You will be guided in the codes and conventions of DVD covers
Learning Objective:
To apply the conventions of DVD covers to a mock up DVD cover of the sequel to a film you are familiar with.
Key words:
Main title, main image, hierarchy, spine, cast, age certificate, blurb, synopsis, reviews, awards, running time, institutional logo, lettering, action line, handwritten.
Dvd covers that you produce as a part of your coursework will need to have the following elements included, they will need to be designed to appeal to the specific target audience that you have in mind:
Task 1: List the conventions of Dvd covers in your orange books.
Main title - written using a font that is suitable for the genre and the audience of that genre.
Main image - consider all the visual and technical codes when putting this into place. It should reflect the content of the Dvd.
Tagline – draws the audience’s attention sometimes by asking them a question.
Iconography – relevant to the genre or images of famous actors, or even places – because the audience may recognise them from other films they are familiar with.
Industry reviews – gives the film critical acclaim, often accompanied by stars out of five.
Sequel – audiences may have seen the first one and will find a sequel appealing.
Blurb or synopsis on the back of the DVD cover – wording is sensationalised mentioning actors' names and giving information about the narrative. Sometimes asking asks questions to the audience to create enigmas making them want to find out more.
Bonus features – the audience is getting inside information about the film, the actors, crew. Gives the text a personal feel.
Awards – gives the film recognition to the audience. Audiences want to watch successful films.
The production company – audiences recognise them from previous films and give them an indication of the style of the film.
Director – audiences might recognise the name from other films they have made.
Film classification – necessary organisational issue.
Screen grabs – gives the audience an insight into the film.
Task 2:
List the conventions evident on this annotated DVD cover (Wizards). Ignore the typos. Orange books.
Task 2: Take notes from this DVD cover presentation. Orange books.
Using the template provided, design a mock up of a DVD cover for the sequel to a film you are familiar with. Choose a genre that has iconography you are familiar with. Make notes on the back of the handout rather than annotating your design.
This is not an Art exam so just indicate any colours along with the connotations for that colour.
Learning objective: To identify codes and conventions of magazines and apply them to a mock up magazine of my own Key terms:
Genre specific lexis: Words that an audience would associate with a specific genre. 'Banging' tunes'. Hyperbole: Over exaggerated language that can make a text seem very good. 'I've told you a million times'. Imperatives: Words or phrases that contain a command or an order. 'Get your free gift NOW'. At this stage of coursework production, you need to consider each and every aspect of your artefact. You are strongly advised to take notes as you work. What tools are you using in photoshop? Why are you trying to achieve this effect? Everything you do must be to appeal to a target audience. Below is a revision page for Magazine cover creation. Task 1: Write the above key terms in your books.
Magazines also have lots of genres and sub genres. Music magazines are a sub genre but all magazines have codes and conventions that audiences expect to see.
When you create a magazine cover you should look to include the following and consider how these conventions will appeal to your target audience.
Masthead: In publishing refers to the name of a magazine or newspaper printed in large type at the top of the front page.
The masthead should also give a clue to the genre of the magazine.
Kerrang for instance is the name of a music magazine and it sounds like a guitar being strummed.
If the magazine is well known then the masthead may be obscured by the main image.
Sell line/tagline: is information on the cover of a magazine that tells the reader what extra they can get if they buy the magazine. Free gifts or competitions for example.
Cover lines: These usually run down the side and give the reader clues to what is inside the magazine. Their aim is to persuade the reader to buy. Cover lines always link to the genre.
Main image/central image: The main image of a music magazine is usually a picture of a band or artist who is currently popular.
Date, barcode, price: All magazines should include these. The price should reflect the category (a, b, c1 or c2, d, e). of the primary target audience.
A strip along the top of the page(header bar): Includes information about more minor articles inside the magazine.
Here is what an annotated magazine cover looks like with just the codes and conventions indicated:
Task 1:
Annotate the magazine below using the handout provided. Use the media terminology that you have been using here.
Task 2:
In your orange books plan the layout of your own music magazine.
This should include as many of the codes and conventions we have discussed as possible.
The genre of my magazine is________________________________
The main article of my magazine is__________________________
The age of the primary target audience for my magazine is_______________
The other articles in my magazine will be__________________________________
They can make the reader feel exclusive, part of a group.
In the Good Food magazine cover shown below, words are used that are only relevant to people familiar with the genre (food).
Task 2: Under the heading 'genre specific lexis - Good Food magazine'. Identify and list the words on the above magazine cover that are related to the genre of food.
Alliteration is a stylistic, literary device identified by the repeated sound of the first consonant in a series of multiple words, or the repetition of the same sounds of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables of a phrase.
Task 3:
Under the heading 'Alliteration': Use at least three words to describe your experience at De La Salle.
Ellipsis ask the reader to delve further into the magazine...
If the character on the main image is staring straight out at the audience then it is called a direct mode of address. In the cover lines, the magazine may 'speak' directly to the reader.
The layout and design can be formal or informal.
This will depend on the house style of the magazine.
Informal layout may include snapshots or paparazzi shots.
They might be laid out overlapping like some snapshots dropped onto a table.
heat magazine uses an informal layout and design.
Formal layout may include photos that have been set up and taken in a studio. This style will appeal to a more sophisticated or mature audience.
Colour: Magazines tend to have a house style which is used consistently.
This can be created from a limited palette, say red white and grey.
Font style and size: This is also related to the genre and can be sophisticated or cartoony, depending on the target audience.
Social media: Links to social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter are important and can prolong a reader's interest in the text. The URL is usually evident.
Print texts like magazines, CDs and film posters use the technical codes of framing, editing and lighting to transmit meaning. These texts are constructed using a range of techniques designed to appeal to an audience. Layout and design The way in which a print text is constructed is partly through the technical codes of the text. The use of colour, font style and text positioning all contribute to the overall style of the publication. Magazines have a house style that is always used and readers will recognise this and expect it to be consistent. Readers will recognise for example, the font style used for the masthead and the colour codes.
Camera Shots The choice of shot on a print text helps to communicate meaning. A screen shot from a film used on a poster suggests the narrative and genre of the film. A close up of a performer on a music industry website contributes to their star persona and will attract their fan base.
Lighting The way in which an image is lit helps to convey a mood. Moody lighting with high contrast adds drama. Bright, naturalistic light is more friendly.
Low key lighting
High key lighting
Use of Colour The colours chosen to be incorporated into print texts convey messages about the texts genre and often about the audience who will consume it. Pastel colours on a CD suggest a particular type of music. Print based adverts for fragrances convey messages quickly to their audience by using digitally applied colour washes. The colours on Rihanna's CD tell the audience to expect passionate content.
This print based ad is for a perfume. Although it is difficult to sell a smell visually, the ad does its best to let us know what to expect; feminine, light, fragrant.
Graphics Logos and graphical representations appear in many forms on print based texts. Some CD covers and websites, for example do not contain images of the band or artist but use more artistic illustrations or photos which represent the genre of the music. (See the Cage for Elephant website).
Post production techniques It is the case in media today that still images are manipulated and enhanced digitally for an effect. In advertising for example, eyelashes are extended and skin is made to loo flawless through the use of digital airbrushing. Models on the front covers of magazines are body brushed to give an unrealistic appearance of perfection.
Task 1: Answer the question: How do technical codes construct meanings in print text?
Learning objective: To familiarise with the creation of a print based artefact for MS3 submission.
Key terms:
Subvert
Replicate
Production Candidates are required to submit a production which should develop from and be informed by the candidate's research investigation. This production must be in a different form from the AS production. Audio-visual productions should be up to 4 minutes in length (depending on the nature of the production). Print-based productions (or their digital equivalent) should be a minimum of 3 pages. Digital media (other than audio-visual productions) and print-based productions must be individual. Audio-visual productions can be produced either individually or in groups (maximum 4). Group tasks must offer appropriate opportunities for each candidate to demonstrate an individual contribution.
Creating a print artefact.
The print production you create must reflect your research findings and must be produced individually.
Print texts can include DVD covers, film posters, CD covers, magazine covers and pages etc.
You must produce a minimum of 3 pages.
Tips for creating a successful print text:
You must demonstrate your ability to plan and construct a print media product. You must also demonstrate your technical and creative skills - your submission should look as professional as you can make it.
If you are working in a print medium you must choose a format that will demonstrate your research findings.
For example; the front covers of a television listings magazine would not be an appropriate text in which to illustrate your findings of narrative in crime drama. A DVD cover and posters would would be better and give you more opportunities to demonstrate the focus. This is particularly relevant where you are using a print medium to demonstrate the research findings of audio-visual texts.
Whatever print texts you choose to produce, you must use your own original photographs. You will not be given credit for photographs you have not taken yourself, even if you manipulate them digitally using Photoshop. Planning your photos and using a good quality camera (not your phone camera) will mean you have less post production to do. Consider settings for your photography and lighting. The imagery must give the audience clues to the genre.
For editing, use Adobe Photoshop software. This will give you much more professional results as it allows you to create layers and achieve a range of special effects which will gain marks for you.
Be aware of the codes and conventions of your chosen format and genre. For example, a DVD cover should incorporate the typical features of the text. Remember the small details, the design of the spine and the industry information on the back.
The back of a DVD cover is as complex in its layout and design and use of images as the front.
For the purposes of this unit, a DVD cover counts as two pages.
Importantly, use the texts analysed in your research investigation as a guide.
Do you intend to subvert or replicate your findings? How will you do this?
Task 1: Complete the handout provided which asks you to expand on your initial ideas.
Task 2: Draw a spider diagram based on the handout. This should help you to explore your ideas and incorporate the findings you made through primary and secondary research.
Use colour. Your Spider diagram should look like the one below:
Task 3: Complete the WJEC cover sheet (in your best handwriting!)
Alternatively, you can type the responses and e-mail to aealey@de-la-salle.co.uk
The doc can be found at studentshare>Media>A2_2016
