Main Task: Indepth research of brass magazines.

After analysing three Brass Band magazines (BBW, The Brass Herald and British Bandsman) I have noticed that BBW and The Brass Herald both have a long shot as their main sell. Another thing that I have noticed is the way that there is minimal text on their front covers. The Masthead on all 3 magazines are to the head of the page.

The BBW cleverly uses the colour of text on the cover lines to match the colours of the jumper of the main sell. In the cover of the magazine the main sell is stood with his hand in his pocket, this connotes a relaxed attitude. On the Brass Herald, the main sell is wearing black, this connotes a professional appearance.

In the British Bandsman the two models in the main sell are wearing suites, this connotes smart, intelligent and professionalism. BBW contents is a 3 column read, with pictures on the right, text in the centre and detailed summary of what to expect in the issue on the left. The Brass Herald uses a 3 column approach, but they have merged columns 2 and 3 together, they have included small icons on the far right column to match some of the key contents inside the magazine.

The 2 page spreads in both the Brass Herald and BBW are mainly 3 column articles, they include pictures spread about around the page so it’s not all text.

Research and Planning: Distribution

There are many ways for artists to produce their ‘creations’, they can either go mainstream or independent, but with anything there are many differences. Mainstream artists would be able to have a wider range of an audience profile because the record label would target a new market audience for their signed artist through their production department. A mainstream institution, for example Q would be able to distribute artists through their magazines, radio and also television. On the other hand independent institutions would be able to target a niche audience but would be able to get their artists a good audience profile buy including them within their productions, for example ‘Vice’ would include artists in films, books and also public events. The artists would be globalised as some independent institutions are known world wide ranging from Australia to Mexico. As there is a vast range of multi-media platforms, the music industry is being produced in many ways to help both the artists, labels and also institutions.

MAIN TASK: Magazine Research

The first magazine that I am analysing is Kerrang (issue no. 1132).
The magazine is targeted at a Radical Hedonistic audience, this can be portrayed throught the sign produced by the Masthead. The mast head connotes violence, dammaged and boldness. The Mainsell also connotes violoence as the far left model has his fists clunched together. The magazine also offers freebies, which will appeal to their target audience because the younger generation would benefit from having posters of their favorite 'rock' band. The magazine also uses coverlines to push their information out to their market audience. The use of straplines on the left hand side allows the readers to have a brief description of what a key headline is about.

The next magazine I am looking into is BBC Music. This issue is focused at the classical music industry. It offers a freebie to its readers, which in this case is a clasical piano CD. The main target audience for BBC Music are succeeders that are traditionalists, bassed upon the Jicnars scale the audeience would be a 'B'. In this issue of BBC Music, the creator has used a puff to enhance the readers mind and to allow the readers to see the class that the music magazine has. The masthead is in a serif font as this connotes a sophisticated style, and shows the importance the clasical music industry has. The use of 'Edwardian Script ITC' connotes a interlectual approach and also a classy style. The iconic sign is used to allow the audience to see what freebie they will revieve.

The third magazine I am looking at is the January 2010 eddition of Q. The mainsell denotes a wide range of music insdustry artist posing for a camera. This may connote style, class and entertaiment. The mainsell has many artists with their hands in their pockets, this could connote a layed back approach to the music industry.

MAIN TASK: Key Dates

8th January - Planning and Research Deadlines
12th February - Production Deadlines
5th March - Evaluation Deadline

MAIN TASK: Signs

there are 3 different types of signs in the world of media.

ICONS, Index and symbol.

The glass smashing is an example of an index as it connotes someone breaking into something.

MAIN TASK: Initial Analysis of a range of music magazines.

After analysing 5 different magazines, I have noticed that they all contain the use of Mastheads, Strap-lines and all contain a main-sell in their front covers. They use a wide range of shots from Long Shot to Medium Close Ups. Most of the magazines offer freebies to their audience (MOJO, MixMag and BBC all offering CD’s). From analysing these magazines I have seen some key features that I shall use when producing my magazine, for example I shall use contrasting colours to capture the eye of my target audience. Also by using freebies the target audience will want to purchase the magazine.

Magazines analysed:
http://cover.mojo4music.com/Item.aspx?pageNo=1794&year=2009

http://covers.q4music.com/Item.aspx?pageNo=6113&year=2009

http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/11/30/nme.jpg

http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com/currentissue.asp

http://www.cmsounds.com/newsind.cfm?id=208