Name: Deanne Sequeira Candidate Number: 5989 Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College

1. Name: Deanne Sequeira Candidate Number: 5989 Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College Center Number: 64770 Unit G324: Advanced Production Portfolio OCR A2 MEDIA STUDIES Magazine and Poster Research

2. Magazine Cover Research I found several magazine cover via the internet and through browsing through a newsagent. I saw a few soap opera magazines which caught my attention in terms of their layout, the fonts, the colours, coverlines and images.. I came across ‘Inside Soap’ and ‘Total Tv Guide’ which helped with the structuring of the front cover. I feel that these front covers depicts what a soap opera magazine is all about as they get the readers attention in different ways. The main cover image consists of a mid-shot of the female and male characters who appear to be annoyed due to their facial expressions. The female has been positioned in the centre because she may be the focus of the magazine, which connotes her dominance and that she is in control of the other man as she is also placed slightly in front of him. The use of eye contact in direct eye line with the reader makes it more personal and inviting to pick up the magazine. The verbal code ‘new’ in an oval shape is paired with bright colours which immediately draws the attention of the reader. It is also very persuasive as something which is new, people usually want to know about. The soap opera name on the secondary cover image helps to establish that it is a soap opera magazine and the layout of these secondary coverlines are easy to read ‘Tina’s Shock Decision’ is the main cover line which is large and bold in the colours black and white. The black outlining the white connotes that she was once innocent but it has been taken away by another person, possibly the man behind her. The circular background behind a secondary cover image with text, is interesting and different and draws the attention of the reader as a celebrity is holding a trophy. Also, this secondary cover line matches the background image within the circle as it reflects the ‘Great Britain’ flag while discussing the ‘Britain’

3. Magazine Cover Research The secondary coverlines suit their images, for example ‘Buried Alive’ demonstrates how a character is hanging on for their life, survivors (Maslow) would want the woman to get out in time before she is buried as they need a sense of security in knowing people are safe and well. The main cover image consists of close up shot of the two females and a male characters who all appear to be annoyed due to their facial expressions. One of the female’s has been positioned in the centre because she may be the focus of this particular story in the soap opera, this connotes her dominance and that she is in control that she is more superior than the other character. All of these character are in direct eye line with the reader makes it more personal and inviting to pick up the magazine. The masterhead, ‘Inside Soap’ is in a bold red font and allows the audience to recognize this magazine. It also suits the red, yellow and white colour scheme which is used, creating a sense of continuity Tagline: every story! Every secret! Every week. This draws in the audience as it makes them aware of the fact that this magazine can give them all the latest news, thus, they will not need to go anywhere else. The repetition of the lexical choice of ‘every’ emphases the fact that this magazine offers the audience everything they could possibly want for a soap opera magazine ‘Death on the square!’ is the main cover line which is large, bold and capitalized in an orange font. This colour stands out again the reds, whites and yellows as it has been only used for this and another image which is part of the main cover image. This cover line suggest that someone is going to die, and the lexical choice of ‘square’ fits the typical features of EastEnders because all the characters refer to a certain aspect of Walford as the ‘Square’. The lexical choice of ‘plus!’ is in a red font inside a yellow shape which makes this stand out. Also, this connotes that there are extras that are including in this magazine which will draw the reader in. to ass to this the use of the exclamation point emphases the fact that it is exciting and different

4. Poster Research ‘HollyOaks’ is a contemporary soap opera which appeals to a younger audience. During the time when I was researching posters, I noticed that there were not many posters advertising the soap opera genre, which was due to the fact that this genre is mainly advertised through advertisements, trailers and word of mouth. Therefore, I researched posters which were of another genre such as 90210. The poster is reflecting life amongst real people; however, the lexis ‘Rub’ looks as though it has been slightly smudged out connoting that this life needs the ‘HollyOaks’ to brighten their lives up. ‘HollyOaks’ Exhibited on Channel 4 The fact that this is placed on the right hand side of the poster, suggest this is the ‘right’ way to live your life, by living a lifestyle involving wealth, beauty and love. This aspect of the poster denotes characters who are working class and overweight. There appears to be attractive characters wearing expensive vivid costumes in a bar type setting, connoting that this soap opera is new and fresh. The image shows that they are in a local pub which appears to be dirty due to dark murky colours used in comparison to the right hand side. Light colours connote a glamorous and fun utopian atmosphere Stereotypical attractive female wearing a dress with high heels, attracts both a male and female audience, as females would want to be like her and males will strive to be with a woman like her . Also, the difference in the dog, as the left image shows a scruffy dog looking for food, while on the right hand side the dog appears to be eating from a bowl and wearing a costume. I feel that this poster implies that ‘HollyOaks’ is new and fresh and audiences should forget about the dull and boring lives of the ordinary; therefore, they are injected ( Hyperdermic Syringe theory) with the though that they should aspire to be like the character within ‘HollyOaks’.

5. Poster Research While undergoing research I had noticed that there were not many posters advertising the soap opera genre, which was due to the fact that this genre is mainly advertised through advertisements, trailers and word of mouth. Therefore, I researched posters which were of another genre such as ‘90210’, which is based on the glamorous life of high school teenager in California. Tagline is positioned central at the top and states that her ‘world’ is ‘spining out of control’ this connotes that she is loosing touch with reality and that she is not able to cope with. Audiences would want the character to be safe and secure and to prevail (Maslow’s survivors) 90210 Direct eye line with the audience Close up shot of the face revealing emotions of sadness due to the smudged eye make up which connotes that she has been crying, thus, reflecting her vulnerability The name of the programme is bold, centred and easily established with the point of call information just below in white Hair partially covering the top of the face to reveal femininity Feminine features: lipstick and eye make up Dark backgrounds connoting a villainous character Point of information in the corner which is eye catching due to the colour of red. The colour red connotes danger due to the way in which the letter ‘V’ has been created; however, it can also signify lust as the female is smiling in a positive happy manner One eye in direct eye line with the audience, the one eye conveys a sense that she is a mysterious women, this mystery is furthered by the use of a ‘UFO’ in the background which suggests the genre of a sc fi.