1. Question 1 (see link below this documents for documentary analysis)
TV listing
This is the final product that we devloped through the use of Photoshop and
InDesign. We have chosen to publish our magazine in the ‘TV & Satellite Week’. To
begin with we first research into simular products to learn key conventions, in
particular we focused on magazines such as ‘TV & satellite week’ and the ‘radio
times’. We chose to follow a proffesional layout as our topic is of a serious and
important nature.
In particular I am going to be comparing my product to that of a double page spread
article take from the ‘radio times’, this will enable to see were we followed, ignored
and developed conventions.
2. Comparison of masthead
Both magazines have an eye-catching masthead that stands out from the rest of the
page though the use of a large font. This is an important convention as it shows a key
point of the article to grab the reader’s attention. We chose to use the title ‘Nomo
phobia’, this is the main focus of the article. Whereas the radio times used the title
‘lessons of the killing’, which is also related to the text. The title is complex so
therefore there is also a stand first used beneath it, this is conventional to
provide/explain further information on the title. This is important as it gives meaning
to the title and gives extra information on a key point of the article.
3. Comparison of images
Both magazines follow conventions by having one dominate image that is related to
the article, this is eye catching and draws the reader to the magazine. However In my
article I chose to have multiple images as well as my main image, I feel this is more
conventional that the radio times chose to ignore this. There are some images but I
feel they do not have as much relevance to the article compared to ours, we chose
pictures of our documentary so it is directly linked. We also chose to have a
watermark of a mobile phone behind our title, this image developed conventions but
I am pleased with the professional look.
4. Comparison of other features
Other noticeable conventions that both magazines follow include the use of pull
quotes, these are a short segment of text which attracts the reader to the article.
Both magazines also follow the conventions of using a drop down cap in the article,
this gives a clear and professional look for the magazine. As well of this both
magazine have used a column format to display text, this convention allows the
layout to be easy to read as it follows a clear structure/order for the reader to read
in. Lastly where images are used, aside from the main image, the text is wrapped
around the image, therefore both magazine can be said to be developing
conventions as this enables a free flowing article but it is not present in most
magazines.
5. Radio trailer
I will be comparing my radio trailer to that of a radio trailer for doctor who
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtOjbwGi3nk (This is a link to the doctor who
radio trailer)
In our documentary we had to choose if to follow conventions in these key areas:
Voice Over
Sound effects
Vox-Pops
Interviews
Length
Extracts
Our radio trailer
It is conventional in a radio trailer to use extracts of the documentary or episode that
it is advertising. This is done so the listener is informed of what the documentary will
be about, if the extracts are appealing then more people will be attracted to watch
the documentary. The extracts that are typically withdrawn from documentary
consist of Vox-pops, expert interviews and key facts & statistics. In our radio trailer
we used several vox-pop extracts which gave quick-fire answers on questions related
to our subject. This would attract the audience as they would want to know the
meaning behind what they are saying and how mobile phones are effecting society.
We also used a small snippet of our interview with July, this provided a brief expert
view on our topic to show a serious element to our documentaries.
Doctor who
In the doctor who trailer we hear key extracts from the episode, however they are
careful only to use key words to grab your attention, whilst not revealing any of the
storyline.
Comparison
I believe that we followed conventions in an effective manner and also developed
them by using multiple snippets of vox-pops, however I think this was effective as it
shows who the documentary was about (the youth and modern day technology).
6. Facts and statistics
Our radio trailer
We did not make enough use of fact or statistics in our radio trailer to a large extent,
but we used an expert views which could be considered fact. However there is
definitely a large area in which we could focus more on, such as statistics which could
be surprising to the viewer, therefore making the documentary more appealing.
Doctor who
In doctor who there was no focus on fact, it was all extracts from the program to
build up excitement. It reveal brief parts to the storyline making you want to find out
more. However doctor who also did not follow conventions, but this is to be
expected as it targets a younger audience.
Comparison
Even though both target a younger audience I would say in the future I would focus
more on adding facts, this would give a more detailed insight into what our
documentary has to offer. However there is still value in having few facts to leave the
audience guessing.
Details of program
Our radio trailer
In our radio trailer we thought it to be of high importance to include key details of
the documentary such as channel time and date. We chose to have it at the end of
the trailer so if the audience were interested they can then remember the details.
Whereas if it was at the start then it would perhaps be ignored by potential our
potential audience.
Doctor who
Doctor who gives brief details at the beginning of the documentary, mainly the
channel. However it follows the idea of having the channel time and date in full at
the end of the documentary so it is more convenient for the listener. By doing this
the details of the air time stay fresh in the viewer’s mind.
Comparison
I believe that this is an important convention for trailers to follow as it will get the
program more viewers. It also make sense to let the audience decide if they want to
know further details before they are told them.
7. Overall conclusion
Overall I am pleased with most of the choices we made in terms of making our trailer
a highly conventional piece. When comparing my product to other media texts it has
shown me how important it is to follow conventions in order for information to be
put across in a formal manner.
I feel there is room for improvement in our documentary but I am pleased with our
use of essential conventions and where we chose to challenge conventions. I believe
it led to a well-balanced overall piece.
Lastly I am most satisfied with my TV listing piece, it has many professional qualities
on it. Even though I think we could have adapted it to be more appropriate to our
audience, such as by making it more informal, I am still more than pleased with the
overall look.
