Disability represented in the media

Disability is represented differently depending on which media you're looking at, in this analysis I will be examining a written and visual form of media and looking at how disabled people are shown in them.

Written Media (magazine)

This magazine shows a Paralympian setting a record during the games, the image shows a disabled athlete celebrating her victory of setting a new record during the rain in the Paralympic games and as the guideline suggests she may have also overcome a personal goal, she is also shown as dignified which contrasts to some common forms of media which use them as either comedic devices or forms of tragedy.

The layout of the magazine allows for the main image to be the centre focus of attention for the cover and for the footer and guidelines to be noticeable but not detract from the main part off the magazine, however the Paralympian is still presented in a good and dignified way.

Some of the mis-en-scene in the photo does show the fact that the woman is disabled but also helps to emphasise the guideline article but there is also a lack of other athletes or audience which may show that even though they've accomplished some great things there may be some resounding feelings of isolation.

Visual Forms

This advert further supports the view that more people are becoming accepting of people with disabilities and almost reject films such as "Freak Show" where people were mocked for their disabilities, the camera has pan rounds which affect how the audience views the target but the angles that are chosen make them appear to be on a superior position because there's a lot of low based camera angles which usually show dominance or power which could be implied because of how they manage their disabilities and life. Audio in this is a mix of diegetic and non-diegetic sound with positive upbeat sound which allows for us to fell the same positivity that they do with society taking them seriously and treating them the same as we treat each other.   

Magazine Cover Analysis

Aim of a Magazine Cover:

To attract target audience
To engage reader by employing appropriate mode of address
To stand out from other magazines of similar genre
To suggest the subgenre of the magazine through the masthead, use of colours, content etc.
To engage the attention of the reader through the main image
To offer reasons for reader to buy the magazine through the cover lines
To convey an ideology to the target audience and sell the reader a lifestyle

These help a company to make and distribute their magazines, with these fundamentals these companies can plan for the design of their cover which gives them a specific target design to make which will appeal to their audience, however they do also have to make them appeal to the rest of the market customers which increases the companies popularity and fan base making them more prominent.

Male Representation in the media

Male representation

CW's Arrow

In the first episode during his training there's split lighting in his face which shows the split in the character, which highlights his split personality almost but also his double life when he shows his face in the day until he masks it at night. This lighting also shows his darker and more ruthless side, these ideas are emphasised further by his facial expression which has no emotion that makes him appear dominant and imposing in the video that shows us how much power he has. These elements help to reinforce the traditional stereotype of power and dominance that men typically have in the media.

However in this shot it shows Oliver (Stephen Amell) is shown to be weak, his facial expression shows the weakness to his character, this could be a sign of the internal struggle of his character from the context of the episode. The receding light and the shadow engulfing Oliver further emphasises the slow loss in his humanity which is further, this challenges the typical stereotype of men in the media as it almost shows the weakness of the character, when the stereotypical form of men is showing strength and dominance in many circumstances which means that this scene contrasts to the stereotype of men that is usually presented by the media.

Media text analysis of a film poster and magazine cover

Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

This Poster draws the attention of it's intended audience in many ways. One of these is by having large bold text for both the heading, this causes any passers by to stop and look back at it so they can see more information about the film. One form of this boldness is the bright colours used for the key pieces of information i.e. the release date and the title in order for this to be emphasised. There is a similar kind of large text in the background of the image which provides more intrigue for the viewer, however this is in a more transparent style which the audience can infer that it's not a major point in promoting the film but is still required for it to gain the support it needs.

Another point is the placement of the shot for the poster, it's in an enclosed river with two large statues stood at what we assume is the exit. The formation of the cliffs and the statues create an almost 3D corridor effect, by having this the viewers eyes would seem to follow the river up or down to either one of the texts. It also helps to create an enigma code for the film as the exit of the river and the surrounding landscape are shrouded from view, this makes the audience have a want to find out. 

The colour pallet of the poster also helps to draw audience attention to the poster as the colours from the scene may seem bright, it's actually quite dark which makes things like the two pieces of text at the top and bottom stand out as well as the characters travelling by boat. These 'figures' and the boats their in are blacked out which further creates an enigma code for the viewer as they'll want to know who they are. There's a bright white fog at the end of this corridor river which attracts attention of the eye's as it stands out compared to the rest of the setting making us wonder what is beyond, further emphasising the enigma codes already created.

The statues at the end of the river are giant and looming over the pass with hands raised as if to say 'stop', this creates a sense of power that the two had when they lived. Their posture and overall manner show they were striking individuals but also provide us with a want to find out who they were and why they held so much power. The position of the camera helps to create this imposing feeling further by having it at the same level as the river which helps to further create the sense of imposing power.

The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug (Empire Magazine)

 The page layout helps for the reader to identify what is covered in the magazine and help them to choose which articles they will want to read.  The lettering of the magazine is standout which will attract attention from the intended audience so that they then pick it up and read it, by having big letters with a bright standout font and colour it will get more people's attention increasing sales and popularity within its audiences. By also having the main image of the article and the masthead it gives a clear indication to the main subject further helps the audience to determine whether or not they actually want the magazine, as if it's based around a topic that they don't find interesting then it won't be purchased. Then having limited information and smaller pieces of other articles and cover lines provides an enigma code as to what is said about the topics making us want to pick it up and read it to find out.  

By using well-known celebrity names invites people to take a look as they'll want to find out what they have to do with the magazine and the articles contained in it, or if they are a fan of the celebrity it will cause them to buy it, further increasing their sales revenue.