Lana del ray double page spread analysis

Analysis of music magazine 3 Q

The MAIN IMAGE of the article is the page split in to two close-ups of Lana Del Ray’s face. The use of mise-en-scene (the low-key lighting, blood dripping down her face and what looks like her naked body) in the MAIN IMAGE is very effective because it draws the reader’s attention to the MAIN IMAGE because it is unsettling. Again, the tiara (and she appears to be naked) present innocence which juxtaposes her expression and the blood. The MAIN IMAGE also connects the article to the front cover and contents page of the magazine because the image is clearly from the same photo shoot as the MAIN IMAGE on the front cover and the image is of Lana Del Ray who is the main feature for the magazine.

The PULL-QUOTE on the double page spread completely stands out over the rest of the text on the page. It still follows the same colour scheme (red) as the rest of the magazine but it is enlarged to draw the attention of the readers to the text and to encourage them to read the article. The actual text in the PULL-QUOTE is “everything I’ve said is true”. The fact that this is in speech marks shows that it is something Lana Del Ray has said. This, and the words, makes the audience want to read the article because they are interested in Lana Del Ray’s lifestyle and news about her.

The MAIN BODY of TEXT is in three main columns and is a question and answer format with the questions being in bold and the answers not in bold. This tells the audience that this article is an interview with Lana Del Ray without actually having to read anything. This makes the audience want to read the article because they know that any news they read is actually what Lana Del Ray has said. The font follows the same scheme as previous pages but is quite small. Because the target audience of Q is slightly older than that of ‘We love Pop’, the content of the article can be fuller because they are less likely to lose interest in the article because of the amount of text. The fact the target audience is older is emphasised by the use of more sophisticated language and wit in the interview itself.

The DROP CAP seems like it is of little significance but actually helps to link the double page spread to the contents page and front cover because it uses the same font. It also helps the reader to see where the new topic of conversation starts.

Unconventionally, the main images do not follow RULE OF THIRDS and it is unusual to have the page split into two with two close-up images. This shows that Q magazine is more sophisticated and ‘indie’ than ‘WE love Pop’ and that it is a more established magazine because it can be unconventional but still maintain its readers. This could be done to relate to Lana Del Ray’s character because she is slightly unconventional. Because the images are close ups and attention grabbing, the fact that RULE OF THIRDS is not followed is less important here because the audience’s attention is still drawn to the main images.

The illustration at the bottom of the left hand page is a timeline of Lana Del Ray’s career and has been titled ‘THE CULT OF REY’. The pun used here relates to the article is a number of ways: it gives an insight of Lana Del Ray’s life and links the main image to the article because the word ‘cult’ connotes mystery and evilness which is also implied by the image because her expression is not one of happiness and the audience are unsure of why she is covered in blood until they read the article. This encourages the audience to read the article so that it becomes clear as to why words like ‘cult have been used and why she has blood on her face in the image.

In comparison to the ‘We love Pop’ double page spread, the Q one is clearly aimed at an older target audience. This is evident straight away from the colour scheme of the text and images: for Q magazine, the colour scheme for the left hand side of the page is simplistic and consistent and for the main images the red tint and the dark lighting create a sense of sophistication and formality. This is important because the red and white scheme is notoriously Qs colour scheme so it shows that this is an interview exclusive to Q. On ‘We love Pop’s double page spread, the colours used are bright and the lighting is high-key, this is an indication that the target audience is young and the use of bright colours and lighting helps to attract them.