Heat case study: blog tasks

 Introduction - Heat Media pack

1) Look at the Heat Media Pack. Go to page 2: the Heat mission. Write three things that Heat offers its readers under 'print'.

They offer help on fashion and beauty but also help readers to find good TV shows/movies and "gossip" about celebrities. 

2) Now go to page 3 of the Media Pack - celebrity focus. What does the page say that Heat offers readers?

They ensure that Heat readers are offered good conversation starters about gossip and scandal and help to talk about celebrities biggest secrets.

3) Now look at page 4 of the Heat Media Pack. What other content does Heat magazine offer its readers aside from celebrity news?

Heat offers reader help with fashion for every body shape and provide tips for how to do hair or anything related to beauty

4) Look at page 5. What is Heat magazine's audience profile? Write all the key details of their audience here. 

The content featured in Heat is lowbrow which suggest a working class audience. Also, any of the celebrities featured in the magazine covers are mainly from the 90s which shows us that the target audience for Heat is women in there 20s to 40s. The female focus also connoted that they are targeting towards women by using stereotypes that women like to indulge in drama, gossip and salacious information about celebrities. 

Media language

1) How are the cover lines written to make the audience want to buy the magazine?

The coverlines use narrative enigma codes in order to make the reader feel intrigued to find out what happens next by reader the magazine.

2) What are the connotations of the Heat colour scheme on this particular front cover?

The three typical colours that are used are pink, yellow and red which connote femininity, friendliness, brightness and that it is friendly towards the reader.

3) How are images used to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. paparazzi images or aspects of mise-en-scene such props, costume, make-up, body position, facial expression etc.)

They use paparzi shots to relate the the reader as even though these people are high class and respected it still shows them naturally and allows the audience to relate and feel rewarded. 

4) What differences can you find between the use of design and typography between Tatler and Heat? List at least three differences and explain the effect on audiences.

Tatler is more formal then Heat and has a high brow audience while Heat is low brow and seen as a guilty pleasure.

Media Representations

1) What type of celebrities appear on the front cover of Heat? List them here. 

Celebrities from reality shows and 90s celebrities are typically shown in the front cover.

2) How are celebrities represented in Heat? (Positively? Negatively? Reinforcing or challenging stereotypes?

I think they are negatively represented as they typically highlight negative things about them and also use bad photos of them like they are uncovering a "truth". 

3) How are women represented on the cover of Heat? Think about both images and cover lines here.

They are represented as natural and ordinary to allow the reader to relate with the celebrities so they feel rewarded.

4) How do Heat and Tatler represent social class? What different social classes can you find in the features and celebrities on the cover? (E.g. middle/upper class / working class)

Heat is aimed at middle to low class so they try to relate with them in many ways like using modern day informal words and talking about regular things in society.