1. Possible Narrative
Frameworks
By Jack Bonser

2. Ok guys! Sorry about the blogging delay. I have been waiting for some stuff to be verified
by my teacher but carried on the working in the meantime. Here are my possible narrative
frameworks:
Below, I have created 3 different possibilities for my music magazine. This will help me as I
can then ask in a recorded focus group, which of the three, each person prefers. I have
decided to feature a new band or artist within the Hip- Hop or Urban music industry. By
conducting this focus group, I will be able to further develop my magazine.

3. Idea 1:
Front page – the front cover will be dominated by an upcoming band within the Hip Hop and Urban music industry. The
background will be the one used in the image, edited and made darker so the artists stands out more, and will probably
be of a brick wall, connoting the genre. This making the artists stand out more. The main image will be a medium shot of
the artist posing. The masthead ‘Amped’ will be placed in a bold but yet bright font, at the top of the page, behind the
artist, connoting the importance of the artist. The artist will be clearly stated with a marking on the artist, saying his
name. Bands featured will have text previews at the bottom of the page. A chance to win a free holiday will be
advertised, this appealing to my target audience. There will also be a smaller image of another upcoming band placed on
the left hand side of the page.
Contents page – from my textual analysis and reading other magazines, I have come to the conclusion that the best
contents pages’ are ‘short and sweet’. The most simple features on the contents page, maximise the effect of the
page, this drawing the readers attention directly to where you want it, whether it be the page headings and number, or
the artist on the page. The font colour scheme will be black and silver and red, but the background of this will be a
gradient made by in Adobe Photoshop, being black flowing into the colour white, from top to bottom. I will maximise the
use of effects optional from Photoshop, this including font, the artist, and other features on the page. The words ‘Inside
Features’, will be clearly stated above, again as minimalistic as possible, to be able to point the readers attention at
certain aspects of the page. The actual contents of the magazine will be placed vertically down the left hand side of he
page, with the page numbers located to the left side of the page cover lines. Also on the page their will be some behind
the scenes pictures of the artist, and of course the main/dominant image of the page will again be a medium shot of the
artist.
Double page – the double page spread will again be very simplistic as it is solely based on the same new and upcoming
artist I will also feature on the front cover. The font, colours background etc. will follow through with house style. this
again will enable me to direct the readers attention to the actual article bit, which will be featured on the left and side of
the very right hand side page. On the very right hand side page, I will feature a Q&A. The right hand side page will feature
a large long shot of the artist and also a fact file, including artist name, date of birth, place of birth, etc. the actual article
bit, will consist of a question and answer form the actual artist, an interview (Q&A).

4. Idea 2:
Front cover - The picture will take up about 75% of the whole page, and will include the photo will be
unedited keeping the real background, this creating a smooth effect as everything would ‘flow’ into
place, the image will be a medium shot. The masthead will again be placed in a bold colour, but would not
stand out too much; this again will be placed at the top of the page, and in front of the artist. This again will
flow with the house style, of the black, silver an red theme. Again masthead located behind the actual band
or artist. This again connotes the importance of the band/ artist (this will be the same throughout all of my
possible narrative ideas). A free CD will be advertised to appeal to customers.
Contents page – contents page, will feature the same artist featured on the from cover, this will be a large
long shot in the middle of the page, and text either side, the actual ‘contents page’ contents, will go on the
left hand side page, then a fact file will go on the right hand side of the page, and will include information
such as date of birth etc. this again will follow my idea of ‘short and sweet’. No effects will be on the picture
following on with the front cover ‘flow’ effect. Again very minimalistic, simple fonts, no extreme colours
and following with house style, with green coloured font, and black and silver background. By doing
this, effect will be maximised. There will also be some ‘tile’ images placed around the page, of various types
of shots and sizes.
Double page – the simplistic theme followed through, this time the image will be across the middle of both
pages, it will be a long shot and will include the original background where the reader will look first, again
labelled with artist name, which hasn’t actually been finalised yet. Written article placed on the right hand
side of the page. Long shot of the artist to give the reader a more interactive feel (direct address).

5. Idea 3:
Front cover- artist will be placed in the centre of the page, taking up about 70% of the page; artist will be
again cut out of original background and put on a pre-set one made/ edited by me, the image will be a long
shot image. This is conventional to the genre. By doing this it will make it clear to the reader the sort of
genre this is. Again bands featured will placed on the bottom of the page, and also previews to exclusive
interviews with the bands will be advertised. A free holiday will be advertised, as that is very common upon
magazines, and appeals to customers. Masthead placed again at the top of the page, behind the artist
featured, this connoting importance of the artist. Black and silver house style
followed throughout, light grey font this time.
Contents page- following house style again of black, silver and red background, the actual contents will be
going down on the left hand side of the page vertically, with page numbers located to the right of these
cover lines, and small picture previews further to the right of the page, of various shot types. Not as
minimalistic as the other possible narrative frameworks, however this would still work. This time the word
‘Features’ will be the title of thispage, instead of the word ‘Contents’.
Double page – again following with house style, but slightly different font colours, this main article
text, this time will be in a green, and a standard font, probably a pre-set one from Microsoft word, or a
simple one from a website. The background will be black and silver. This time the artist will be placed on
the right hand side page, this makes the reader curious as to what the artist is like after reading, or whilst
reading the article, the article will be placed on the left hand side of the page. ‘Features will be listed
vertically down the side of the page with the page numbers located next to the headings. There will then be
a fact file
similar to that of the other possible ideas, located to the very right of the Picture.

6. Narrative Theories
Todorov’s equilibrium theory –
Being an average teenager going out with his mates, doing the same routine every day – becoming well
know or infamous – adjusting to new lifestyle with more money, press following him around etc.
Classical Hollywood Narrative –
Will, having a happy, resolved ending- in this case the artist having more money / a better lifestyle.
Binary Opposition –
Binary opposition can be applied, but to one person, Will- a child that used to get into trouble and
misbehaved at school, to now becoming successful and well mannered.
Propp’s Character Types-
Will would be the hero, coming from a trouble background, to having a successful career in music.
This will be the same through out all possible narrative frameworks

7. Positives:
1 – The Q & A feature will interest the reader, and so will the fact file, because my target
audience is C1 and C2, the less educated jobs. An effect around the picture will make the
artist stand out more. The minimalistic ‘theme’ will again make things more effective, by
making the readers attention focus on more things at once. The Q &A feature may appeal
to my target audience with the C1 income bracket, this is because it is easy to read. The
long shot of the artist may also create interaction (direct address) between the artist and
reader. The chance to win a free holiday will appeal to my target audience.
2- The importance of the artist will be shown by him being placed in font of the
masthead, ‘Amped’. House style will be shown again, with the black and silver gradient
background on the contents page, and double page spread. As the real background will be
kept with the original picture, this gives a more real effect for the reader, and an
interaction between the reader and the artist. The written article may appeal more to my
target audience.
3- the background of the magazine will hint the genre to the customer and will save
confusion as to the genres featured in the magazine. This will also make the masthead and
artist stand out more from the other features on the front cover. The artist being placed
after the article creates suspense for the reader, as they will want to know what the artist
looks like and know more about him, but want to keep reading.

8. Negatives:
1- People may not like the idea of the brick wall background, as they may prefer to see
a real background to connote the reality of the artist and magazine. They may also see
this as stereotypical of the magazine, and may prefer a different style of magazine but
with the same genre. It may also be of some minor offence to a group of people, as they
may not appreciate the connection between the class and music genre.
2- The free CD that would be advertised may not appeal to people in my target
audience. There will be no effects to make anything stand out in particular to the reader.
3- The black and silver background may not work together, as they could be too
contrasting.
You need to add some narrative theory – do you use binary oppositions? Do you present
an equilibrium or disequilibrium? Are any of your actors representing Propp’s character
types?
There is also not enough detail on the specific types of images the contents pages will
feature.
In your positives and negatives make sure you are giving reasoning for you thoughts -
why might your audience not like the brick wall? Is it too stereotypical? does it have class
implications for your black audience?