2. MASTHEAD-
On a soap opera magazine, you would
typically find the masthead located in the
top left portion of the page due to the fact
that this is the area where most people
looks and the place that catches the human
eye focus. The significant color of red is not
only catching to the eye, but also could
connote the idea of danger, death and love
which fits with the genre of a soap opera
and its main conventions. The verbal code
that the masthead uses is “inside soap”
which conveys the idea that people who
generally watch soaps get very involved
and the soaps become part of there daily
lives.
Headline-
The verbal code of the headline
“showdown!” hints towards the plot of
the plot without giving to much away.
The minimalistic headline using one
word is effective due to the idea that
generally people who consume soap
operas are generally more attracted to
less less text and more images. The
verbal code “showdown!” successfully
engages the reader as it explores the
idea of the unexpected happening
making the magazine and in likeness
the soap a must see. In addition to
this, the colors and the size of the
headline compared to the other
conventions is much bolder alongside
the bold orange color contrasting to
the background of the magazine. This
immediately creates the effect of
drawing the audience to the magazine
and the narrative of the plot.
Cover line-
There are many cover lines spreading
over the first page of the soap. The
cover lines has the dual purpose of not
only hinting towards the plot of the
latest soap opera episode, but also
express excitement and engagement
from the reader. The cover line of
“plus!” and “Max demands answer!”
uses the exclamatory sentence
denoting that the magazine is a
necessity for soap loves but the
magazine is contemporary being up to
date in regards to its material.
Colours:
The bright, vibrant colours
incorporated throughout the magazine
makes the text become more bold and
so would attract the target audience.
The different colours would stand out
against other magazines and therefore
would encourage people to look at the
content branding and selling the soaps.
Main IMAGE:
The main image of the two protagonist in the soap opera series could be utilised for star appeal, which would entice readers to purchase
the magasie to watch there favourite celebrities. The medium close up of the characters have been successfully utilised to fill up the page
to show there importance throughout the soap and also draw readers in to there role within the story.
3. Web address:
The web address is used to add cross media
convergence to the publication, giving the
ability to read more into the magazine and
access exclusive online content. This has
the added advantage of reaching out to
people of all ages who can access and
watch the soaps on different platforms. It
also encourages people to talk more about
the soap, marketing the specific soap to
more viewers.
MASTHEAD:
The masthead is again located in the top
protein of the page written in a bold white
font, placed on a red background. Like in the
“Inside soap” magazine, the colour red could
connote danger which is highly representative
of the soap opera genre. It could also be used
to create a binary opposition of red and white
to signify the different characters in the soaps
and the arguing and disagreement that takes
place. The connotations of the verbal code
“Whats on TV” suggests that the magazines
picks out the best soaps and is promoting
them to there target audience. It entices and
intrigues the viewers.
Headline-
The headline introduces the narrative of the
soap without giving anything away. The verbal
code of the interrogative “Its murder?”, “Jack
kills Phill?” engages the reader and makes the
reader question of the soap encouraging the
reader to watch and keep up with the narrative
of the soap. The colour of yellow and read
screams to the reader and represents the idea
of fire, which connotes how the action and
drama is heating up over the series.
coverline:
The main coverlids are very central to the
page, located in front of each of the main
characters from the soap genre, giving a
short summary of what has happened to
each of the characters each week. The pink,
yellow, white and black colours are very
vibrant and bold standing out against most
of the pictures enticing the reader to go
further and deep into the story
encouraging them to watch the soap. The
short exclamatory sentences further
promote the idea that the soap is very
exciting and is something not to miss out
on.
colours:
The bright and vibrant colours used on the page
attracts and stands out to the audience,
especially as it stands out against most of the
magazines. The different range of colours could
suggest that the soaps have complex
relationships between the characters within the
soap and could also connote how the tension is
building up in the series.
main image:
The main image shows the two main
characters from the same soap. There
facial expressions shown through the mid
shot represent there characters state of
mind during the story of there soap. Both
of the characters also have there eyes
directly looking at the camera,
intimidating the reader making them feel
more engaged with the content shown.
4. To create a magazine that is representative of the soap opera genre, i will repeat (Steve Neale-
1980) the layout of the magazine by having the main image surrounded by other cover stories.
I will copy this idea as I feel that it attracts the audience the magazine and is easy for the
reader to navigate around the magazine. Additionally, I will have minimalist text, as readers of
the soap opera genre are more engaged by images as opposed to the text. I feel that images
will make the magazine appear and seem more bolder whilst also giving the reader a chance
to develop a closer relationship with the characters on the screen. I also think it is necessary to
replicate the bold, bright colours used on the front cover to reinstate the brands identity. Puff
promotions is a convention I will also incorporate within my magazine to act as an incentive
for people buying the magazine. It is likely that the price of my magazine will be a low cost,
lower than a £1, so that my target audience of the working class can afford to buy weekly.
Repeating Steve Neale's use of punctuation on the page, following each sentence with an
exclamation mark will make the soap operas appear more exciting and entice the reader
further.
CONCLUSION:
