Evaluation - Question 2How 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.

My Front Cover

Kerrang Front Cover Q Front Cover NME Front CoverRolling Stone Front Cover

My Front CoverMy 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.

My Contents Page

Kerrang Contents NME Contents Q Contents VIBE Contents

My Contents PageAn 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.

My Double Page Spread

My Double Page SpreadWith 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.

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.

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.