Magazine Cover Analysis - Connotative and Denotative - 1

Denotative Analysis

The main picture on this cover is of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, accompanied by a large headline inviting people to read the interview with them.  The picture obscures the title of the magazine, and part of the pictures on the left, although the faces of all the stars are still easily visible and recognisable.  The pictures are all accompanied by a headline or piece of text explaining the article that features them, including pull-quotes from interviews.  The barcode and price are easily visible but not taking away any of the focus from the rest of the cover.  The email address of the magazine is visible at the top of the page, as is the BBC logo, the company which produces the programme “Top of the Pops”.  The bright blue, pink and yellow colour scheme is present on the whole of the cover, and a lot of white is visible as well, simply to attract attention, as it contrasts with the blue background.

Connotative Analysis

The picture of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens looks fun and relaxed, giving the impression that they are happy in each other’s company, and a good couple.  The interview sounds interesting from the text in front of the picture.  The stars are all quite famous and recognisable for a lot of people, and a name is provided for most pictures as well.  The magazine is well-established, so the picture covering the title does not matter, as it is quite easy to work out the name.  The headlines accompanying the pictures serve to entice the passer-by, and the pull-quotes show the kind of content in the article.  The barcode is not obtrusive; it is small and in the corner, not attracting attention.  The price is the same, although it’s low, it is not obvious or standing out.  The BBC is a reputable company, and the presence of the logo subtly shows that the magazine is well-endorsed.  The bright colours make the magazine look fresh and attractive, obviously for young people, and fits with the theme of the magazine.

Double Page Conventions

 Larger photo (overlaps to next page)

Colour scheme

Magazine logo at bottom of page

Page number

Pull quotes

Large headline

Different font/colour for questions and answers

Border?

Text wrap?

Enlarged opening paragraph to lead in to article

Article in columns – not justified

Little negative space

Drop cap first letter

Semiology

The Study Of Semiotics

Images and colours can be signifiers - meanings widely shared which the media producer can then use to communicate with an audience.  When considering mise-en-scene, it is important to remember semiotics:

• Pose/Facial Expression
• Set/Location
• Props
• Lighting
• Colour

Signs combine to create meaning - each sign must be in keeping with the others.

Paradigms and Sytnagms

Each individual item is a paradigm and they combine to create a syntagm.
e.g. Hats
       Boots
       Props
-All paradigms but they create a whole (syntagm).

Connotative and Denotative Analysis

Denotative - state what you see.
Connotative - what do the things mean? What message is conveyed?

Audiences

Defining an audience:

1. Age
2. Nationality
3. Location
4. Ethnicity
5. Religion
6. Political alliance/beliefs
7. Education
8. Taste
9. Socio-economic groups:

A                        B                        C                           D                        E

Higher                  Mid-level                 1)Junior Management          Semi/Un-skilled         1)Casual Labourers
Management         Management           2)Skilled Manual Workers     Manual Workers         2)Unemployed
Positions                                                                                                                       3)State Pensioners


Audience reactions:
  Hypodermic needle theory -
The idea that the audience is passive, and unquestioningly accepts the information presented by the media.
  2 Step Flow –
Audience discusses media content and comes to own conclusion, which may agree or disagree with the media’s.

Colour Psychology

Colours in the red area of the sprectrum are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow.  These can evoke emotions ranging from warmth and comfort to anger and hostility.
Colours in the blue area of the spectrum are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green.  These colours are often described as calm, but often call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

Some associations for popular colours:

Black - often used as a symbol of menace or evil, but also a popular inidcator of power.  Associated with death amd mourning in many cultures, as well as unhappiness, sexuality, formality and sophistication.  Often used in fashion.
White - represents purity or innocence, and can create a sense of space or add highlights, because of its brightness and clarity.  Also often described as cold, bland or sterile.
Red - a bright, hot colour that evokes strong emotions.  Associated with love, warmth and comfort, but also anger and hatred - all heated, passionate feelings.
Blue - calls to mind feelings of calmness and serenity.  Often described as peaceful, secure and orderly, but can also create feelings of sadness or aloofness.
Green - symbolises nature, health, tranquility and luck, but also jealousy.  Green is also a symbol of fertilty, and has a calming effect.
Yellow - bright, cheery and warm, representative of the sun.  Can also create feelings of frustration and anger.  Yellow is the most visible colour, and the most noticeable, and can increase the metablosim.  Yellow is the colour most fatiguing to the eye, because of the amount of light reflected.
Purple - symbol of royalty and wealth, and also represents wisdom and spirituality.  As it does not often occur in nature, purple can seem exotic or artificial.  Also often associated with chocolate.
Brown - a natural colour that evokes a sense of strength and reliability, but can also create feelings of sadness and isolation.  Brown brings to mind warmth, comfort and security.  It is often described as natural, down-to-earth, and conventional.
Orange - a combination of red and yellow, considered an energetic colour, and is often used to draw attention.  Calls to mind feelings such as excitement, enthusiasm and warmth.
Pink - essentially a light red, associated with love and romance.  Thought to have a calming effect initially, but this wears off after exposure to the colour.

Cover Page Conventions

Price

Date

Barcode

Masthead

Some articles without picture

Large main picture – links to main article

Different font sizes and colours

Pull quotes

Eye-catching introductions

Most pictures of celebrities/artists look happy/relaxed

Questionnaire and Analysis

Questions:


1) Do you often buy music magazines?
2) Do you prefer a thin weekly, medium fortnightly, or thick monthly magazine?
3) Do you think there should be more music magazines that focus only on musicals?
4) What would be your maximum spending on a magazine of this type?
5) What would you like to read in a magazine of this type?
6) What attracts you to a magazine in the first place?
7) Would you prefer to read more about: Television, Films, or live shows?
8) Would you prefer a magazine that has more variety and appeals to a wide audience, or one with a smaller target audience?
9) Where do you buy most of your magazines from?
10) Would you buy every issue of a magazine? Do you think there should be a subscription option?


Example Reply:

Emma: female//16

1)No
2)Thin weekly
3)YES!
4)£1.50
5)About new songs that have come out and musicals that will come out soon :)
6)The brand usually but sometimes what’s on the front
7)Tricky...Films probs
8)Variety
9)A shop :D wherever
10)No i wouldn’t buy every issue

 Questions 4 & 5 cannot be represented in chart form, but I have taken the answers into consideration.

These charts clearly show, according to my intended audience, that the magazine I am going to create should be a medium-sized fortnightly magazine on musicals that caters for a wide audience.  The magazine should have an interesting cover, be stocked in several different places and contain information about many different types of musicals.  The magazine will have a subscription option.