Task 5

3 Genres Strengths and weakness

Genre
Alternative Rock

Weakness

Strengths

Popular music genre nowadays

Open colour scheme choice
Many artists/group specialising in this
genre
Both Kerrang and NME successful
examples
Costume choices open for the genre
Clear instrument props: Guitar,
microphone, drums
Many Sub-genres of alternative to choose
from
Unlimited topics in songs

Not many magazine specialise in

Alternative rock
Many Rules to this type of magazine
Makeup and props may be advanced
Expressions is vital for this genre
Majority male dominant bands
Hard to establish particular target audience
from

Pop

Most popular music genre

Countless artists and groups to choose from
Loads of new pop stars annually
Custom, makeup and props can vary
Majority radio stations and TV dedicated to
pop
Charts dominated by pop
Suitable for all ages
Pop can be about many different topics

A lot of magazines already release pop as

their genre
Can be hard to show a magazine is pop
Reaching out to a certain target audience
can be hard with pop
Can be overwhelming with many song
titles, albums being released all the time
Instruments vary, most the times just vocals
from the artists.

R&B

Many well known and dated songs are

R&B
Relaxing, sensual
Also quite popular
Many different instruments used

Set stereotypically costume

Hard to distinguish target audiences
Difficult to choose colour scheme
Themes less open than other usually
about freedom, relationship, aspirations
etc
Can be hard to make a magazine seem
R&B straight away

Public Results (Genres)

Genre

Frequency (Total: 12)

Alternative Rock

Pop

R&B

I asked a total of twelve people whether they prefer rock, pop or R&B and asked for response
in the form of an audio file. The youngest age being 11 and oldest being 47 so there was a
range of ages asked within my research. I asked five boys and seven girls so it was reasonably
equal and I considered both genres. For each genre there was at least one male which preferred
it showing that they all appeal to males and females. The reason I think all the genres have the
same frequency is because they are all popular genre choices today appealing to any age and
gender. I had hypothesised that the results should be similar as I purposefully chose the most up
to date popular music genres.

Confirmation of Genre
I have chosen to do the genre of Rock, more specifically the sub genre Alternative Rock. I chose
this because I personally have an interest in this type of music and so should be more effective
that I do something I enjoy. Also, technically it should be quite challenging to portray this genre
and fun to display it through costume and makeup of model it allows you to be more creative
with this genre. In terms of research, the feedback I collected did help to confirm me doing this
genre as since all the genre totals were equal it showed that its still popular and should be good
to do. In addition after doing independent research I found there isnt many Alternative rock
specialised magazines so it should spark more interest with me doing one.

Name Ideas

Shatter: Using a verb as a magazine can be seen as daring and unusual like the music genre. Rock music
can stereotypically be associated with things shattering. The word Shatter has a harsh sound to it which
can be associated with rock. Using one word as a masthead can be effective and is common. Also, the font
of shatter an relate to the word making It more effective.
Rock out: a simple option which denotes the genre of the magazine. Both words are short and sharp
making it more memorable.
Alter: this idea stemmed from the main focus being alternative rock and Ive cut the word Alternative
into alter..
Titanium: a strong, powerful, mineral rock which can relate to rock music as it emits that feel too.
Distortion: a musical technique used in rock also adds a different meaning as well as it links in with
themes in rock music.
Mercury: connotation of poison and danger which rock lyrics can denote or imply.
ARP (Alternative rock press): Using letters to spark interest?
Phantom: mysterious tone set and makes the magazine itself more of a mysetery
Paradox: creates an inquisitive, illusion like tone to the magazine an implication of rock
Ebony: Can relate to rock as its typically black and strong and valuable
Amps: short for amplify a musical term
Oblivion: sets an unknown, anonymous tone to the magazine
Solar: relates to astronomy a connotation that rock is out of this world as is the magazine as well as being
a short unusual name
Ignite: A powerful verb perhaps relating to rocks strong forces and fire and rage side. Also makes the
magazine appear more dominant.

Colour Scheme Ideas

Colours

Effect

Black, white, Electric blue

Bright contrasting colours that will

make each other stand out. Black can
be heavily associated with rock, white
can contrast rock and electric blue is
lively and the connotations of electric
can refer to electric guitars a main
instrument to rock

Black, White, Red

The colours juxtapose each other and

instantly stand out. The bright red can
connate, pain as well as romance
common themes in rock.

Black, white, neon green

These colours make each other stand

out and the bright green holds
connotations of poison, toxic and nature
which can relate to rock themes

Black, White, Yellow

Each colour would stand out from each

other. Yellow is commonly used with
rock as it is sharp, bright and powerful
in some way.

Black, white, Electric blue, bright

purple

A mix of four colours could be

effective. Mix of colours could be seen
as too soothing or a good colour
combination

Public Results (Name)

Name

Frequency

Comment

Article Analysis

Magazine: Kerrang issue 1540

Article title: Ace of Waves
Page: 4-5

This particular article is in the form of question and answer and the interviewee is a rock star:
Lemmy. I like the language use throughout this article as theyve given it a particular theme of
pirates due to the Ace of waves tour title and so this has rein enforced words and phrases
such as: Shiver me timbers, Rock n role Pirate. In my opinion is adds a fun, relaxed,
comical tone to the article which is always enjoyable for the young target audience. In addition,
the language is explicit in that it contains swearing this is admirable as it keeps to the accurate
responses of the interviewee and makes it more realistic as opposed to sugar coated. In addition
it makes it suitable for the target audience and adds another comical element to it. In addition, I
like the language used in the interrogatives in that the interviewer also matches the comical,
fun theme of this Q& A: Did you feel like captain lemmy? This links in with the theme and
is an unusual question making it more interesting to see the response. Also; Meow.So.What
was it like playing a boat The onomatopoeia meow further expands the comical feel and the
interjection So makes the interview more realistic as its portrayed word for word making it
more effective. Furthermore the article itself is a reasonable length for a interview as there is a
lot of content and so makes it a successful interview. Also the variety of interrogatives was
another plus point as feelings, plans, memories, downfalls, positives etc were covered within
the interview as the audience got to find out as much as possible.

Magazine: Kerrang
Article title: Secrets of the lyric books
Page: 2-3

The purpose of this article Ive chosen is to reveal true meanings and implications behind
parts of lyrics written by the bands covered within the music genre of the magazine. The
article provides the original copy from the lyric book, annotations on what certain lines meant
to them and a summary for each. I like the idea of this article and its format I believe it truly
engages the audience and the noun secrets in the title itself automatically draws the readers.
In a way this article is a mix of free flowing and question and answer as the artists explain the
inner meaning to the lyrics and there is general article text too. I find incorporating a mix of
the free flowing and interview style interesting and captivating. I admire the use of annotation
to these images as part of the article it pinpoints the certain areas needed and its incongruity
makes it effective and stand out. I like the freedom of language as explicit language is used
occasionally and the magazine is professional about it and include it since it is suitable due
the age range of teenage onwards. The article layout is quite good as it is dissected into part
sections so each lyric book has its own area, so there is a clear distinction and its easy to read
and follow as well as organised and appealing. There is little writing to the article which can
be a positive where so its not overwhelming and easy to read. In addition, I like the added
touch of including doddles within the article to match the hand written lyric theme it seta
fun atmosphere which is always good for a potentially young audience.

Magazine: Classic Rock

Article title: Nickelback explain the album title
Page:7-8
The main title itself is quite interesting as the use of proper noun Nickelback using the band
name as the first word instantly draws attention. The imperative Explain is interesting too as
the reader would be increased in knowing the explanation and it hints more then tell but isn't
over like discuss explain was the right one to use. In comparison to the Kerrang magazine the
language was more formal which can make it more comfortable to read to some as it signifies
respect to both the reader and the artists of interest. I liked that the article included the album
title as well as listing the songs within this particular album as it makes sense that the title
involves the album to which is expanded on later. I like how the article included dialogue from
the Nickelback members to where they did what the title said they would. The article contains a
lot of statistical information: follow ups to the 2011s, November 17 enough to impress
and create a nostalgic tone and not too much and so it doesnt overwhelm or bore the audience. I
also like the image given with this article of a middle shot from a live performance of
Nickelback it engages the audience and make them feel involved within the article.