Evaluation - Question 2 media studies

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

2. In my magazine, I've chosen to use a model who
represents the working/middle class as I feel
that this would be best represent my target
audience for an indie magazine, I also wanted to
make sure that I used a younger model for my
magazine as I also feel this would best represent
my target audience (16-25), as they would be a
similar age. I have done this intentionally so
that my target audience can create a personal
relationship with the models.(uses and
gratification). I have also used a female model
which relates to Mulvey’s male gaze which says
that men will be more likely to buy the
magazine if there is an attractive female on the
front, however I have slightly challenged this as
my model is not stereotypically being sexualised
and has more of an aggressive manor and facial
expressions. I have dressed my model in a style
that related to the indie genre, this should
therefore tie in with their culture and attract
people to read the magazine. This fashion part
of my magazine that I have included should help
to attract a female audience, which I have tried
to increase the likely hood of as indie music
tends to be a predominantly male genre.

3. On the front cover is a female teenager, throughout the magazine she very much
goes along with the view and style of the indie genre. The style of an ‘indie kid’
are clothes that are found in thrift stores and hippie markets and will usually have
an urban street style, by dressing the model in dark denim jeans and a bomber we
have conveyed the style of a typical ‘indie kid’.
The mise en scene of the magazine has more of an aggressive tone, due to her
serious facial expression, the model has natural makeup which is stereotypical of
the target audience. This all challenges Mulveys male gaze theory as when women
models are used in front covers they are usually sexualised through the way they
are positioned, dressed and in their facial expression and this leads to them being
objectified. I have used a female, which a common convention, but I have also
challenged the common convention of having the female model come across as
sexualised, by making sure that she is not sexually posed or dressed.

4. My shots used for my front cover, contents and double page spread all use
direct mode of address, this is a common convention on a magazine, it helps
the audience to connect with the model and allows the reader to create a
personal relationship with the artist (uses and gratification).
Direct mode of address also makes the women seem stronger and less
objectified which will be good to attract a stronger female audience, which is
why I have done this because I want my magazine to attract a female
audience as well as male.
I used medium close ups for my
front cover and album cover and
then I used Medium long shots for
my double page spread and
contents page. Using the same
model in all main parts of the
magazine shows the importance
of the artist, especially by having
her as the only image on the
contents page and not other
artists. Having such a strong
female presence should also
allow a female audience to
connect with the artist.
SHOT TYPES

5. LAYOUT
The layout of my
contents is based on indie
magazines such as clash
and mojo, I have looked
at these styles, as they
use a more unique layout
in order to be
representative of a young
teenage audience who
listens to indie music.
Indie magazines use this
unique style to connect
with their target
audience. Also by having
the model as the main
image and the only model
on the page it shows the
importance of the artist.