Question 2How does your media product represent particular social groups?

In my magazine the social groups represented are white British teenagers/young adults, the same as my target audience as I wanted them to be able to relate to the artists in the magazine. The audience are therefore similar to the artists, so there is a creation of personal integrative needs and it becomes relatable between the young audience and the artist. My original plan was to target both genders equally, but my research showed there is not currently a music magazine on the market that targets females and I felt this was an opportunity to create a unique magazine. However I didn’t want my audience to be limited to just females, and Q magazine has a readership of 68% males and 32% females so I decided to make my target audience the same, but the other way around. My magazine is intended to appeal to both upper class and the lower class/students. I have done this by making the price £2.50 so it is affordable and including things that would be interesting to all classes.

SHOT TYPESFor my front cover and two of my contents page photos I used eye line shots. This creates a direct mode of address creating a personal relationship between the reader and the artist (uses and grats). The direct mode of address also prevents the females becoming an object rather than a subject as their facial expressions are visual therefore they aren’t being objectified. I did this purposely because I think it would be more effective in attracting a female audience.

I used medium close ups on the double page spread and contents page, and a close up on the front cover, this enabled the reader to be able to establish the importance of the main feature involved. The image on the front cover took up the entire page.

How similar shot types have been used (front covers):NME, Q and CLASH

Direct mode of address doesn’t allow them to be objectified and creates personal relationship with the reader. Wearing clothes the target audience see as fashionable, allowing them to relate to each of the artists. Pluralistic to negative stereotypes about teenagers – no smoking, drinking etc. Represents the target audience in a positive way.

Using the same artist as the front cover, the double page is representing female young adults. The mise en scene of her natural hair and makeup allows the target audience to possibly relate to the subject. It also presents her as a natural female and a positive model to the target audience. It is the only photo I used without direct mode of address, and the fact that she is not looking at the camera could be seen as presenting the hegemonic view of a teenager ignoring the rules and being rebellious. The casual clothing means the audience can relate to her.

MISE EN SCENE For my front cover image, the model wore casual yet professional clothing, a plain black t-shirt with a blue and black pattern over the top. Teenagers often do not want to/have a need to be smart. This is somewhat stereotypical clothing for a teenager, so the target audience are represented and the audience can therefore relate to the subject and perhaps see her as aspirational. The image doesn’t fit in with the negative stereotypes of teenagers, so in that aspect it is a countertype.

In addition to this I decided to keep my contents and double page pictures within a similar casual theme, and incorporating youth fashion trends of this time. The models clothes were what they came in because I thought this would be a good way to accurately include what teenagers wear, so my target audience could really relate.

IDEOLOGIES In terms of ideologies such as Mulvey’s idea of the male gaze, I have shown quite stereotypical teenage girls in some ways. However it could be argued that my magazine goes against this theory, as all my models are dressed in smart clothes which is a countertype of what is expected of teenagers. This factor makes my images pluralistic. The female on my front cover could be argued to be the subject rather than the object as she isn’t dressed in provocative clothing. Also, the models are staring straight into the camera with reasonably straight faces which could make them appear more powerful than if they were in provocative poses. This may be a pluralistic view because many women are objectified so that men will purchase the magazine. Although on the other hand, it could be argued that my model is for Mulvey's theory as she is a pretty girl and her whole face takes up the background, standing out. Along with this she is wearing make up and Photoshop has been used, so she could be objectified under the male gaze.

LAYOUTThe basic layout is representative of a teenage/young adult audience. It’s not overcrowded or too text heavy as that would be more appropriate if it were aimed at an older audience. It has a lot of images to break it up and seem more appealing to the younger generation. It is organised so no information can be missed, and although there are a lot of images there is no overcrowding of images to cause discomfort to the reader. The text is relatively informal to further appeal to the young target audience, however it still keeps an air of professionalism.