Magazine front covers textual analysis gq and heat

AL Media Studies
Magazine front covers textual analysis gq and heat

1. Magazine Front Cover Textual Analysis

2. What to analyse How does it use of media language create meaning? Semiotics, genre, narrative, binary opposites  How does it construct purposeful representations? Representations of people/places/issues/events, ideology  How is it constructed to appeal to its target audience? Who is target audience (demographics and psychographics)? How can you tell? What attracts this audience to the product?  How does its construction reflect its industry context? Mainstream producer, part of conglomerate? 

3. GQ: Media Language – Genre (Steve Neale) 1 The text ‘repeats’ the use of several key genre conventions for this type of product, making it easily identifiable to the audience Masthead ‘GQ’ placed top left – easily visible on shop shelf, one of the first things to be seen (placed next to model’ s eyes to draw readers attention) Bar code appears bottom left (last thing to be seen following Z-line ) accessible for scanning, but least important for attracting reader. Strapline ‘Look sharp, live smart’ uses alliteration to make more memorable and explains magazine’s (and target audience’s) priorities and brand identity Magazine makes us of direct mode of address in several ways to catch attention of reader – extra diegetic gaze of model, synthetic personalisation in the sell lines “We updated your commandments” Cover lines appear around central image to tell reader abut content and create enigma codes (narrative) Name of model (Kanye West) appears next to their face to anchor their identity Sensationalist (‘outrageous’, ‘grab’,) and superlative ( ‘best’) verbal codes create emotional response and interest from audience

4. GQ: Media Language – semiotics (Barthes) Name is a shortened version of original title ‘Gentlemen’s Quarterly’. ‘Gentleman’ has connotations of sophistication. Use of abbreviation has connotations of modernity Model’s costume codes (jacket, low neck vest, gold chain) connotes style and sophistication, glamour and success House style/design layout – limited colour pallete (black, greys, white), plain background and neatly aligned cover lines create cool, calm and sophisticated mode of address.

5. GQ: Media Language – Narrative (Barthes) Enigma Codes: Mysteries created which the audience will want to know the answers to – ‘how can we gab everyone’s attention, what is ‘boob- ier tube’, what does KW think? etc Cultural Codes: It is expected that GQ reader will be familiar with [You]Tube, rapper Kanye West and want to know his opinions

6. GQ: Media Representation Masculinity = power Verbal codes ‘bold’, ‘grab’, ‘survive’ ‘commandments’, ‘like a god’ Visual Codes – impassive (moody) Masculinity = heterosexual (heteronormative) “boob- ier tube” Ethnicity = powerful. Using a black man as aspirational central image reflects more progressive/tolerant ideologies about race and ethnic minorities Ideology Image is important ‘Look sharp, live smart’

7. GQ: Media Audience – Target Audience Demographics Gender – men Name of magazine (Gentleman’s Quaterly ) Male model to identify with Stereotypically male interests Social Grades – ABC1 Expensive clothing Psychographics: Y&R’s 4Cs Succeeder – expensive looking costume, ‘high quality’, known successful celebrity on front, ‘dress like a God’ and connotations of power/status (see representation of gender slide) Aspirer – Focus on image/fashion, grabbing everyone’s attention, aspiring to be like successful celebrity Mainstreamer – magazine and celebrity on cover are well know to audience and would provide a sense of ‘security’ in a reliable, good quality brand.

8. GQ: Media Industry Published by Conde Naste ( Vogue, Vanity Fair, Wired ) horizontally integrated , global company subsidiary of Advance Publications conglomerate. Mainstream publisher with ‘mainstream’, dominant ideologies ( consumerism, heteronormative ) and household name celebrity As part of big company has a bigger budget , therefore able to interview A-list celebrities

9. Heat: Media Language - Genre The text ‘repeats’ the use of several key genre conventions for this type of product, making it easily identifiable to the audience Masthead ‘Heat placed top left – easily visible on shop shelf, one of the first things to be seen. Bar code appears bottom left (last thing to be seen following Z-line ) accessible for scanning, but least important for attracting reader. Cover lines tell reader about content inside Cover lines positioned with relevant image to anchor meaning

10. Heat: Media Language – Sub-Genre The text ‘repeats’ the use of several key genre conventions for this type of product, making it easily identifiable to the audience Subgenre: celebrity/woman’s/’gossip’/entertainment magazine Cover features paparazzi / candid shot pictures of numerous well known celebrities of interest to target audience Colloquial verbal codes ‘boozy, insta show-offs’ creates informal mode of address Colour pallete of pink, yellow and white often used for these magazines

11. Heat: Media Language - Semiotics Design and Layout Photos are cut out and made to look as if they overlaid on top of each other, with text on top and images even crowding over the mast head. This creates connotations of the magazine ‘overfilling/bursting’ with content, creating the impression of good value for money to the reader. Additional puffs and plugs add to this 3D, ‘busy’ textured effect. Colour pink connotes femininity Bright colour pallete connotes fun and excitement ‘Bordered’ images in left hand corner made to look like polaroid photos – connotations of being on holiday

12. Heat: Media Language – Narrative (Codes) Enigma Codes: Mysteries created which the audience will want to know the answers to – who is the man that is making Cheryl smile?, why is Meghan upset?, etc Cultural Codes: It is expected that Heat reader will be familiar with and interested in the lives of celebrities such as the Beckhams, Cheryl and Harry/Meghan

13. Heat: Media Representation Femininity Dependent – need relationships. Focus on couples (Beckhams, Harry/Meghan, Cheryl and mysterious man), Maura’s affair Valued for appearance - Insta show offs, handbags ‘Ideal’ image – all women slim, white/light skinned, long hair Ideology Image is important Celebrities are important/deserve your attention Reality Use of candid shots ( unposed ) connote realism and actual, real life events – promise of unfiltered truth

14. Heat: Media Audience – Target Audience Demographics Gender – Women Mainly female faces on cover to model to identify with Stereotypically female interests (celeb lifestyle/gossip Psychographics: Y&R’s 4Cs Aspirer – Focus on image/fashion (The New Spring Bags), aspiring to be like successful celebrities Mainstreamer – magazine and celebrities on cover are well know to audience and would provide a sense of ‘security’ in a reliable brand – you know what you’ll get. Struggler – Readers may look to ‘escape’ their lives by following those of others – High impact colour scheme = sensation

15. Heat: Media Industry Published weekly by Bauer Media Group (Empire, Take A Break, Closer, Bella) horizontally integrated , a global company media conglomerate . Mainstream publisher with ‘mainstream’, dominant ideologies ( consumerism, heteronormative ) and household name celebrities As part of big company has a bigger budget , therefore able to publish weekly