Research: Mise - en - scene (Rock genre)

Kerrang front cover

Kerrang contents page

Our group’s analysis on another genre: Kerrang magazine (Rock)

Mise-en-scene:

Props:

The Kerrang uses blood on its pages to create an edgy atmosphere this is typical of a rock magazine as rock is about defying rules, which could be seen as edgy. Another connotation of blood is red. Red being a sign of danger and passion this could be a reflection of rock music as it is passionate about the subjects they sing about but can be seen as a unique and dangerous type of music to listen to as it has strong views about social matters.

Also, the Kerrang features a cross; this could be seen as exorcism. Suggesting: evil and demons, which contrasts to the pure cross of Christianity again showing the rebellious nature of rock and how listeners disobey the rules.

Lastly, the magazine features a toy dinosaur to relate to the title enforcing the title’s message. Also, the dinosaur can be seen as an empowering figure relating back to the theme of rock as rock music is about expressing yourself in a big way therefore the dinosaur could be seen as doing this.

Lighting:

The Kerrang uses high key lighting on both their pages to create a bold and aggressive mood on the page. By using this type of lighting to create a “in your face” type page links back to the theme of rock as it’s about being defiant and daring. Another point about the lighting is it is intense on the model and draws a clear focus on them. This creates a setting that revolves around them suggesting the theme rock revolves around the music and the artists and less about the fame and money.

Costume:

The models in the magazine either wear all black or revealing clothes to show their tattoos. Firstly, by wearing all black stereotypes the person as someone who is bad and evil because black has connotations of evil, dark and scary. So by creating this type of impression on the reader shows the magazine to be a rock magazine as rock music is associated with rule breakers and individuality; these people can be seen to be dark and scary. As well as wearing all black the other model wears revealing clothes to show their tattoos. By revealing their tattoos shows this type of person to be daring, rebellious and individual. This again can be linked to the theme of rock as it too is rebellious in the messages conveyed in the music and individual as not everyone will like the type of music they produce.

Body language:

The models in the magazine pose in an animalistic and showing off type pose. By using an animalistic pose it has connotations of vicious and wild, these connotations have a negative stereotype on the reader. These stereotypes however link to the theme of rock because the music can be seen as wild due to its controversial messages and loud vocals. Lastly, by showing off in a pose shows the person to be snobby and outrageous again highlighting the theme of rock as the music is also outrageous and showy off.

Facial expressions:

The model has a shocked facial expression to show surprise. This could again reflect rock because listeners may be shocked and surprised when listening to the music.

Overall:

After analysing this magazine genre I need to consider mise-en-scene in my pop magazine. Firstly, after analysing the props used in the Kerrang I need to use this to influence me to create a positive atmosphere to reflect my magazine genre; I could use props like sweets and technology in my poses to achieve this as they have connotations of children and happiness. Another element of mise-en-scene I need to consider is lighting and how it creates the atmosphere of the magazine. Same as the Kerrang I should use high key lighting as it shows everything so the magazine isn't hiding anything. However unlike the Kerrang I don’t want to use the lighting to be “in your face” but rather use it to create a fun and happy atmosphere. The costume used in the Kerrang would be wrong for my magazine as it has the wrong connotations so for mine the model needs to wear bright clothes with bits of white in it to show innocence while being fun and bubbly. Lastly, the body language of my model should be open and happy to create the atmosphere and connotations I am going for, so I will not be using any of the poses of facial expressions the Kerrang uses as they don’t reflect the fun and youthful mood pop music creates.