How to: Analysing a magazine

Below are three anagrams to help you remember what to do when analysing a magazine, it could also help you when creating your own magazine but if you need specific help creating your magazine cover then take a look at www.mediamacguffin12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/magazine-guidance-front-cover.html

Anagrams:

M.I.D.S.A.R:
- Masthead and logo.
- Image (central image).
- Design features: layout, style, colour.
- Selling points: slogan, skyline, cover lines, puffs, pugs, cover mounts.
- Audience, profiling and uses and gratifications
- Representation

M.I.R.A (also known as L.I.A.R, the "L" being known as language):
- Media language/Genre/Narrative 
- Institution
- Representation
- Audience

(The next anagram is h.u.g.e and it's a very basic analysis of a magazine and should always be analysed with M.I.S.A.R and/or M.I.R.A [also known as L.I.A.R] and not be the only analysis done on a magazine as it mainly focuses on the pugs/puffs/sell lines.)

H.U.G.E:
- Helpful (e.g. Tips on slimming down inside!)
- Useful (e.g. Film reviews inside)
- Generous (e.g. free C.D. cover mount or pull out posters inside etc.)
- Entertaining (e.g. latest gossip on celebrities)

A simple guide of analysis:

The best anagram to use in my opinion is M.I.D.S.A.R

Masthead: State the font, colour and what the colours connotes, does it link to the narrative or genre? e.g. if it's a TV souvenir magazine that is to do with sci-fi or futuristic life (like back to the future) then does the font have a metal look to it?, is it written in a futuristic like font?, is the colour silver? these are all conventions of a futuristic TV souvenir magazine. Also  is the masthead covered by the main image? If so then it could connote that the magazine is already well known so the target audience will recognise the masthead even if parts of it is covered, it could suggest that the magazine has been around for a while or has an already established fan base so the characters on the cover would appeal to the fans (e.g. doctor who).

Image: With the image, analyse the mise-en-scene. Mise-en-scene is analysing the costume, lighting, actors/models, make up, props, setting, camera angles and shot types.

The costume, is the character (if a souvenir TV magazine) in character costume, if it's not from a TV show then what type of clothing does the model wear? is it hipster clothing? vintage clothing? bright coloured clothing? polka dots? etc what could that connote? who does the clothing and colours appeal to?

Lighting, is it low-key with some shadows being produced or high key? usually it is high key lighting however it is possible to have low-key lighting, what could that connote? low-key lighting could connote hidden mystery or enigma, or could connote that the model has a dark side to them.

What type of make-up does the model have? what could it connote? e.g. red lipstick could connote love or danger.

What type of props does the model have? It could connote something or give an idea of their lifestyle and personality e.g. if the model holds a globe it could connote they have power, holding money connotes wealth.

What setting is the model in? Is the background white? that could connote purity, if the background is a location then what could it connote? e.g. a city background could connote an urban magazine or narrative for a TV souvenir magazine, if it's in an estate area it could connote a gang narrative or relate to a socio-demographic in D-E classes.

is it a low-angle shot? what does that connote? does it link to the narrative? usually the low-angle shot connotes power so it could give clues to if the characters are powerful in the narrative. Also is the shot a close up? mid-shot? long shot? the commonly used ones are close up or close-mid shot which then allows you to talk about the facial expression of the model.

Also who is on the main image? and what tag lines relate to them? Usually the main tagline links to the main image and the main tagline would be the largest one or the one that stands out the most.

Design: What layout is it? splash? double column? single column? What style does the magazine have? Vintage? Hipster? etc and what colours are used? what colour scheme is used? usually have two as the main colour scheme (3 at most).

Selling points: Positioning of the pugs/puffs? what do they say? are they following the anagram "H.U.G.E"?

Audience: Use audience theories, who does the magazine appeal to? how do you know this? is it due to the model used? e.g. using Jay-Z would appeal to a young audience in the socio demographic D-E due to him being a popular rap artist. Also is the model giving direct eye contact? That could engage the audience. Check blogpost 15th December 2012: Narrative and Audience theories.

Representation: Who is the model on the cover? How are they represented? e.g. a business suit would connote a business minded model, what pose are they pulling? a strong and confident looking pose? facial expressions could also represent the model in a certain way. A simple example is a serious facial expression could connote a serious model and if they are in a business suit then it could connote a serious business model.

In addition to this talk about: The barcode, price, website, issue date and issue number and how they are positioned e.g. the barcode isn't on the cover because it's irrelevant or it is small and on the cover due to it being irrelevant and for price it could be the price is small due to it being expensive? and the website is to do with e-media and could link to audiences and how it appeals to a younger generation. Also, is there any sign of an institution? who produces the magazine? what expectations will the audience have as a result? How could this appeal to an audience?.

- Akshay Bajaj

Video Co-pilot

Video Co-pilot is an amazing site to use which gives free tutorials and tips for adobe after effects. We don't usually use after effects in school but it is a useful site which gives tutorials and also presets which can be used and altered to your likings. You can use the presets or watch tutorials for effects, amazing edits and can find presets which you can use for the title sequence or just to have a better and more effective looking title.

- Akshay

Pre-Production Documents: Shot List

Shot List

Producer:

Production:

Shot No.	Shot Type	Details of Shot	Timing

Pre-Production Documents: Running Order

Running Order

Producer(s):

Production Title:

Timing	Act / Scene	Where	Personnel Involved