Magazines: Tatler CSP case study

Introduction - Tatler Media pack:

1) Look at the Tatler Media Pack. Go to page 2: how does the editor introduce the magazine?

At page 2 in the Tatler Media Pack, the editor introduces the magazine as really ultra-modern and is intended for a person of substance. The texts' font on the magazine is in serif which indicates that it's a luxury and elegant brand featuring glamorous fashion and lifestyle.

2) Now go to page 4 of the Media Pack. Focus on the print magazine (NOT tatler.com - the website). List the key demographic details: age, gender %, ABC1 % (social class), HHI (Household Income), % of those living in London and the South East. What do these demographic details suggest about the average Tatler reader?

The key demographic details are:

Age- 41

Gender- female 73% 

ABC1- 83%

HHI- £261,572

London/SE- 70%

These demographic details about the average Tatler reader means that the audience that tend to view/read the magazine come from a somewhat upper social class background. They readers are more prone to be women as The Tatler magazine is all about fashion.

3) Look at page 6. What do Tatler readers think about fashion? How much do they spend?

Tatler readers feel really strongly about fashion and spend a lot of money on it. This is clearly obvious because since majority of Tatler's audience have a HHI of £261,572 they have alot of money to spend. 96% of Tatler readers and 93% of Tatler.com users own designer fashion. 81% of Tatler readers and 75% of Tatler.com users own designer shoes and accessories. 62% of Tatler readers agree to 'I often buy fashion products after seeings things advertised in magazines'. They spent around £843 million on fashion in the past year.

4) Go to page 10. What are the special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year? What does this suggest about the pyschographic groups who read Tatler?

The special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year is that each year they release new things each season so that people could look forward to it. This would suggest that the pyschographic groups who read Tatler are very wealthy as these products are very expensive.

Media language:

1) What different examples of typography can you find on the cover of Tatler? What are the connotations of the serif and sans serif fonts? 

The different examples of typography I can find on the cover of Tatler are serif and san serif. The connotations of the serif portrays sophistication, a more formal tone and San serif signifies something friendly or modern.

2) How do the cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience?

The cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience as very classy and spendthrift. 

3) What are the connotations of the Tatler colour scheme on this particular front cover?

The connotations of the Tatler colour scheme on this front cover is very high-class and chic. The pink lettering stands out on the page as it adds a touch of femininity and refinement. The greenery in the background plummets into the fall category. The colour green was commonly associated with wealth and money which is perfect for Tatler's  audience. 

4) How is the central image designed to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. Mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression)

The central image is designed to create interest in the magazine by the model's dense, bold eye makeup. This is very eye catching and would make the reader interested in what more there is in the magazine that associates with makeup. The model is also wearing pearls and  embroidery which is stylish and posh. 

Representations:

1) What different groups of people are represented on the cover? (E.g. men/women/white people etc. Look at the image and text/cover lines to help here)

The only people represented on the cover is a model that's white, young adult and attractive.

2) What do the cover lines suggest about the lifestyle of rich people in the UK?

The cover lines suggest that the lifestyle of rich people in the UK centres deliberately on appearance and social outings.

3) Are there any stereotypes being reinforced or subverted? How? Why?

The stereotype being reinforced in the cover is that only young, skinny, white women should be modelled because that's what they think would look more upmarket in their magazines. 

4) What would be the preferred and oppositional readings to this cover of Tatler?

The preferred reading to this cover is that the reader would want to look like this model and buy the things she's wearing to be in trend. The oppositional reading would be that they're trying to be someone they're not. Also, that they are normalising the whole situation and brainwashing people into thinking dressing in designer clothes and buying trendy products is the way to go.

Social and cultural context:

1) What aspects of British life or people are NOT reflected in Tatler? (Watch the clip above again if you need help with this - the clue is in the title 'Posh People')

The aspects of British life and people that are not reflected in Tatler is normal British citizens who own normal sized houses. In the clip they are trying to show that life in Britain is very luxurious which is not the case to certain people.

2) Tatler runs special issues on holidays, spa breaks, cosmetic surgery, watches and jewellery and private schools. What does this suggest about the magazine's representation of life in Britain?

This suggests that the magazine's representation of life in Britain is that money grows on trees over here. Some people don't have the money and the facilities to attend to this luxury lifestyle 'posh' people have.

3) What audience groups might be offended or insulted by the front cover of Tatler April 2017? 

The audience group that might be offended and insulted by the front cover of Tatler April 2017 are supposedly lower-middle class and under (anyone who's not rich enough). 

January assessment learner response

1) List the people, places and groups represented in the poster. E.g. men, women, teenagers etc.

In the poster I could see 7 teenagers, 3 girls and 4 boys, all in a group. In the background of the poster it looks like they are in an urban area supposedly in their neighbourhood.

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

Q1: 0/1 -I didn't get this mark because I didn't read deeper into the question

Q2: 0/1 -I didn't get this mark because we as a class didn't go over media codes as much as we should've 

Q3: 2/8 -I didn't get some of the marks because I didn't add in the oppositional reading

Q4: 1½ / 2 - I didn't get one mark because I basically used the same examples

Q5: 2/2

Q6: 10/20 - I didn't get the other ten marks because I didn't include understanding of both the theoretical framework and the influence of contexts

3) Did you get any media terminology wrong in the assessment? Make a note of it here for future revision:

Yes. At the beginning of Q6 I wrote "I don't agree and do agree" when I was supposed to write "I agree to some extent".

4) Look specifically at question 3 - did you successfully write about both the preferred and oppositional readings? Did your answers match any in the mark scheme?

I wrote about the preferred reading, but I didn't have time to write more about the oppositional reading. Yes, I wrote about women's rights and how they can have power as-well as men.

5) Now look at question 4. Write a definition of vertical integration to revise this key industry terminology

The combination in one firm of two or more stages of production normally operated by separate firms.

Representation

1) List the people, places and groups represented in the poster. E.g. men, women, teenagers etc.

In the poster I could see 7 teenagers, 3 girls and 4 boys, all in a group. In the background of the poster it looks like they are in an urban area supposedly in their neighbourhood.

2) Are there any stereotypes you can identify?

In the poster, the stereotypes I  can identify is that they are possibly in gang related activities. This is because on the far right, you could see a male holding a bat. People would also think they are in gang related activities because of the clothes they are wearing.

3) What is the preferred reading of this poster?

The preferred reading of this poster is that teenagers know days hold weapons that may be a harm to others. Also, it doesn't only have to be teenage boys that are in gang activities it could also be girls.

4) What is the oppositional reading of this poster?

The oppositional reading of this poster is that they are just a group of friends hanging out doing regular teenage stuff. And because they live in a tough neighbourhood the audience might think he's holding a bat for protection against other teenagers.

I, Daniel Blake

1) What is independent cinema and how is it different to Hollywood blockbusters?

Independent cinema is cinema produced outside of big studios with a small to medium budget”–such is the definition of independent cinema. Contrary to many other definitions, independent cinema is defined not by what it is, but by its opposition to the cinema of big Hollywood machines.

2) What is I, Daniel Blake about?

I, Daniel Blake is a 2016 drama film directed by Ken Loach and written by longtime collaborator Paul Laverty. It stars Dave Johns as Daniel Blake, who is denied employment and support allowance despite his doctor finding him unfit to work.

3)  Who directed I, Daniel Blake and why is this important?

Ken Loach directed I, Daniel Blake. This is important because he's socially critical directing style and socialist ideals are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as poverty, homelessness, and labour rights.

4) How was I, Daniel Blake promoted to an audience? List at least three different methods used by the film's marketing campaign.

I, Daniel Blake was promoted to the audience because of various posters and trailers.

5) What unusual or creative marketing methods were used to get audiences talking about the film?

The unusual and creative marketing methods that were used to get the audiences talking about the film is portraying the characters as relatable to the British audience.

6) What was the estimated production budget for I, Daniel Blake and how much did it make at the box office?

The estimated production budget for I. Daniel Blake was $15.8 million.

7) How can independent films like I, Daniel Blake compete with Hollywood blockbusters like Doctor Strange?

Independent films like I, Daniel Blake could compete with Hollywood blockbusters like Doctor Strange by selling some merch to do with the movie.

8) In your opinion, was I, Daniel Blake a success?

Yes. This is because for an independent movie, they ended up getting loads of good reviews and people watched it. They also got loads of money in the end.

Doctor Strange

1) List the companies involved in the creation of Doctor Strange.

Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the fourteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

2) What is conglomerate ownership and how does it link to Doctor Strange?

Conglomerate ownership is a company that owns large numbers of companies in various mass media including television, radio and publishing. Conglomerate ownership links to Doctor Strange because Doctor Strange has a large amount of money they can spend.

3) Who regulates the film industry in the UK?

The film industry in the UK is regulated by the British Board of Film Classification.

 4) What age rating was Doctor Strange given? Why?

Doctor strange was rated 13. This is because of some action violence and some frightening images.

5) How was Doctor Strange promoted to an audience? List at least three different methods used by the film's marketing campaign.

Doctor strange was promoted to the audience by posters, the trailers and through media and publicity.

6) Analyse the film trailer for Doctor Strange. What aspects of the trailer tell you this is a big-budget blockbuster movie?

What tells me that Doctor Strange has a big-budget is the music, the dynamic and the props.

7) What was the production budget for Doctor Strange and how much did it make at the box office?

Doctor Strange grossed $232 million domestic and $335 million foreign, with another $109 from China for a total of $677 million.

8) Would you consider Doctor Strange a successful Hollywood blockbuster? Why?

Yes.This is because of the amount of money it made in the end.