Analysis of Top of the Pops-Task 2Poonam Parmar

Candidate number:1786

Background

• Top of the Pops magazine is a monthly publication published by BBC Magazines.

• It features chart information, star gossip, fashion and beauty advice, quizzes, song lyrics and posters. It is a supplementary magazine for the TV show Top of the pops.

• The magazine was launched in February 1995, and is famous for giving girl group-Spice Girls. It was originally marketed as the missing link between Smash Hits and NME, but its format was gradually changed, with less music content and a demographic shift to young girls.

• The BBC is a public service broadcasting mainly however from the hit show ‘top of the pops’ it became an print music magazine that are aimed at young girls and children for example a music magazine of the Christmas carol.

• The BBC have been awarded for classical music which shows a contrast in how they can alternate there genres of music.

Front Cover Masthead-“Top of he Pops” is clearly shown in hot pink at the top of the magazine which allows the audiences to be attracted to this as it designed to be big and quirky, it takes up the whole top section of the publication to show importance. The use of the dramatic font style- ‘curlz MT’ is serif which illustrates a soft and feminine sense. The use of the auto shape again in the middle of the words suggests that the lexis ‘of the’ does not show importance and that ‘Top’ and ‘Pops’ does.

Inserts-By placing inserts from inside the magazine on the front cover gives the reader more of an indication of what’s inside the magazine also by ‘her most embarrassing pics ever’ suggests that there is something wanting to find out.

The sell lines/cover lines- There are many cover lines on the front cover of this magazine which helps draw the readers into buying it as they want to find out what the magazine includes. The main sell line anchors the main image ‘why I’ll never get used to the fame’ this suggests that Cher still doesn’t know that she has reached her fame, as being on the hit TV show x-factor she was liked and dis liked by fans. The quotation marks ensures that Cher has said this herself and adds to the realism of the magazine.

Header-the banner at the top of the magazine attracts readers by using ‘quiz’ which connotes a message to audiences of fun activity some sort of knowledge, in this case, ‘can you kiss with confidence’ which gives tips which would draw attention to the female.

Footer- The footer is represented as a banner which is a strip running along the bottom of this magazine. The footer simply lists other bands/artists that will feature in the magazine, the use of the word “Plus” at the beginning of the footer suggests there’s will be a lot going on in the magazine.

Use of flash- by using many auto shapes with gives the magazine a fun upbeat feel to it. The use of the blocked lettering inside the circular auto shape ‘why I’ll never get used to fame’ is a pull quote from inside the magazine to immediately draw the readers as it’s something exciting and leaves the readers hooked on to why?

Background-the background and overall layout of Top of the Pops is very cluttered with a lot happening, the plain white backdrop helps emphasise the images and copy around the magazine. Also the direct eye contact with Cher allows audiences gaze to be on her and the main cover lines.

Barcodes. Dates. Issue. Price-by using the barcode, date and price in the left hand side of the magazine which is relatively small allows the audience to almost forget it and are not focused on that to ensure that the attraction is other things going on the cover.

Colours-by using 2 main colours throughout this music magazine gives it a more stylised structure to the magazine. The colour white and pinks connote a significance of a feminine vibe and that it is targeting females this is suggested through the stereotypical colour of ‘pink’.

Rule of thirds- The layout of the magazine follows the typical conventions of a magazine; the rule of thirds to accurately precision the elements.

The cover is very text dominated and feels busy which suggests that a lot is happening and this shows that a lot is happening in the pop music industry. Here you can see that face is the main attraction of Cher Lloyd shown from the intersection points of the magazine.

Language- The use of written language on the front cover is informal and direct which gets to the point, ‘killer booze’ which suggest something to do with alcohol.

Main Image-The main image is a mid shot of the artist Cher Lloyd, she has tilted her head with the hand behind to show a feministic approach Cher is wearing a white and pink jumper to match the colour schemes and over design of the magazine, which shows a very girly presence. Alternatively Cher’s tattoo on her left arm gives an impression that she isn’t so innocent and feminine-that she may have a different side to her. Her direct eye contact shows her confidence and the connection she wants to make with the viewers.

Celeb Images-Famous artists/band members surround the magazine which suggest they will be inside the magazine too.

Contents Page

Masthead-The masthead is not the contents page however is clever how by placing the front cover on the contents page allows the viewers to still see be able to see the masthead. By using the same stretched out typography-’curlz’, with serif to bring out the girly flare of the magazine.

Colours-The colours have been consistence and themed which allows the ‘Top of the Pops’ to stand out .Yellow=very effective for attracting attention is energetic which is what this magazine is portraying.White= which connotes new beginning of Hayley enthusiasm and a purpose to create new music.Pink= can have a denotation of being bold and to emphasise the colour on the page however the connation of using pink is very feminine. Although using these consistent colours ‘Top of the Pops’ have stuck to very bright, high key colours to show the active, bubbly nature of pop music.

Rule of thirds-has been used again here where the BBC have followed the typical conventions of a music magazine to allow the attraction of the gaze to fall on to these hotspots of the magazine. For example the first box draws attention to the pull quote from the outside of the magazine.

Main Image-the main image on the contents page is the front cover of the magazine but also the band one direction which draws attention to the viewers as they are the new image on the page that the audiences have not seen before.

Background, Layout & Composition -The background image and overall style is very structured compared to the front cover, showing a different approach to the contents. The front cover is again placed in the contents page with arrows pointing towards a number this could suggest that because of a younger audience that there’s no need for more copy.

Editors Note-There isn’t a editorial note on this contents page which suggests that readers are not interested in that and only the gossip, stars and clothes.

Subscription box-a subscription box is not on this contents page which could suggest that because of the younger audiences it’s not necessary.

Date& issue number-to show the cover date and number.

Sub Heading blocked out into black sub-sections-by using a sub heading with columns and a title allows separate features to be grouped together with there individual page numbers.

Page Numbers & Brief summary-this allows the readers to navigate through the magazine and find what they need quickly and effectively which increases the sales of the magazine if its quick and easy for the reader. Also, the features and page numbers highlighted in yellow show there importance.

The BBC have chosen to use clothes near the left hand terminal area to show what sorts of clothing items celebs may wear and fashion tips the indication of a page number expects the audience to go see.

Header/Banner-Being used at the top, to show the importance of the magazine with the use of the pink blocked out colour to state what’s inside the magazine.

Double Page Spread

By-Line- A by-line could have been used in this magazine to show who the photographer of this specific publication is.

Sub Heading-Gives the whole double spread an idea of what is happening. The use of ‘Exclusive interview’ draws readers attention as its something different, by using ‘Dappy’ from N-Dubz music pop group shows his character.

Background-The background is very bright and high key like the pop music industry, the right hand side behind ‘Dappy’ is a wall with graffiti on which could imply that this is what he used to do and is forgotten the fact that it is placed behind him shows he has forgotten that side also by placing Dappy in a suit shows his business more sophisticated self.

Text wrap-Is used on this double page spread on the left to allow the spray paint run down which could suggest his life changing as it pours down the page. However on the right hand side of the page on the main heading the exclamation does not wrap around ‘Dappy’ this could suggest that he has grown up and the word ‘up!’ shows this.

Drop cap-a drop cap could have been used here in the sub headings to emphasise the importance of the article which would draw readers in.

Page Number- is one of the main key conventions usually on a magazine which helps the viewers find out the title name and what page number it is. The page number is placed at the bottom of page in black as it does not hold that much of an importance but placing it in black allows it to still be recognised.

The double page spread has been split up into columns with breaks to not be reading masses of text which could lack of interest of the readers.

Copy-The copy is very basic and easily eligible to read with minimal formal language which suggests this magazine is colloquial and not hard to interpret which is suitable for people who lack in education.

Colours-The use of colour schemes on this page is very bright to connote a message for attraction and that it stands out on the page, that even if the reader misses the page it will surely be spotted.Pink is stereotypically associated with women which shows a contrast on this page because there is a male artist staged.

Main Heading- ‘Paramore is main typography here which illustrates the band in this photograph by placing this here beside it gives new audiences indication of who this band is.

Anchor- ‘In semiology any caption or key elements that fixes the meaning of an image and directs the viewer toward a preferred reading.’ For example the main heading ‘all grown up’ on the top left hand side of the page is a terminal area where most people wouldn’t look however it is there to relate to the main image and what the copy is about but also the bright 3 colours make it stand out but also match his costume.

Rule of thirds-BBC have split the page up into 2 pages and used the rule of thirds again sticking to the conventions of a magazine which allows the most important elements to be potrayed.

Main Image-This double page spread’s main focus is Dappy positioned at a mid-shot angle of himself with him wearing a business like suit in the colour blue/purple this suggests he is a sophisticated, well presented male artist who takes care of his appearance. Dappy’s pose is very blunt and direct looking at the camera while showing a rock hand gesture which represents his inner pop music even though he is dressed professionally.

Audience & Institutions

Cost of the magazine: the magazine would be £3.99

Target Audience: A young target audience of 11-15years, who have interest in celebrity life and TV shows.

Musical interests/favourite artists: interest in gossip, celebs, quizzes

Attractions: The popular artists from the charts who are current i.e. Justin Bieber and many other artists.

Social class: The social class of Top of the Pops would be quite high due to the consumers parents paying for the publication. C1/B

House Style/Ethos

‘A company's preferred manner of presentation and layout of written material’The ethos & house style of Top of the Pops is signified through the use of bold colour yet stereotypical colour, for instance

Pink: which signifies feminist, love, vibe, dominant powerful which attracts attention.

White: which helps connote an image of purity and new music also that it helps make the image stand out.

Black: which fits alongside the vibrant pink and image.

The colours throughout the magazine portrays the overall image of Top of the Pops music and what they want to reveal.

Analysis of Written Article

• The article of BBC talks about how the N-Dubz star ‘Dappy’ is questioned by audiences and viewers in how he has ‘Grown up’ in as sense of not becoming that kid anymore.

• The text talks about his change and who has influenced him along the way, Dappy speaks about who has helped him especially his mum and how close he is with her.

• Dappy also is questioned about his love life and his current girlfriend issues, the BBC have allowed this to be in the article as consumers are interested in this and purchase the issue.

• The style of the article is very informal with some use of slang which suggests that they are targeting a specific audience, which could relate to a stereotype of how pop viewers are uneducated and still keeping in mind that the target audience is young this is revealed from the double page spread when using image based pages and question based answers.

• The main heading/headline is quite dramatic with the use of bold chunky handwriting which gives an impression that it’s not hand written and Sans-serif font. The use of this is that it wants to show the importance of the article and make sure audiences are drawn to it.