Existing Media Texts - Magazine Cover Three

This magazine cover differs from the previous as it merges two soap operas together for its main coverline. The image used is staged yet the actors remain in character, both staring intently at the camera. This pose combined with the dark suit they both wear creates a negative stereotype, something similar to a ‘gangster’; it makes them both appear powerful and dark. As they are both wearing smart costumes there is an indexical reference that they are both skilled and clever about the crime they commit. Their figure’s cast a shadow onto the blue background which connotes dark and evil highlighting the mysterious mood created, developing the evil persona the set-up of the image represents them as having. The use of composition within the image connotes who the darker, more serious criminal is, hinting theirs will be the more serious crime.

The image is layered over a blue background, a colour that is commonly used as a background in soap opera magazines, the colour blue connotes the trauma and sadness these characters will create amongst their ‘community’ and also the idea of relaxation, something the audience seek whilst watching soap operas. Layered on top of the images is the main coverline “Faces of evil”, showing that this applies to the two featured characters; it is written in a simple yellow font and the yellow connotes the cowardly characters, parallel to the dangerous characters featured. The word evil is emotive language, meaning that an emotion or feeling will instantly be triggered amongst the reader as they want to find out who is evil and why. The inclusion of bright and pastel colours also softens the negative feature and hints at underlying entertainment. Emotive language is also used in the sentence underneath: “killers … terror”, matched with the word evil a negative semantic field is evident which heightens the readers curiosity. The phrase is written in a simple white font and layered over the character’s dark suits, the juxtaposition of dark and light connotes the struggle between good and evil; a theme which is relevant to the storylines. The phrase finishes by naming the two soap operas as to which the feature applies, “corrie and enders”, this is ‘soap opera jargon’ and therefore the target audience is clear as being soap opera watchers, people with prior knowledge about both soaps.


At the bottom of the page are three other features which are separated into boxes by a white line meaning the reader can easily locate the information they want; again, the images are staged and the coverlines interesting so that a sense of excitement is developed within the reader meaning they will buy the magazine to find out more information. At the top of the front cover is the masthead, written in a simple white font which contrasts against a bright pink background. The pink background is used as it has connotations of love, parallel to the name of the magazine “we love telly”. The use of the inclusive pronoun “we” means the reader will feel part of a group, feel that the magazine was personally designed for themself and people similar to them; matched with the soap opera jargon and the abbreviation “telly” the magazine creates a happy, chatty tone that will appeal to their target audience. The word “telly” is larger than the other two, to once again highlight that this is the focus of the magazine.

This magazine cover appeals as unlike the others studied it is much simpler in its layout, the information displayed is clear and obvious as to which program it is referring too, this is something that I would like our magazine cover to look like. I like the contrast of the light blue and bright pink background, as well as the connotations and bright colour to attract the audience it also shows that this magazine is aimed at both men and women.