Look magazine analysis.

So this is an analysis of a fashion magazine. I chose Look magazine for this task.

To begin with magazines have master heads. Look have used a bold big font at the top of the page. This stands out and catches the eye of the reader. Mastheads are also short and snappy so they are easy to remember (as it would be the magazines name). The text font and colour need to link in with the magazine genre, Look uses pink in this issue so it fits in and doesn't look strange, for example you don't have a fashion magazine with a black master head which is more sci-fi.

Look also has a splash. These are good to have on a magazine. This is the lead story. They are needed to bring the reader to the magazine as they are often big, juicy and exclusive, as this is what people want to read. The splash needs to be bold, short and big. On Look it is 'REHAB FOR ANGE!'.

Secondary leads are another big part of the magazine. These are other big stories (not the splash story) to again entice the readers to buy the magazine. You also need make these short and interesting. A photo is also included. Look uses 'Celebs HOT beach bodies' with images of celebs in bikinis.

Tags are a great way to interest people. Tags like 'exclusive', 'sneak peak', 'limited edition' and 'new' make the reader interested. They have to be bold, interesting and colourful to catch people’s eyes. 

Look uses all the codes and conventions of a magazine. However, I don't like how Looks magazine cover is too crowded. I like the layout and colour of Fashion Magazine. It looks more high end and less like a gossip magazine which is what I want for my magazine cover. The front is less crowded but still has all the secondary leads, splash and master head. Also the pop of colour still catches the readers eye. It doesn't have tags as it isn't a gossip magazine.

So that was my tenth post over and done with. WOOOOOO!

Codes and Conventions of a magazine

Although magazines each have their own readership that they need to caterer for, most of them follow the same codes and conventions.

• The magazine title or master head is usually the first thing we see on a magazine cover. It is always positioned at the top, at the left or centre of the magazine.
• Images inside the magazine are typically to the right of the text, and images on the front of the magazine are usually in the centre of the page below the title.
• The main image on magazines are usually large and fill the whole page. 
• The main image is usually of celebrity that is being interviewed in the magazine. 
• The magazine will usually have a title which has the same colours on it every week/month; however the general colour scheme of the magazine is subject to change weekly/ monthly. 
• There is text and/or images around the main image giving the reader an idea of what is in the rest of the magazine. These are usually colourful to grab the reader’s attention. 
• Secondary leads are also a code and convention. It is a short extract of an article or story within, and is often linked to the picture on the front cover. It can be found on the index page or on the front page.
• The contents page is found on the first page (after the front page). However, there may be advertisements on the first couple of pages pushing the contents page back. The contents page lists everything that is included inside and what page they are on.

So, those are the codes and conventions of a magazine. Whether it is a fashion, sports or music magazine pretty much all of the magazines follow these expectations.

Media bible- Camera angles

Birds eye view
This shows a scene from directly overhead, a very unnatural and strange angle. Familiar objects viewed from this angle might seem totally unrecognisable at first (umbrellas in a crowd, dancers' legs). This shot does, however, put the audience in a godlike position, looking down on the action. People can be made to look insignificant, ant-like, part of a wider scheme of things. Hitchcock (and his admirers, like Brian de Palma) is fond of this style of shot. This may also be known as the Busby shot due to Busby Berkeley being renowned for using this technique with chorus girls during the 1920s.

High

Not so extreme as a bird's eye view. The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview. High angles make the object photographed seem smaller, and less significant (or scary). The object or character often gets swallowed up by their setting - they become part of a wider picture.

Low

These increase height (useful for short actors like Tom Cruise or James McAvoy) and give a sense of speeded motion. Low angles help give a sense of confusion to a viewer, of powerlessness within the action of a scene. The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, the lack of detail about the setting adding to the disorientation of the viewer. The added height of the object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is psychologically dominated by the figure on the screen.

Canted/Oblique

Sometimes the camera is tilted (ie is not placed horizontal to floor level), to suggest imbalance, transition and instability (very popular in horror movies). This technique is used to suggest point of view shots (ie when the camera becomes the 'eyes' of one particular character, seeing what they see .A hand held camera is often used for this.)

Eye level

A fairly neutral shot; the camera is positioned as though it is a human actually observing a scene, so that actors' heads are on a level with the focus. The camera will be placed approximately five to six feet from the ground.

Media Bible- Camera Shots

We were asked to create a 'media bible' using all the new words we had learnt so we can refer back to it in the future. This is the section on camera shots.

Establishing shot

An establishing shot is usually the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the action is taking place. It is usually a very wide shot or extreme wide shot. An establishing shot in film making and television production sets up, or establishes the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its important figures and objects. It is generally a long- or extreme-long shot at the beginning of a scene indicating where, and sometimes when, the remainder of the scene takes place. Establishing shots were more common during the classical era of film making than they are now. Today's film-makers tend to skip the establishing shot in order to move the scene along more quickly. In addition, the expositional nature of the shot (as described above) may be unsuitable to scenes in mysteries, where details are intentionally obscured or left out.

Master shot

A master shot is a film recording of an entire dramatized scene, from start to finish, from an angle that keeps all the players in view. It is often a long shot and can sometimes perform a double function as an establishing shot. Usually, the master shot is the first shot checked off during the shooting of a scene—it is the foundation of what is called camera coverage, other shots that reveal different aspects of the action, groupings of two or three of the actors at crucial moments, close-ups of individuals, insert shots of various props, and so on. Historically, the master shot was arguably the most important shot of any given scene. All shots in a given scene were somehow related to what was happening in the master shot. This is one reason why some of the films from the 1930s and 1940s are considered "stagey" by today's standards. By the 1960s and 1970s, the style of film shooting and editing shifted to include radical angles that conveyed more subjectivity and intimacy within the scenes. Today, the master shot is still an extremely important element of film production, but scenes are not built around the master shot in the same way that they were when professional film making was in its infancy. A single shot that includes the complete scene from its start to the finish.  Usually a master shot is filmed and then the rest of the other kinds of shots (close-ups...etc.) are then shot later.

Close-Up

Photography, television or cinema 'Shot' which focuses into the subject. (Informal) 'Close-Up'. A close-up in filmmaking, television production, still photography and the comic strip medium is a type of shot, which tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots (cinematic techniques). Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene. Moving in to a close-up or away from a close-up is a common type of zooming. One of the best claims is for George Albert Smith in Hove, who used medium close-ups in films as early as 1898 and by 1900 was incorporating extreme close-ups in films such as As Seen Through a Telescope and Grandma's Reading Glass.

Extreme close up

Mid-Shot

The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. In fact, this is an approximation of how you would see a person "in the flesh" if you were having a casual conversation. You wouldn't be paying any attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary. The MS is appropriate when the subject is speaking without too much emotion or intense concentration. It also works well when the intent is to deliver information, which is why it is frequently used by television news presenters. You will often see a story begin with a MS of the reporter (providing information), followed by closer shots of interview subjects (providing reactions and emotion). As well as being a comfortable, emotionally neutral shot, the mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement. It is the dividing line between "long shot" and "medium shot" is fuzzy, as is the line between "medium shot" and "close-up".

Long shot

In photography, filmmaking and video production, a long shot (sometimes referred to as a full shot or a wide shot) typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings. It has been suggested that long-shot ranges usually correspond to approximately what would be the distance between the front row of the audience and the stage in live theatre. It is now common to refer to a long shot as a "wide shot" because it often requires the use of a wide-angle lens. The long shot should be a locked shot (no camera movement of any sort -- rock steady.) There are many exceptions; but a moving long shot draws the attention of the audience to the fact that they're watching a movie, and what you're usually concerned with, especially in the establishing shots, is in creating the basis for believability, the illusion of reality. 

Extreme long shot

Wide shot It is very similar to a long shot. A wide shot (WS) reveals where the scene is taking place. Also referred to as a long shot or master shot, a wide shot helps orient the audience. A wide shot also gives the actors room to move within a shot, without the camera having to follow them. It is  useful in scenes where the action is very spread out. For example, in a war movie an wide shot can show the scale of the action.
Extreme wide shot

Two- shot

There are a few variations on this one, but the basic idea is to have a comfortable shot of two people. Often used in interviews, or when two presenters are hosting a show. A "One-Shot" could be a mid-shot of either of these subjects. A "Three-Shot", unsurprisingly, contains three people. Two-shots are good for establishing a relationship between subjects. If you see two sports presenters standing side by side facing the camera, you get the idea that these people are going to be the show's co-hosts. As they have equal prominence in the frame, the implication is that they will provide equal input. Of course this doesn't always apply, for example, there are many instances in which it's obvious one of the people is a presenter and the other is a guest. In any case, the two-shot is a natural way to introduce two people. A two-shot could also involve movement or action. It is a good way to follow the interaction between two people without getting distracted by their surroundings. he subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background. It is very useful if the film is about two people.

Aerial shot

An extremely high angle view of a subject usually taken from a crane or a high stationary camera position, but may also refer to a shot taken from an actual airplane or helicopter. Aerial shots are usually done with a crane or with a camera attached to a special helicopter to view large landscapes. This sort of shot would be restricted to exterior locations. A good area to do this shot would be a scene that takes place on a building. If the aerial shot is of a character it can make them seem insignificant. Circular shots are also possible. 

Over the shoulder shot 

This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame. This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view. It's common to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers. In older 4x3 framing, the person facing away from the camera would typically be cut off just behind the ear. In 16x9 and other widescreen framing, there is more width available and more of this person can be shown. This shot can be varied quite a bit to include the shoulder or back of the person facing the subject.

Point of view shot

This shot shows a view from the subject's perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that it is obvious whose POV it is.

48 hours of media consumption

So I recorded what different forms of media I consumed in 48 hours and roughly for how long.
I started on the 16/09/13.
6:30-6:35 Checked Facebook
7:00- 7:45 Watched 'BBC News'
7:40-7:45 Read 'You' magazine
11:30- 11:40 Checked the BBC news app
1:40-1:45 Internet search
1:50-1:55 Checked Tumblr
19:30-19:45 Watched the 'Tour of Britain'
20:00-20:30 Watched the 'Big Bang Theory'
20:45-20:50 Checked Facebook and Instergram
21:00-21:10  Checked Pintrest

17/09/13
6:30-6:35 Checked Facebook
7:30-7:45 Watched 'BBC news'
11:15-11:20 Read the 'I' newspaper from the Independent
10:10-11:00 Internet search
15:30-16:00 Check Pintrest and searched Etsy
17:00-17:45 Watched 'The Woman in Black'
20:00-20:30 Watched 'Tangled'
21:00-21:10 Checked Facebook and Pinterest

Looking at the media I consume I can see that I look at social networking sites a lot, and I watch and read the news a lot too. This could mean that I am influenced by these mediums a lot.

What I will and won't do for my school magazine layout.

This is the current Idsall Voice layout. It doesn’t really have a front page, it just launches into the text. I will not do this as I feel that a magazine, even if it is a school magazine, needs a front cover. For me it seems more professional and complete. Also, just launching into information may intimidate some people into not reading the magazine.



This is a better example of a school magazine layout. It has a front page telling you what is inside the magazine. It appears to use the school colours and logo. However, as some of the text goes over the image a small amount of the text is harder to read. I prefer this layout to the Idsall voice layout; however I would still do some things different.

Although this magazine looks professional with the logo, school colours and general layout, I feel that it looks too busy.  I won’t just launch into an article on the front page like this magazine does. I feel it intimidates the reader, into not reading the magazine.

I would use something like this for my front cover. I would have large image from the main article, or of some students in the middle of the page. For this example I couldn’t find a suitable image. In the boxes around the page I will have headlines of articles inside the magazine to attract attention and convince the reader the magazine is worth reading.



What I will and won’t do for my school magazine text.

For my school magazine I will use a simple text that people can read and understand. It is important that this part of the magazine is right; as this is the bit that conveys the information to the audience.

I could use a simple font like Times New Roman:  ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Or even Verdana: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

Verdana is more interesting than Time New Roman which has now got the reputation for being boring, and typical of a monotonous piece of work. However, both of these text fonts are suitable, but I will probably use Verdana because I like the look of it better and I feel it is easier to read than Time New Roman.

I will not use a text font like Brush Script MT: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

It is very hard to read especially for lower school children.

Also I will not use a text font like Curlz MT : ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.

This is because it looks childish and unprofessional, and is also hard to read.

What I will and won't use for my school magazine title.

To start with, I won't use a boring plain Times new Roman title. It is boring and doesn't capture the reader’s attention and imagination at all.  The text font has to be simple so people can read and understand it, so the title needs to be more interesting to involve the reader.This is the real Idsall voice title.



If I took the Idsall voice (my school magazine) title for example I would change the title to look something like the following:

But again this title simple.You could make it more elaborate and interesting. This title is more interesting, unique and recognisable then the original though.

I could go further and add the school logo into the title as well, to link the school colours, logo and name of the magazine together and make the magazine look neat and more together as a whole, and linking it strongly to the school. This is more like something I would use for my school magazine title.


I defiantly won’t be using a title like this. It doesn't fit in with the Idsall school colour scheme at all, and could be harder to read and understand. It looks childish and unprofessional. 


I would not use something like this either as it is even more difficult to read, and doesn't fit in with the school colours. Also it doesn't match the connotations of a school magazine.

School magazine codes and conventions.

What are codes?
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. They can be divided into two categories – technical and symbolic.

Technical codes: These are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, an example of this is the camera work in a film.

Symbolic codes: Thses show what is beneath the surface of what we see. An example of this is a character's actions show you how the character is feeling.

Some codes fit both categories. For example music is both technical and symbolic.

What are conventions?
Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. There are general conventions in any medium. An example would be the use of interviewee quotes in a print article. Conventions are also genre specific.

How do codes and conventions apply in media studies?
Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre; it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.

For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an important part of any horror movie.

Evolve

The Evolve magazine has a clear heading at the top, with a green background, and an image taking up the lower two-thirds of the page. There is no definitive colour scheme or style, although the front cover is well defined and clear.

Top Terrace

The Top Terrace magazine does not have a defined ‘front page’ – it launches straight into the information. However, images and layout are used effectively, with two large pictures.

Bishopbriggs

The Bishopbriggs newsletter is very simple. It has a white background, with a header, logo on the right and two photos relating to activities within the school. The date is at the bottom of the magazine. There is no real colour scheme although there is a blue graphic of circles used throughout the newsletter.

Some codes and conventions I have seen.

• The magazine title is always at the top, at the left or centre of the magazine.
• Images are typically to the right of the text, or in the centre of the page below the title.
• Choosing a colour schemes is good as too many colours are distracting - (make sure to leave plenty of white space so that the eye is not too confused.)
• Maintaining a graphic element makes the magazine look a little more professional. For example: bars for the page headings and along the side of the article, or circles on the header.
• Most have a very colourful collage of pictures, probably of events that happened at the school. This is visually attractive and already gives the reader an idea of the school.
• The logo of the school is often included and displayed next to the school's name. The logo is the same colour as the school's title text, which clearly links the two.
• I have found the main image of a school magazine is relevant to the content that will be inside it.



About me...

Hi !

My name is Amelia-Rose De La Motte, but everybody calls me Millie. I am an A-level Media Studies student at Idsall Sixth Form. I am currently in year 12.

 I chose to do Media Studies as I am interested in the way the media effects us as individual people, giving us expections of what we should be, (for example: blue for boys and pink for girls,) and how different people react to these expectiation media thrust on us. I am also how the media is constantly changing, and will always be changing.

As well as Media Studies I am also taking: Business Studies, ICT and English language. I am also do lots of activities outside of school; I am a black belt in karate and I have been doing Ballet since I was four.

Well, this was my first post so I hope I didn't mess it up...
I hope you enjoy this blog and stick with me through out my Media Course.

Bye :)