reading about and what kind of persona they have. If a reader if flicking thought the magazine they will recognise the artist and wont to head on.

·         Articles are split into columns so it is easier to read and looks less to read.

·         An image caption explains to the audience what the picture is about.

·         The footer is used for brand image. The magazine constantly reminds you it is Q magazine.  It also informs the reader how to subscribe.  It also has the page number which is useful to find the page.

·         Drop Caps draw the attention to the start of the article.

Generic Conventions - Contents page

Generic Conventions for a contents page

·         Images break up the page and make it more interesting to look at. Images may have numbers on, this is to draw people in to that story

·         The logo is branded everywhere, to advertise magazine.

·         The pages numbers are the main concept of a contents page, they help the audience find the story they want.

·         Each story has a header, then an a little introduction inducing you to the story and telling you what each one is about.

·         There are main sections with different stories, such as Features, Regulars and reviews.

·         A letter from the editor is vital as it makes the reader feel more involved with the magazine and make them feel more important. It is often signed with the editors signature.

·         List of editor team.

·         There is a wide variety of font size to make things stand out more than others.

·         Issue number and date.

·         How to get a subscription,  the contents page is a easy page for someone to find and get the information from, also if the reader liked the look of the contents page there is more chance they will sign up.

·         Each story is divided up by lines to keep the page looking neat.

Generic Conventions - Cover page

Generic Conventions for a cover page

·         Magazine name in the left corner or centre at top due to “z” reading

·         Header is the main feature in the magazine. Most important as it is at the very top.

·         A quote from the main artist who is featured in the picture is a taster for the article of interview. It draws audience in and tells them what to expect.

·         Dominating picture to show the main featured artists in magazine.

·         Everything has a border or something surrounding it to stop things clashing.

·         Barcode, date, issue and price are a legal requirement.

·         Only 3 colours – red black orange. Make the cover easy on readers eye yet still exciting and things are able to standout.

·         Other stories, artists and features  in the magazine.

Questionarie

What gender are you ?

o   Girl

o   Boy

How old are you ?

o   12

o   13

o   14

o   15

o   16

How often do you buy music magazines ?

o   Every week

o   Fortnightly

o   Every month

o   Less than every month

What type of music do you enjoy listening to ? (You can tick more than one box)

o   Pop

o   Indi

o   Rock

o   Dance

o   Classical

How much would you be willing to spend on a music magazine?

o   Less than £1

o   £1 - £3

o   £4 - £6

Would you be more likely to buy the magazine if you were offered a free gift ?

o   Defiantly

o   It would attract you more

o   No

What is your favourite feature in a music magazine ?

o   Reviews on live concerts

o   Interviews with artists

o   Chart Review

o   Recommendations

o   Other (please specify) ....................................................

What aspect attracts you to the magazine ?

o   Front  cover

o   Contents page

What would make you chose that magazine ?

o   Replication of the magazine – (you often buy that magazine)

o   The feature artist

o   Competition

o   The free gift

Proposal

Genre
The genre of my magazine is going to be pop/chart music. It is going to represent the lifestyle and fashion side of music as well as the artists. It is going to feature modern young artists. The artists I feel would be on my magazine would be Katy Perry and Justin Beiber. I want it to include interviews, music, artist fashion tips, about their lifestyle, how to get in to the pop industry.

Audience
I am aiming my magazine at teenage girls ranging from the ages of 15 - 18 year olds, in High School. Their parents socio-economic group will range from group C2 - A. This is a wide range as I feel it should be available to a wide group of economic groups. I am aiming my magazine to the stereotype older teenage girl who is interested in fashion, pop music and boys.

Intuitions
I want my magazine to be sold in large stores such as WHsmiths, and supermarkets such as ASDA and Sainsbury. I would also want it to be available in corner shops and local shops as well. It should also be available by subscription.

Semiology

The Study of Semiotics

Image and colours can be signifiers, meaning widely shared, which the media producer can produce to communicate with an audience. 

We consider Mise en Scene, it is important to remember semiotics :

·          Pose/Facial expressions

·         Set/Location

·         Props

·         Lighting and colour

Signs combine to create meaning – each sight must be in keeping

Imagine a cowboy wearing a baseball hat – it would jar the audience.

Paradigms and Syntagms

Each individual item has a paradigm and they combine to create a Syntagms  

e.g. Hats , Boots, Props – All paradigms by create a whole or syntagm.

Connotative and Denotative Analysis

Denotative – State what you see

Connotative – What do the denotative mean? What is the conveyed to the audience?

Audiences

Why are audiences so important?

·         Without an audience you cannot make any money.

·         Size of audience used to measure success

·         Lots of media is free – available to do this due to advertisements paying to be in media.

Changing Audiences

Since the end of the 20^th century audiences have change due to new technology, meaning there is now a huge amount of choice.

There used to be a mass audience for TV, but now there are so many channels it has change to a fragmented audience, and then niche audience for certain channels with a specialist interest.

Defining Audience  

·         Age w

·         Gender

·         Nationality

·         Location

·         Ethnicity

·         Religion

·         Music Taste

Hyperdermic Needle Theory (1950s)
Audience is passive and media injects you with ideas which you accept and don't question people were very nieve.

Passive Audience  = Idea that audience excepts everything the audience tells them

(In the past)

Active Audience = Take from media what we want, we do not except or believe everything

(Nowadays)

Representaion

Re – Present Information

When your representation something you select point to create an image :

          e.g. School Magazine

·         Make school look good

·         Results

·         Image

Media – Mediate information to us because they select and interpret the world for us.

Representation involves stereotyping, is a generalised way of representing people, media stereotypes is because it’s a quick and easy way to reach mass audiences.

Key Concepts in Media Studies - Genre and Iconography

Key Concepts

• Media Language
• Representation
• Audiences
• Narrators
• Genre
• Institutions

Genres

Term used to classify media text, according to their characteristics.

You can get pure genres however they can be combined to create a new product

          e.g. RomCom = Romantic Comedy

Iconography

Things we associate with a particular genre

• Costume
• Objects
• Characters
• Settings

Audiences and Genres

Audiences like genres as it is helpful to identify a certain product, and therefore we have a curtain the expectations about it, such as the reassurance of familiar patterns.

Producers and Media

Genre helps producer’s guarantee an audience. Genre is a quick way to explain a film to an audience , easy market.

Evaluation of Preliminary Task

I have used several skills during making my magazine front cover and content page. I took the photographs and cropped and edited them to suit the magazine size and genre.

My magazine follows the conventions of most magazines. I have used a bold masthead which captures the audience’s attention; this masthead is carried on though to the contents page, this made it look professional. I have kept the cover and the contents page simple by using only 3 main colours, this make the magazine easy to read, and more pleasing to the eye. I also used a large image in the centre of the page this was meant to grab the audience attention. I then used to little images at the bottom to make the other stories more interesting as well.

I wanted my magazine to make the school look happy, professional and enthusiastic. All of the people in my pictures look happy and excited to be at school. I kept everything minimal and simple to make it look professional.

Feedback 
Parent of a pupil - She feels that the small pictures with close up of pupils are much more appealing to a parent as it shows that the school are proud of them. She feels that the picture also does not represent the school as well as it should have. Although she continues to say the contents page was professional and easy to understand.


I feel my magazine is not as bright and bold as I wanted it to be. If i could do it again i would make the blue much brighter. I also feel it is a bit boring; this could be improved by more exciting pictures of more students.

Mise en scène

Costume :

• Using a certain colour of clothing
• Hair and make up
• Certain design of clothing 

of all the subjects in the photograph.

Location :

• Mood 
• Image
• Atmosphere 

you are trying to create.

Lighting and colour :

• Mood
• Atmosphere

Eg) Use of age ? Sepia
       Vibrate Energy ? Use primary colours
       Wealth ? Highlights gold, silver and yellow.

Props or set : 

• Must compliment 

Eg) Cup of tea in delicate china with a rich woman, rather than a drugged up rockstar.

Institute research

Magazine publishers :

http://www.ipcmedia.com/brands/pickmeup - Everything from "World Soccer" to "NME" to "Boatlife"

http://www.northernandshell.co.uk/ - OK, The Star, New

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/ - Kerrang, Heat, Grazia, FHM

Preliminary Task