Evaluation- Question Two

Evaluation- Question Two

• 1.
  EVALUATION QUESTION TWO HOW DOESYOUR MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?
• 2.
  On my frontcover the model is wearing a plain white t-shirt, black jeans, smart shoes and a bracelet. The bracelet dresses the outfit down, showing the audience that he is casual and around the age of 17/18. The way he is dressed, his pose and how he looks gives the audience a sort of indie feel. The look is much like artists such Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and sons etc. Giving the audience the feel of an indie but popular social group. Also that the model is fairly young the social group is represented as a younger group, which is also who my target audience is. The model’s clothes show a lot of what group this is representing, he is not smart but not too casual, his hair isn’t neat and his pose is fairly casual but he is not try too hard, which is what most ‘indie’ social groups go for, this is being represented on my front cover. One of the main things that represents social groups is the use of models, their pose, the clothes they wear and how they are represented in my music magazine. This image is of the same model that is on my cover, this is placed in the top right of the contents, it is very large compared to other images in the contents page, showing that this is who the main story is about. This image is in black and white, showing a ‘rustic’ look, the background has changed to a brick wall with writing on, showing again that this is an indie social group, the model is wearing a grey jumper and coat. He is wearing simple clothes, much like on the front cover, showing that he is around a social group that is laid back. The model is not looking directly into the camera and his hair is not styled, again showing how he is casual and not taking anything to seriously. This is exactly what an ‘indie’ social group would act, and most magazines and media products aimed at ‘indie’ social groups, would have images just like this in black and white with a rustic looking background, not too serious.
• 3.
  This image isa smaller image included in my contents page, the image is of a girl, showing that it is not just a ‘male orientated’ magazine. The social group portrayed in this image is a typical teen social group. So a group of ages 17/18-20 years old, and a social group that relates to popular and ‘indie’ media products. The model in this image is not facing the camera and is giving a soft smile, it comes across that she is messing around and not being too serious, this relates well with the main model in my magazine who is also not being too serious, showing a more laid back social group. The model is also wearing cat ears, this shows the more younger side to the social group this is aimed at. Although my magazine is sophisticated and simple there is a little fun twist included, the clothes she is wearing are plain black, showing that the focus is on her. This image again is placed on my contents page, it is also an image of a girl supporting that it is not a ‘male orientated’ magazine. This model is more edgy than the model before. She has her hair back and is wearing a bright patterned dress with a studded denim wasit coat, representing a more ‘rebel’/’grunge’ social group. The actresses is still smiling showing lack of seriousness but her hair is in a ponytail, this hair style is represented as a rebellious look, giving her less on an innocent look, much like the model before. It is clear this model is very young aging around 18, much like the models on the front cover and also included in the contents page, representing the younger social group The model is not looking at the camera and is looking down not looking at the camera could be a sign of rebellion showing her particular social group.
• 4.
  Another convention thathas been used to show particular social groups is the use of a website address in my contents page, this shows how the social group I am representing is very technology aware and young, the fact a website address has been used to ‘download free mp3 downloads’ shows that the social group being represented is one that would know how to download these, where as social groups of higher ages would be less aware and less knowledgeable of the internet and technology. The social group being represented is a ‘technology obsessed’ group. At the end of the double page spread/feature is a brief statement to say where the album of the artist is available (a feature that is included in many magazine interviews). This summary states that the ‘album is available on itunes’, this represents a social group in another sense of technology. Most younger social groups use itunes and other forms of download to listen to music, where as an older social group would go into a shop and buy the CD, the younger social group is more ‘up to date’. Another thing is that the summary talks about concert tickets, and when they go on sale, this is a very popular thing for a younger, teen social group to go to a concert, this also shows a social group that are dedicated to music and have a real like and passion for it. The ad that has been included in my magazine is a found advert of a real clothing brand, this clothing brand is a more ‘surf’ brand, it is not hugely popular but it is known, this represents the social group again of ‘indie’ social group. They tend to wear clothes that are not so popular and quite ‘unique’, which is what this brand is. The model this company have used is young, much like the models I have used in my magazine, this model is also in a relaxed surrounding (a beach) and is not looking at the camera and is in a fun sort of pose, again showing how the social group is not too serious and too grown up, giving it a fun element.
• 5.
  Another big partof representing a social group is the cover stories, all the cover stories are about artists or events that are popular (Beyonce, Avicii, Grammy’s – all popular). This shows that the social group being represented is one that enjoys main stream music, not just indie music. They have a like for both aspects, they may dress like an ‘indie’/unique social group but they enjoy things that are fairly popular, this is a very big social group now a days. The story about ‘Avicii’ goes back to the aspect of the enjoyment of concerts as this artist is an artist who does a lot of gigs and concerts. The cover stories may be about ‘main stream’ artists and events but they are stories teenage social groups would enjoy reading about as a lot of media today focus’ on popular artists not just small, less known artists. Conclusion: The conclusion of this question is that the social groups I am representing are shown through many aspects of my magazine, mainly through the models included and the way they dress, their poses, area they are photographed in and the way they come across to the audience (happy, serious, sad etc.) Other conventions include the use of technology and social media and what is actually included in my magazine. Also the house styles of my magazine, they are simple and sophisticated showing that although younger models are included it is not a ‘teen’ magazine it is a ‘young adult’ magazine, making the reader feel grown up but without reading about things they may know nothing about.