HUCK MEDIA LANGUAGE Flashcards
(45 cards)
How does the masthead generate meaning?
The masthead ‘Huck’ means to throw, this could suggest an outreach to the wider reaches of the world and their social problems. Or even to throw away conventional magazine traits and story coverage. This would link to the way they champion people going against the status quo.
How does the main image create meaning?
Single individual on the cover, is in keeping with their brand values, they value individualism. Also can link to the way the magazine is an independent magazine.
How does the coverline create meaning?
‘Female Fighters’, alliterated cover line, aggressive sound. This goes against conventional ideals of woman not being aggressive. Contradicts stereotypes and a patriarchal structure. As well as challenging stereotypes of race and ethnicity.
How does the style/layout of the front cover create meaning?
Unconventional house style displaying its independence, Minimalist black & white juxtaposed with the natural colour palette of the landscape below.
Typography is informal/casual displaying its attempts to not be like a mainstream magazine, displaying its independence
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Positioning of headline, standfirst, pull quotes/sidebars, columns, images
The headline is to the left of the article and is vertical, defying the normalities of having the headline at the top and central of the article.
It means that the audience absorb the image of the skaters sat at the skatepark, with the camera positioned behind them.
This sets the tone for the article, one of which is inclusive and calm, as seen in this image.
There are no pull quotes which could be symbolic of the lockdown and social media blackout, where the people in Brussels were not allowed to have an opinion, and where told what to do.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Font size, type, colour etc.
The word utopia has links to communism and marxism which has links to Huck and their ideas of a peaceful loving mainstream society.
The colour on the word Utopia has the normal font on the rest of the article but has a secondary layer which is hand written and a different colour. It fits with the whole aesthetic of graffiti which goes around skate parks fitting with their millennial target audience.
Article is broken up into different paragraphs spread around the page. They have done this to show different stories from different people.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Images/photographs (shot type, angle, focus)
The images are large, impactful and depict the setting of the skate park - there’s multiple action shots within the article showing photographer integration within the community - brings more realism and feels less set up.
The photos are quite obstructive and take up most of the pages.
A variety of angles and shot types could reflect the wide variety of people who attend the skate park and come together through the medium of skating - a diverse hub where “minorities” within the community can be together in a place where they fit in.
The photos are at angles that make the subject of the photo look strong and bold.
A lot of wide shots used so both show the people who are focused on in the article and to show the urban location which they are situated and live in.
There is only one image of the soldiers in the whole article which could emphasise the little impact that they are having on the skating teenagers. The image is also slightly ironic as it shows a man crouching down in front and taking a photo of the soldier, further showing that the soldiers aren’t completely fulfilling their job and that there are people who are still going about their daily business.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Mise-en-scene
n the photo of all the skaters sitting at the skatepark on top of the ramps is looking over their shoulders at the rest of the scene. The image looks like two different scenes from the skatepark to the rest of the city, its like you have the mainstream idea of brussels (mainstream society) and the skate park being defiance (the rebels and the people who go against social norms). This links to the who idea of the issue being about people who are defiant in society. The half of the image where they are sat in looks more creative and interesting (which links to the ideologies of the audience) VS the rest of the city which looks more dull and mainstream through the lack of people and the ‘normal buildings’ (unlike the skatepark which is covered in spray paint)
TEENAGE UTOPIA - colour
In all the different photo’s there are a variety of different colours used throughout. An example of this is the graffiti that is shown in most of the pictures. This creates are warm and welcoming atmosphere which is likely to be present in the skatepark as people of all cultures come along to have fun. This challenges the norm as in society these people do not always mix as people are often hostile towards other societies which is shown not to be present in the Brussel’s skatepark.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - clothing
In the images the clothing of all of the teenagers is ‘edgy’ as they are part of an alternative subculture. This also links to the idea of defiance as they are going against the ‘normal’ mainstream clothing you would see day to day. However fatima matches the clothing for her culture but still associates herself with the skatepark culture.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Anchorage of images and text
The wide range of images used within the article anchors the reader into read the text. This is because the images include the teenagers at a skatepark, military soldiers and as well as a hijab girl skating. This might anchor the reader in to read the article because these images divert the stereotypes set up by society. This article would not be seen in mainstream media as these people divert the stereotype of teenagers that skate which is the stereotype of white, lower boys associated with crime as where as in huck magazine they have been represented in a more positive way and are being shown to be defiant.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Mode of address (direct/indirect; formal/informal)
Talks directly to the reader. This makes the reader feel more engaged and it’s as though they’re talking directly with them.
Written like a story because it is very descriptive e.g. ‘we watch the trains wind between the tall glass towers, like glittering snakes,…’ This brings it more alive to the audience as they know every little detail of what the reporter is looking at. Although it also makes it seem almost imaginary which contrasts to the fact that this is really happening in the world.
The language in the article is formal, which implies that the subject of the article is to be taken seriously.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - rhetorical questions
There is a use of the rhetorical question, “ is a lack of integration leading to radicalised teens?” Could be suggesting that these teenagers want more freedom and have a different political views and are going against the government’s decision about having most places on ‘lock down’. They do this by going and and doing what they love by skateboarding and doing what they please by having freedom and not being controlled
TEENAGE UTOPIA - statistics
The use of the fact and statistic, “ After November’s Paris attack in which 130 people died, Makes the public think about the political decisions the the government have made and why Brussels are deploying more military personnel to prevent more attacks happening.
TEENAGE UTOPIA - Narrative established
The combination of the text and images links to defiance and the overall narrative of the whole magazine. It covers people defying the norm, such as a muslim girl who is skating, going against the norm and defying stereotypes of religion. She also moved to Belgium to study at university, again not the social expectation to go and get further education. Furthermore, some think the hijab links to oppression, however she expresses that it is her freedom and her choice. The skaters are going against the oppression of the lockdown and are deciding to not be afraid. Defying lockdown culture- large military presence in the city giving us the idea that it isn’t safe and to stay indoor and the soldiers will protect them. However, they go skate and defy this. The soldiers look intimidating, however the muslims are warm, friendly and making connections with each other. Subversion of stereotypes. Rami’s parents are muslim however he is an atheist.- going against his family and how he was raised.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Positioning of headline, standfirst, pull quotes/sidebars, columns, images
The headline is positioned at the top of the page so that you know what the article actually is. The positioning of the captions next to the photos reinforces the meaning that the images are trying to put forward.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Font size, type, colour etc
Headline is in black bold modern font spread over a double page, made to stand out against the background like the women are standing out against the world. This shows that this group of women from Kurdistan are different from other people and want to make a point about how women are treated in middle eastern countries. Contrasts against the font used in the title of the magazine, magazine font is curvy and is made to look old whereas the font style used in the Ӧcalan’s angels is blocky and made to look modern , could mean that the contrast is that these women are not afraid to be different.All colours in the article are muted and mainly black fonts. Huck magazine do this to make the article look basic but the detail is actually in the article itself, focusses the audience’s attention on the article rather than the detail around it.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Images/photographs (shot type, angle, focus)
ark, low key lighting in most of the images. In most photos, the girls look focused and ready to fight, but in one they look happy and smiling - suggestive of how even though they are fighting in a war, they are still jubilant, perhaps because they are hopeful of a better future. The close up of the scarf, which is lit low key, puts the war into perspective, and is symbolic of the fact that there could have been another girl there, fighting alongside them. The fact that it has low key lighting, reinforces that these women are dying, while fighting for freedom from the oppression. The image of one of the YPJ girls, inspecting a red car at one of their checkpoints, defies the norm, due it us associating military control to men, and not only denying women of this in developing countries, but also in western countries, where women are said to have many privileges and freedom . The fact that the magazine is only sold in western countries is reflective of society still stereotype the army to specifically males, but this being against the norm in society as such as ours, is reflective of how there is still gender bias amongst us, and middle eastern women are now rising up against this oppression they have suffered for hundreds of years.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Anchorage of images and text
The first interpretation of the picture and the title ‘Ocalan’s Angels’ reminds the reader of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ where he sends out women fighters, who are referred to as angels as they are fighting for freedom. The connotations of angels are freedom and heaven, which also puts forward the view that the women in the images below are fighting for freedom. In the image the women looks determined and ready to fight for what she believes in. The text reinforces these views as it emphasises the determination of the women and the sense of self fulfillment and being proud when killing the isis fighters. In the captions it secures the extra level of precise detail as the images and the text are closely related and give a clear view, the captions support the view that being a freedom fighter for YPJ is really important for the women.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Mode of address (direct/indirect; formal/informal)
The article is written as if an knowledgeable outsider is retelling the events and story so far to us. The quotes that are used are spoken in first person from the fighters and they are speaking directly to us as the readers.
The language in the article is formal, which implies that the subject of the article is to be taken seriously, and so are the female fighters. The indirect mode of address reflects that the article was written to inform the audience rather than speak directly to them, and keeps the attention solely on the female fighters and their bravery and strength. Direct, quite formal but also conversational - telling the story of the women fighting on the frontline as a personal recollection. Possibly makes it more personal for the reader and puts across that ISIS is an issue that concerns everyone, not just those in the warzone.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - facts
FACTS: ‘PPK has waged a war for Kurdish independence against Turkey since 1984’. ‘Ocalan has been in Turkish maximum security prison since 1999’. The use of facts towards the beginning of the article gives the audience context about the rest of the article. The use of facts also makes the audience more willing to believe the article is true
OCALAN’S ANGELS - emotive language
EMOTIVE LANGUAGE: “I wanted to let them all know that their worst nightmare had come true”. The worst nightmare is referencing to an Islamic extremist being killed by a woman
. “Before joining the movement and turning into warriors” - word “warrior” says that the women are more than just fighters, as they’re going against the norm, making them people that women should look up to.
OCALAN’S ANGELS - Narrative established
The text, images and pull quotes creates the narrative that women are standing up against being oppressed by men (by fighting forces dominated by men) (Pull quote = “I wanted to let them all know that their worst nightmare had come true: their friend had been killed by a woman”)
It creates the narrative of defiance linking to the theme of the magazine and people who go against ideologies/values in society. This is because the article is about people who are not afraid to break the rules and go against convention.
It is about people going against gender norms in society.
Levi Strauss - This creates the binary opposite of men vs women as the whole article is mainly about the women fighting against oppression as they were expected to work on farms or look after the children because of gender stereotypes
BEYOND BINARY - Positioning of headline, standfirst, pull quotes/sidebars, columns, images
The headline is at the top of the page - traditional layout of a magazine.
It is unusual to have the name of a person as a headline. Makes Huck magazine unique and reflects how these people are different to those of society. Isn’t discussing non binary people as a mass, but instead focusing on individual experiences showing that this isn’t a one time thing, and these people are one of us, who have emotions and feelings too
The pull quote is positioned at the top which shows the importance of it because this summarises the ideologies of the article e.g. how these people are unconventional. (Pull quote = ‘nothing about me is weird, society makes me weird’
The fact that the image is taking up a whole page on the right shows the importance of them in that they are not afraid to show they are different to conventions in society.
Contemporary design of having a headline then pull quote, article and then image on a separate page matches the simplistic and modern layout of the rest of the magazine.
This is possibly because they want the full emphasis to be on the article and their values as a magazine.
