Similar to all the magazine covers studied this one use’s a staged image of the involved characters as the main feature. There are three characters layered over a circular frame, the layout of this frame is very interesting and draws in the reader’s attention immediately. It is similar to ‘looking through a window’, parallel to similar to the common belief that Soap Operas are truthful and the viewer is simply watching someone’s life: “They invite viewers to drop in and see characters” (Histories & Theories by Dorothy Hobson, chapter one). The circle frame also has connotations of life and death, taken from our culture and religion; this could symbolize that within the storyline someone’s life ends. Furthermore, the background within the circle is orange, with an effect similar to fire – this connotes to the audience that the storyline may incorporate a blaze somewhere, creating suspense and interest.
In the mid-ground of the frame are two female characters, these are featured off-centre to not take away attention from the central male character in the centre foreground. As they are situated to one side it makes them appear more vulnerable and by placing the male in the middle it connotes that within the storyline he has the power and control. Both females have their hair down and colourful t-shirts on, this emphasises their femininity, once again exaggerating their vulnerability. The male characters stand in the foreground of the shot staring directly at the camera, his menacing facial expression and dark suit represent him as an evil, intelligent criminal – a character clearly portrayed as the ‘baddie’. The dark suit is parallel to his dark demeanour, and connotes his immoral character.
Layered over the image, underneath is a large yellow box which inside, has the masthead and tagline promoting the soap. The masthead is written in a large, bold, red font; which together with the yellow connotes fire, parallel to the background of the main feature. The words “double killing” are written in the red font, parallel to the connotation red has such as danger and death, the bright colours immediately attract the reader’s eye, drawing them in to read the information. Underneath in a simple black font is the tagline “two die in Tony’s revenge plot”, this assures the reader that two characters will be killed off within these episodes, further developing the suspense and tension. It also begins to make the reader guess as to whom will be killed?, meaning they are more likely to watch the program to find out. Above the text box is the soap operas logo, a direct symbol, easily recognisable by most readers to tell them which soap the main feature refers too.
Underneath the main feature are two other features, easily identified as separate ‘advertisements’ via the outline of a yellow box. The first feature uses a screen grab from pre-recorded footage to create more excitement about the storyline, the magazine may use a screen grab as the storyline is part of a continuous storyline which is reaching its climax. The second box is promoting the return of the Eurovision, its uses a staged image as the Eurovision is live and instead use the image of the presenter. The background of the feature is a bright, tacky pink parallel to the stereotypical belief that the Eurovision is tacky and fun.
At the top of the page are another two features, both use staged images as they are new programs and do not want to give anyway any storyline. Both are easily accessible for the reader as they are put into boxes making the information clear. In the corner of both features is a small yellow puff with the word “new” written inside in a red font, this ties in with the magazine cover’s colour scheme and attracts the reader via the bright colours. The role of Soap Operas in British culture is evident within one of these features as they use a previous soap opera actor to promote a new program: “corrie’s Tina gets raunchy”. The word choice raunchy makes the program appear fun and even controversial, by naming a previous soap opera character it shows that they target an audience of ‘religious’ television watchers, especially soap operas. It also highlights that even though you may not watch Soap Operas, they are mediated to the extent that you know the storylines and characters without watching them.
In the bottom left corner is another features, again the use of staged images are incorporated as the features promotes a new storyline. The words layered over the image are “max’s new love!”, the exclamation creates excitement about the new storyline as the reader want to find out all the details. The image shows max and a lady stood side by side in body language that connotes they are a couple, they are both smiling and dressed in suits – connoting happiness and wealth. However, by dressing them in suits there is also connotations of power, hinting there could be some sort of power struggle later on in the storyline.
In the bottom left corner is another features, again the use of staged images are incorporated as the features promotes a new storyline. The words layered over the image are “max’s new love!”, the exclamation creates excitement about the new storyline as the reader want to find out all the details. The image shows max and a lady stood side by side in body language that connotes they are a couple, they are both smiling and dressed in suits – connoting happiness and wealth. However, by dressing them in suits there is also connotations of power, hinting there could be some sort of power struggle later on in the storyline.
In keeping with the stereotypical television magazine the background of the cover is light blue, due to its calming tone and connotations of trauma and relaxation, common to soap operas. The magazines logo and title is visible in the left corner, written in a large white font within a red box. The red connotes the importance of the magazine and by choosing to incorporate the word “TV” in the largest font it shows that this is the main focus of the magazine. By choosing to use the abbreviation “TV” instead of television the magazine is in keeping with the chatty tone they use in an attempt to engage their readers.
I really like the circle frame used within the main feature and hope this is something we could interrupt into our own front cover. I like the representation that’s it’s like looking in at the action and the connotations of life that it has, something that would be parallel to our opening storyline. However, I think that the front cover is not as interactive as some I have studied, I think the use of interrogatives and exclamations are key in attracting the reader, keeping the chatty tone and creating hype and suspense about storylines.
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