What are the technical codes
- Most photos seem unstaged and shot in real locations. Some seem grainy and poor quality suggesting the use of paparazzi shots. This can give the reader a sense of voyeurism as they are seeing something secret and private that they shouldn’t
- Photo editing (Photshop) and cropping can change the focus and and context of the image. Harry and Meghan have been cropped to look bad in which actually they are doing something good
What are the symbolic codes
- The photo of Giovanna may be the only professional photograph, and includes the clothing, background and spider of Im a celebrity get me out of here. Heat treats her differently to other celebrities as the use of intertextuality in other TV shows engages a wider and mainstream audience.
- Victoria Beckham’s story uses grainy paparazzi shots with her clothing, makeup and hair all very casual to further purport the idea of her being caught out. They have also selected particular facial expressions and poses to present a narrative that she may have done something wrong.
What is the design and layout
- Heat features a skyline above the masthead to fit in additional stories that follow the first point a reader will start reading according to the Z-pattern.
*Heat features a lot of bright puffs and kickers to add buzzwords and draw the eye of the reader to different content
- Many of the photos are unremarkable but the anchorage text gives the readers the context of how to interpret the photos.
- Posh’s story is clearly the cover story as it is the largest image and text and she is the most central photograph even covering the masthead
- The cover has almost no negative space only positive space.
- Busy/crowded layout suggests the magazines will be packed with content. Large images are eye-catching and in combination with small amounts of text, suggest an audience with low literacy levels and makes it easier to understand. Bright colour pallete of hot pink and yellow shows its quite tacky and fun.
What do the written codes show
“Shock new pics” “Terrified” (Anchorage text)
* Hyperbolic dramatic words make the stories seem exciting and entertaining
- “Behind closed doors” “Secretive star” Lots of use of secretive themed words add to the engaging nature of the magazine
- “Liams double life” The enigma codes on the cover encourage a reader to purchase the magazine so they can find out more. “Posh caught out” engage the reader and make them want to buy it
- “Im a celeb” shows intertextual references to popular mainstream shows and attracts wider mainstream audiences
- Buzz Word “exclusive” makes the magazine stand out in comparison to others. Makes it sound special and appear more sensational
What do some of the representation show empowering woman
“Badass” represents modern women being confident and aggressive language which signifies that this is a bold mag and appeals to confident readers
“Queen of the castle” signifies she is powerful, dominant and a role model
“Posh spice” labelling her as “posh” may make her seem rich and successful
- Featuring women who are winners, stars, royalty etc suggests women are powerful. The use of celebrities in general is engaging. But the focus on women in power or states of success challenged more typical representations of women in the media
What is the target audience
The readers have a 57% marital status suggesting that content will be targeted for Mums.
More female as men are downplayed
Use of colloquialisms on the cover suggests that the readers are younger with lower levels of education
The use of Victoria Beckham’s old nickname “Posh” might target older audiences who remember her as Posh Spice from the Spice Girls
The low price might make the magazine seem appealing to low income audiences particularly working class average women
The bonus offer in the top left may make the magazine seem like it is value for money
Typograhy
The heat masthead is lower case which is informal however this is juxtaposed by the serif font. This sends a message that the content of the magazine is
Theorgy
Barthes enigma code as lots of unasnwerd questiins
Propps theothy - audience is hero amd on a quest magazine is disoatcher and helper and the prixe is the princess
