Double page spread analysis

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS

By Minesh Roy

Double page spread #1

This is a double page spread is from kerrang! A rock magazine and it is on My chemical romance.

Within 'Kerrang', the majority of the band members that are presented seem to be male, suggesting a 'Male Superiority' view of the writer's opinion, particularly within this double page spread, where the main picture is a low angle shot of the male, lead singer, giving him dominance (reflected throughout other articles in the magazine). The meditation of the magazine would also have had an influence on the content included within the article

The punk/emotional rock influence on the magazine is instantly recognisable within the setup and pictures of the double page spread, where the article is expressed as a “World Exclusive”, making it seem unique and special, where it is only available to the readers of ‘Kerrang’-it is also emphasised that the band has “invited” the magazine specially to their recording studio, so that readers can get an insight into the life of a famous band and the ‘celebrity lifestyle’-increasing fandom for the band. The majority of the two pages are used up by images, where there is only a small amount of text on the second page.

Each of these pictures has been manipulated, to create a black and white effect, which matches the dark (almost gothic) emotional rock style of the band and its music. This is complemented by the bright red colour of certain text on the double page, which also relates to the bands style, with connotations of anger, blood and excitement.

The font used for the title is very clear, using a ‘worn out’ effect, again relating to the punk style of the band. This title has then been set at an angle, and “best MCR” has been highlighted by using a larger font than the rest of the title, in white rather than red. This gives a subtle hint of informality to the double page spread, giving it more entertaining feel as the mode of address.

The article is in two columns and is very small compared to the rest of the text. On the far right it has another article related to the band which is there new tracks so it’s more information on the band. The title of the page looks old and worn which fits in with the ‘being the best’ they can be as this is showing being the same old them, which they maybe old but it’s what they are.

Double page analysis #2

The colour scheme on the double page spread coincide with what the band are wearing (mainly the lead singer of All American Rejects). By using colours that don’t merge into one another (e.g red and yellow) the reader finds it easier to read and don’t have to overexert themselves.

The large image used portraits the band as being quite quirky and rocky. Being in colour it shows the bright colours of the front mans clothes. These colours (red and purple) have been used for the font colours of the headline and for the text.

The other images in black and white give a cool edgy look of the band. I think the images portrait the band well and gives a good image of there music style and attitudes.

This double page spread balances text and imagery equally. This makes it easier for the reader as it is not text-led.

The text has been laid out in neat columns. This again, makes it easy for the reader. Most of this text is on the first page, with only one column on the second page. There are 3 columns of text.

The background being black makes the text and images stand out against it.

The headline used for this double page spread is large and takes up a large amount of the first page. The headline is a name of one of the bands songs. The distressed style of the word ‘secrets’ goes with the house style of the magazine.

They have used a different font style and colour for the words ‘dirty little’ this emphasises the word ‘secret’.

The pull-quote is used once more with the title of the band’s newest single ‘The All-American Rejects might look and sound like a band your mum would approve of, but don’t be fooled, Tyson and his crew dish the dirt…’ written in capitals and two different colours (purple and red), drags the reader’s attention toward the article, after looking at the first image. It builds the excitement of what they intend to read. It also gives the sense that the article won’t be formal with the use of ‘crew’ and ‘dish the dirt’ suggesting that the journalist intends to get down to the “Dirty little secrets”.