Q2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Transcript

My magazine represents the social group of people who like metal or ‘Metal heads’ as they're often referred to. This is done through the colour scheme, the front cover and the images of my feature band.

My front cover image is of the band from a low angle shot which gives the band the feel of dominance over the audience. It also represents how metal heads and metal bands wish to be viewed which are to be seen as rebellious, care free rockers who don’t care what anyone thinks. The band all wear black which is conventional for metal bands, the black gives the audience the feel of rebellion which is one of the key themes in metal. The band also has long hair which also signifies that they are in the metal genre. The images include them holding their instruments which are seen as their ‘instruments of war’. Metal is all about the music and the image, this includes things such as; black clothing, long hair and occasionally leather and gives metal a unique and recognizable look.

In the images in which the band is playing their instruments, their facial expressions are serious and deep in concentration which reinforces the idea that they are happy with whom and what they are. There is also a hint of aggression which is a recurring theme in metal as the genre speaks out and sends a strongly believed message to their fans. This represents the magazines social group as a strong and powerful force. The aggression is also conveyed in lyrics in metal music as well as the vocal style, e.g. screaming, growling etc. The article is all about how they want to reward their fans and their struggle with recently losing a band member, this represents the amount of emotion that is put into the genre and how fans are a like a family to a band and vice versa. The colour scheme is black and dark red, dark colours are a recurring theme in attire and logos. Since my magazine is about the metal genre I felt that these colours would be the most suitable choice. They are colours that naturally challenge the conventional colours of other genres such as pop which demonstrates how metal heads want to stand out and be different.

'Metal heads' like to feel that they are different from 'all the rest' and that their music really means something and isn’t just a few pretty boys playing three chords repeatedly. Their music always has a strong argument or statement behind it, therefore it isnt just about the music but what it represents.