Two Page Spreads

Here is my flat plan for my two page spread. Obviously it would be extremely time consuming if I were to right out the whole article onto my flat plan so instead i have only produced a layout of the two pages rather than completing the actual article. Whilst there are many diverse ways of presenting articles in music magazines, this format stood out the most. The idea of one large image on one page with one or two pull quotes with it, and then the article on the other page, implies that there is a lot to be said about this particular band. I understand that smaller images located around the two pages helps break up the text and make it more approachable, yet i feel that the images are easily put on and modified to the publishers liking, whereas hearing the bands view involves greater insight into their lives. This gives a chance for the reader to almost come and live with the band for a moment at least, and it isn't interrupted by the use of images, showing the band in different situations. I had also ran out of ideas for photos so i thought that it would just be easier to use the one.

Yet again i have used the technique of placing the brand logo next to the image, thus implying that it is only NOISE that has covered the story as they are right next to the picture. It also adds to the identification of the magazine as it is becoming a common trend amongst the pages in the magazine. I changed my flat plans image that i wanted to use due to the fact that i used it in the contents, so i just wanted a picture of the band actually playing their music as it shows an action shot of some sort. I feel that this adds much needed energy to a two page spread largely consumed by text. I was also an admirer of the use of a pull quote in the middle of the page (much like what was used in the TV on the Radio article), i thought that it was a good chance to draw some attention to what the band have to say for themselves rather than what the magazine amongst others think.

At this point i am undecided on whether i want to do an interview which is common for two page spreads on bands, or something different, something unique but i cant seem to think what that is yet. Yet i want to use as many techniques to separates NOISE's coverage of bands compared to others. I also need to establish this unique writing style with NOISE magazine and by ensuring that i will probably use the white text on a black background effect that i used in the contents so that it creates continuity of identification in my magazine. I shall also keep to "Headline One" font for writing that i want to stand out such as the pull quote, and "Headline Two" font for the actual article text. This is the same layout as what i used in the contents with the sans serif writing making it more informal and more approachable for the target audience. Yet i feel that a problem could arise due to the fact that with a black background, the colours that are used in the picture may clash with it and create a horrible looking blend of colours. So i may have to play around on photoshop (at college, eating up more of my time) in order to get the blend of colours right.

Here is my completed two page spread for my magazine. As you can see this has had the most modifications than the others, so that it has reached the level in which i believe it to be good enough for a two page spread. I have kept the identity going by using white text on a black background. Yet this meant that the colour scheme of my photo had to change. Firstly the actual photo had to be changed a lot as well. I couldn't find a drum set, therefore i changed the photo so that it portrays their personality. In the previous two photos i have used devices such as showing no emotion and looking away from the camera to provide effects that are commonly used in music magazines. So in this case i thought that i would use a more pure photo in which, they are smiling and showing their love for rock. The brick wall background (much like the front cover) yet again connotes the urban lifestyle that they live. Yet it also shows their inability to escape it. Each photo shows them in the city up against a brick wall, the cannot seem to pull away from where they live as it is a part of them. It also suggests a lack of ways in which they can leave the city due to insignificant funding that they have. That in turn adds to the personalities in which they posses which become clearer later on. As i mentioned, i had to change the colour scheme. I decided to make this photo a black and white photo. It consists of two very different contrasts of colour which makes the picture seem sharper and also changes their personality. The fact that there is no colour suggests that their personal lives are very harsh and cold, yet with the introduction of NOISE magazine and the use of the black text of "urban Mondays" behind a yellow box and the red "exclusive" implies that the magazine and therefore music adds colour and viberance to their lifes. Due to my poor camera and even poorer camera skills, again the image became pixulated when i tried to stretch it so only half of one page could be covered with the image. This lead to the introduction of the "Urban Mondays" and the "Exclusive" text appearing. This helps make the page more energetic and lively, it also makes it look more exciting, thus making the readers want to read the whole article.

Before my pull quote had origionally said "We're like Oasis only we make good music" yet after observing the effects of the picture and what it has done to the band members i thought i would make it a little more, brash by changing it to "We're like Oasis only our music isn't crap". This helps makes the page full of text more agressive and exciting, and leaves implications that the rest of the article will be like that. I also made the pull quote red implying passion and agression, and it also helps make the pull quote stand out more from the smaller white text around it. And as for the unique writing style that i wanted to use, well i'm pretty sure it has been done before, but it isn't used too often. I wanted to use an interview to voice the opinions of the band members and help ask questions that the readers would want answered. Yet i thought that this was too formal and didn't give off the wild rockstar lifestyle associated with the band, so by reporting back on the interview and describing past, present and future situations with the band, i could report it almost as a story adding little indications about their true lifestyle that wouldn't come across in a simple "Do you feel..." question. One example of this is the description of the "derilict house" and the "sinister bulldog". I feel that this makes the interview more enjoyable as the article is providing a set of eyes to look through and describe the place around the band. This also meant that i din't have to include more images as they are being described in the article.

I wanted to create a hostile atmosphere around the band, to try and suggest that music is a form of relief, a theory in which music lovers and therefore my readers will understand. It is relief from the troubles of the outside world (in which the media continiously grab hold of recently) and shows how music affects every type of person out there. I wanted to create a mental picture of struggle for the band, and that a devotion to music is there only way out of trouble. In a means of doing this i made them seem very arrogant and use vile language. Obvioulsy i have sugarcoated it for publishing reasons but they are techniques in which the struggle and the anger of their lives comes out, and is also shown in their music. By including statements about their new akbum "ASBO's with instuments" it is showing the readers that they know what they act like, and that plain and simply they just don't care, which is a true rock and roll attitude. At the risk of stereotyping them as "rockers" with nothing else to say about them, I introudced the deep beliefs of the band towards record labels and publishers, this shows that they do have meaniful opinions, but at the risk of breaking through that jagged unapproachable attitude it is covered up with swear words and insults. By manipulating the article in the past sense it also means that i can sugarcoat these sections and make them almost humerous or agreeable to the readers, many of which may be experiencing the same experiences or sharing the same opinions, thus relating it back to the target audience. The fact that i have mentioned Manchester as their place of birth (thus expalining the hatred towards Manchesters pride and joy-Oasis) and bringing them to first name terms, of rather, simple unextravigant names of; Tom, Gilly and Connor it makes them seem more approachable and almost as if the readers know about them and have met them. I have also included the brief ending that is common to most interviews with bands which is that their album is available in all good commercial stores with the added quote portraying recnt events (thus making the magazine the current addition, with current news) of "except for Woolworths."

Overall i feel that the two page spread has worked well and provides an insightful adn unique way of interviewings of bands. I feel that the language used throughout is commonly assiociated with the rock genre, thus making it relevant and enjoyable to the readers. With the layout and colour scheme adding it's own portrayal of the band that is easy for the readers to apply, sub-consiously whilst reading the article. Despite having problems with the photos and the software the modified version of the two page spread came to a better conclusion than what my origional plan did.