Rolling Stone double page spread

Typography

The mast heads font is extremely clear to read and vividly stands out on the page. To further emphasize the mast head, it has been underlined with a thick bold line. This is similar for the heading, ‘The Rolling Stone Interview.’ The style of font connotes a formal and stylish appearance and maybe signifies the personality and style of ‘Sean Penn’ to the audience. The drop cap in the article portrays formality to the double page spread because it is a mundane component of all formal magazines.

Mise-en-Scene

The clothing used in the main image is very smart and formal because he is wearing a suit. His clothing connotes to the audience that he is a rich, stylish man  and gives a slight representation of his personality.  The setting conveys to the audience that he is rich because he is sitting above a swimming pool, together with the background having a large surrounding.

Layout

The layout of the magazine is set so that the main image takes up the complete right page. This is unusual because usually the main image is on the left side. The mast head is also unusually placed because it is at the bottom left of the double page spread below the article. These components may have been unusually placed to represent the unusual personality that ‘Sean Penn’ might have.

Colour

The main two colours used are black and white, this may have been done to promote the formal and stylish appearance throughout the double page spread. These colours are opposites so they therefore complement each other. The only other colours are in the background of the main image. However these colours aren’t bright, they are instead quite dull, but this is creates a great effect.

Camerawork

The type of shot used in the main image is a long shot; showing the man from his head to toes. The shot has purposely focused on the man and faded out the background so the audience get a clear image of ‘Sean Penn.’ The board that the man is sitting on replicates the thick, bold lines which underline the masthead and the smaller heading.

Language

The language of the double page spread is also very formal and gives a sense of sophistication. The article is very short, suggesting that ‘Sean Penn’ is a man of few words. The main intention of the language is most likely to connote to the audience the personality of ‘Sean Penn.’    

Mode of Address

The way in which this is conveyed to the reader is in an upmarket and high-class manner which may relate to the personality of ‘Sean Penn.’ The overall tone of the double page spread is formal which also could relate to the personality of ‘Sean Penn.’

Summary

The overall content, display and mode of address are done in such a way to signify the personality, wealth and interests of Sean Penn. This has been done by promoting a formal style and giving the magazine a high standard and a high class appearance.