Q5- How did you attract/address your audience?

Attracting My Audience by beth sturgess

Q4- Who would be the audience for your media product?

Q3- What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Q2- How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Stereotypes of a hip-hop artist

Women in hip-hop magazines are often presented as sex objects to attract the malegaze. However I tried to minimise doing this to try and change the stereotype that stands. I still incorporated bit of sexual identity in my artist, but not as much as this Beyonce magazine for example. The shots between these two are similar, the Beyonce one is just a bit more of a long shot. these shots allow the reader to see the expression of the artist, and in both of these magazines, it connotes a natural, comfortable feeling. The shots also show some of the body and physique of the artists which would appeal to the male readers because they are both attractive females. The lighting in both shots are also quite similar because the light hits the artist's face and one side of their body, allowing people to see the different sides of the artist. Also the use of the lighting in the Beyonce magazine creates the image that she is glowing which connotes that she is very powerful, successful and important. 

I would say that I have presented my artists in a positive light because she isn't too sexually objected, which connotes more gender equality. Also the fact that I haven't strongly used the stereotypes of a hip-hop artist connotes that she is a change in the music industry, and wants to give out a new look for hip-hop. I think this is effective because I think I have managed to find a good balance between being stereotypical and challenging peoples views. I still dressed my model glamorously in some shots and had her with some tattoos and representing her attitude. This is stereotypical for hip-hop females, and I think by incorporating these few key elements, shows to the reader that she is a hip-hop artist, just one that stands out from the rest.

I was trying to create a new image for hip-hop females through my magazine product. I wanted to show more white females in the industry because at the minute, it is mostly black/tan dominant. The hip-hop industry is very male dominant as well, so by introducing a new powerful female, like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj, makes it a little bit more equal and shows people that hip-hop is starting to accept more female artists. I wanted to create a new Beyonce-type figure, because she is a very influential, respected woman, that inspires a lot of people, so by creating a new artist following in these footsteps would go along way with the audience. 

 

My artist had three different looks through the magazine. The first one, the cover shot, has her in a green bomber jacket, with a white top on. These bomber jackets are often associated with the teenage demographic and usually represent them as being a 'gangsta'/'badgirl'. By me using this on my cover page, connotes that side of her, which is stereotypical of a hip-hop artist. This is further shown with the use of sunglasses, they connote some mystery about the artist and represent the fact that she is new to fame, and maybe isn't very used to being spotted everywhere she goes. 

The second shot of the artist on the contents page has her in a cropped yellow top, with some jewellery on. The jewellery is gold, signifying her wealth and success as a young, new artist. Also the tattoos show that she is conforming to the hip-hop stereotype a little bit, because that is something heavily associated with the genre. She isn't heavily made up in the shot, showing her natural beauty side making her appear as more relatable to the readers. 

The third shot, on the double page spread, has the artist in a short, black playsuit. This playsuit being black adds to the sex appeal of the artist because it makes the red lipstick stand out more. I have used a prop in  this shot, of the earphones, because I think that they stand out against her black playsuit and further connote music. The fact that she is more heavily made up in this shot, ties into the glamour that she is showing. It shows the reader a different side of her and connotes that she could have just been at an awards show or nominated for something, which I think they would find intriguing. Also I chose to have her laughing looking off to one side because it shows that she has attitude, which is something that hip-hop artists are known for. 

Q1- In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Q1 from bsturgess24

Weekly Update

This week I have looked at some examples on OCR Media Weebly of evaluations and what I need to do in order to get a high level for it. I found that I need add in depth detail about each point that I make and also say why I have done something and not just describing what it is. I am also going to produce each question in a different way to make it more interesting and so they aren't too text heavy. I need to use a lot of media terminology and check my spelling, punctuation and grammar to achieve a higher level. I now think that I am ready to do my evaluation.