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).