Representations used in pop music magazines

1. Representations
Front cover
Main image
The representation of the young male gender is stereotypical. This is shown
through the use of shot type which is for the main image a mid-shot at an
eye-level angle. This portrays him as charming and represents the artist
(Harry Styles) masculine, in a way that he is attractive and a great model for
young (16 and above) male readers to aspire to. This a stereotypical
representation as males at a young age are represented as physically
attractive , youthful and charming. Through the use of body language and
composition, Harry is positively portraying another stereotypical
representation of young males as independent, (in comparison to the smaller
images) dominant and as he is not positioned with his band members, he is
smiling, the image uses high-key lighting (mise-en scene) connoting
happiness which creates a good impression of the artist being fun (which
relates to the genre of pop as energetic ), again contributing to the
representation of young males as masculine because they are portrayed as
independent. Another example is that he has a relaxed natural body language
which conveys that he is comfortable being alone, and creates an impression
of the artist being independent, overall portraying a stereotypical
representation of males at a young age as (again) masculine and brave
because he is alone. Harry also wears a trendy costume, grey blazer, cream
plain shirt. This portrays him as classy, stylish chic, creating a stereotypical
representation of males who are young (in the age bracket of 16 and above)
as they are known to be fashionable .This aspect of mise-en scene contributes
to the representation of masculinity in a way that he is physically attractive .
The setting used is a plain white background, white connotes innocence and
purity which creates a non-stereotypical representation of young celebrities
as they are usually portrayed negatively as being wild.

2. Representation
Front cover
Colours
The colour scheme used in some ways creates a positive impression and helps to create a stereotypical
representation of young celebrities and young age. Orange which is used in the masthead, for significant
coverlines, yellow used as puffs, creates that positive impression because orange symbolises energy again
contributing to a stereotypical representation of young age to be fun, energetic, enthusiastic. In addition
also creates a stereotypical representation of young famous celebrities as orange associates with the idea
of ‘ready’ conveying that they are always ready and perfect to go, relating to the stereotype of all
celebrities being so attractive. The yellow also used for the puffs is eye-catching and used in order attract
the readers attention. Yellow connotes happiness which helps to create that stereotypical positive
representation of young aged people to be happy, and content with life. The white used for the
background, fails to contribute into creating a stereotypical representation of young celebrities because,
white symbolises innocence which is non-stereotypical because they are usually portrayed as rebellious
and flirtatious. Overall the use of bright colour scheme, helps to create a positive impression of young age
and young celebrities; as being energetic, and full of life. The black however, in my opinion is just used by
the publishers to create contrast, helping it to standout from the many use of vibrant colours.
Fonts
The fonts are a mixture of mainly sans serif and serif fonts. The front cover mainly uses the sans serif fonts, because it has a modern,
chic look to it, which would relate to the psychographics of a young age person. Which contributes into creating a representation of
young age that is stereotypical as, it portrays them as being fashionable and gives an impression that they are stylish and up to date
with the latest trends. The texts are emboldened not only to create attention but it also conveys liveness, helping to create a
stereotypical representation of young age as, it creates an impression of young age being energetic and full of fill. The serif fonts are
used for the texts, “Hello!”, “get your hawkies out” and “uncensored” because the language used is persuasive, and welcoming
rather than informative, so it must differentiate . This helps contribute with representing young age and/ or celebrities non-
stereotypically because, young age is stereotyped to be lazy people who are anti-sociable .

3. Representations
Front cover
Language
The representation of young aged people is stereotypical this shown through the use of
language . Colloquial very informal language that is being used contributes to the stereotypical
representation of young people as being fun, and unprofessional . Examples of this are , in
Harry’s pull quote, “I’VE SNOGGED TWO FANS!” which is informal and has a very casual tone.
The text itself, portrays and creates a bad impression of Harry as being a heartbreaker/ player
and wild because ,of his actions and due to his physical attractiveness which I helps to
contribute a stereotypical representation of young male celebrities as they are stereotypically
portrayed negatively to be wild , outgoing and adventurous. This portrayal is also the same
with the text, “our fans lick us like dogs” which connotes they are superior, contributing to the
stereotypical representation of male gender of being dominating. In addition contributing to
the stereotypical representation of male celebrities as they are stereotyped to be ‘heart-
throbbing’ and creates an impression that the band is so loved by their fans. This also creates a
non stereotypical representation of British people as Harry Styles who is of a English ethnic, is
portrayed negatively as being wild, when it is stereotyped for British people to be well behaved
high class, and posh.
There is also use of alliteration, for example “POSTER PERFECTION” to create a sense of play-on
with words, which creates a good impression of being energetic, helping to contribute to the
stereotypical representation of young people to be fun. ‘Perfect’ connoting the image of an
artist is physically attracting, contributing to the stereotypical representation of young famous
celebrities to be perfect and beautiful.

4. Representation
Contents page
Image
Through the use of image, the representation of teenagers, gender and young celebrities is stereotypical. For the main image
on the centre third of the page, it has been captured through mid-shot and at a low angle in order to help showcase their
shocked and rebellious facial expressions and body language in a greater detail and in addition their costume. Through this
element it will contribute into creating a stereotypical representation of teenage girls, as their shocked and rebellious facial
expression and body language suggests that they’re mischievous, into gossip and portray character traits of a stereotypical
teenage girl. This too creates a stereotypical representation of a young girl band, the way they use their body language and
facial expression to portray themselves a young girl band, creates a stereotypical representation of them being, ‘bratty’ and a
‘diva’, similarly to the front cover as they both represent a stereotyped portrayal of young celebrities as rebellious and wild. In
addition, the smaller images used on the contents page use mid-shot or close ups to allow the audience to focus on their silly
facial expressions, e.g; Justin Bieber (right hand side, second down), this enables to represent young age and young
celebrities as immature which is stereotypical. For mise-en scene, they have used high key lighting to connote the sense of
happiness, youthfulness and energy which helps contribute into portraying a stereotypical representation of young age, as it
creates an impression of them as being energetic and fun, which is a stereotyped trait of young age. They girls are wearing
brightly coloured dresses that are trendy for that age bracket, for their costume, creating a stereotypical representation of
young age, because the bright colours connote happiness and high energy and helps to portray them as this, the trendy style
of dresses creates an impression that they are stylish. Representing young age to be energetic and fashionable which is a
stereotype as it is a conventional portrayal of young age. Hair and makeup used on the young girl band also contributes into
creating a stereotypical representation as, some of the members are half ready with hair, some are wearing bright lipstick and
have wiped bright lipstick all over their mouth. This creates an impression of the girl band as being never being on time and
portrays them as being disorganised, which creates a stereotypical representation of teenage girls because they are never on
time, it suggests they are lazy which is also a stereotype for teenage girls. The use of a telephone of a prop conveys they are
always on the phone even when they seem to be getting ready, which contributes into creating a stereotypical representation
of teenage girls as, they are always on the phone and being unprofessional because they are rebellious and full of energy.

5. Representation
Contents page
Colour
The colours used on the contents page is creating a stereotypical representation for young age and gender. They use
colours that both genders stereotypically appeal to. For instance, the pink would stereotypically appeal to females,
which too conveys that the female artists on this page are girly in order to enable a stereotypical representation of
teenage girls of them being very feminine and girly. The same applies to the use of blue, which stereotypically
appeals to males, which conveys that the male artists on this page are very boyish, representing teenage boys
stereotypically to be, very boyish. The use of bright shades of colours such as, yellow, blue and pink all connote a
sense of happiness, helping to represent young age stereotypically as being energetic and happy.
Font
The font style used on this page is the same as the ones on the front page, the numbers use serif and exclamation
marks to create a portrayal of the magazine issue as being filled with energy, quirkiness contributing into creating a
stereotypical representation of young age as being energetic and silly. The sans serif which is mainly used on this
page, makes it appear stylish which contributes to making that stereotypical representation of young age as they are
representing them to be fashionable. They too fill the o’s in with colour to add shapes onto the page, which creates
an impression that they are immature again representing young age as immature which is stereotypical.
Language
There is a relaxed, inviting tone and informal use of language in this page, it uses more colloquial techniques, textual
language and have much use of incorrect grammar. To exemplify this, ‘January Blues BE GONE!’ and ‘So obviously
we’re bringing that goss straight to you’. These kinds of tone indicate that young age is immature and controversial
which is helps to create that stereotypical representation of young age as being immature. Another example of
language that contributes into portraying a stereotypical representation of young female celebrities, is the caption
for the main image, ‘FRANKIE gets sick of call waiting’. This creates an impression of the young female artist as a diva
and to be demanding, which is a stereotypical representation of that age, and social group.

6. Representations
Double page spread
Image
Through the use of image representation of young age is shown through stereotypically through
several elements, in a similar way as the front page of the issue. The page uses a long shot, low
angle to help create a rebellious representation of young age, it allows the reader to view the
personnel (Cher) body language and how the image is positioned to go across the right hand side,
to convey dominance, and create that superior, wild impression of the artist. Cher’s body language
is unconventional, her facial expression is shocked which suggests that she’s wacky, energetic, and
mischievous. As she is in the young age bracket, she is representing young age females to be wild
which greatly links up to the headline, “-blamed for their kids turning out wrong”. Cher costume
also has some similarities to the front page image, its trendy and very ‘cool’ to appeal to the demo
and psycho of the audience. She wears a crop top, and high-waisted black and white jeans, this is
considered as inappropriate for young age, which signifies her rebellious persona, representing
stereotypically portray young age female, and in addition young celebrities as disobedient,
stubborn and main stream. Her hair is also considered ‘trendish’, it is half shaved, half curled,
which is wild, representing young age to be crazy and stylish. The lighting used is high key which
signifies happiness and energy, which represents young age as happy and enthusiastic this a
stereotypical representation as, young age is typically portrayed as energetic.
Colour
The colour scheme used contributes to creating a stereotypical representation of age and gender. Rich, mainly bright shades of pink, yellow and
black are used, black transitions into pink on the header which could connote the idea of excitement. Black used on “THE GIRL PARENTS BLAMED”
associates with rebellion and sinister acts, which helps to portray young age as mischievous and naughty which is a stereotypical representation
because that is what young age is typically portrayed as. Hot pink also contributes to creating a stereotypical representation of female gender,
because it is considered as a very feminine colour, which creates an impression of the artist as being girly, representing females stereotypically as
girlish. Pink and Yellow is highlighted on some paragraphs in the cover story which signifies the idea of playfulness and high energy, this helps
contribute into creating a stereotypical representation of young age as they are usually portrayed as lively, and active.

7. Representation
Double page spread
Language
The language used in the kicker is persuasive, uses an exclamation mark, and is very
colloquial, “ Forget everything you know about Cher Lloyd. And read this interview now!”
which helps to create a stereotypical representation of young age because, it persuasive it
creates an impression of Cher as being manipulative, representing young age to be
mischievous and wild which is a stereotype of young people. The headline quotes Cher’s
experience as a young person, “I WAS THE GIRL PARENTS BLAMED FOR THEIR KIDS TURNING
OUT WRONG.” this suggests that she was mischievous growing up and this helps to
represents young age stereotypically as rebellious.
Font
Sans serif fonts are used in the majority of the double page, because it creates a stylish
appearance which helps contribute into the representation of age and gender (women)
stereotypically to be fashionable . The header is in italics and embolden which creates an
rebellious impression of the artist as sans serif and italic text adds an edgy look, the way
which the text is embolden connotes a sense of energy which overall contributes into
representing young celebrities and young age as, energetic and edgy.