Soap Opera Genre –

Ancillary Product Analysis

Name: Abigail RonaldCandidate Number: 2121Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic SchoolCenter Number: 64135

OCR Media Studies – A2 Level

Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

Masthead – the denotation of the masthead is a bold, eye catching verbal code which draws the reader to want to purchase the magazine, this is firstly due to the verbal code, such as the verbal code “Inside”. By using this choice of noun, it makes the magazine appear to have ‘exclusive’ information about the following soaps presented on the front cover, that other magazines do not offer. The colour red in the masthead ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) the publishers passion for the soaps in which they review and write about, this makes the reader feel confident about buying the magazine.

By using a strapline the magazine is able to sell themselves to the reader in order to make them want to buy every issue of the magazine. By claiming to include ‘Every Story’ and ‘Secret’ every single week, this verbal code will entice the reader because they will feel that they can get the latest information about their favourite soaps in this magazine.

The main image presented on this issue of InsideSoap is similar to how they are in every issue, the characters from the soap featured in the main headline are normally looking shocked, angry, upset or an emotion which makes the reader question what's happened to them.

The headline presented on this cover anchors the main image, this is because the headline denotes how there is going to be an upcoming crash which is putting lives at risk, which Is supported by the expressions the actors/actresses are portraying.

The Cover Lines used on this magazine front cover are extremely effective. This is because the supporting stories are all corresponding to different soaps which means that the magazine will apply to many different members of the market (as different people like/prefer certain soaps) because there are several different soaps present.

The barcode, issue number, date and price are not assembled together on the front cover of this magazine, the price is placed at the top near the masthead, as well as the issue date. This is effective because it makes it easy for the consumer to find the price.

Cross ComparisonMasthead – Unlike InsideSoap, this magazine does not have the masthead spread across the entire front cover. Similarly, they have chosen to have the background of their logo red, which yet again presents passion about their magazine which will make the reader trust what they are reading. The bold white font makes the masthead stand out even thought it is not stereotypically taking up the full width of the page. Unusually, the issue date is presented within the masthead, this is not a feature I would replicate on my magazine front cover as it takes attention away from the masthead.

The price of this magazine is [positioned very effectively as it is presented on top of a shape which makes it stand out.

The main image on this magazine front cover isn't very dramatic which is what it should be in order to attract as wide an audience as possible. By having one of the characters smiling, it will disinterest the common audience as they are looking for drama and gossip about negative storylines.

As the barcode is positioned along the side of the magazine, it means that there is more room for the sub stories along the bottom of the page. However, the barcode being positioned where it is taking attention away front the main image.

This soap opera magazines use of cover lines is very effective. They not only include the most frequently watched soaps within the sublines, they also add ‘NEW’ onto the most popular programmes. This is a technique I wish to repeat because is makes the reader feel like this magazine can provide ‘Exclusive’ information about a particular programme in which they are interested in.

The layout of the headline is effective because it is extremely bold and eye catching which draws a potential consumer to pick up the magazine.

Conclusion• To conclude, there are several features I wish to ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) on

to my Soap Opera magazine I will be designing from both magazines in which I have analysed, these include:

- Bold, Bright font colours and styles- Headlines being to full width of the page- Sub-Stories being presented along bottom of page + 1/2 along header- Actors/Actresses facial expressions being scared/anxious/angry- The price of magazine being located around masthead- Barcode at bottom right hand corner or page• Features I do not want to repeat:- Issue date being within section of masthead (What’s on TV)- Too many sub stories so that the main headline + main image becomes unclear

(InsideSoap)