Media Studies

1. Question 2) How does your media
product represent particular social
groups?
Kristy Lai

2. What groups am I targeting?
 Class- B-C2 Primarily C2-E Secondarily
 Race- British, American, Chinese
 Age- Ages 14-25
 Gender- Male and Female
 Sexuality- All sexualities

3. What is the aim of my magazine?
 To provide readers an insight have how the music industry works through behind the scenes
interviews
 To give them inspiration in creating their own type of music through interviews from song
writers and give them tips and ideas
 To give readers a chance to learn and absorb different songs of their favourite artist through
musical instruments
 To give readers more information and a greater understanding on their favourite artist in terms
of their personal life, interest, or music style
 I would also introduce my audience to different types of artist from around the world, (for
example korean artists) I want to to a more inclusive idea of music which isn’t dominated by
the hegemonic power of the West, therefore I would introduce my audience to music from the
east.

4. How am I representing people in
my magazine?
 Cover Page Artist- Angela Evans
 Independent Artist Writing her own songs, producing her music, even designing her
own concept for her debut single.  Gauntlett’s empowered female, knowing what she
wants and what she is doing. Has full control of situation
 Trying the motivate people to break free from their comfort zone and try other things
(Gauntlet’s Making and doing theory challenging music that is available in the market.)
 Style of music appealing to Experiencers (VALS Types)- whom they have energy into
socializing, buying clothes, following trends. Able to get the newest information on music,
etc. Also appealing to the aspirer (Young & Rubicam’s 4C model)

5. How am I representing people in my
magazine?
 Content Page Artist- SJG
 The group was inspired by group HAIM and youtube duo sensation Jayesslee, which they are not follwing
trends, not showing themselves as very popular and sensational stars, and that they are happy with their
status and music they make.
 I have them holding a guitar as a prop gives readers a feel that they are ‘real artists’ who make their own
music.
 I had them wearing simple costumes , not reveling but clothes they feel comfortable in and are simple in
color. Not eye catching, avoiding male gaze Gauntlett’s empowered femaleIt also gives us a feeling that
they are not being ‘try-hards’ which removes them from the idea of constructing themselves as stars.
 They know what they are doing and yet know what their situation is
 Also appeal to experiencers as they are new and have a different feeling to mass market as everyone is into
Pop music, music represented here is represented as being distinct from the ideologies of pop music which
priorities success through look and love (neither of which are represented here).
 Also appeal to the explorer (young& Rubicam’s 4C model) discovering the new sound and new concept
that is available in the market.

6. How am I representing people in my magazine?-
Age
 Since my target group for my audience is ages (15-25), these people
are considered as young people/generation which may have a
different way of thinking than people tat are slightly mature
 I presented them as very innovative, very creative as I encourage
them to write and create their own songs ( makers and experiencers
in the VAL type)
 I also presented them as very out-spoken, very active in terms of
giving out their own opinions. They would not just sit there and take
in what they are given
 Sometimes their ideas are worth listening they have a new
perspective in life than others, their ideas are much innovative as
they have a drive of a new force which pushes Gauntlett’s making
and doing cultural

7. How am I representing people in my
magazine?- Class
 In my magazine, the main focus of my magazine was
not on class.
 I ensured my models were not wear extravagant
clothes as I am not hoping my models celebrating
materialism, wealth and consumerism
 I want my audience to not be ashamed of their up
bring and hoping to promote equality in wealth
 I also hope my audience focuses on the music that is
being introduced instead of the clothes they are
wearing or the style on the artist.

8. Hegemonic or Pluralistic??
 Honestly, I think that my magazine is pluralistic . I was trying to promote new ideas to people
and encouraging them to try different things. (In my interview for Angela Evans, she was trying
to promote the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone. We were basically trying to
encourage readers to do things differently.
 I always tried to introduce different artists to my audience which is not as well known in the
west by introducing artists from the east.
 My magazine was not trying to stuff my readers celebrity gossip or to ask them to follow trends.
I was trying to make them all different individuals and to guide them to achieve what they think
maybe impossible. I incorporated interviews from famous songwriters to give them ideas and
tips to giver them inspiration in writing their own music.
 The whole intension of my magazine was just to inspire people to write music and to give them
the motivation to do so. We also tried to interact with readers by giving them the chance to
vote for their next cover artist, and not just us deciding who is going to next on our magazine
 I would also to hope inspire my audience to write their own songs the creative ideas of
people challenges hegemonic models which are designed to keep the audience passive and not
creative the use of youtube
 The only part which is slightly hegemonic In the magazine, is that the photos I included in my
magazine only involve females and no males, which in way suggest gender inequality,

9. Stereotypes???
 I honestly don’t think there are any signs of stereotypes in my magazine
because I wasn’t trying to promote that.
 There is a mix of different nationalities (German, Nigerian, British) in my
magazine and I tried to display them as individuals without hinting any
remarks on their race. I tried to promote harmony between skin colour and
race.
 I also tried promoting the idea of gender and race equality

10. Construction Theory being applied in my
magazine..
 Apply the constructionist theory to a couple of representations from your
magazine e.g. you have created a representation of female strength (where is
the truth, your opinion and the influence of social context in this?).
 In my magazine I have created a representation of female strength as my
magazine focuses on independent females and females being empowered.
 A lot of females and now are presented as strong beings and independent, a lot
of females in pop/R&B songs are portrayed as strong females and sometimes
they do not need men to support them. An example would be Miss A’s I don’t
need a man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkSOOiMDGiY)
 Female now marry late because of work and are able to do the stereotypical
work positions that should be for men- such as Engineers, Firemen, Police force.
 My opinion on this is that females are not just sex objects or should be looked at
just because of their physical appearances and their body. As we live in a equal
world, which the society is no longer patriarchal, females have the same rights
as men.