I am going to analyse 3 existing magazines using LIIAR, the components of the magazine which I will be annotating are the front page, contents page and a double page spread. This in essential in the planning stages as it will give me knowledge needed to produce a high standard music magazine and will enable me to identify the correct conventions within them.
Q magazine
Front page
Contents page
Double page spread
Language - A number of media conventions are used within the front cover. The camera angle is a long shot, there is a slight upwards tilt which portrays the figures featured to have power and dominance, this is relevant as the artists/ bands shown were some of the most iconic musicians of their time, hence, people adored and looked up to them.
The Q sign could be seen as both a logo and a mast head as it is not specific to which convention it is and also there is no other aspect of the magazine which could pass for either a mast head or logo. The eye is drawn immediately to the Q logo/ mast head, this is due to the contrast between its red circle against the pristine white background, this then brings attention to the fact that the magazine is a special edition magazine, the stars on either side of the logo/ mast head could represent the starts that are featured on the front screen. It is also very conventional for the mast head to be at the top left of the page therefore this shows that the magazine is staying consistent to what is perceived to be a high standard magazine.
Anchorage text "FROM ELVIS TO THE BEATLES" has been used to relate to the picture being used, therefore giving the image purpose to the magazine. It is the largest text used on the screen and is the colour black to show complete contrast with the white background, therefore standing out to the audience.
I have also noticed that the image reflects the anchorage in more than one way, the anchorage states "FROM ELVIS TO THE BEATLES" and this is in fact the composition in which the artists have been arranged in, with Elvis on the left hand side of the page at the very front, gradually progressing onto the final figure on the very right of the page, Paul McCartney of the Beatles, who appears to be considerably smaller than Elvis, implying that he is stood further away.
A headline at the very top of the page has been used to briefly introduce what the magazine will be focusing upon, also giving the era which it is basing it around.
The house style on the front page is very basic yet smart looking, I believe this is to emphasise the images of the artist which stand out from the house style and further more gain attention off the audience. The choice of colours are relevant to the images as the connotations behind them indicate power, passion, love etc. which reflect the power of the artists and there music, and also the love which the fans have for them.
The contents page stays consistent with the house style of the front page as it uses the same colours, fonts and all of the images used contain the same artists as on the front cover.
Captions are used on the contents page to give extra information on what is happening in the image.
The pages are listed like a normal magazine however this one is also in a type of time line between 1954-1969. Each different period concentrates on another monumental event of that era.
A range of different camera angles have been used on the contents page from mid-shots to close ups to long shots.
The double page spread alters slightly in the house style as it introduces the colour green however the page still shows aspects of white, black and red which have been the most dominant colours throughout the front and contents pages. Also there is a change in the text as the font "times new roman" has been used as the main text in the article, this is to give the text a more professional and formal approach, like that of a news paper.
Synergy has been used in this magazine as not only are the artist selling the magazine, but the magazine are bringing attention to the artists by mentioning songs which they have produced etc. which may cause the audience to buy their merchandise etc.
Institution - Q magazine is published by the Bauer media company, a world wide media empire which publish over 300 magazines in 15 different countries.(http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/About)
Ideology - The magazine gives off a "blast from the past" vibe, it shows how the times have changed as this was from an era where freedom and rock'n'roll was a normal way of life.
Audience - I feel the audience targeted by this specific edition of the magazine would be in the age bracket of 35-55 however this age bracket may vary if I analysed one of Q's normal editions, this is not to say that there may be younger and older generations whom are also interested. The socio-economic group which the magazine belongs too would normally be around the C1-D area however I believe because the magazine is a special edition and such huge iconic figures within it, there would be a much wider range than usual due to the sheer size of their fans.
Representation - I feel that the magazine represents this era as free, reckless and fun. This is due to the mentioning of things such as hippies on the contents page which are very stereotypical of these characteristics.
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