Summer Tasks

Summer Task

Task 1 - Audience

The magazine front cover appeals to both a younger and older women's audience, shown through using an image of a women that would be seen as 'pretty' and elegant. People would be appealed to the magazine because they look up to the model, Lana Delrey. She is attractive and the purpose of the magazine is to inspire the reader to 'treat themselves' with the newest accessories and clothes. Likewise, the magazine company are also promoting their clothing line or company.

Using bold and curly font is expressive. The heading presents a girl style magazine due to a soft pink background and bright pink text. The reason behind creating the front cover in this way is because it stands out and clearly shows what it's about. 

Women will feel feminine, whilst urged to purchase their products and have the hair done. 'It's time to play dress-up with your hair', infers that getting a new hair style in fun and makes you feel better about yourself. Lana Delrey is used as a role model and someone to empower the girls. This is clear by the way she is standing. Her posture is strong and is providing the message the writer is aiming to create.

Audiences can often be attracted to the idea of producing magazines themselves, after seeing magazines like this one, because it is easy to read and is straight to the point. A reader may be optimistic about creating one themselves about things that interest them. For instance, a clothing brand such as Topshop may see this front cover and be inspired to create a magazine that portrays what their business is all about and what is important to them. The aim for Vogue would be to make as many new customers as possible or to make loyal customers along the way. If they produce new updates and news about their company, the more likely the brand will be remembered by the audience.

 

 

Task 2 - Media Language 

Deutschland '83 Trailer

The director's use of camera uses fast moving, short shots of film to create suspense within the trailer. Tactically, they are useful for showing detail and can also be used as a cut-in; in this case, to show key words being displayed - followed by short clips of what the series is about. The purpose behind using short clips as opposed to longer ones, is so that there isn't lots of film being released and revealing what the whole season it is based on, before publishing. Consequently, the director wants to entice the audience into watching the season when it comes out. A powerful trailer will promote the director's work, which can be spread through word of mouth or shared reviews online.

Contrasting to the camera shots used, a key aspect of the Deutschland '83 trailer are the words that advertise the programme. For example, the director uses the following words/dates (in the very beginning): Communist, 1983, capitalist, good and evil, kid, soldier, spy. These words cut up pieces of film. Actors facial expressions are serious and alarmed, almost lost 'inside', which suggests the wars impact. The director has purposely used an unexpected bomb exploding as the song 'Blue Monday' playing in the background. This song is very old, therefore, shows the time period that the series is set in. Each of the aspects that build the trailer up are carefully considered in order to affect the audience. Furthermore, using short camera shots, and pain and drastic events, gives a feel for the drama that the viewers can feel 'apart of' by watching the series. It is full packed and constantly showing a change of events. By changing the events and using the same character, it allows the audience to feel connected to them whilst still be exciting. 

Task 3 - Representation

Media theorist David Gauntlett argues that:

"Popular media has a significant but not entirely straight-forward relationship with people's sense of gender and identity." ('Media, Gender and identity', 2002)

Newspaper front cover

He lied and lied and lied - The Guardian

Portraying a story in the media plays an important role within society. Writing this article means that it can be seen by a variety of social groups who reads The Guardian. However, the newspaper is found to target an educated, middle-class, 18+ audience. It also supports the liberal democrats. 

The Guardian article, displayed on the left, shows an outline of a negative story written in the newspaper. Media has to shaped our views, as a reader, to feel unflavoured towards the person being talked about. 'He lied and lied and lied', uses repetition to exaggerate and convince society a one sided argument. Despite there potentially being truth within the article, the subject has a disadvantage because automatically the readers believe everything they read. In my opinion, the font and size of the text engages the reader immediately - drawing the attention to 'The Guardian', similarly to the heading. This suggests that the guardian agrees with the views of the journalist. 

On one hand, the close up face shot of the man in the image is shaped to present an unfriendly face to influence the way in which the rest of the article is read. Similarly, to the sub-heading 'conspiracy involved wife and daughter'; this quotation suggests that family had got involved. Therefore, leading people to believe the man is careless and has no consideration to whether his family would go down with him after his scandal. 

On the other hand, gender and identity has majorly changed the way in which people interpret the article. For instance, the identity of the man in the newspaper would be destroyed - as well as his reputation. It gives off the idea that the man has been 'named and shamed', with the support from the media. Furthermore, despite this story happening 'long ago', it shows how powerful the media is to bring forward the story.

Vote may or we face disaster - Daily Express

Biased on the Daily Express front cover, the heading is presented as intimidating and emotionally blackmailing, when it says 'vote may or we face disaster'. It is immediately making the audience feel as though they have to vote for the specific conservative party, or the country will have to face some challenging decisions. Whilst not everyone in society will agree with voting for Theresa May, the media shapes people's opinions to see from one side of view. The media is very powerful therefore the wide targeted audience will see The Daily Express supporting this article. This is clear when the writer expresses 'The Daily Express urges you to back the Conservatives'. 

On the other hand, the article uses a close up smiling face shot of Theresa May. Despite the reader not immediately realising anything is meant by this, the purpose is to show a positive image of the runner-up. She looks friendly and wise. Therefore, pschyologically, in the back of your mind you are swayed towards voting for her as opposed to another nominee. The media is shaping society's opinions on how they see politics and the agenda of our country. For those that may not even  vote at all when it comes to who they favour for Prime Minister, the way the newspaper is perceived will have a high impact on the people who read it - meaning the public will be influenced to vote through fear of the country 'facing disaster'. 

Advertising

Are you beach body ready? - Protein World

This controversial advert campaign featuring a model in a bikini was banned by advertising 'watchdog' due to concerns over weight loss claims. The advert asks "Are you beach body ready?" which pressures the women of the targeted audience to lose weight in preparation for the upcoming summer.

It is mainly addressed to the younger adults and shows no diversity within the advert, other than a slim figured, attractive, white model. As shown above, many groups have not been thought of when designing the weight loss advert; such as gender, age, disability, regional identity, ethnicity, sexuality, class/status etc. Someone stated how teenage girls viewing this advert could be extremely concerning as it can be 'demeaning of people, particularly women, and make them ashamed of their bodies' and how they view themselves. Therefore, the advert has come across negative to the audience as it represents ideas of swimwear and bikinis only being acceptable on a certain body type.

Whilst yellow can be used in advertising to portray happiness, intellect and courage. It is also considered to be the colour of 'perfection'. Using a yellow background and bikini shows that the brand is wanting everyone to look a certain way - as though the model displayed in the image is the 'perfect' body shape. Black text also have negative connotations.

Seeing this 'Are you beach body ready' advert in public could really influence the way which people unrealistically view the model - feeling as though that is what every one's body expectations should be. The rhetorical question used in the article immediately makes the audience question themselves and how they look. The bold font used to display this message presents a forceful nature. However, could potentially be the companies way of urging people to try out their brand and products (despite having the complete contrasting affect).

This girl can - Sport England

Contrasting to 'Are you beach body ready?', the advert above shows a completely different approach to encouraging weight loss. It shows you how exercise and determination can give you amazing body results, without the use of products to swap your dietary routines with weight loss tablets. 'This girl can' has an inspiring title supporting the women of the audience that they can do what they put their minds to. This is very different to the opposing advert campaign 'Are you beach body ready?' because there isn't a pressure to be something they may or may not be. 

Demonstrated in the advert is a difference of ability, including disabled people - illustrating how sport is for everyone. The underlining message presents the promising ideas of women being able to do sport without the fear of being judged or told they can't keep fit. It is a powerful and clearly outlines the variety of sports that can be done and there is something for everyone.

'This girl can' is inclusive and more relatable than 'Are you beach body ready?'. Using music also shows a moving, motivating message - expressing a positive connotation.

The image to above uses a clear font, that is bold and literate. It attracts the eye to the advert using white text and is very mutual. When blue and white are used together, it creates a oceanic colour, which matches the girl swimming underwater with white text over the top of the image. Consequently, the adverts overall perspective is free and natural; exemplifying how women should be living a happy healthy lifestyle. Contrasting from the skinnier model figures in 'Are you beach body ready?'.

Task 4 - Media Industries 

The film industry

- What is meant by the 'Bix Six'? 
The 'Big Six' came into being from 1990 to 1995, when Hollywood became more than a distribution and film production. The companies collectively have approximately 80% of US and Canadian box office revenue. They might become the Big five if they collaborate or buy each other out of business. 

- Who are the 'Big Six'?
The Big Six: the 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

- Major media product within the last year:
The 20th Century Fox: Deadpool 2, May 18th 2018
Warner Brothers: Ocean's 8, June 8th 2018
Paramount Pictures: Book Club, May 18th 2018
Columbia Pictures: Hotel Transylvania 3, July 13th 2018 
Universal Pictures: Fifty Shades Freed, February 9th 2018 
Walt Disney Pictures: Incredibles 2, June 15th 2018