Evaluation Question 2

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

2. The stereotypical ‘MetalHead’ (Metal fan) or
artist, is represented as:
Long, black hair, or none at all
Leather jacket
Obvious and aggressive tattoos, possibly facial
Drinks a lot
Smoker
Large, heavy black clothing (boots)
Feature poses associated with anger and rage
Male
‘Moshpits’
Heavy makeup, normally at the heavier end of the metal spectrum
Rugged look
Uncaring attitude
Lots of chains and jewellery
Sweaty, unkempt
Red, black, grey, brown and white colours
(All images taken from www.google.com for presentation, no use
in my magazine or construction, purely for examples).

3. My magazine has carried
across the stereotypical
representation of metal
artists and fans in places,
such as the use of chains
and blood-like textures.
However, it does challenge
the normal conventions,
thus representations of
social groups, such as the
model herself; she defies
the stereotypical
presentation of a metal
artist with vibrant blue
hair, pale skin, clean and
well kempt appearance,
no tattoos, calm pose and
a reasonably young age.
The artists often reflect
the fans, hence why death
metal artists and fans may
dress differently together
than pop artists and fans.

4. ‘Metal Hammer’ has two artists on the cover, both displaying
symbols of the stereotypical metal-look, including the violence
associated knuckle dusters, tattooed hands and body, and
rugged beards. They also bear colours darker in tone, and this
is a stereotype carried across to many magazines of a similar
genre.
My model, initially, has represented the way metal artists look
differently to mainstream media, as she is a calm, innocent,
attractive young girl with an appearance opposite to the
stereotypical one used in other magazines.
She, when paired with the various colours and font styles on
the page which establish the genre, immediately represents
her as a part of this genre, as does ‘Metal Hammer’ with their
cover page. My representation, although not extremely
stereotypical, does follow several conventions, mainly the mid-
shot including a vibrant and distinct hairstyle (almost iconic),
as well as the bright red lips, black shirt and, of course, the
guitar which links in with the genre very well.
However, my model does not feature the stereotypical
ruggedness that a lot of metal magazines use, therefore
breaking one of the initial stereotypes, and being presented as
very clean and well kempt. She is also of a similar age and look
to those stereotypically interested in the magazine type,
therefore representing the target audience as unlike the
stereotypical fans of metal. She overall represents the, very
large, metal community as different to how they are usually
portrayed in the media, the coverlines with other artist’s
names reinforcing her association with the genre to assure her
place inside the genre.
Metal Hammer uses very aggressive body language,
conveying themselves and their peers as very aggressive
and passionate, whereas my model lacks intimidation and
instead is represented with her peers as very inviting, calm,
collected and less untame.
The text does follow the conventions of the genre, being
cracked, bold or rugged while bearing a colour palette of
red, white, black and grey. This does not often change
with other magazine of the genre, as it is not to represent
the social groups as such, but to attract them with
familiar to the genre text.

5. The general tone of the magazine with the red textures of almost blood-like whips
and slashes, along with the black backgrounds and chains, all composes the intended
theme. This theme I have strived to establish and maintain appeals the target
audience, and represents their interest and preferred appearance of elements in a
magazine.
Their interests with a magazine likely reflects on some of their interest in clothing,
music taste and personality, and so the magazine represents them with the colours,
shapes, font, information, images and composition. These elements are stereotypical
in parts, which is what enables the product I have created to be associated with the
Metal genre with relative ease.
The way that the coverlines are worded is an indication as to the age of which the
magazine represents and appeals to, featuring quirky plays on words and a non-
serious feel throughout. This reveals the age and personality of the readers, as well as
linking in to the artist, someone who is presented as similar to the target audience.
These different elements generate a general representation of those who will likely be
involved in the creation and consuming of the magazine, of which is a metal loving,
young, fun community. A lot of magazines will feature a presentation that does
establish the genre, but follows normal conventions throughout, which leads to the
stereotypical representation of it’s consumers as shown in the first slide, whereas
mine differs slightly from this for the younger target audience.