Music Magazines Codes and Conventions Research

Music magazine codes and conventions from Ellen Russell

Production Diary

Today I finally completed my photo-shoot. Up until recently production has been low, thus resulting in a reduced amount of production diaries, however now my photo-shoot has been completed I can begin to build my own individualistic magazine, using the images I have taken. During the photo-shoot I ensured that the style models or image ideas were available to me so that I could get exactly the images I needed for my magazine.

Mood Board

Cover Lines

Masthead: 

• Eleven (written in reprise stamp font in black with a red background so to stand out.)

Sell lines: 

• Axl Rose Reveals his views on G'N'R - Read all about Axls feud with former guitarist Slash.
• Metal Maidens - We explore the lives of some of the biggest women in Metal.

Band List:

• Judas Priest
• Dio
• Iron Maiden
• Reckless Love
• Riot Act
• Metallica
• Kiss

Main Image Heading:

• Riot Act One Scene One - See the inside life of a newbie band into the world of Rock!

Administrative Text:

• Date
• Issue No1
• £2

Slogan:

• Does yours go all the way to Eleven?

Image Ideas

Magazine Images Ideas

The use of imaes are vital for the sale of any magazine, irrelevent of the genre. Music magazines in particular use images prominantly to help to sell their magazines using the front cover as a means of enticing readers. Here is a collection of Images that have inspired me to emmulate them for my magazine;

 This image of 'The Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen was arguably one of the most convincing style models for my cover photo because it encapsulates the genre, attitudes and moods of my magazine and would appeal directly to my target readership of males between the ages of 16-40. The mid-shot shown would fit very well onto a front cover and so considering ther likeness between Taylor Momsen and my model this is a brilliant incentive for me to use.

 

his image of Halestorm fits my criterias excellently for my cover page main image, as it is landscape and encapsulates a 'band' feel and is instantaneously obvious that it is a rock band, fiting well with my chosen genre. Furthermore Lzzy Hale stands out in particualr because she is a girl and that is excentuated here, of whihc is something I aim to emmulate with my photography.

 

And finally this photo of Guns 'n' Roses front man Axl Rose has given my the initiative to use a similar style with my feature article, to whihc mainly interviews and concerns one person or oone act and so showiung an action shot like this that singles out the acts mannerisms and styles, I feel will be essential in making my magazine look professional and relevant.

Production Diary

In todays lesson we researched a multitude of different promotional methods existing in magazines. These included such things as fee gifts and tickets as well as signed memorabilia and merchandise. Magazines often offer these in order to entice readers to buy the magazine as often owning something 'rare' or 'unique' is very important. I realised that this was particularly poignant in my chosen genre of music because the fans are often very competitive and loyal, therefore it is possible to conclude that promotional methods in this case are important because often people will buy the magazines if they feel it will give them a greater position in society based on their improved knowledge or unique ownerships.

Name Ideas

The name is arguably the most important aspect to any magazine, especially those within my chosen genre of rock and heavy metal.

The naming process was very difficult. I decided to follow some infamous factors of the genre as well as using the names and initials of some of the genres most iconic figures (iconography). Here were the ideas;

- RJD (after icon Ronnie James Dio)
- RHM (acronym for rock heavy metal)
- ELEVEN (in reference to a well known phrase within the genre 'turn it to eleven' & 'mine goes all the way to eleven')
- EDDIE (in reference to the genre's most iconic band Iron Maidens infamous mascot 'Eddie')

As a result I decided choose 'Eleven' this is because I felt it was unique and would stand out on the shelf particularly with my target readership in mind, particularly in relation to the very well known phrase to which its origins come from a film synonymous with my chosen genre, 'Spinal Tap'.