A2 Media Studies Magazine and Poster

research

Name: Eleanor StapletonCandidate Number: 6259Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770Unit G324: Advanced Production Portfolio

Magazine cover researchThis is my magazine research page. I have been looking at existing front covers for TV magazines and soap specific magazines. I have found two front covers which are ‘What’s on TV’ and ‘Inside Soap’. These two caught my attention due to the color scheme used, the layout of images and cover lines. I feel that these are really good examples and guides for me for when I come to produce my own front cover for my soap. They are also very stereotypical magazine covers one aspect is the business of the cover and also the white glow around all cut out images, the boldness from all text used on the cover.

Having the verbal code of ‘brand new’ in bold writing makes it stand out to the reader in which they will be attracted to this. They will also be attracted to the shape and because its filled in white, it will be much more easier to understand.

The layout of the cover lines are all separated into their own specific shape. This makes it more cluttered and busy although its easier to read as you could argue that its neatly separated.

Using the verbal code of ‘BETRAYED’ as the main headline, is a unique selling point for this specific magazine as this is what the readers would first be presented with when they buy or look at the magazine. Also, the yellow background shape behind the text also makes it eye catching due to the warm bold colours.

The main image consists of a mid shot of two characters. Who seem to be in a tense relationship due to their facial expressions. There is also a sub main heading image beneath the male character. This may suggest a multi stranded narrative between these three characters. I feel that this is another USP of this magazine as this would interest the reader because the magazine may include a side story or some clues for a specific episode of this soap. The way that eye contact is used in the main headline image draws the reader in. This is an aspect I would want to re-create in my magazine cover.

I’ve noticed that soap magazines have a white glow around most of the images used (mainly characters) This makes them stand out more and gives them a cleaner finish. Having the glow can also connote characteristics for certain characters.

Magazine cover researchThis is the second magazine I decided to anaylse and research about. I chose this one because it had some similar features and some not so similar to the previous magazine cover anaylsed above. I feel that these are really good examples and guides for me for when I come to produce my own front cover for my soap. They are also very stereotypical magazine covers one aspect is the business of the cover and also the white glow around all cut out images, the boldness from all text used on the cover.

The layout for this magazine I would say is more cluttered than ‘What's on TV’ and its much bolder than the last magazine.

This magazine has more of a specific colour scheme which consists of: red, white and yellow, similar to the previous magazine. This is common in most magazines as these colours stand out the most and catch the readers attention and draws them in. I aim to repeat this code and convention (Steve Neale) as it pulls readers in to buy the magazine.

The main headline is very different to the magazine above and I think puts the cover at a disadvantage. The word ‘DOOMED’ has been filled in in a white colour which is unusual and subverts away from the original stereotypical bold main headline.

The tagline for this magazine is very catchy and rolls of the tongue. This I would say would be on of the magazines USP’s as it states that it includes ‘every story, every secret, every week’. This would interest the reader as they will be very up to date with all the soaps and also be intrigued by the secrets.

The images used on this magazine cover are very different from the previous cover. Most of the images have been taken from the actual soap opera episode. This a clever way of pulling readers to buy the magazine as it’s a sneak peek of what is going to happen in the specific episode.

This image here has used a quote from the either the article or soap episode which pulls the readers into wanting to know more about this particular story within the soap opera.

Poster researchThis is my poster research page. I have also been looking at different types of posters for TV shows. I’ve analysed a Hollyoaks poster and a skins one. I was attracted to these two most of all due to some of the features in which they have both used and which I may want to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) in my own poster. These will be good examples for when I come to produce my own poster. I will be able to get ideas from both and maybe combine them.

In this poster, it is denoting the audience with the main characters who are supposedly going to be a apart for this disequilibrium which will change the soap forever.

The fact that each character is looking in a different direction builds up the tension between these 5 characters as they are not making any eye contact with the viewers or other characters within the poster.

This character here is suggesting a multi stranded narrative between herself and the middle female character. This would excite the audience into wanting to know more about the whole situation but also, their story they have going on which the other characters seem to be obvious by.

The use of the fire edit in this poster is very effective as it connotes the hatred and angry relationship these characters may carry. It also links in with the air date of the episode – Friday the 5th (bonfire night).

The dark and aggressive colours used connote a dystopian atmosphere. I think one of the main USP’s

of this poster is how minimal it is. The edit of fire has made it more exciting and will stand out to viewers. Making it so bold may even attract unregularly viewers of the soap.

The way the characters are presented is in a very seductive way both male and female. They are unclothed but the female character situated in the middle conforms to the stereotypical view of how woman are portrayed in the media as being objects rather than people and also conforms to Propp’s character role as the ‘princess’ (damsel in distress). This may attract more male viewers to the show.

Poster researchThis is the second poster which I have chosen to analyse. This will be a good example to go by as it’s a teen drama. So I will be able to use certain aspects of this one onto my own poster. I was attracted to these two most of all due to some of the features in which they have both used and which I may want to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) in my own poster. These will be good examples for when I come to produce my own poster. I will be able to get ideas from both and maybe combine them.

This poster is divided into three sections with different colours for each. The colours could connote different meanings or emotions about each character which will interest the viewers and get them wanting to know more about the characters.

The layout for this poster is very minimal again much like the previous one. The colours would be the main USP as it draws viewers in and makes the audience think.

Posters are much more dramatic and the way the three characters are looking in different directions suggests different things about them. The far left: more worried and maybe in a state of distress more than the other two. Middle: more mysterious and secretive. The far right character seems to be looking guilty about something. Its very important in a poster as its how the audience can get connected to characters by looking at print.

The close up shots make the poster more effective as it enhances the characters emotions much better than if it were to be a mid shot.

A disadvantage to this poster I would say is the size of the tagline. I think if it was a bigger font size it would’ve stood out more and made more of an impact as its an effective tagline.

Where the point of call is situated it states ‘in 2013… life hits you’ this diverts from the original ‘coming soon’ and makes the viewer get excited about the show.

Another disadvantage would be the pink stars which have been placed in around the poster. This makes the poster seem more feminine which is effectively a bad decision. This won’t attract as many male viewers as they would automatically think that this would be for a female audience due to them being a bold pink colour.