Language, Audience and Representation - Consolidation Task

Language:
The masthead is at the top of the magazine slightly covered by the model which suggests that the magazine is well known and confident in itself as the full title doesn't need to be visible for people to recognise what it is. Surrounding the sides of the magazine cover are secondary articles which give an insight as to what the magazine includes and implies to the audience that the magazine contains a lot of information. The colour scheme is black, red and white. The colour red is bold and masculine which highlights the important articles and also adds a modern tone to the magazine. The bright red colour also contrasts with the other colours that are used. The feature article photograph is Jay-Z, he is placed central on the cover facing the camera and making eye contact, which is directly addressing the audience. Jay-Z is wearing a black and white suit which portrays the magazine as sophisticated and professional. This links in with the secondary article placed on the left hand side of the model saying 'Smart Business'.

Audience:
The demographic audience for this GQ magazine would be men aged 20-35. Furthermore, the psychographic audience for this magazine would be business men who are interested in professional wear. Also men who are interested in cars as the cover features the 'GQ Drive' article.

Representation:
The model on the magazine cover, Jay Z, is dressed in a suit which makes him look sophisticated. Also, he is stood slightly leaning to the side and the smile on his face makes him look relaxed and approachable. This challenges the stereotype of black rap artists who are commonly stereotyped as aggressive, often wearing a baseball cap, gold chains and casual wear. Black rap artists stereotypically have unfriendly facial expressions, whereas the model on this cover is the opposite.

Use of camera angles and movement in a film clip

The Shining typewriter scene:

1) What camera angles and shots are used when Wendy is reading at the typewriter?
The camera angle when Wendy is reading the typewriter is a low angle shot looking up. Then a POV shot is used as she looks at what Jack has been doing followed by a zoom shot which is used as she realises what he has been doing.

2) How do they make us feel?
The use of a low angle shot allows the audience to see Wendy's facial expressions as she reads the typewriter. We know from this shot that what she is reading is shocking her simply due to the expression on her face which makes us curious as to what she is reading. This shot also allows us to see everything she does and makes us feel like part of the action.

3) Where does the zoom in take place, and what is its effect? 
A mid shot is used to begin followed by a zoom to a close up shot as Wendy is staring at the typewriter looking at what Jack has done. This shot is used in order to reflect the shock and horror that she is feeling as she realises what her husband has been doing, a person who she thought she knew well. It also shows the audience that Wendy is not aware of anything surrounding her, she is only focused on the typewriter.

4) What camera shots are used as Jack moves into the room?
A tracking shot is used to show Jack entering the room. An over the shoulder shot is then used to show the audience that Wendy is being watched and emphasises the fact that he is behind her and that she is unaware of this.

5) How does this make us feel? 
The over the shoulder shot makes the audience feel the tension building up as Jack creeps up on his wife. The fact that she is unaware of this makes us worry and feel scared for her. The audience can also in some way sympathise with Wendy as her husband is showing such unusual behaviour.

Past paper questions

Analyse the front covers for both GQ and Saga magazines commenting on the visual codes, layout, design, language and mode of address. (40 marks)

On the GQ magazine cover the model, Clint Eastwood is centred and making eye contact with audience, this mode of address is directly addressing them.  He is wearing a denim shirt and jeans which is associated with the Western genre. His sleeves are rolled up showing his veins holding connotations of aggression and action. To emphasise this point further there appears to be a red tint over his skin portraying him as a 'rebel' like character. This image ties in with the language used such as 'Badass'. The magazine cover also uses more informal language such as 'Stuff' and 'Bros'. Furthermore, the title of the magazine 'GQ' is partially hidden suggesting that the magazine are confident in their product.

Target audiences

The first magazine I have chosen is 'Mens Health'. The demographic audience for this magazine is men aged 20-30 and the psychographic audience is those interested in having a healthy lifestyle. The language used demonstrates this as it uses phrases such as 'Burn fat fast'. The font is large and bold highlighting this as the main magazine article. Another psychographic audience measure would be homosexual men as they use a clean, cut male model positioned central on the magazine. The audience of this magazine has been targeted in different ways. Firstly, the colour scheme of the magazine cover is red, blue and black. The masthead is in red, aswell as key articles such as 'The 9 to 5 six pack' this links into the colour red having connotations of energy and speed. This suggests to the audience that the article will feed them fast results.