EVALUATION ACTIVITY 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I feel that my magazine represents the more indie music fans than any of type of music fan. For example, the band 'Slipknot' would best represent the magazine 'Kerrang'. Indie rock is a sub-genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. The meaning of the term "indie rock" is contested today by many musicians, fans and commentators. Under this genre, you have bands such as; Lily Allen, Paramore, Cancer Bats etc. The Front cover of the magazine 'Q' is what I have decided to compare my front cover with my own front cover. 'Q' as a music magazine does not focus on a particular sub genre of music. For example, on several occasions, the band 'Take That' were on the front cover of this magazine, then another time 'Lily Allen' was on the front cover of 'Q'. These are two very different genres being advertised on the same magazine. 'Take That' fall under the genre of pop, whereas 'Lily Allen' is more of an indie/rock artist. In contrast, other magazines such as 'Rocksound' and 'Kerrang', have completely contrasting images to those of 'Q', 'NME' or 'Mojo'. These magazines tend to have an equal amount of sub genres week in week out or monthly. This means that the social group in which my magazine represents, is that of a much more mass audience in contrast to a niche audience.

Both my magazine and 'Q' have their differences as well as their similarities. I am going to compare both front cover images. Firstly, both images have been taken as a medium close up shot. From what I can see, in both magazines, all the artists have their eyes fixated on the camera, showing that we have their full attention. In my magazine, the artists gestures are of a serious nature. They don't smile whatsoever showing that they are focused on something, or something has caught their gaze. Equally, in the 'Q' Magazine, you can see all three artists don't seem to be smiling either, they are also in a relaxed posture. The front man(Jay-Z), is standing with he's hands in his pocket showing how comfortable and relaxed he seems to be. In contrast, the clothing of the artists in my magazine are dressed in that of an indie, the slim fit/Skinny Jeans, polo tee and and shirt on top of it. On the other hand, the three artists in 'Q' Magazine are dressed in differnet attire to each other. The front man(Jay-Z) is dressed very casually, wearing baggy jeans, a Jesus piece and a black t-shirt. Beside him, stands (Lady Gaga) posing with her hand above her head in a saluting fashion.