Research and Planning: Costume and Props

In my music magazine I have an idea of how I want my models to look. The way I dress them will have to stick to the genre of my whole magazine and keep to the theme I am trying to portray. As my main image will be of a girl fronted rock band I do need to make sure that they all match but they also have to show that the focus is on the girl at the front.

 A checked shirt is a typical rock and roll item of clothing as it is very modern. To fit in with a rock style it should be worn open with a dark shirt under it. I have checked shirts at home that I could use for the photoshoot otherwise you can buy them from almost anywhere for arounf £10
An option for footwear for my magazine shoot would be converse as these are one of the most common brands of shoes worn by people who listen to and create rock music. I am sure my models will already own their own converse but otherwise they cost around £40 from most shoe shops.

 Skinny jeans are definately a must have for my photoshoot, on both genders as they definately give off the rock and roll vibe that I need. They should be dark and tight to reflect the theme of rock but optionally for the 'front woman' they could be coloured to make her stand out. If my models do not own a pair of skinny jeans already you can buy them from Pulp Manchester for around £30.

 Vans are another option for shoes for my photoshoot, if fans of rock do not own a pair of converse, they own a pair of Vans. These cost around £40 from most shoe shops and come in various different styles.

I feel that the 'front woman of my band should definately wear a tank top, possibly under a leather jacket to top off the look of rock and edgyness. She should stand central to the picture with an eye catching design on her vest. I have a lot of vests to lend to my model if she doesn't have her own. Otherwise you can get interesting designed vest tops in stores such as Pulp for £20.00

Research and Planning: My first Podcast

Research and Planning: Double Page Spread analysis

Genre:
The genre displayed in this double page spread is clear to see. the theme runs through with the use of fonts colours and images. The genre represented here is clearly Rock.  The use of black white and red as a colour scheme runs through the pages which are usually associated with rock music. As rock music is often seen as a dark style of music. The genre is also shown through the poses of the members of My Chemical Romance in the various photographs used. This is done by them standing in typical rock and roll stances and the choice of clothing reflecting the genre of music they play. Even though the pictures have been turned black and white it is still clear to see the use of dark on-stage clothing. The use of font also shows us the genre is rock, this is because the fonts used are blocked and bold to stand out. They almost seem 'loud' and in your face.

Target Audience:
I can see that the target audience for this double page spread is young people into rock music of both genders. I can tell this because the band shown in it, (My Chemical Romance) are a popular rock band. Especially popular amongst teenagers and other young people. The colours used are not particularly gender speciffic so will appeal to both genders without singling one out.

Representation:
As the colour black is typical of the rock genre and is a running colour through this double page spread, shown in clothing, hair and background colour. The band members have scruffy, messy hair which reflects an 'I don't care' rock attitude. You can also see the instruments used by My Chemical Romance which shows a theme of rock as it is very rare many other musicians of other genres use 'real instruments' such as electric guitar and drums.

Layout:
The first thing to comment on is the fact that the whole left page of the double page spread is images and the right hand side is mostly writing. This means that the image will definately be the first thing to catch the readers attention. The images run over to the right hand page aswell to show that there is a link between the two pages, the images and interview. The writing is split into two columns to make it easier for the audience to read.

Planning and Research: Questionnaire results

 

I used the results I gathered from my questionnaires and created charts to easily display my results and make them easier to see and understand.

Research and Planning: My Questionnaire

 

To help with my music magazine I created a questionnaire with relevant questions, this helped me to understand what my target audience will want from a Rock music magazine. I printed off 10 copies and handed them out to people in my Media class.

Planning and research: Cover, contents page and double page spread drafts

Research and Planning: Contents page analysis

My contents page will take inspiration from that of Kerrang's contents pages. This is why I chose a contents page from Kerrang to analyse.

The genre of this contents page is rock music, this is clearly shown through the use of images and the poses the people are doing within them. The main image shows a man with tattoos and a messy typical 'rock and roll' haircut. The other images show frontmen of bands screaming/singing into a microphone which again shows what sort of band they must be from.

I think the target audience for this magazine must be young people aged around 16-21 mostly male. I think this because of the use of yellow, black and white as a colour scheme. This would appeal to males.  The font styles are edgy and a bit 'rock and roll' to also appeal to men otherwise the fonts might be a bit softer and more curved. All of the images in the photographs are male as well which must appeal to men as they will relate to people of the same gender. However for my own magazine I plan to use a woman to front the main band. This may also attract the attention of males as being something different.

The layout of this content page is set into three columns with one image running over 2 of them. In the left hand corner at the top there is a note from the editor which I like. The contents page consists mostly of images which keeps the layout more busy and interesting.The column furthest to the right contains the page numbers and information on what is going on in this edition of the magazine. The font stays consistent throughout Being around size 18 at it's biggest and size 14 at it's smallest. The lagest piece of text on the page is the word 'contents' in the corner, this drags your eye to the side of the page containing the page numbers and information. Others are at eye level creating a connection between the band and their audience.

The representation which comes through on most of the images is cool, collected and hardcore. A lot of dark colours are used in the bands clothing to reflect typical rock style. All of the bands which are shot together seem closely bonded as friends as well as band mates. The men who stand alone on stage seem extremely passionate about their music and what they are doing. Others who are shot in a photo shoot have an air of coolness about themselves. The typical hair style used is long and messy to show the typical 'I don't care' rock and roll attitude.

The images used on this contents page are a mixture of a close up, medium close ups, group medium long shots and a group mid shot. the largest image is shot from the side to give an impression of him being deep and brooding. Three of the other images are shot from below making the bands and singers look more powerful.

Research and Planning: Target Audience

Age:
I think that a typical member of my target audience for my magazine will be around the age of 17. This could vary slightly as the content and pictures of my magazine may attract all kinds of different age groups.

Gender:
I feel that my magazine will have a mixed gendered audience however males are more likely to take an interest in it.

Occupation:
I have chosen to aim my magazine at people around 17 years old which means that they are most likely to be students.

Class:
Lower class to Middle Class students who aspire to be something great.

Wealth:
My magazine will be released once a month at around £2.00 so I think my target audience will be of a mid-range income. They could possibly have a weekend job.

Interests:
My target audiences' interests will include socialising with friends, going to gigs and signings and all things music related. Playing musical instruments could also be a key interest of some members of my target audience.

Outlook for Future:
I think that my target audience will aspire to be something great. People tend to look up to musicians as their role models so they will want to do big things. Some of them may want to start their own band and form a music career.

How are you going to reach them?:
 I am going to attract my target audience by using a red, black and white or a green, black and white. These colours are typical of the genre of my magazine and hopefully will attract young people with similar interests. Having information on gigs and new bands will also appeal to their interests. I will use relevant images on the cover, a girl fronted rock band could be of interest to both genders. I will make it an affordable price as I know that teenagers do not usually have much money.

 This is an example of my typical target audience.

Reseach and Planning: Masthead ideas

Research and Planning: Music Magazine research

I have decided that my music magazine will be based on Rock/Screamo music. In order to appeal to a specific audience, I need to use a range of techniques that will appeal to them. My Audience will be teenagers of a similar age to myself 

I need to consider..
-The layout and style of my magazine
- The colourscheme used (Keep to around 3 colours)
- The stories used and the Masthead  (They must be appropriate for my audience)

Kerrang is the prime example of how I want my finished magazine to look. It contains all of the features I need. the music represented in this magazine is exactly the sort of music I'm hoping to promote with my own magazine. You can tell that the genre is rock because of the choice in colours (Dark) and the fonts used are bold and they stand out.

The colour scheme is Black White, Crimson Red and Yellow. This sticks to the rule of not having too many different colours. The main image is he band 'The Blackout!' All members of the band are facing forwards and looking directly at the camera. This gives the affect that they're looking straight at the audience. Although the set out here is very busy with lot's of different pictures and stories, I feel that this fits with the theme of rock with it seeming loud and 'in your face.' The shot type used for the main image is a group shot, almost a medium shot. The people in the photograph are crouched and those at the back are stood together. The facial expression of the band used for the main image is serious to show that they are not a 'happy-smiley pop band'. All bands mentioned on the cover are rock bands or alternative. This makes it clear who the magazine represents.

The target audience for Kerrang is teenagers who are interested in loud alternative music, away from the mainstream music of today. In other words, they show bands that (nobody has ever heard of) They have a very specific target audience.

This is NME another indie/rock magazine which I will use to help base my ideas on. You can tell the genre of this magazine because of it's choice in images and quirky set-out. The Strap line used is at an angle and in different colours to attract attention. The words used such as 'ultimate' give hints towards the genre, as do the names of bands used.

The people used in the photographs are all wearing dark colours and look quite smart, one band member wears a lighter colour than the rest do he stands out quite a bit more than the others. The band members seem to have a fun 'i don't really care.' sort of attitude. This is shown by two members pulling a funny face and the central member reaching out towards the camera. This gives the affect that he's reaching out to the audience. (Like some bands do when they're on stage) this creates a connection between the audience and the image used on the magazine. I like this affect and I hope to recreate something similar on my magazine.

because of the quirky design you can see that the magazine is aimed at a quirky audience, those who enjoy indie music and individuality. There is a bit of overlap in the design which creates the illusion of it being busy and exciting.

The shot type is almost a high angle as the people in the image seem to be looking up at the camera. There is also a medium close up and a two shot used on this cover. The colours used here are again, black white, red and yellow. All fonts are rather similar, keeping to the theme and stopping the magazine looking too crowded.