Codes & Coventions of Music Magazines

In this lesson we analysed and discussed the codes and conventions of music magazines in groups. This was our outcome:

Masthead
 - Title
 - Positioning Statement - sets out the magazine's ethos e.g. Kerrang "Life is loud"
 - Title kept clear and separate from the image unless the magazine is established
 - The only way it could happen is image is underneath the title
 - Title has unique font which is large and bold - it is not used anywhere else on magazine

Barcode
 - Generally bottom right hand corner
 - Contains:
   -Issue number
   -Date
   -Price
   -Website

Buzzwords
 - 'Plus', 'Exclusive', makes the reader feel like they're getting extra for money or no one else has this

Images
 - One main image
 - Sometimes subsiduart images which are smaller
 - Close-up or mid-shot image
 - No text on face on image
 - Direct address - looking straight into the camera
 - Images usually are relevant to what's inside

Colour scheme
 - Consistant
 - Usually simple colours that don't clash
 - 3/4 colours
 - Colours reinforce the brand

Coverlines
 - Smaller that main image coverline
 - Is in the same style font
 - Always relates to stories inside magazine
 - Relates to genre of magazine
 - Limited range of font; serif, times new roman, san serif
 - Font smaller for a bigger price
 - Plain background

Main image
 - Band image is long shot or medium long shot
 - Artist image is close-up
 - Direct address - look directly at the camera
 - Body language of person in image must fit genre of magazine