Magazines and Music Video assessment: Learner response

 1) Type up your WWW/EBI feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). 

WWW: Some attempt at addressing how representation is used in the Heat magazine clip.

EBI: Revise media terminology e.g. magazine conventions. Not enough depth, detail when analysing media texts.

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the mark you achieved for each question: 

Q1:  0/2 marks
Q2:  2/8 marks
Q3:  3/6 marks

Q4: 2/3 marks

Q5:  2/6 marks

3) Look specifically at question 2. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme for question 2 to write three connotations of the design and layout of Tattler.

Design:

• the denotation of one central image directly addressing the audience enables the audience

to see the aspirational Tatler reader – an upmarket, sophisticated woman

• the choice of white and black font/typography against the natural setting connotes that the

magazine is both fresh and modern but from a classy, traditional base. This is likely how the

Tatler audience would like to see themselves

• the soft focus also draws the eye to the image, in particular the model’s gaze, which

connotes equality between the model and the reader, given the model’s body language

• the cover star Emma Weymouth wearing a ballgown in the gardens of a stately home

connotes the wealth and luxury that Tatler readers aspire to. The mise-en-scene (costume,

make-up, pose, expression) all emphasise these aspects

• the fact cover star Emma Weymouth is mixed race suggests that Tatler is moving with the

times and responding to cultural changes in Britain around gender

• the stylised serifed font of the masthead contrasts with the sans-serif fonts used elsewhere

signifying a well-produced, easy-to-read product that has been designed to be a pleasure for

the audience to read

Layout:

• a conventional women’s magazine layout with a combination of main image and cover lines.

It is a busy front cover suggesting the magazine is packed with content, but the cover lines

are quite neatly presented in two distinct columns and are grouped around the centre

4) Now look at question 3 - Heat magazine. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme to write three ways celebrities are represented in Heat magazine.

Celebrities are presented as important and desirable – this is the latest gossip that readers

have to know about:

Some of the paparazzi photography is designed to make them look like ‘normal’ people so

readers can identify with them or feel closer to them.

• Celebrities on cover tend to be reality TV or pop stars – celebrities generally from more

working class backgrounds so again creating a point of contact with a working or middle

class audience.

• Focuses on celebrities’ relationships – ‘double life’, ‘secretive star’, ‘baby daddy’, ‘Giovanna’s

heartache’ etc. Suggests these are important developments audiences want to hear the

latest on.

• Harry and Meghan feature prominently – the ultimate celebrity couple for Heat combining

British Royalty with American actress.

• Female celebrities feature more prominently than male – perhaps reinforces gender

stereotypes regarding women expecting to take part in gossip about relationships.

• Other valid points must be credited.

5) Look at question 5 - Arctic Monkeys and audience identity. This is a real AQA past question with lots of potential answers given in the mark scheme. Choose three answers that specifically refer to the Arctic Monkeys CSP and write them here. 

the audience might watch music videos to reinforce values and behaviour. The lead singer

seems to not care about the filming of the music video, rarely making eye contact with the

camera and stating at the beginning ‘don’t believe the hype’. The audience gain a sense of

identity as they can relate to the lead singer’s both nonchalant and rock and roll

representation.music videos might represent artists as role models that fans can aspire to be like thus

allowing the audience to gain a sense of identity. The band are represented as ‘everyday

lads’ with typical clothes, costumes, acne. They make eye contact with each other and look

to be having a laugh. The audience might feel they are achievable role models

6) BLACKPINK - How You Like That didn't come up in this assessment. If this CSP comes up in your end of Year 1 exam, what three things about BLACKPINK and How You Like That could you try to include in your answer? 

The things that I would include are:

• How there music video on "How you like that" reached 1 billion views in a few months
• There overall success and the audience pleasures they promote with the use of CLAMPS
• How BLACKPINK are a manufactured group