Media AS

Dan Silsbury

Analysing Similar Texts

FourFourTwo

Colours

The colours used are all dark, this is because they are much more masculine colours. The black connotes mystery and makes you want to read the magazine, and the red connotes danger and shows something could be different or new. The gold connotes wealth and money, making it seem like the magazine owner is wealthy. The fonts are always a brighter, more outstanding colour compared to the background colour its on, this makes it stand out and catch the eye of people who walk by. If they are interested, they may buy the magazine.

Font

The font used is simple, this is because men conventionally like simple things, and things that are straight to the point. It also makes the reader focus on the information and rest of the magazine, rather then reading the title, which is a recognisable brand image.

Images

The images used are always of relatable things, for example, a footballer, which some people may want to be like, or follow or recognise etc, or a team, if they just won an important game, and are recognised and important. Or a picture of a new pitch which readers may be interested in and the image attracts. The images are often large, and take up the majority of the background, this makes the person visible from a very long range.

Sizes

The image is the biggest thing on the page, this is to attract attention to it immediately, to whoever recognises and is interest in the person/team. The title is small, as it is a popular magazine and is recognised. In magazines that are popular and well known, the image of the person often covers the title, making the magazine seem less important then the person. It will also do this because the magazine is well known and doesn’t need the title to be read to find out what magazine it is.

Target audience

the target audience would be a very wide range of males, from 14-20 for the younger audience, and probably 40-50 for the older audience, this is around the age where you are most interested in football, or have time for it. males can more easily relate to football then females, as they may play it and follow it, making it more interesting to watch/listen to or play it. females may also be interested in the magazine in the sense they may buy it monthly for their partner, or simply be interested in the magazine too.

Dress/Gesture codes

The dress codes in this are the conventional football kits, this is because they are expected to be wearing this, as they are footballs and are iconic. If they aren't in kits they’ll be wearing a suit, and this could be due to an interview or formal event.

The gesture codes are normally them playing football, or in an interview looking at the camera, making them seem natural and devoted. If they are looking at the camera, which they usually are, this makes the audience feel like their talking to the person, and makes them feel more involved with the magazine.

Nuts Magazine

Colours

The colours used in this magazine, are quite dull and ordinary, this makes the images and copy stand out more, which is what the publisher wants. The background is white and has orange or red round the outside of the pictures, really making them stand out. The colours are all dark and don’t stand out much.

Font

The font is ordinary and simple, this is because the target audience is the same, but it makes the title and headings not seem as important and a lot less noticeable.

Images

The images in this are very appealing to the male audience, this immediately catches the eye of almost any male, instantly drawing them in. they are all of very good looking woman which creates a male gaze theory. Males want to be with the females, and females want to be them, or at least have their body. The images are the largest, and main part of the magazine, which is what sells the magazine, and the publishers take advantage of that.

Sizes

Most of the pictures on this are large, this makes them stand out, and catch attention of males. They are the most important thing on the page and want to stand out most. Females may also be interested as they may want to look like the models. The fonts are all quite small, this makes the reader notice the pictures, or what they really want to read about first.

Target Audience

The target audience for this magazine is probably males around 15-20, this is the age you become attracted to females the most, and the age you can legally buy it. also, by being too young to buy it, and having possession of it, will give the reader a feeling of breaking the law, and feeling like a bad boy. He thinks it will make him seem cool.

Dress/gesture codes

The dress codes in this are little to nothing, this is to make the females look good looking and attractive, the are also all in seductive poses, and aim to attract males. They are all looking at the camera, so it looks like they are specifically looking at you. This draws your attention because it makes you feel involved and more related to the magazine.

Saw 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A_KmtQI1j8

Dress codes

The dress codes in saw, are casual people, which have been put in an extraordinary situation and place, this makes the film seem relatively real and relatable, making the audience either scared, or interested. The fact they are normal people shows it could happen to anybody, well that’s what the directors want us to think. Casual clothes connote standard, everyday people. Making them relatable.

Audio codes

The audio codes in saw are mainly slow, deep and spooky sounds. Such as chains rattling, screaming and cutting sounds etc. this is because the story of saw is almost entirely about torture and death. These sounds give the audience a clue of what's going on, but it still scares you and makes you jump. The sounds are mainly diegetic.

Lighting

All throughout the film, there is very little lighting, that is conventional for a horror film. It makes the film much scary and jumpier, which is the point of a horror film. Darkness and shadows connotes things like evil, ghosts and ghouls etc.

camera shots/movement

A horror film uses loads of different camera shots, it does this for many reasons, like to show the expression on a dying persons face, or a long shot to show the background and situation of a scene. Medium or body shots could be used so that you can see a character get creeped up on etc.

In horror films, the camera often pans and slowly moves about a scene, this makes the audience disorientated, and the scene changed making them unexpecting.

Editing

Horror films are either really edited, or not edited much. This is done so the film looks realistic either way, depending on how much money the director has to spend on it. it often flicks between clips, and flashes etc. this makes the audience jump, and builds interest.

Sound

Horror films are often known for their sound, they have exaggerated sound effects like thunder and lighting, ghosts and creaky doors and footsteps etc. they use a lot of real sound like voices etc.

Nightmare on Elm Street

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SulpWn6Glk

Dress Codes

The dress codes in this, are once again casual, making the film seem realistic, however. The main character, Freddy Kreiger, has a deformity, this is conventional in many horror films as they want revenge, or use that as a motive to kill. He looks like a casual person apart from his face, which is torn and burnt, this makes him seem evil. This film could show that an everyday person could do something bad like killing people etc.

Audio codes

The audio codes in this are very odd. One scene could be about a person in a house, which sounds like everyday life, and just as you do now, then within seconds it turns into slow, dramatic music, where the peoples voices become deeper or higher, depending on their position. It would go deeper if the person was trying to be scary or intimidating. It would go higher if the person was in need of help, or in a threatened situation. The sounds are conventionally diegetic in horrors.

Lighting

The lighting in this film is similar to saw, it is usually extremely dark, as Freddy kills people in their dreams, at night time when its dark and jumpy. This makes the scene seem scary, and you expect it, but you don’t see it coming.

Camera Shots/movement

This is an older film, and there is less camera movement, and more basic camera shots. They are usually medium or close range shots, this is to show expression on the faces of people. And to show what’s happening in a larger scene more clearly.

Editing

The editing in this is kept to basics, this is because its an older film. There is very little editing, apart from the transaction from when he leaves and enters people dreams. This isn't every time though, as sometimes its mixed into real life so the murder seems real.

Sound

The sound in this is almost all natural and real, this is due to the age of the film. Also the fact that the sound if natural, makes it much more realistic, and many more people can relate to it. there is still added in sound, like voice overs and exaggerated lightning etc.

Rating and box office takings

• Saw – 6.2/10, director - Darren Lynn Bousman, writers - Leigh Whannell and James Wan, stars - Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith and Angus Macfadyen. Released in 2006.

• Nightmare on elm street – director – Samuel Bayer, Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer, stars - Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner. Released in 2010.

Why I'm choosing to do a men's magazine..I'm choosing to do a magazine aimed at men, because I can relate to it, making it a lot easier. It also involved topics that I enjoy reading about such as football, which is stereotypically masculine. Another large topic in male magazines are cars and car reviews this is stereotypically male as its fast paced and dangerous, which men enjoy. Another topic is health, men are stereotypically not worried about what they look like, but in the last few years this outlook has changed, and many males have started to take care of things such as their skin etc. another and probably the largest topic is women and topless models, this is in every male magazine, no matter what genre, it will have a article about it.

Target audience questionnaire

Gender – all maleAge – 11-20 (6)Main topic in male magazine? – women (3) health/sports (2) cars (1)How often do you read male magazines a week? – once (2) twice (1) daily (3)

This questionnaire shows that the age group for male magazines is more younger males from 11-25 who are into fitness and keeping up to date on sports. It also shows that they do read them for information and tips etc.I think the target audience would be males from 16-25 because at the lower end of this scale they are trying to show that they are mature and masculine, and it makes them feel good about themselves when they show people this. The top end of the scale will buy this because they are generally interested in the articles and want to know the information.