Magazines and Music Video assessment: Learner response

 1) Type up your WWW/EBI feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). 

WWW: strong answers to Q3+Q4 so now we need add consistency to reach that level throughout.

EBI: Revise Tatler design/layout, Evidence from the CSP ( particularly for Q5).

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the mark you achieved for each question: 

Q1:  1/2
Q2:  2/8
Q3:  4/6

Q4: 3/3

Q5:  3/6

3) Look specifically at question 2. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme for question 2 to write three connotations of the design and layout of Tatler.

Design- 

• the denotation of one central image directly addressing the audience enables the audience  to see the aspirational Tatler reader – an upmarket, sophisticated woman 

• the choice of white and black font/typography against the natural setting connotes that the  magazine is both fresh and modern but from a classy, traditional base. This is likely how the  Tatler audience would like to see themselves 

• the soft focus also draws the eye to the image, in particular the model’s gaze, which  connotes equality between the model and the reader, given the model’s body language • the cover star Emma Weymouth wearing a ballgown in the gardens of a stately home  connotes the wealth and luxury that Tatler readers aspire to. The mise-en-scene (costume,  make-up, pose, expression) all emphasise these aspects .

Layout-

• a conventional women’s magazine layout with a combination of main image and cover lines.  It is a busy front cover suggesting the magazine is packed with content, but the cover lines  are quite neatly presented in two distinct columns and are grouped around the centre GCSE Media Studies Magazines and Music Video assessment: MARK SCHEME 2024 left/right of the frame, suggesting order and an easy read. This would appeal to the Tatler  reader as they are reassured they are getting a lot of interesting content. 

• The fact the cover star obscures the title of the magazine reflects how well established the  Tatler brand is – Britain’s oldest magazine is recognisable to its audience even with some of  the masthead behind the cover model. 

• the cover lines/masthead/main cover line create a frame for the main image, which again  focuses on the model and what she connotes. 

4) Now look at question 3 - Heat magazine. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme to write three ways celebrities are represented in Heat magazine.

• Some of the paparazzi photography is designed to make them look like ‘normal’ people so  readers can identify with them or feel closer to them. 

• Celebrities on cover tend to be reality TV or pop stars – celebrities generally from more  working class backgrounds so again creating a point of contact with a working or middle  class audience. 

• Focuses on celebrities’ relationships – ‘double life’, ‘secretive star’, ‘baby daddy’, ‘Giovanna’s  heartache’ etc. Suggests these are important developments audiences want to hear the  latest on. 

5) Look at question 5 - Arctic Monkeys and audience identity. This is a real AQA past question with lots of potential answers given in the mark scheme. Choose three answers that specifically refer to the Arctic Monkeys CSP and write them here. 

• the audience might watch music videos to reinforce values and behaviour. The lead singer  seems to not care about the filming of the music video, rarely making eye contact with the  camera and stating at the beginning ‘don’t believe the hype’. The audience gain a sense of  identity as they can relate to the lead singer’s both nonchalant and rock and roll  representation.  

• the audience can gain a sense of identity as they recognise something of themselves or  relate in some way to the group. The band are dressed in standard teenage rock band garb  of plain t-shirts, jeans and trainers, a look that can be easily replicated by fans or is already  worn by them. They are not really offering a performance, it is more of a jam session with  them showing their musical prowess to their friends which is something the audience might  also do.

• music videos might represent artists as role models that fans can aspire to be like thus  allowing the audience to gain a sense of identity. The band are represented as ‘everyday  lads’ with typical clothes, costumes, acne. They make eye contact with each other and look  to be having a laugh. The audience might feel they are achievable role models. 

6) BLACKPINK - How You Like That didn't come up in this assessment. If this CSP comes up in your end of Year 1 exam, what three things about BLACKPINK and How You Like That could you try to include in your answer? 

. Conventions of music videos.

. Make references to the csp.

. Psychographics and demographics.