What was the task?

For this task, we had to analyse a previous students music magazine and describe the use of camera and photoshop, mise-en scene, the use of words and the use of DTP. Doing this has helped me to think about what things I can put onto my music magazine and how to have the layout and what things to include.

The use of the camera and PhotoShop:

The genre of this magazine is Rap, the main cover stars pose is quite simple but effective, it makes him look important and looks edgy. On the double page spread, the star is looking right at the consumer which makes it look intense as it is also a close up. He is on the left of the writing and as people read left to right, the consumer is automatically drawn to the stars image, both on the contents page and double page spread.

Mise-en Scene:

You can clearly tell from the costumes that this magazine is Rap, the main cover star is wearing typically rap artists clothing; a hat, dark and baggy clothing. Rap artists are quite intense, so the fact they are looking directly into the camera adds to the effect as if they are looking right at you. On the double page spread, half of the stars face is in shadows, which makes him seem mysterious. On the front cover, the main cover star is covering his face with a bandana as if he wants to hide his identity.

The use of words:

On the front cover, the text is very straight to the point, there is only the information that the reader would be interested in and nothing else. The contents page is the same, it has what pages in the magazine are what article and a star to make it more interesting. On the double page spread, they have included quotes from the artist to make it seem more realistic, the title is ‘from rags to richez with mc j’ which sounds like they are giving you an insight on how the artist became who he is today.

The use of DTP:

Rap can sometimes be provocative, and the font chosen looks like it has been broken or damaged which fits the rap genre. They have used a light background and red and black colours for the font which also match the costumes the stars are wearing.