2. For my music magazine the type of social group I have represented are
similar to my target audience as I want my target audience to relate to
what they are reading. The magazines I researched for my codes and
conventions were mostly aimed at white British people of both genders,
which is also who my magazine is aimed at. I have tried to make sure
that my magazine appeals to both genders by using gender neutral
colours and photos of both genders throughout, however, looking back at
my production, the dominant images were female, but due to the house
style and layout, they could easily be replaced with images of a male and
still be effective.
I also ensured that the models I used for my magazine are of similar age
to my target audience so that the audience can easily associate
themselves with the models which further increases the appeal of my
product to them (uses & grats).
3. SHOT TYPES
Throughout shooting the images for my magazine, I purposely ensured that the
subject was making continuous eye contact with the camera, creating direct
mode of address causing the artist to form a relationship with the audience
(uses & grats) I took some images with the subject looking away from the
camera, but found it to be less effective.
Direct mode of address also allows the females in my magazine to be seen as
subjects and not objects, (pluralistic) as the direct mode of address gives their
facial expression more dominance. As females make up half of my target
audience, I wanted to give them a sense of empowerment and portray my
artists as positive role models (Pluralistic and countertypical).
I mainly used mid shots and medium close ups in my photographs to enable
the reader to establish the importance of my artists in my magazine, the fact
that I placed my artist’s elbow out of the section she was conventionally meant
to be in in my double page spread further reinforces this.
4. FRONT COVER
I used a young female artist for the front cover of my magazine. The mise en
scene (clothing, hair, makeup) used implies that she’s a stereotypical female.
This could be seen as hegemonic to the characteristics of being a
stereotypical female teenager, who wears girly clothes and makeup. She is
sporting a soft facial expression and gentle body language, to represent her in
a positive way and as a good role model to my target audience.
A common convention of music magazines is for the female on the front cover
to be wearing provocative clothes or have a ‘sexy’ facial expression on her
face, objectifying the woman (Mulvey – male gaze). I have challenged this
convention by styling her in the clothes shown and instructing her to use this
facial expression. This is pluralistic because it demonstrates her ability to be a
good role model for my chosen target audience.
5. LAYOUT
Stereotypically, people of a younger age aren't as attentive so I made
sure to provide key information and imagery but not overload my
audience with text, however I feel as if I’ve given enough information
to give the reader a good insight. If the audience was older this
wouldn’t be the case as they would stereotypically prefer a more text
heavy page.
I used rows and columns to allow my audience to easily find the
information they are looking for and the subheadings make it simple
to do this. Therefore my audience are able to fulfil their needs
adequately (cognitive needs).
6. IDEOLOGY
Reception Theory – A version of reader response literary theory that emphasises the reader’s reception of a
literary text.
For my final production, the reception theory is very important because I want my audience to relate to the artists
in the magazine, this can easily be achieved through the similarities between my artists and target audience
(hegemonic). This persuades people to pick up the magazine and could also result in a loyal fan base for ‘Pulse’ if
the similarities regularly occurred.
