Practice exam questions

Explore how the set edition of Woman magazine constructs it's target audience (15) (Component two)

Woman magazine published by TI media is cultivates its readers and forms a hegemonic, traditional stereotype of Women in 1964 in order to develop a highly common target audience for the time. In this specific article titled 'are you an A-level beauty?', the condescending title presents a direct mode of address in order to reinforce a patriarchal hegemonic norms of how the target audience of women to have a sheer importance of beauty in their life. However, An oppositional reading would suggest how the lexis of 'A-level' limits and assumes the target audience's aspirations and will have only attained high school education. Furthermore, this potentially reinforces a stereotype that their target audience are working class.

The overall mise-en-scene of diagrams and informative text create a highly manipulative and a stereotypical construction of idealised hegemonic norms in the 1960s. With reference to Gerbner's cultivation theory, Woman magazine builds a content page of the mainstream likes and interests of a stereotypical housewife. By including sections in the magazine devoted to 'beauty','fashion' and 'home', the publishers TI media are almost mocking the capabilities of their constructed target audience through the subversion of a patriarchal society at the time.

The double page spread of an interview with Alfred Hitchcock undermines the gender role of Women which constructs their target audience through the power of the famous director. Hitchcock's pull quote 'They're like snow-capped volcanoes' shows clear examples of objectifications and Woman magazine adopts his idea patriarchy by promoting him in an interview, this can relate to John Berger's quote ; "Men act, Women appear".

In what ways are Humans and Les revenants shaped by specialised forms of production, distribution and circulation? (30) (Component two)

The 2015 TV show Humans is produced by networks AMC and Channel 4. The networks uniquely use varied methods of distribution to shape their TV show into hyperreality. The convergence of real life and the utopian creation of synths is formed through multiple forms of marketing. Viral marketing is especially used within the creation of their 'persona synthetics' website. This allows their target audience of typically sci-fi fans who knowledgable of navigating the internet to gain interactivity by attempting to convince viewers that their show will become reality, similar to 'The BlairWitch Project' marketing. This was further enforced by synth return slip print outs and a temporary and physically interactive shop front opened on Oxford Street in London.

Canal+'s Horror show Les Revenants constructs the identity of it's show primarily through standard forms of modern marketing, such as social media like Youtube and Twitter. These platforms not only allow them to distribute trailers, posts appearing on consumers feeds, but it also enables them to be exposed to direct feedback and interactivity like Humans. Celebrities such as the horror author Stephen King have expressed their fanatic for the show through twitter, creating an unintentional form of further distribution for Canal+.

The trailer for the DVD uploaded on youtube allows the conglomerate company to edit down the TV show into a montage of all the most action packed scenes, which controversially misleads their audience as the TV show was rather slow and featured minimal scene of action, unlike what the trailer portrays.

Controversial aspects of Humans shape the TV show into possessing unique qualities that may attract a larger audience of consumers but also a higher age rating by the BBFC. For the opening episode, Humans had 6.1 million viewers. The close up shot of Niska in the brothel shows her staring into the camera during intercourse. This is purposely done to shock the audience and firm discomfort, however, these scene memorable and are what shape the TV show in the circulation amongst other productions. Humans can be shown to feature multiple forms of intertextuality to not only pay homage to the sci-fi genre but also to support the circulation and distribution of the TV show.

The concept of synths can be referenced and potentially inspired by the classic sci-fi 'The Terminator" and the plot line obviously shows major intertextual references to the original Swedish 'Real Humans' produced in 2012. In comparison to the Swedish show, the UK edition contains less graphic and adult content. This was more than likely to keep the BBFC age certificate at 15 in order to present accessibility to more of its target audience.

Furthermore, Les revenants also uses controversial aspects, especially for its global audience. Lena's sex scene towards the end of the pilot episode conveys discomfort to a UK audience with the identification of lena's age being alarmingly young. This is most likely unintentional for improving the distribution of Les Revenants. The soundtrack to Les Revenants was composed by a Glaswegian instrumental band called 'Mogwai'. Not only does their music emphasise the horror genre within the TV show, it also attracts consumer who are fans of Mogwai, therefore improving their global audience as most fans are either British or Scottish.