My first Ancillary Task – analysing listing magazines

Jody evans

For my first ancillary task – I am choosing to make a double page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary

• I will firstly, research some present listings magazines in order to gain an understanding of their codes and conventions.

- I will be looking at: Radio Times and TV choice.

Radio TimesMasthead is the largest font, however not at the top of the page here as there is a skyline above it. Shows the tv guide is not about everyone

Skyline – offering something free/to win.

Website address here.

Bar code is not in usual, bottom right hand corner – shows the magazine as breaking the rules slightly and is a bit ‘different’ to others.

Main image here takes up most of the page. Large close up, with low key lighting. Shows up shadows in the characters face and makes him look a bit dark and mysterious

Buzz words ‘win’ to attract attention. Buzz stickers of a round orange colour to stand out

Colour scheme is simple and attractive. Makes the main image and text stand out well

Date and year, also name of the magazine here

Page number here.

‘narrative hook’ here – heading which tells you what the double page spread is about

Main image here takes up most of the page, some cut out images of main character

Images in boxes, not all aligned straight gives a more relaxed feel

Play on words, humorous and catching to audiences

‘special’ is a buzz word – makes It sound exclusive

Ellipsis here makes reader want to read on

Formal but relaxed language, not too complex or specialised

Not actually a lot of writing here – larger focus on the images and captions with those.

TV choice

Title of magazine, masthead, is not at the top left and doesn’t stand out much. Buzz button style.

Cut out images of characters onto a bright background to stand out.

Two tone colour text to make it stand out. Rounded font to make it seem friendly and welcoming – less ridged.

Price here in buzz button

Halo around image here making them look ‘goodly’ – looks quite tacky and badly done however.

No barcode to scan for pricing. No link for the website

Overlapping of words here with two tone colouring shows how something is not exactly right – which fits the title

Colour scheme is basic and has few colours to keep it simple

Large image takes up whole double page spread which text written over the top

Very relaxed language, like as if the writer is talking directly to the reader, not slang language but vernacular and quite simple – easy to understand by all readers. Obvious use of Photoshop

to airbrush the characters here

Small quote here which is like a little commentary to the image. Giving a little explanation