Evaluation - Question 2

1. EVALUATION –
QUESTION 2
How does your media product represent
particular social groups?

2. In order to appeal to my target audience I have represented
relatable artists with a similar age range, although females are
dominantly visible here I have appealed both genders with the
contents of my magazine (the tone, text, links with varied artists in
pop/hip-hop backgrounds, layout, features etc.) and turned the
conventional male gaze around by using powerful shots and body
language (making the females subjects of the magazine and not
the objects). Despite the short range ethnicities within my
magazine, the context within the magazine will appeal to other
ethnicities. I have also used elements of a more sophisticated
layout to appeal to wider audience and the top end of my target
audience’s age range, yet there are connotations of a younger
approach in the language and features. Overall, this positions the
audience in the preferred reading of the magazine, by perhaps
contrasting with the hegemonic ideology of young artists.

3. Front Cover
Young woman represented - as I wanted to appeal to both genders in my
target audience - who want to aspire to a successful position in society –
therefore a woman is being represented with strong body language (the
girl will appeal to both genders as her success is radiates more than her
sex) – unconventional use of a woman as I want to appeal to the
unrepresented and body language contrasts against the male gaze.
Existing media that represents this and conforms to also:

4. Layout
The layout represents a younger generation, as it is very visual
and simplistic. Social media elements have been used to appeal
to a wider young audience however other features such as subtle
text and informative ‘editors comments’(uses and gratification
theory) could suggest more mature target audience. I have
organised the information to make it easier for readers to locate
specific items and provide enough contents to fulfil cognitive and
social integrative needs. Hermeneutic codes are created here
without the distraction of crowding several images (e.g. Q
magazine) however some images do overlap to accommodate
my young target audiences preferences.The text as well as the
layout is simplistic therefore it gives a profession aseptic which
can appeal to a more sophisticated target audience (at the top
end of the age range).

5. Images
In all of my images I have used direct mode of address which creates a personal relationship with the audience
(uses and gratification theory), and makes the use of females and their visual facial expressions as the subject and
not the object of the magazine (going against the conventional male gaze).This attracts female as well as male
audiences as it contain attractive connotations of success amongst young artists. I used a range of long shots, mid-
shots and close-up shots and in all (except one) they are large in scale, allowing the audience to relate the artist
and reflect the importance and power of such an artist.

6. In my contents page, the editors picture I am representing a young white female adult.
Her mise-en-scene is formal for her age to represent her position and success, also the
direct mode of address prevents her being objectified. The target audience of a similar
age group car relate to her.
She is making direct mode of address, in turn
creating personal relationships with the
audience (uses and gratification theory), the
mise-en-scene is ‘fashionable’ amongst a
younger audience, therefore they are able to
relate to her. Casual body language, decoded
by the audience in a positive way.
In the double page spread picture, alike the front cover picture and the larger contents
picture I am representing a young European woman however it is the stories of the artists
that attract and represent different ethniticites.The expression on her face and mise-en-
scene could be pluralistic of teenage stereotypes as it presents her as a mature female
and a positive model to the target audience, this means that the target audience of a
similar age group can relate to her.

7. Preferred Reading
Reception theory – ability to relate between the audience and similar aged
artists featured within the magazine – represents other aspirational young
people and their potential (represented by the powerful body language and
facial expressions throughout the magazine) – direct mode of address creates
personal relationships with the reader (uses and gratification theory) – creates
narrative tension and could bring in regular readers. Magazines such as NME,
Kerrang,Q magazine and CLASH grab the readers attention – the audience is
therefore positioned to get the preferred reading of the media text.