Evaluation – Question 2
How does your media product represent
particular social groups?
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.
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.
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
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.
Ideology
For my magazine I have made sure that I focus
largely on appealing to my target audience
through reception theory. Doing this allows me
to create a relationship between my artist and
the reader and allow them to each create
personal bonds with the artist, my model is able
to do this by being a similar age and having the
same personal style as my target audience, the
model making eye contact also is a big part that
allows this connection to happen. Having this
will entice the reader to the magazine and
encourage them to buy it, but it also will create
this personal creation which could become an
inspiration for the reader which may lead to the
reader becoming a loyal fan of the magazine and
therefore frequently buying the magazine on a
regular basis. Having the similar aged model is a
large part of the reader being able to make a
connection and is very important, if using an
older model my target audience may not be able
to gain the connection or see the similarities
within their lives, style and opinions and
therefore may not be able to make the
relationship with the artist, this would affect
sales of my magazine as my audience would be
less likely to buy it.

Evaluation – question 2

  • 1.
    Evaluation – Question2 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 frontcover 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 usedfor 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 ofmy 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.
  • 6.
    Ideology For my magazineI have made sure that I focus largely on appealing to my target audience through reception theory. Doing this allows me to create a relationship between my artist and the reader and allow them to each create personal bonds with the artist, my model is able to do this by being a similar age and having the same personal style as my target audience, the model making eye contact also is a big part that allows this connection to happen. Having this will entice the reader to the magazine and encourage them to buy it, but it also will create this personal creation which could become an inspiration for the reader which may lead to the reader becoming a loyal fan of the magazine and therefore frequently buying the magazine on a regular basis. Having the similar aged model is a large part of the reader being able to make a connection and is very important, if using an older model my target audience may not be able to gain the connection or see the similarities within their lives, style and opinions and therefore may not be able to make the relationship with the artist, this would affect sales of my magazine as my audience would be less likely to buy it.