AS Media Studies coursework

2. The
genre
I
chose
for
my
magazine
was
fitness.
This
genre
has
very
clear
key
codes
and
conven8ons.
• The
vast
majority
of
the
main
images
featuring
in
the
front
covers
are
men,
and
have
the
upper
part
of
their
bodies
uncovered.
This
conven8on
is
highly
important
for
a
magazine
to
be
successful
within
this
genre,
because
an
effec3ve
main
image
is
one
of
the
key
elements
of
appeal.
The
results
of
the
magazine’s
8ps
and
advice
are
meant
to
take
a
shape
in
the
featuring
model,
they
need
to
be
as
good
as
possible.
Moreover,
the
reader
uses
them
as
a
source
of
inspira8on;
they
need
to
act
as
the
perfect
example
for
them
as
well.
• All
the
models
featuring
as
main
image
in
the
front
covers
are
establishing
a
direct
mode
of
address
with
the
reader
by
looking
at
them
directly
in
the
eyes.
Some8mes
this
mode
of
address
does
not
take
a
friendly,
invi8ng
way,
but
a
more
defying,
in8mida8ng
and
almost
menacing
one.

3. • In
terms
of
sell
lines,
they
all
follow
a
similar
paEern:
8ps
and
advice
on
how
to
become
or
keep
on
being
fit.
Each
magazine
then
presents
these
in
their
own
way
(“best
gyms
to…”,
“how
to
get
a
six
pack”,
“25
super
foods
for
men”…)
and
can
combine
them
with
other
sell
lines
from
a
different
genre,
usually
to
do
with
sex.
• The
use
of
common,
conven3onal
models
and
celebri3es
as
main
images
varies
depending
on
the
magazine.
Generally
there
is
quite
an
even
variance.
Firstly
to
provide
with
realism
when
they
use
a
normal
model,
so
the
target
audience
thinks
they
themselves
are
able
to
achieve
such
results.
In
the
second
place,
to
provide
with
a
source
of
inspira3on
when
they
use
a
celebrity
which
the
target
audience
con8nually
encounters
in
the
media
and
admires,
wishes
to
be
like
him.

4. • Another
very
important
conven8on
to
point
out
is
the
fact
that
the
3tles
of
the
magazines
convey
the
genre
straight
away
by
including
directly
the
specific
word
which
stands
for
it
(“fitness”)
or
others
within
its
seman8c
field.
• In
addi8on
we
can
appreciate
that
most
of
the
8tles
in
fitness
magazines
are
spelled
in
a
vivid
red
font,
conno8ng
passion,
strength
and
power,
as
well
as
sensuality.
These
connota8ons
match
perfectly
the
genre
and
portray
the
target
audience’s
needs
and
wants.
Red
is
also
the
colour
most
highly
associated
with
people
making
quick
decisions,
e.g.
buying
a
magazine.
• Magazines
within
the
fitness
genre
have
a
more
organised
and
simple
layout
in
terms
of
front
cover.
7
sell
lines
and
a
main
sell
line
is
usually
as
overwhelmed
as
one
can
get
and
very
rarely
including
secondary
images
form
in-­‐featuring
ar8cles.
Addi8onally,
the
inclusion
of
puffs
or
banners
is
not
very
common
either.
On
the
other
hand
there
is
a
greater
presence
of
boxed
texts.

5. Overall
fitness
magazines
tend
to
be
simple
but
sophis3cated
at
the
same
8me.
Not
very
saturated
in
terms
of
layout
as
to
front
cover,
to
let
the
main
image,
which
is
the
source
of
inspira8on,
seduce
the
reader.
The
use
of
a
direct
mode
of
address
is
vital
in
order
to
appeal
to
the
reader’s
wants
and
needs
successfully,
both
in
the
language
and
in
the
visual
treatment,
therefore
it
is
always
present.
The
colour
scheme
most
of
the
8me
follows
a
specific
pa;ern,
for
the
magazine
to
build
up
and
maintain
a
brand
iden8ty,
and
differen8ate
from
its
close
compe8tors.
Although
some8mes
this
paEern
can
be
broken
for
special
edi8ons
or
“bonus
issues”
to
achieve
a
greater
aEen8on
from
the
reader
and
become
their
choice.
Adverts
of
trainers
and
such
fitness/sports
related
products
are
very
common
within
the
magazines
from
the
genre.
We
can
also
find
car
and
watches
adverts
in
those
aimed
at
an
older
and
wealthier
target
audience
(with
higher
disposable
income).
However
most
of
them
are
aimed
at
middle
disposable
income
25-­‐50
year
old
men.
The
u3lity
all
fitness
magazines
provide
the
reader
with
is
very
similar.
They
are
their
guide
to
keep
on
being
fit
and
achieve
a
nice,
sculpted
figure.
Each
magazine
then
shapes
this
in
their
own
way
in
terms
of
the
content
they
feature
and
how
they
feature
it
to
achieve
their
personal
goals.