This document analyzes the codes and conventions of listings magazines like Radio Times and TV Choice to inform the creation of a double page spread for a documentary. Key aspects analyzed include placement of the masthead, use of images, text, and colors. Radio Times features a large central image in low lighting making the subject look mysterious, while TV Choice uses cut-out character images on a bright background and friendly rounded fonts. Both magazines employ techniques like buzz words, prices, and captions to attract readers' attention and complement the visual elements.

1. My first Ancillary Task – analysing
listing magazines
Jody evans

2. For my first ancillary task – I am
choosing to make a double page
spread from a listings magazine
focused on the documentary
• I will firstly, research some present listings
magazines in order to gain an understanding
of their codes and conventions.
- I will be looking at: Radio Times and TV choice.

3. Radio Times
Masthead is the
largest font,
however not at
the top of the
page here as
there is a skyline
above it. Shows
the tv guide is not
about everyone
Skyline – offering
something free/to
win.
Website address
here.
Bar code is not in
usual, bottom right
hand corner –
shows the magazine
as breaking the
rules slightly and is
a bit ‘different’ to
others.
Main image here
takes up most of the
page. Large close up,
with low key lighting.
Shows up shadows in
the characters face
and makes him look a
bit dark and
mysterious
Buzz words ‘win’ to
attract attention. Buzz
stickers of a round
orange colour to stand
out
Colour
scheme is
simple and
attractive.
Makes the
main
image and
text stand
out well

4. Date and year, also
name of the magazine
here
Page
number
here.
‘narrative hook’ here –
heading which tells you what
the double page spread is
about
Main image
here takes up
most of the
page, some cut
out images of
main character
Images in
boxes, not
all aligned
straight
gives a
more
relaxed feel
Play on words,
humorous and
catching to
audiences
‘special’ is a buzz
word – makes It
sound exclusive
Ellipsis here
makes reader
want to read
on
Formal but
relaxed
language, not
too complex
or specialised
Not actually a lot of
writing here – larger
focus on the images
and captions with
those.

5. TV choice
Title of magazine,
masthead, is not at
the top left and
doesn’t stand out
much. Buzz button
style.
Cut out images of
characters onto a
bright background to
stand out.
Two tone
colour text to
make it stand
out. Rounded
font to make it
seem friendly
and
welcoming –
less ridged.
Price here in buzz
button
Halo around image
here making them
look ‘goodly’ – looks
quite tacky and
badly done however.
No barcode to scan for pricing. No link
for the website

6. Overlapping of
words here with
two tone
colouring shows
how something
is not exactly
right – which fits
the title
Colour scheme is basic
and has few colours to
keep it simple
Large image takes up whole double
page spread which text written
over the top
Very relaxed
language, like as
if the writer is
talking directly
to the reader,
not slang
language but
vernacular and
quite simple –
easy to
understand by
all readers. Obvious use of Photoshop
to airbrush the characters
here
Small
quote
here
which is
like a
little
commen
tary to
the
image.
Giving a
little
explanat
ion