This document discusses the representation of social groups in a media product. It summarizes the creator's choices in representing their target audience through the front cover image of their magazine called "Alpha". The target audience is described as older teenagers and younger adults interested in indie music. Characteristics of the front cover model were chosen to represent and appeal to this group, including minimal makeup and outfit, and a pose expressing power and mystery. The magazine content and price were made accessible to its intended working class/lower middle class readership.

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

2. Front Cover: Dominant Image
The dominant image of Q magazine and the dominant image of my magazine, Alpha.
I have chosen to compare my dominant image to one
from Q magazine of Adele. I chose this image as I
believe it is similar to mine as it shows an indie artist
with many other similarities to my model.
The body language in both images are quite similar as
they show the model side on to the camera with their
arm on their face. I chose to have my model side on
with their arm up as I felt it would imply a sense of
mystery, as you cannot see all of the model, and so you
wonder what she may be hiding. When looking at my
front cover my audience would see someone quite
powerful, as the body language (with the head angled
upwards) suggests this. I used an eye level, medium
shot with direct mode of address as I wanted the
audience to feel as though they were connecting with
my model, and this is achieved best with eye level
shots. You cannot see much of the outfit that the
model is wearing and I also chose to have minimalistic
makeup as I wanted my target audience to aspire to be
like the model, and feel as though they could relate to
her. I used high key lighting in a studio setup as I
wanted my photographs to look professional so they
were more appealing to my audience. I used the facial
expression ‘invitational’ as I wanted my target
audience to be attracted and have my magazine catch
their attention.

3. When creating my magazine I wanted it to mainly appear to older teenagers and younger adults who were interested
in indie music. I decided upon this from doing my research as I found it was mainly older teens who were interested in
indie music. I will be targeting my magazine to both males and females as when doing my research I found that both
genders would buy my magazine as long as it included recent and popular indie artists.
I aimed my magazine towards the working class/lower middle class and I did this by making my magazine relevantly
cheap at £3.20, as this would be affordable by all. I also did not want my magazine to be expensive as I am aiming it
towards teenagers mainly, who would either just be working part time or unemployed.
My Model:
I chose a black dress as my model’s costume, although you cannot really see it in the image, as it is minimalistic and
would appeal to my target audience as it is simple but can still be classy. I wanted my target audience to feel as though
they could relate to my artist as they themselves could dress like her. I also chose very simple makeup and a bold red
lip as I felt it was just a little bit different, which is what indie music is all about. I chose red as it is one of the dominant
colours throughout my magazine and so I felt it all tied in, also red connotes strong emotional feelings which would
stand out to my audience and make them want to buy the magazine.
I chose an eye level shot as I wanted my magazine to be quite personal and for my target audience to feel as though
they could relate to my artist as she is not looking down on them/making them feel inferior. I did chose to have the
model tilt her head up as this shows power, but in a way that my target audience would aspire to have.
Fans of indie music would look up to my model as they may see themselves in her, as I tried to make my model looks
as ‘down-to-earth’ as possible, with minimal makeup that anyone could recreate at home. I believe my artist
represents the everyday girl who has been given an amazing opportunity to become an indie artists and so my target
audience would look up to her and it would inspire them to go for their dreams.
My Model