Evaluation Question 2 - AS Media Studies
- 2. In my complete magazine the social groups which I have represented are from a diverse ethnic background. I did this because the genre of my magazine is RnB, which is typically a multicultural genre so I wanted to incorporate that into my own magazine. If there had been these models in a fashion magazine, for example, then it would be seen as a token representation because those magazines typically use white models rather than ethnic models. The models I have used are also teenagers/young adults which is the target audience for my magazine, so they can relate to the audience. In terms of gender, the majority of my models are female, which is for the purpose of the male gaze (Mulvey) to attract a male audience. From my magazine research, most music magazines are aimed mainly towards males and so by using the male gaze I am following the convention.
- 3. My front cover model is a teenager which follows the hegemonic view of teenagers due to the large amount of make up on her face and the blank expression (supports the stereotype that teenagers are obsessed with appearance and looking good, and are also expressionless and moody). The clothing of which my cover model is wearing is stereotypical of a teenager, because of the bomber jacket and the cut-off denim shorts. The mise-en-scène therefore reflects the target audience of my magazine and they can relate to the models. My model is dressed provocatively, because of the cut-off denim shorts which show a lot of skin, which consequently complies with Mulvey’s male gaze theory. Because it conform to Mulvey’s theory my model as a result my model is sexualised, however the facial expression and body language is not, so it goes against Ferdinand de Sussure’s ideology of sexual semiotics (which uses sexual body language to attract readers). These magazines use sexual semiotics in order to attract readers
- 4. SHOT TYPES In all of the images I used for my magazine there were eye line shots and direct mode of address established. The use of this creates a personal relationship between the model and the audience (Uses and Gratification theory). The use of the direct mode of address also makes the models more objects than subjects and shows their facial expressions more, which is especially for my female models to combat gender inequalities in magazines. By having all my models look into the camera it attracts an audience of both genders. Both my front cover and contents page images use a mid-shot which make their facial expressions visible and take up the whole page to radiate power and importance. For my double page spread, I used a long-shot which also took up the whole length of the page to show importance and also had the text surround the model to further emphasise this point.
- 5. Similar to my front cover image, this model also represents a typical RnB artist. This is because of the mise-en-scène of the image, the use of the contour, heavy makeup and clothing are all urban which sends the message to the audience that this is an RnB magazine. It also makes the point that if you are reading a magazine with a model wearing this type of clothing and having this appearance that the audience can relate to the model, as the audience would have a similar appearance and taste. The model also represents the young adult/teenage age group, because of the clothing, jewellery and makeup (which was my previous point) which are all common and popular among people that age. The models’ facial expression is also hegemonic and pluralistic to teenagers as she is represented as a mature teenager which the audience can further relate to. Following on from my other images, my double page spread model also follows the norm for the ethnicity of an RnB/Rap artist. The use of Photoshop allowed me to further make him seem like a typical artist from the addition of the fake tattoo on his neck. Also, through mise-en-scène, he is even more representative of the social group because of his posture and clothing, which present him as a rebellious teenager (so he follows the hegemonic norm). Because he is so stereotypical, the audience can relate to him.
- 6. LAYOUT The layout of my contents page is representative of the social group it’s aimed towards because of it’s minimalistic approach. This is makes it representative as it uses as little words and images as possible, from the stereotype of teenagers to be lazy and disliking reading it complies to this stereotype. Had I used more wording it could be mistaken for a magazine aimed at an older demographic which I was careful to avoid. Because it is so structured, everything necessary is in the right places for the audience to find easily so their attention is kept and it still looks visually pleasing (another stereotype of teenagers is that they have a short attention span so this would eradicate this issue).
- 7. IDEOLOGY Lastly, I made reception theory a key in the production of my magazine in order to establish a personal relationship between the models and the audience and also make the models relatable to the audience. By creating this relationship and relatability, it would possibly increase the popularity of my magazine and create a fan base for it. The artists which are covered in the magazine would become role models for the audience as it proves to them that they can reach their full potentials at any age, like the artists featured in the magazine. Through the use of direct mode of address and the right body language I believe this would be possible.