Magazines & Music Video Assessment: LR

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: Just superb: close to full marks! Excellent knowledge and question focus shown throughout.

EBI: Very difficult to fault this assessment: perhaps a little more evidence from the Arctic Monkeys music video?

Total: 24/25    Grade: 9 

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

Q1: 2/2 

Q2: 8/8

Q3: 6/6

Q4: 3/3

Q5: 5/6

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 Tatler.

• The choice of white and black typography against the natural background connotes that Tatler is both fresh and modern but from a classy, traditional base. This is likely how the Tatler audience would like to see themselves.
• The front cover is quite busy, suggesting that the magazine is packed full of content. However, the cover lines neatly presented in two distinct columns, suggesting order and an easy read. This would appeal to the Tatler audience as they are reassured they are getting a lot of interesting content.
• The soft focus also draws the eye to the image, particularly the model's gaze, which connotes equality between the model and the reader, given the model's body language.

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.

• 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. 
• Celebrities are presented as important and desirable – this is the latest gossip that readers have to know about.

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.
• The performance element of most music videos directly addresses the viewer with the artists, connecting with the fans through use of close-ups and breaking the fourth wall. The drummer winks and mugs to the camera and the band laugh as they ‘perform’. The audience has a sense they are seeing the ‘real’ Arctic Monkeys as they are not putting on an act.
• Music videos might employ ‘behind the scenes’ footage enabling the fans access to the band and breaking down the barriers between star and fan. Whilst this video is not the traditional imagery of the band in dressing rooms or waiting to go on stage, the mise-en-scène of the garage and basic rehearsal space gives fans a sense of exclusivity and seeing the band in the raw. It might also be a scenario that they too can identify with as amateur musicians or followers of new bands who perform in grungy cubs and venues.

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? 

 

I would include:

• Use of a variety of different costumes, settings, hairstyles, etc. -> attempting to appeal to as many audiences as possible -> BLACKPINK is a manufactured group in comparison to the authenticity of the Arctic Monkeys
• Statistics of BLACKPINK, e.g. 1 billion views, most watched premiere, etc. -> link to industry, success of manufactured artists
• Representations of women subvert traditional stereotypes -> BLACKPINK attempting to be trendy or modern to appeal to younger female audiences -> shows target audience demographic and psychographics

Also potentially:

• BLACKPINK's social media presence
• High-budget MV (costumes, settings, background dancers) + heavy performance aspect 
• Parasocial relationships intentionally built with members (fan meet-ups / fansigns / fancalls)