1. How does your media product represent
particular social groups?

2. How does my media product represent?
My magazine includes many representations including: age, gender, class and social groups. These
represent the audience and people who read the magazine and how my magazine interests some and
disinterests others, by showing this it shows I have chosen particular features in my magazine to interest
certain representations of people in different categories.

3. When looking at the magazine a clear social group age is: teenagers. The use of black, red,
white (and tiny use of yellow) gives a more immature and more grungy look to the magazine.
The pages themselves look professional and would stand out to a teenager like Kerrang would.
The use of simple text and the selling of merchandise and CD’s is something that would appeal
to them more as teenagers are always seen to be wearing merchandise of their favourite band
and stereotypically always listening to music. The musicians in the magazine are recent in this
day and age, this refers to a fact that an older person into the music wouldn’t know what ‘A Day
To remember’ is, furthermore this specifies it to a teenage audience. The pages themselves are
set out quite interestingly and use the idea of complexity hugely. There is lot’s going on in the
contents and cover page, this may disinterest an older age as there is too much going on in the
page. The people on the magazine itself are all quite young people, this means it is more aimed
towards teenagers as they’re close to these musicians ages. In ways an older person could feel
left out while reading the product as it doesn’t include any older people meaning they would be
left out and would in fact feel too old for the magazine. However, it could be said the magazine
could also fit the age of young adults also. The music magazine in the contents also mentions
about the festival ‘download’ this is a rock music festival however you have to be in your late
teens to go without an adult, this could show a target for older audiences like young adults who
want to go, the articles themselves show features and news, stereotypically teenagers may only
want to look at bands and musicians (especially in females) as they want to be like them or find
them attractive however the features seem purely musical based and this would interest a young
adult as they’re more interesting in this. Furthermore, the use of musicians that have been
around for the past ten years will interest the audience as they grew up with these musicians
meaning it is more appealing to them. Some aspects like the free merchandise could be
unappealing to the young adults however as they’re not interested in merchandise only the
music. The music magazine disinterests against older adults and younger children. The
magazine has no mention of kids or older adults meaning they’re not involved. In ways the
magazine is disinteresting to the younger children as stereotypically they’re not listening to music
yet and the dark colours are not appealing to this type of a audience who want lighter colours.
Furthermore, it disinterests older adults who may of listened to this type of music when they
were younger, it seems that the music is recent and contemporary and doesn't talk about old
music this could be unappealing to them and the use of free merchandise, tours etc. are
something they don’t want as they’re middle aged not a young person.
How is my media product representing
Age:

4. I feel the magazine represents gender for the audience equally as the magazine uses both
genders. The male gender could be seen to read about this magazine more as there is
more mention and more visual of male musicians, the bands mentioned are mainly male
based meaning they’re more likely to enjoy the magazine. The magazine uses dark colours
and stereotypically red is a colour that a man is more likely to enjoy whereas girls are seen
to like more lighter colours. Two main features are seen to be male influenced and this
intrigues the audience and somewhat shows that males are seen to be making more of an
impact on the rock music industry. However, the cover page uses a female on the front, this
could disinterest males before them even reading the magazine as it shows a female which
could disinterest them as they’re not into female vocalist music. Furthermore using a female
could show that men and women in the rock music industry are equal to the reader and
make them want to read about either gender. Females, could be seen to be disinterested by
the magazine as stereotypically they’re meant to enjoy gossip magazines with light colours
not a dark and grungy music magazine. The female reading this are more likely to repel the
female stereotype. The females reading this could be seen to be ‘ungirly’ and could be put
into the stereotypes of goth, emo etc. The fact that the magazine is somewhat male based
could disinterest the female audience as it doesn’t seem equal, however the mentioned
bands like ‘we are the in crowd’ and ‘paramore’ have female vocalists, the fact that they’re
in the magazine could interest them. The use of a female on the cover is interesting,
however the female character isn’t dressed like a stereotypical women ad rather gothic.
This could provide stereotypes for the women who read the magazine, telling them they
can't look like a normal women to read a music magazine about rock. This could be
displeasing to them, however the fact that there is a women on the front shows that the
magazine has both genders. Using both genders on the magazine appeals to the audience
as it would be boring if the magazine was only based on one gender. Furthermore, it shows
a variety of music which is what the audience want. Using this means the audience can get
male and female views on music and allows the magazine to provide a variety of different
music which is what the audience want as it is a rock magazine not a male or female only
rock music magazine. By making the people reading it form each genders feel equal they’re
more likely to read it and furthermore, it highlights that the magazine is focused on them
music it’s talking about rather than how the musicians look.
How is my media product representing
Gender:

5. As my magazine is focused on younger audience it’s hard to define them in a particular class
as they do not have jobs. However, my magazine is more aimed towards the working class.
This is as my magazine has quite a grungy style to it, and feels that somebody of a lower
class wold be more attracted to this. I chose to aim it towards them as stereotypically it
seems that middle class people are less likely to listen to rock music and rather classical
music. Furthermore, in ways it seems that the middle class would be more likely to buy the
magazine monthly every month as they have money, however as they come from a more rich
family they may not read magazines and stereotypically books instead. It seems that a
middle class person would not want this magazine as the people presented in the magazine
don’t look the richest of people, this could be disinteresting to them as they’re not interested
in people not like them. Especially younger people of the middle class, they’re morel likely to
be in good education like a private or boarding school .These people are less likely to listen
to this music therefore there is no influence for them to read it, and if somebody from the
middle class did read this magazine it seems like it would be a small minority as
stereotypically middle class people seem to have a higher and more posh standards of music
and would most likely be disinterested in rock based music. However, this is why it is aimed
towards the working class. I have made the magazine slightly cheaper than other monthly
music magazines this is as people who are working class are more likely to have a low status
job, meaning they wouldn’t be able to afford it if it was more expensive. Furthermore, as a
working class person is likely to be in lower education like public school, it means they’re
likely to know about rock music as it is a big genre that they know about. The fact that the
magazine itself is quite dark in terms of colour scheme could appeal to them as they may feel
their life is more dark. As it is a monthly magazine it means it appeals to them as it means
they don’t have to pay for it each week and still get all the same music updates. The fact that
they’re working class they’re likely to always be working having a magazine is something
they could do to enjoy themselves on breaks or at home when they have nothing else to do. I
decided to represent the working class as they don’t expect everything to seem professional
and are more interested in grungy, messy and complex styles. It means they can really enjoy
the magazine as it feels that it was made for them. Especially how the audience can win free
merchandise. This hints towards working class more because they may not be able to afford
merchandise unlike the middle class so this interests them more in the magazine and feels
that it is more aimed towards them.
How is my media product representing
Class:

6. When looking at the magazine a clear social group age is: teenagers. The use of black, red,
white (and tiny use of yellow) gives a more immature and more grungy look to the magazine.
The pages themselves look professional and would stand out to a teenager like Kerrang would.
The use of simple text and the selling of merchandise and CD’s is something that would appeal
to them more as teenagers are always seen to be wearing merchandise of their favourite band
and stereotypically always listening to music. The musicians in the magazine are recent in this
day and age, this refers to a fact that an older person into the music wouldn’t know what ‘A Day
To remember’ is, furthermore this specifies it to a teenage audience. The pages themselves are
set out quite interestingly and use the idea of complexity hugely. There is lot’s going on in the
contents and cover page, this may disinterest an older age as there is too much going on in the
page. The people on the magazine itself are all quite young people, this means it is more aimed
towards teenagers as they’re close to these musicians ages. In ways an older person could feel
left out while reading the product as it doesn’t include any older people meaning they would be
left out and would in fact feel too old for the magazine. However, it could be said the magazine
could also fit the age of young adults also. The music magazine in the contents also mentions
about the festival ‘download’ this is a rock music festival however you have to be in your late
teens to go without an adult, this could show a target for older audiences like young adults who
want to go, the articles themselves show features and news, stereotypically teenagers may only
want to look at bands and musicians (especially in females) as they want to be like them or find
them attractive however the features seem purely musical based and this would interest a young
adult as they’re more interesting in this. Furthermore, the use of musicians that have been
around for the past ten years will interest the audience as they grew up with these musicians
meaning it is more appealing to them. Some aspects like the free merchandise could be
unappealing to the young adults however as they’re not interested in merchandise only the
music. The music magazine disinterests against older adults and younger children. The
magazine has no mention of kids or older adults meaning they’re not involved. In ways the
magazine is disinteresting to the younger children as stereotypically they’re not listening to music
yet and the dark colours are not appealing to this type of a audience who want lighter colours.
Furthermore, it disinterests older adults who may of listened to this type of music when they
were younger, it seems that the music is recent and contemporary and doesn't talk about old
music this could be unappealing to them and the use of free merchandise, tours etc. are
something they don’t want as they’re middle aged not a young person.
How is my media product representing
Social Groups:

7. As my magazine is focused on rock music, there are many stereotypies and social
groups that would be said to read it. Two main social groups to read my music
magazine are punks and Goths. These are stereotypically the people that listen to
rock music, as my magazine includes some gothic and rock music, this means
that they’re likely to read my magazine. The fact that the main image on the cover,
looks like a Goth means the social group Goths are interested in it as they can
refer to that musician, by doing so it feels like the magazine is referring to that
social group. This really interests them as they feel that it directs it towards them.
There is also mention about ‘punk rock’ on the cover. This is highlighted so the
audience see it clearly, this labels them directly as they feel they fit into that social
group meaning it us directing the magazine towards them. Furthermore the use of
merchandise and cd’s that seem quite chaotic and complex interest the audience
as they’re interested in that type of thing. Furthermore another social group could
be a stereotypically ‘emo.’ A person of this social group is seen to like rock music.
This will interest them as it is familiar to other magazines like kerrang which
people of these stereotypes purchase. Furthermore, the use of the colour scheme
being quite dark and black really appeals to these social groups as they go
against the norm of liking lighter colours, the fact that the magazine has edge
really appeals to this audience. However, somebody who is more of a normal
social group like a prep or girly high school student. Could really dislike this
magazine as there isn't any mention of pretty pastel colours like pinks, whites etc.
This would make this social group think the magazine quite negative and less
likely to enjoy it. Furthermore other people may not be into music that much and
other social groups see it as stupid to buy a music magazine referring to it.
Somebody who is classified as the social group of indie or hipster are less likely to
buy the magazine also as it is all focused on rock music something they’re not
interested in. The social groups for this magazine are represented to not be part of
the normal thing that people like. This means that the social group is very
specified however using bands and images of albums that they enjoy it hints
towards them. The fact that the people presented in the magazine are quite
grungy appeals to them as they enjoy that style and want to be like them.
How is my media product representing
Social Groups:

8. How does my media product use representation?
My magazine includes many representations including: Age, gender and social groups. These are
represented in my magazine in my characters, use of text etc. This really shows the people reading it
different categories I have used to appeal to an audience.

9. There are three characters displayed in the magazine and are all of a young teenage
age. None of them are seen to be older than 25. I have represented the people in my
magazine to be young as I want them to represent what is in the magazine. The rock
music that is displays is contemporary and quite recent. This means it is more suited at a
younger target audience. This therefore means that representing the characters as
younger will connect them with the audience. this is shown through the musicians I have
displayed. If I had of mentioned older and more hardcore rock from later dates I would
have put older people in my magazine. I feel using these represent the audience. The
characters are shown in quite grungy, dark clothing. This interacts with the audience as it
shows that they’re not that mature and shows that they’re still in that teenage stage. For
example the main character on the front cover is wearing heavy makeup, this isn’t
something somebody more mature would wear representing a stereotypical idea that
teenagers are quite bold and somewhat expressive in what they do. There is a hint of
‘teenage angst’ in my photography used. None of characters are really smiling at the
camera and giving off a straight and quite hardcore edged look. This shows an idea that I
am presenting teenagers to somewhat be moody and angry, and somewhat could
contrast stereotypes of teenagers always being happy and laughing. I also represented
age by including the features of CD’s, music festivals and merchandise. I placed these
on the magazine as they represent an idea that younger people are always wanting to
buy and do things. The fact that I placed a quite bold designed t-shirt shows an idea
again that younger people like to express their opinions and like to make a statement. I
included these to represent that the audience enjoys these items, same goes for the
CD’s however I could in ways be misrepresenting in my magazine as many people don’t
purchase CD’s and are more likely to enjoy online streaming. By doing this I made it
clear that although my magazine represents young ideas and older idea of CD’s could
attract a slightly older audience. I showed age by displaying a dark colour scheme with
an edge I feel that buy doing this I represented a younger audience as they’re more
interested in these bold colours. There is this clear idea of expression that I found using
this age group on my magazine, by placing character in poses not looking at the camera
it gives my magazine a whole new edge to it making it something interesting and
represented age in a bold and expressive way of thinking.
How is does my media product use
Age:

10. My magazine represents both ages: male and female clearly. In my magazine I used two
images of males and one of a female. This is as during my research it was clear in rock
music magazines the focal of it is mainly male and is quite dominating. However, I tried
to lightly go against that stereotype and placed a female on the cover of my magazine.
The female herself is represented none stereotypically and instead of making her
attractive for the male audience, I have represented her somewhat covered up and are
hardcore and strong character. This differs from the innocence girly attitude we see in
other magazines, by doing this I am representing females as strong individuals who can
take over rock music. However, I have displayed the male characters in how we see
typical males. Both characters are wearing grungy clothing a gives an idea that they
have a certain edge to their personality. However, neither of the male characters face the
camera, again I have gone against the stereotype of a male being somebody who is not
only confident but masculine and strong. By making them somewhat shy away from the
camera gives the males some innocence however also makes them look secretive as if
there is a hidden meaning behind them. By placing more male than females in my
magazine it could be said not to be equal, however it feels that if there were too many
women in the magazine it would be disinteresting for the audience as it is about music
and not the people. I have also represented gender more equally in the articles and text.
There is many different musicians that are female based represented in the magazine,
this means that I am showing all different types of musicians. I made this equal as I feel
that is what music is all about both genders. However, in the Rock’d out playlist CD I
seems there is more male than female musicians, this could represent an idea that
females are not as worthy as men and are not being displayed as much. I feel that while
displaying gender I have somewhat gone against the stereotypes especially in the
female. I did this as the audience seem more attracted to the music itself rather than the
people displayed. I tried to use both genders equally in my magazine and I feel in ways
my female character was fighting against the males as rock music is mainly male
dominated. By representing her as the focal of the magazine I feel it will represent that
women are a part of this industry as well as men this furthermore interests the audience
as there is contrasts of stereotypes and representing these genders in different ways
than what we normally see in the media.
How is does my media product use
Gender:

11. My magazine represents a variety of social groups different form the norm. One of
these stereotypes is a Goth. The female character is placed dark and in black this
immediately shows a social group separated from something we see normally. By
placing her in this fashion it tells the audience that she is alternative and
somewhat different from what we expect. Using jewellery and heavy eye make up
she looks somewhat scary to somebody who is not interested in this style.
Representing her as a Goth shows this alternative attitude in my magazine and
creates this idea that she is a dark character. By displaying her in this social group
of darkness it shows a somewhat intriguing secretive idea to the character. I have
also displayed punks in my magazine, using the terms ‘punk’ on my cover I have
represented them directly and shows what my magazine uses. This isn’t a
professional term and represents the idea that the magazine is alternative and
separates from normal social groups. The other males characters could also be
displayed a punk or indie. This is interesting as my magazine isn’t aimed towards
indies but characters – especially on the contents show this fashion by being
displayed in a checkered shirt, jeans etc. By doing this there is a mix of what the
character is. I have done this as I feel I am representing more than one social
group in one character. This represents the idea that my magazine is of mixed
genre and that you don’t know what to expect from this magazine. The character
displayed on the double page spread, is hard to see his clothing meaning he is
represented with not really any social group, however the audience refer him to a
grungy edge as he isn’t looking at the audience. I have represented him in this
way as I feel there is mystery and they have to read the article to find out what
social category he fits into. I have used a variety of social groups as rock music
doesn’t just appeal to one audience, using a variety of social groups represented
in the characters themselves shows the audience that they’re grungy have an
edge and that the magazine has a variety of music from Goth to punk. This also
implies the idea of contemporary music presented in the magazine as indie isn’t
something that has been around forever, although punk and Goth have been
around for longer it feels that they’re presenting an new age of these people. This
creates an interesting sensation for the magazine allowing the audience to really
enjoy it.
How is does my media product use
Social Groups: