1. 2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?

2. I feel that throughout my magazine various different social groups are represented, I have used multiple techniques to do this effectively. First of all, the social group that was particularly important to relate to was indie. This genre is associated with: Happiness Guitars Innovation Gigs Fashion(vans, converse, leather, Fred Perry, skinny jeans, brogues, cardigans, patterns) Individual personalities Peacefulness Festivals Fun Music Love I have portrayed these emotions, feelings and social groups by: Use of images: Bright colours and effects: This image reflects the passion for music within indie, happiness and self satisfaction. Also, the unconventional layout of the contents The bright colours add vibrancy, give an impression of happiness, peacefulness, Individuality and conveys positivity. page reflects the rebellious nature of indie. Layout:

3. I don't feel that my magazine is obviously gender biased but it would attract the male market better, although the band on the cover are male yet the band on the double page spread are female making the magazine versatile and realistically open to both genders. On a mass scale I feel that my magazine would generally appeal more frequently to the male market as my research suggests that more men buy the magazine that I based my production on, which was NME. Also I feel that women have more of a fashion and glamour incentive which would discourage them to buy my magazine and attract them to others such as ‘OK’. In terms of a music magazine I feel that women would be attracted to magazines such as ‘Smash Hits’ due to the more girly aesthetical appearance and the gossip element. By challenging the general male social stereotype within indie in certain areas of my magazines I feel that it gives my magazine individuality and gives me an opportunity to fulfil a niche area in the market.

4. I have tried to portray the indie image in various different ways. One of which would be my choice of camera shots when photographing models. For example the unconventional contemporary oblique shot of the producer in the studio on the contents page conveys a rebellious nature and emphasises individuality. Also equipping models with props such as microphones, headphones, and tambourines emphasises that the main focus of the magazine is music, along with the guitar connotations with the title ‘FRET’, and gives the reader an incite into the intricacies within music and how these people work day to day. In order to convey the indie image, in terms of appearance, successfully I followed certain stereotypes and told my models what to wear before hand so that I could get maximal potential from the shots. For example I told my models to wear indie looking clothes like the leather jacket on the cover and the khaki green parker on the double page spread. The other model on the double page spread has naturally curly hair which was appropriate for the laid back individual approach which is represented in indie. Also, all of my models are Caucasian which follows the general stereotype as most indie artists are Caucasian.

5. The specific colour scheme that I have used were chosen as those specific colours connote particular emotions and feelings which would enable me to connect with my intended audience effectively. These colours are also very complementary of each other when presented together aesthetically. Red connotes danger and excitement where as white portrays peacefulness, tranquillity and remains neutral which is appropriate as my magazine appeals to both genders. Yellow adds an element of individuality and black provides consistency and reliability. Overall, all of these different colours within the scheme combine in order to give the best aesthetical representation of what indie stands for as a genre and the different emotions and feelings it is associated with.