ancillary task analysis

1. Poster Analysis
Dexter

2. Codes and Conventions of TV poster
• Eye catching (because it is advertising something, therefore needs to be striking)
• Colours that connote the genre of the TV poster (i.e. dark for thriller, bright colours for
comedy)
• Focal image (usually of main character in the middle of the poster)
• Title of the show, in large, bold, outstanding letters
• Directors, producers, actors, in smaller, less noticeable font
• Quotes, recommendations, ratings
• Taglines
• Channel it is being aired on

4. Large focal image – this is evident in the Dexter
poster which shows the main character looking
very sneaky holding a knife, which in picture form
denotes the storyline of the TV show
Interesting background – this is
used on the Dexter poster with
the angel wings created from
blood splashes. This again,
portrays the motif behind the
TV show and gives a little
insight into the show and
Dexter’s character without
giving too much away
Large title – This title is bold, in red, and takes up a lot of the poster.
The use of the colour red continues the motif of blood and gore, a
theme of Dexter
Colours connoting genre
of TV show – dark shirt,
red blood and title, white
background. Shows the
juxtaposition of the
character of Dexter
Tagline – TV posters don’t have lots of text,
so a catchy tagline is useful in captivating
audience. The use of simile is extra
emphasising and adds some fluency to the
tagline.
Channel it is being aired
on – so the audience
knows where to go to find
the TV show and watch it