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'.

Heat states "– we bring readers a truly unique, quality experience. From clever A-list access shoots no other magazine could pull off to celeb news – heat has the celeb contacts to give readers the exclusive every time"

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

Heat claims "heat is the beating heart of the showbiz world. We ensure heat readers are always in the know and give them conversation-starters they can show off about to their mates down the pub. Our journalists have the answers to the questions before they’ve even been asked. We help celebrities to talk about their biggest secrets and we find the funny, wherever it’s hiding".

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 Also offers "wear it's at" Which "provides them with the best, most beautiful and affordable edit of the high street and online's hottest must-buys.

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

FEMALE/MALE: 90% / 10%

AVG AGE: 37

AGE PROFILE: 52% AGED 15/34

(14% 15-24, 37% 25-34)

SEGMENT:

MARITAL STATUS: 57% MARRIED

or living with partner / 43% single

Media language

1) How many of the 12 magazine cover key conventions feature on this edition of Heat? List them with specific reference to the convention on the CSP edition of Heat.

Typography- Sans-serif on the the heats logo

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

The cover lines on the magazine are purposely written to entice the reader to read more. They use controversial tag lines to make reader interested

 

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

 Pink, yellow and red. Bright colours to attract attention – important without a single central image. Gossip magazines tend to be busier and more packed with images to suggest issues that are bursting with different stories

4) How is the central image designed to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. the model, the mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression etc.)

• The photos of Victoria Beckham are paparazzi photos which means that she wasn't aware of their presence and her clothes are quite comfortable and normal which you wouldn't expect from a multi-millionaire there piping an interest towards why she looked like that and what was such a big deal for her to go out side with minimalistic clothes. 
• The facial expression of Harry and Meghan looks quite upset of tired therefore the readers may want to understand if they really did make a big mistake. 
• The images are also quite fresh and new which would interest readers to read what happened to the celebrities recently. 

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

colour scheme - Tatler had more pale colours as well as black and white which looked very traditional and sophisticated however Heat has bright and vibrant pink and yellows which catches the readers' eye and is directed more towards women.

Representation

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

• Reality TV stars, Royal Family members (Prince Harry), Celebrities and Popstars (Cheryl, Liam Payne, Posh Spice)

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

It subverts the stereotype that celebrities should be posh and wear nice clothes or that they should always look good - wearing makeup, heels, suits, dresses etc - in the image of Posh Spice which shows her in her normal clothes and barefaced. 

3) How are women represented on the cover of Heat?

 Think about both images and cover lines here.
The cover line "Posh caught out" suggest that Victoria Beckham is very secretive and lying to the people around her as well as her fans, this could make people believe such stereotypes of women. Additionally, the cover line "Dani 'terrified' as Baby Daddy stands trial" reinforces the idea of women as emotional or always upset over something.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented on this cover of Heat?

The magazine does show images of Meghan Markle who is mixed race however the cover line does imply that she has made a mistake with her life so it could be a negative representation. She is the only mixed race person on the front cover therefore you could believe that Heat don't have enough representation of non-white celebrities. 

5) 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)

Tatler is more sophisticated as the name checks and star appeals are in quite a political position such as Boris Johnson, his brother Max and references to the royal family. Although Heat also have Prince Harry on the front cover, it is mainly due to the idea of British Royalty and an American actress being together and having drama rather then the political ideas and beliefs. Through this you can see the different social classes in Heat and Tatler.