Unit 1 FACT SHEET Peter Allen

Front Cover Analysis

Buzz Word Masthead

information
Incentive

Puff Positioning statement

Main Image

Main cover line

Cover Lines

Subline

Barcode

Price
Masthead
The Masthead is the name of the magazine and is conventionally the largest text on the
cover. It also has a unique font that separates the masthead from the rest of the text in
the magazine. The masthead is conventionally at the top of the magazine this allows the
magazine to stand out, the wording of the masthead often signifies the genre of
magazine showing the audience what the magazine is about. The masthead is usually
in a bold font, and is often a different colour from the background.

The masthead of this magazine is big and bold compared to the rest of the text. The
“classic” part of the masthead connotes to the nostalgic aspect of this magazine as it
looks back at old or ‘classic’ rock bands and singers. the colour of the masthead itself
has a very stark contrast to the background as the masthead is white and the
background is black this enables the masthead to stand our more. The masthead of this
magazine conforms to the conventions of other magazines as it is positioned at the top
of the magazine. This magazine also conforms to other conventions such as having the
masthead in bold colours that contrast with the background. The masthead in the
magazine signifies the genre of classic rock, a good example to start with is the word,
“rock”. Being that it is in bold, big letters it immediately stands out to the audience as it
simply connotes the meaning of genre of rock. “classic” on the other hand has
connotations of being old and nostalgic in some way this signifies old rock music of rock
bands and artists that is featured in this magazine.

Main Image
The main image conventionally takes centre stage on a magazine cover and often
signifies what kind of genre the magazine is. The main image itself is big compared to
the rest of the features of the magazine cover and it often overlaps bits of text. For
example, the main image conventionally overlaps the masthead. The image itself in
conventionally a person, usually somebody famous, to attract the audience and will
typically be someone relevant to the genre. The technique conventionally used in the
main image is direct address (this is where the gaze of the image is directed to the
audience which engages them).

Mise en scene - French term – means literally, “in the scene” and includes everything
you can see in the shot. Image: costumes, make-up and hair, setting, lighting, props,
body language, colour and Expression. The Mise en scene signifies the genre to the
audience and will be visually engaging.

The main image of the magazine follows the conventions of being very big this draws
attention to the image making it a selling point of the magazine, as it will often feature
someone relevant to this issue’s topic. The image overshadows the Masthead this
follows the usual convention used in magazines. The image itself is of Steve Adler a
member of the band Guns n’ Roses, the main image has Steve Adler because he. The
main cover image on this front page signifies the main article or story that magazine is
focused on this has connotations of a very important story which may draw the attention
of the audience to know and find out what exactly the article is about being that it is so
important. The main image of this cover of the magazine has connotations of rock n’ roll
this is because the person in the picture, “Steve Adler” belongs to the rock band Guns n’
Roses. The image’s mise en scene is on point as Steve Adler’s hair is long and flowing
which seems to have connotations of a rock and roll headbanger on top of this the
clothes he wears, specifically the black leather jacket, is something that most rock band
members might wear. The main also follow the convention of use the technique called
direct address, this is where the gaze of Steve Adler is directed at the audience which in
turn engages the audience.

Cover Lines
Cover lines are on the front cover of the magazine and are conventionally positioned
around the main image. Cover lines usually highlight content that will be in the
magazine and it is used to inform the audience to make this appealing for them. There
is always some text that is bigger, bolder, or in different colours which will stand out and
this will usually that will appeal engage the audience and appeal to them the most.
There are often smaller lines under the cover lines, they are called “Sub-lines”, these
lines give extra information on what the cover line is about.

The cover lines in this magazine are positioned around the cover page. They have
inscriptions of subjects that will be presented throughout the magazine such as, “DEF
Leppard” or, “The Stooge”. This content that is being teased on the magazine is often
appeal to the readers of the magazine and will often engage the reader’s attention
making want to buy the magazine. The font is big and bold in order to capture the
audience’s attention. The cover lines also have sublines under them which give a small
amount of information about the rest of the article. A good example of the cover lines in
the magazine is the, “Thin Lizzy” cover line. The coverline informs the audience that
there is an article in that magazine about the band Thin Lizzy. What distinguishes this
coverline from the rest is its font, it is easily identifiable as each of the coverlines have
their own unique font. The style of the font may connote the style of music of each band
or artist as this is a rock magazine Afterall.

Main Cover Line

The main cover line is formatted in the same way as other cover lines with the exception
that this one is larger compared to other coverlines. It is conventionally the largest text
on the page besides the masthead and it is often linked to the main cover of the image.
It is usually positioned next to or on the image.

The main cover line for Rock magazine follows the convention of being big and being
centred in the middle of the cover, the title reads, “Guns n’ Roses” which informs the
reader that somewhere in the magazine there will be a topic covering news of the band
Guns n’ Roses. The text is positioned over the image of Steve Adler. Another feature of
the main cover line is its sheer size; it commands the audience’s attention as it is really
big the has connotations of something main or really important this is what makes it
stand out from the other coverlines. Unlike the other coverlines the main heading is pink
whilst the text underneath is white this is direct contrast to the other coverlines that have
a white heading and pink sub-lines, this reinforces the idea that this heading is
significant in some way further drawing on the audience’s interests. The subline for the
main coverline can be found just under it. This follows the convention of having the
subline under the main coverline. The subline also gives information about the about the
main cover line, that being the kind of story it entails. It does this by giving as little
information as possible whilst retain the interest of the audience.

Positioning Statement
A positioning statement is like a tag-line or slogan for the magazine and is
conventionally positioned near the masthead. It positions the genre in the magazine in
the market place and lets the audience know what the purpose of the magazine is. It
usually also promotes the magazine by letting the audience know that they are getting
the very best content.

The positioning statement on this cover can be found just under the “k” in, “rock”. This
follows the usual convention that the positioning statement is normally found near the
top of the page. The positioning statement in this magazine notes that this rock
magazine is “high voltage” remarking that it is “electrifying” reading material. The
positioning statement for the magazine acts as a sort of slogan or tag-line, also the
colour of the font being white contrasts with the black background this the purpose of
the colour is to catch the audience’s attention on the page. This is conventional as the
positioning statement is meant to seize the audience’s attention as it is meant to
summarise what the whole of the magazine is about.
Issue Information and Price
The issue information and price are conventionally positioned with the barcode near the
masthead. This usually has the smallest fonts on the page.

The issue information and the price are in different places respectively with the price
being on the barcode and the issue information being near the top of the magazine
page. As it happens this magazine does not follow the usual conventions that other
magazines do of having both the pricing and the issue information in the same area.

Barcode
The barcode is on the front cover of every magazine so that it can be scanned in the
shop. The barcode is small and positioned on the edge of the page so it does not
distract from the rest of the cover content.

The barcode on the “Classic Rock” magazine is small and is positioned near the bottom
right of the magazine. This is done so that it does not distract from the rest of the cover
content.

Sky Line
The Sky line is the position that runs across the top of the magazine. It conventionally
has a running line or running statement.

There is no skyline in the classic, “rock magazine”

meaning that it does not follow the usual convention of
having a skyline in it. Whereas this magazine, “MOJO”
does contain a skyline. The skyline, “the music
magazine” for MOJO implies that the magazine is about
music.

Puff
A shape that looks like a sticker conventionally has a cover line or incentive inside of it.
Used to draw the reader’s attention.
There is a puff in this cover, it is located just under the “R” of, “classic rock”. It serves its
purpose as it draws the reader’s attention by talking about the apparently, “lost issue
09”. The puff in this magazine saying, “lost issue 09” adds a dose of intrigue for the
audience as it has connotations of something missing absent that may or may not be
found.

Incentive
An inventive is something designed to appeal to the audience and give them an extra
reason to buy the magazine. A giveaway, prize or something free.

The incentive in this magazine is located at the very top of the magazine in top left-hand
corner. It calls out to the audience by saying. “Free CD” this follows the convention of
having an incentive giveaway a prize or something for free. Another feature of the
incentive is appeal to the audience the giveaway is a, “Free CD” which corresponds to
the genre of magazine which is music.

Buzzword
A Buzz word is a word used to create an appeal to the audience. E.G Free.

The buzz word in this magazine is located at the very top left-hand corner and just
above the, “Guns N’ Roses” cover line. Both sporting words like, “exclusive” and, “Free”.
This creates an appeal to the audience as it entertains the notion that if you buy this
magazine that you will receive something, “free” and, “exclusive”.

House Style
The House Style is the brand style of the magazine. It includes the style of fonts,
layouts, colour scheme and language. This will usually be appropriate by the genre of
the magazine and the target audience.

The house style in this magazine unique. A major feature is the font used in the
magazine, for example the, “guns n’ Roses” title is rather flashy and tends to draw
attention whilst the coverline, “Stooge RIP” is basic and does not stand out too much.
This may be for two reasons either because the guns and roses cover line is a main
heading so it needs to stand out or the Rip Stooge is basic have connotations of being
formal in order to reflect the idea/story that The Stooge is dead.