QUESTION 8

PREP: Have a go at answering the exam question, using the answer guide to support you. Question 8  is worth 10 marks. Write a page and half. Refer to theory. Below is the framework that the examiners refer to. Post your answer on your blog.

'Explain at least two uses and gratifications of video games using Blumler and Katz's theory. Refer to The Lego Movie Video Game to support your answer.


Media is used for a variety of reasons, though the main reason for viewing media is for the entertainment, especially with media in the form of games and movies. With entertainment, the audience can 'escape' real life and their day to day worries and get the 'wow-factor' off of surreal occurrences that can only happen in a fantasy world. In The Lego Movie Video Game, the gamer has the ability to do the impossible, fly around, use jet packs, create your own weapons and defeat evil, a perfect meantime, which offer suspense, mystery, action, problem solving etc...

Other audiences view media because of their personal values, meaning they identify with characters within the game. This is especially common with games which have an on-the-fly character switching feature (meaning a player can switch from different characters point of views within the game), this gives the gamer freedom and a variety of personas to pick from and distinguish themselves as. In The Lego Movie Video Game, females may identify as Cleopatra for various reasons, whether it be the striking looks, physical ability or the witty personality. The boys may identify with a character like Vitruvius, or Shakespeare, again for reasons such as the Cleopatra example, by looks or personality. Many games have added features which allow you to unlock more characters, adding to the gamer's freedoms. Lego are an international symbol around the world of happiness and fun, furthermore adding to their personal values and relating to the world-popular Lego franchise.

More reasons that video games are a perfect diversion for everyday life is because of the relationships;  famous people can voice characters which are not only appealing to buy the game in the first place but also help build an imaginary friendship with a celebrity, for example, Morgan Freeman voices Vitruvius, and by playing as the character you can have a hoax bond with such a famous figure as you work together to beat evil and save the world.

CONTRASTING MAGAZINE COVERS

PREP: Analyse the media language of the MOJO cover below. Use the terms that you have learned. In a future prep, you will be comparing and contrasting the cover with another magazine cover, drawing attention to the similarities and differences, and saying what the genre codes and conventions are.

The contrast cover can either be your own cover or another professional cover.

 
Bowie is shown as being the Center of Visual interest, he is seen standing 'loud and proud', his legs are spread apart to present stability (from his old drug addiction?) and to show he is grounded safely and firmly. He is also seen with his hands behind his back, with his chest puffed out, this portrays him to be comfortable with himself and has nothing to hide behind his hands and doesn't need any defence. Bowie is also wearing clothing which shows to be both smart and casual, the boots show a solid ground, his shirt and tie are matching but has been altered to go into changing/contrasting directions paired with a similar patterned tie and the casual rolled up jeans.
There is only 2 other pictures on the cover, but both of them show no distraction of the main story (Bowie), Otis Redding in the top hand corner and a German road sign (German because of the 'Berlin Years' subtitle) which is representing Bowie, and how he is moving into a new decade.
The pug in the top left corner tells the reader not only will they get a intreguing story but a FREE CD, from the 'Soul King'.
The accent of the red splurges with important captions in them help them stand out on the mainly blue cover.

COMPARED TO ANOTHER COVER:
                                                               This Billboard issue has an un-apologetic cover featuring a careless Rihanna as the splash. Rihanna  She is shown in little clothing, wearing just a bikini top/bra, a chunky gold chain and well fitting, hugging body jewellery. There are no other images showing that she is the only person receiving attention with her aggressive yet desirable gaze into the lense of the camera, into the audiences eyes. There are no pugs but many cover lines and features which have key words in yellow and the rest of the writing in white. Rihanna is standing similarly to Bowie with a scowl down into the readers eyes and her hands placed behind her - but her head not her back, showing femininity, ever with her typically 'boyish' hair cut.

SIMULARITIES;
Both are massively influential artists which are very famous and well known.
Both stand with a proud posture, presenting themselves 'as they are'
Both are seen gazing down into the camera
Both have their hands placed behind them (but Rihannas to expose her face more, and Bowie to push his chest out
Both have a set colour scheme, (BILLBOARD of white and yellow, MOJO of blue and white with splashes of red)
Both are the center of visual interest, as they are placed in the middle of the page


DIFFERENCES;

BOWIE ON MOJO	RIHANNA ON BILLBOARD
Bowie is on the cover	Rihanna is on the cover
Bowie is well dressed/covered	Rihanna has a lot of exposed flesh
There is a puff offering a FREE CD	There is no puff
Bowie is stated as ‘BOWIE’ in the biggest font size besides the mast head	‘THE WORLD IS HERS’ is in the biggest font besides the maiden head of billboard.
There are other images - another artist and the large road sign and badge looking image	There are no other pictures on the front cover besides Rihanna, the splash, herself
Bowie’s cover is seen as a tribute to the man and others who had passed	Rihanna’s cover is based purely on the moment as is paired with the word of ‘THE WORLD IS HERS’
Bowie is presented to have new ‘untold and unseen’  information out about him and the ‘Berlin Years’	The magazine is based on her factually with no gossip and isn’t presented as having untold information/stories

02 MUSIC: MOJO COVER 2017

'How representations on magazine covers reflect the social and cultural contexts in which they were produced'


MAIN POINTS:
1. 'definite cover'
2. 'world's largest UK Music magazine'
3. covers all sorts of music, very versatile


THE SEX PISTOLS:
Were a punk rock group of four, the band was already extremely controversial, having sworn on live TV, been fired from two record labels, and been banned from playing live in most parts of England. Due to the explicit words on their main album, charts refused to show their name, and instead left a blank space. The iconic acid yellow and fushia pink are used to be loud like their personalities and views - which they had no shame in voicing.

QUESTION 4.

1. Who were they? The Sex Pistols were a controversial punk rock group who notoriously rebelled against the society and middle class people.
2. Why did they shock the Establishment? They shocked the establishment as they said whatever they liked, frequently swearing on TV and not caring of anyone who would be offended by their rash attitudes and carelessness.
3. Look at the colours used (pink and yellow) and link the MOJO cover to the way that the Sex Pistols used it. Why do the Allman Brothers feature above the masthead? The acid yellow and fushia pink stand out and are bold and clash with all other colours bands used, the gnarly colour schemes would be noticeable and are symbolic, they speak of the ethos behind the Sex Pistols and their anti-establishment. The Allman Brothers are featured as the issue will include the 'Rise and Fall'

QUESTION 5.

   Who are the Allman Brothers and how do they come across on the cover above the masthead (title)?

ON the cover,