2. In my magazine the social groups
represented are white British
teenagers/young adults, the same as
my target audience as I wanted them
to be able to relate to the artists in the
magazine. The audience are therefore
similar to the artists, so there is a
creation of personal integrative needs
and it becomes relatable between the
young audience and the artist. My
original plan was to target both
genders equally, but my research
showed there is not currently a music
magazine on the market that targets
females and I felt this was an
opportunity to create a unique
magazine. However I didn’t want my
audience to be limited to just females,
and Q magazine has a readership of
68% males and 32% females so I
decided to make my target audience
the same, but the other way around.
My magazine is intended to appeal to
both upper class and the lower
class/students. I have done this by
making the price £2.50 so it is
affordable and including things that
would be interesting to all classes.
3. SHOT TYPES
For my front cover and two of my contents page photos I used eye
line shots. This creates a direct mode of address creating a
personal relationship between the reader and the artist (uses and
grats). The direct mode of address also prevents the females
becoming an object rather than a subject as their facial
expressions are visual therefore they aren’t being objectified. I did
this purposely because I think it would be more effective in
attracting a female audience.
I used medium close ups on the
double page spread and contents
page, and a close up on the front
cover, this enabled the reader to be
able to establish the importance of
the main feature involved. The
image on the front cover took up the
entire page.
4. How similar shot types have been used
(front covers):NME, Q and CLASH
5. Direct mode of address doesn’t allow them
to be objectified and creates personal
relationship with the reader. Wearing clothes
the target audience see as fashionable,
allowing them to relate to each of the artists.
Pluralistic to negative stereotypes about
teenagers – no smoking, drinking etc.
Represents the target audience in a positive
way.
Using the same artist as the front cover, the double page is representing female
young adults. The mise en scene of her natural hair and makeup allows the
target audience to possibly relate to the subject. It also presents her as a natural
female and a positive model to the target audience. It is the only photo I used
without direct mode of address, and the fact that she is not looking at the
camera could be seen as presenting the hegemonic view of a teenager ignoring
the rules and being rebellious. The casual clothing means the audience can
relate to her.
6. MISE EN SCENE
For my front cover image, the model wore casual yet professional clothing, a plain black t-shirt
with a blue and black pattern over the top. Teenagers often do not want to/have a need to be
smart. This is somewhat stereotypical clothing for a teenager, so the target audience are
represented and the audience can therefore relate to the subject and perhaps see her as
aspirational. The image doesn’t fit in with the negative stereotypes of teenagers, so in that aspect
it is a countertype.
In addition to this I decided to keep my contents and double page pictures within a similar casual
theme, and incorporating youth fashion trends of this time. The models clothes were what they
came in because I thought this would be a good way to accurately include what teenagers wear,
so my target audience could really relate.
7. IDEOLOGIES
In terms of ideologies such as Mulvey’s idea of the male gaze, I have shown quite
stereotypical teenage girls in some ways. However it could be argued that my
magazine goes against this theory, as all my models are dressed in smart clothes
which is a countertype of what is expected of teenagers. This factor makes my
images pluralistic. The female on my front cover could be argued to be the subject
rather than the object as she isn’t dressed in provocative clothing. Also, the models
are staring straight into the camera with reasonably straight faces which could make
them appear more powerful than if they were in provocative poses. This may be a
pluralistic view because many women are objectified so that men will purchase the
magazine. Although on the other hand, it could be argued that my model is for
Mulvey's theory as she is a pretty girl and her whole face takes up the background,
standing out. Along with this she is wearing make up and Photoshop has been used,
so she could be objectified under the male gaze.
8. LAYOUT
The basic layout is representative of a teenage/young adult audience. It’s not
overcrowded or too text heavy as that would be more appropriate if it were aimed
at an older audience. It has a lot of images to break it up and seem more
appealing to the younger generation. It is organised so no information can be
missed, and although there are a lot of images there is no overcrowding of images
to cause discomfort to the reader. The text is relatively informal to further appeal
to the young target audience, however it still keeps an air of professionalism.
