Reveal: case study

 Media language

1) How many of the 12 magazine cover key conventions feature on this edition of Reveal? List them with specific reference to the convention on the CSP edition of Reveal. 
  • Title of publication - "Reveal" 
  • Colour Scheme - Bright bold colours to show the magazine is chaotic
  • Cover lines -  "I am NOT a stalker" tell the consumers a little bit about what is in the magazine and to grab their attention
  • Barcode -  bottom right so it doesn't get in the way of the image and content information
  • Name Checks - "Kate" "Cheryl" and "Lauren" shows it is about people who were once celebrities or not that well known
  • Price - "99p" is cheap which could mean that the target audience is working-class and mainstreamers

2) What is the font choice used on the cover and what does this choice connote? Here's a blog to help you with this as we haven't been able to complete the Photoshop typography lesson yet due to Covid-19.
The font choice used is Sans Serif and is normally used for casual/informal and modern typography and connotes that Reveal are aiming at a mainstream and working-class audience.

3) How do the cover lines appeal to the Reveal target audience? 
The cover lines seem to appeal to a younger modern audience as they normally like to catch up on celebrities and love gossip and from the magazine, they can find interesting gossip on their favourite celebs like scandals "It was instant attraction when I met Joey in jail."

4) What are the connotations of the Reveal colour scheme on this particular front cover?
The colour scheme is mostly based on hot pink which connotes feminity and boldness whilst the yellow and turquoise connote warmth and happiness and finally, the red may connote the scandalous and spicy contents which will feature in the magazine.

5) How are images used to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression).
Images are used to create interest in the magazine by using props that are the latest and fit the trend such as phones or sunglasses to make the audience interact with it as they may already have the products/props or want it - the props may also be used for product placement. Plus the clothing which consists of the latest fashion interests and trends and making consumers want to know what type of clothes their favourite celebs wear so they can inspire their own taste in fashion from them. Finally makeup the audience could feel insecure and by looking at the paparazzi pictures of celebs they may realise no one is perfect and most of the times celebs are photoshopped on magazine covers.

6) What differences can you find between the use of design and typography between Tatler and Reveal? List at least three and explain the effect on audiences.
One difference between Tatler and Reveal is that Reveal only uses Sans-Serif to show they are modern and up to date on the latest trends whilst Tatler uses Serif to show they are posh and formal. Another difference between Tatler and Reveal is Tatler only one central image which is more appealing to their audience whilst Reveals magazine cover is much more chaotic having a lot of pictures of different celebs. Lastly, Tatler's target audience is older and more mature whilst Reveal's target audience is younger and more immature.


Representations

1) What type of celebrities appear on the front cover? How are they represented in Reveal? (Positive? Negative? Reinforcing or challenging stereotypes?) 
The type of celebrities that appear on the front cover are celebrities who aren't very famous because of acting but because they appear on shows and those who are mostly in scandals or have interesting gossip about them which will appeal to a younger audience. The celebrities are represented in a negative and positive way because the cover line "STUFF THE DIET" shows that they are challenging the stereotype of needing to diet to be in perfect shape whilst negative because it shows that their private life is being shared without permission.

2) How are women represented on the cover of Reveal? Think about both images and cover lines here.
Women are represented in a negative way in Reveal because they are shown as scandalous and troublesome because it says "Katie plots SECRET MEETINGS with Pete" or "I am NOT a stalker". However, women are shown as being maternal or happy with children because the women who are pregnant or have kids on the cover are shown smiling.

3) How do Reveal and Tatler represent social class? (E.g. middle/upper class and working-class)
Tatler presents upper-class people as posh and mature people who can buy aa lot of things and be happy without having any worries whilst Reveal presents middle-class as immature people who get entertained just by reading some gossip on celebs.

4) What would be the preferred and oppositional readings to this cover of Reveal?
The preferred reading to the Reveal Magazine cover would be that it contains gossip that the audience will belive and that the audience will understand having kids will make them happy and how celebs aren't perfect. On the other hand, the oppositional reading would be that there isn't actual proof that the gossip is real other than the paparazzi pictures which even have a chance of being photoshopped and that they didn't ask consent from the celebs contained in the magazine cover to use the pictures. Plus the fact that women are being presented as troublesome in the magazine.


Social and cultural context

1) What aspects of British life are reflected in Reveal? How does this compare to Tatler?
Aspects of British life that are reflected in Reveal are celebrities not looking perfect because no one can actually be perfect; it focuses on dating which most people have experienced; motherhood; it focuses on middle-class people. Whilst Tatler only focuses on upper-class and posh people who love spending their money and have very high beauty standards.

2) What do the cover lines in Reveal suggest about the issues and lifestyle of Reveal readers?
The cover lines in Reveal suggest that their audiences care a lot about gossip and relationships - which makes the audiences seem like romanticists or even mothers because motherhood is mentioned in the magazine.

3) Find three other front covers for Reveal. What issues or features regularly appear in Reveal?
Motherhood Dieting and Relationships
  • Reveal Emily's Furry
  • Reveal Celeb Mom's Exclusive
  • Reveal Special Farewell Issue




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