1. Evaluation - Question 2
How does your media product represent
particular social groups?
Whilst creating my magazine, I made sure that I represented particular social groups
so that my magazine is targeted at my chosen target audience, which is 20+. I have
done this by considering their lifestyle and interests with the help of my previous
research.
4. My Front Cover
My music magazine represents the social group of people in their 20’s and who are rock music lovers.
I have represented my social group in the production of my magazine through the use of language on my front cover. I have
done this by using straightforward and formal use of english. I tried to avoid the use of slang, this is because my target
audience are from middle or upper class and are people who do not talk informally and so would not understand certain
slang words. The pullquote used on my front cover “bigger and better with the support from my fans” is in formal english.
The effect of this is that it will attract my target audience. I used some certain words in capital blocks, to make it look more
exciting to the reader and for it to stand out.
The image on my front cover is another way in which I have represented certain social groups. This is because the clothing that
my model is wearing is something my target audience would also wear, which relates to mis en scene. Her body language
and the use props (guitar) helps to add extra effect onto the front cover, making it look and seem like a rock music magazine.
My target audience are people who are likely to do the rock sign when they take pictures at a party or in general. The mise en
scene helps to show that my rock music magazine is targeted at a certain social group. Although rock music is mostly white
male dominated. However, I have changed this, and used a female model from a different ethnic background for my
magazine. I have done this so my music magazine attracts various people from different social groups, and to also make rock
music a little more diverse.
The similarities between my front cover and other rock music magazine front covers, is the positioning of the model (in the
middle and as the main focus), different styles of font, positioning of the cover lines, left third, the colour scheme, the header
and footer, positioning of the flash and the use of language. The use of including these points in the production of magazine,
suggests that I kept in mind the interests and lifestyle of target audience and followed it up in my magazine, which represents
certain social group.
7. My Contents Page
An aspect that I have used on my contents page to represent my social group is age. As you can see
from the images I have used, the models are from the age group 20 or above. By using images of
people who are from this age group makes my magazine look more effective, because the aim of
my music magazine is to attract people from this particular age group. My particular social group
can relate and connect with the models used on my contents page, because of the way they are
dressed, the direct use eye contact to the audience and the body language.
Another way in which I have used age as a reference to my social group is the use of language. I have
included a pull quote, which relates to my particular social group “these past few years have been
hectic for the both of us”, it is formal, but chatty at the same time, representing the particular
social group I am targeting my magazine at.
The similarities between my contents page and other music magazine contents pages is the colour
scheme, positioning of the images, the editorial which is quite informal and chatty, which again
represents the particular social group, and so it relates to the target audience.
10. My Double Page Spread
With the help of my previous research into different double page spreads I have found that they
have used different styles of font, bright and bold colours, use of language in the interview, the
image of the artist etc. to represent their particular social groups. The social groups that I am
representing in my double page spread, is the same as the social groups represented in the
examples of the double page spreads shown.
It is aimed at aimed at both genders. The masthead has been set out in two different colours, orange
and red. These colours represent the particular social groups, to suggest that they are outgoing,
fearless, dominant and independent.
I have used similar layouts in my double page spread as other double page spread. For example,
drop capital letter, first stand, layout of interview and extra features. This suggests that I have
represented particular social groups in my music magazine.
11. What areas of society are represented in your
magazine?
Age:
FUSED is aimed at people who are in
their 20’s or above. People from this
age group are more mature, intelligent
and knowledgeable, so they are able
to understand the sophisticated use of
words used in rock music. The price of
my magazine is £4.99 which is quite
expensive. However, my target
audience are able to afford to buy it,
because people from this age group
are usually from a middle class and
are working.
The social group of young adults is
represented in my magazine.
Middle Class:
The readers of my magazine are
most likely from middle and
partially upper class.
This is shown through the use of
language, layout, images (used
throughout the magazine) and
price.
12. Do you deal with issue of race, ethnicity,
gender and disability?
Rock music fans are likely from a white ethnic
background and male. However, this is a
stereotypical view of rock music fans, due to the
publication of rock music magazines, which is
mostly male dominated. In the production of my
music magazine, I have changed this, by
allowing different ethnic backgrounds to become
involved in rock music.
I have targeted my music magazine towards
females as much as males through the use
of images. To ensure that my magazine
appeals to both genders, I used different
colours to address both genders. I have also
used images of both male and female on my
contents page.
My target audience are people who
strive to achieve, but at the same
time are people who like to party,
can be slightly rebellious, quirky and
independent individuals. I have
portrayed this in my music magazine
through the use of different
techniques, which also helps to
suggest that I have represented
particular social groups.