ancillary task analysis

1. Ancillary task analysis
BY SOPHIE TRIEVNOR

2.  For part of the ancillary tasks we are required to create a double page
spread and 3 posters to promote our documentary. We intended to go for
a channel 4 type documentary; this meant that we had to do research as
channel 4 has a very specific format and layout to their posters. Research
was also required in producing a double page spread for a TV listings
magazine. We decided that it would be appropriate to do an interview
with the documentarian with questions regarding the production of the
documentary, also due to the subject matter of our documentary we felt it
would be suitable to also provide information on Mormonism so that our
audience could know a bit about the documentary content. And for our
posters we wanted to provide the basic but effective look from channel 4
posters. We intend to use relevant imagery and symbolism associated with
Mormonism and religion.

3. Main heading: the white
bold font stands out
against the dark
background to catch
the reader’s attention. The
title is also appropriate due
to the article being about
a vampire show based
around two brothers.
Double page spread analysis TV listing
magazine
Background: the
background image
shows the three main
characters. It is
engaging and relevant
to the article.
The date, time and
channel that the
programme is aired
can be seen here, this
informs the reader
where and when they
can watch the show.
Extra information: the
spread includes extra
information about the
characters and which
actors portray them.
This extra information is
engaging and will help
readers understand the
plot and article in more
detail.
The text is very small, this means more info can
be included and allows the page from looking
too busy. It also allows the images to still be
busy. There is also a sense of continuity as the
writing here is the same colour and font as the
title.
Colours: the image colouring helps set the right
atmosphere and correlates with the programmes
genre. It makes the spread attractive, engaging and
more enjoyable to look at.

4. Channel 4 documentary poster
analysis
Classic channel 4 poster font –
memorable and original, everyone
associates this font with channel 4
(documentary) adverts/posters
Channel 4 logo,
telling people what
channel the
program is on
Dark skies – pathetic fallacy,
imagery links with dark subject
matter. (missing children)
Location – china, use of very
famous landmark great wall
of china reflects how
important the subject matter
is
More grim imagery – posters of missing
children on the famous landmark,
shows relevance and is engaging. The
posters can be seen to cover the wall
very far back, symbolising how big the
problem is. Entices audience making
them want to view the documentary.

5. Double page spread analysis TV listing
magazine
Large image, relevant to
article. Happy image
with soft, neutral colours,
sets a calm atmosphere
and seems like a happy
interview therefore
engaging reader
Title placed at bottom of
page. This is unusual
placing as the title would
normally be at the top
centre of the page. This
makes the spread stand
out and unique, making it
a memorable read.
Quote picked out and
made bold, this gives the
reader a sneak peak and
will hopefully encourage
them to read the article.
This is a very typical
layout for a double page
spread; simple, easy to
read and visually
attractive.

6. Channel 4 documentary poster
analysis
Sponsor
The first thing seen is the
title as it stands out and
then the tagline. The
connotations derived from
the title suggest the
documentary is about
drugs, and this assumption
is supported by the tagline
containing the word
‘junkie’. Due to this topic
being one that stimulates
human interest an
audience is inclined to
notice this over other titles
– much like the natural
human interest in murder.
Although this is not a
poster for a drugs
documentary, it
captivates and engages
an audience.
Well known
font,
informing of
time
‘Part of the cutting edge series’ –
this tagline is engaging due to its
descriptive use of vocabulary
‘cutting edge’ short, sharp and
intriguing