Chelsey Compton

The colour changes for each magazine edition. The edition which I am focusing on features Professor Green and uses a mixture of red, white, black and blue. This could connote that this magazine is primarily aimed towards male, as stereotypically these are colours which males prefer.

The red could connote danger, exciting the reader and making them want to know what the “Bad Boy Londoner” has been up to.

The colour of his clothing, continuously matches the colouring of the background therefore shows that the magazine follows ‘trends’ as well as draws attention to the clothes he is wearing. It also shows the tenor produced between producer and feature.

The layout of the front page continuously changes, much like the colours.

There is always on dominating picture used, except on the contents page where there are four pictures, all of the same size,helping separate the text, makingit easier on the eye of the reader.

The images on the front page and double-page spread are dominating. They take up the entire page allowing the image: text ratio to be high and grabs the readers attention.

The image on the front page connects to the reader the most. This is because it breaks the fourth wall. Professor Green is looking directly at the camera, thus directly at the reader, making the reader feel part of the scene.

There are a range of staged images, however I do not believe any photos featured are not staged. I believe there are some which look more staged than others, such as the front cover vs. the style guide image, however they are all staged.

The images reflect the features. They indicate what features to expect, and what tone they are likely to be. For example the professor green feature is likely to be cheeky and interesting because of the facial expression, however the style guide seems to look specific to detail and carefully put together.

The images also indicate style reference. The clothes which Professor Green is wearing, have been carefully picked out for him, especially for this magazine article meaning, people who inspire to be like him will now go and buy the clothes or similar to copy his fashion and be a bit more like him.

The front page makes Professor Green look ‘hard.’ He has exceptionally clear skin and wearing the latest clothes available however, he has an extremely stylish watch on and still has his tattoos showing.

There is a cheeky smile showing his personality and with the jewellery indicates he has his own individual style.

There are four pictures on the contents page, which are similar to everyday peoples everyday lifestyles, helping them to relate to the magazine easier.

The poses are staged, yet made to look as though they are not. This is to make readers believe that the people featured in the magazine live a similar lifestyle.

There are mainly mid-shots and long shots used. This is done to allow the facial expressions to be shown and to show the surroundings in which they are.

The long shots will be showing them where they are, allowing readers to see where their ‘idols’ go to eat etc and then they can copy them and be more like them. (Double-Page Spread paticularly)

A shortening has been used for the title; “RWD” instead of writing Rewind. This may have been done to appeal to younger generations.

The strap-line states “MUSIC STYLE SPORT GAMING FILM TECH NEWS” again using colloquial language for technology. This relates to the readers socialect as well as stating what the magazine will provide information on.

The cover-line write “after hours special” however the pictures do not match this, as the pictures are during the day in a cafe not about partying or early morning time.

The shortening of Professor to Pro indicates the age range for the magazine. Young generations shorten names to be ‘cool.’

I believe the magazine uses a creative and effective layout, however should have more naturally posed image instead of constantly staged poses.

I believe the cover-line should also match the pictures displayed as well as relate to the main picture on the front cover.

I believe the use of shortening words, and using lexis which the age range do is appropriate and a good idea to use.

The hierarchy of needs theory (Maslow 1954) fits into the magazine as it recognises that humans need entertainment however, pays a price for it as it is not essential. Also it allows people to feel recognition and respected as the language used is usually specific to the individual music genre. As well as producing as sense of belonging.

This Representation and Stereotypes (Branston & Stafford 2010) 100% applies to this magazine. They have looked at the stereotypical hip-hop listeners and artists and put stories in which will stereotypically meet the readers needs. For example dressed Professor Green in clothing which people who listen to and create hip-hop stereotypically like to dress.

The Male Gaze (Mulvey 1975) theory does not fit the magazine. The theory states that women and men are used in media to get peoples attention however, Professor Green is fully dressed and not in a ‘sexual’ pose, thus this theory does not apply.

Blumer and Katz’s Use of Gratifications Theory (1974) can be applied to RWD magazine. The magazine allows the audience to create a diversion, gain a personal identity and sometimes see personal relations.

Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding Theory (1973) implies that their is a message encoded into media products via the producer for the consumer to decode. I believe in magazines this can be applied., usually following a preferred reading.

Adorno and Horkheimer’s Cultural Industry Theory (1944) does apply. Most magazines are produced and distributed in an extremely similar fashion, all aiming to communicate with a stereotypical audience at the lowest common denominating language.