Analysis of Children’s DVD Cover

Main Title

Institution Logo

Main Image

Sell Line / Special

Features

Format Logo

Blurb

Billings Block

Back Cover Montage

Rating

Puff

The DVD Cover of “Tracy Beaker – The Movie of Me” follows the typical conventions of its type. This is because it is visually similar to TV Series and films also on DVD. For example, it displays the Rating Logo, Billings Block, Format Logo & Special Features. Also, the layout of the actual cover follows typical conventions too. The back cover is typically a montage and this cover is no different. Images and Puffs are displayed randomly across the front & rear of the cover. This helps draws in the viewer and allows them to recognise the TV Drama.

The way in which this DVD cover relates to institution and audience is shown by way it is presented. From looking at the DVD cover, it is clear that that the audience it is aimed at is young and more likely to be female. For example, the colours used are very feminine (baby pink, baby blue and some primary colours). Therefore, this is more likely to attract females of the target audience to the DVD rather than males. The relation between the DVD cover and the institution is also quite clear. The BBC was the first company to publish “Tracy Beaker” on their children’s TV channel; therefore, the same image is being used to attract the same target audience. For example, a Puff displaying “as seen on BBC” is obviously being used to help the target audience recognise the product.

The mode of address for this DVD cover is very informal. This is due to the use of colours, font and text which is placed over the DVD cover. An example of this would be the fact that most of the images used are cartoon, suggesting a younger audience would be interested in this drama, therefore, the images alone suggest this. The content and themes are being represented in a positive way on this DVD cover. For example, although Tracy has family issues, we still see her mum smiling in a posh sports car, (however, in reality it’s the complete opposite). Therefore, stereotyping is used in the suggestion that young children are full of hope and would rather tell a lie rather than the ugly truth. The message that this DVD cover gives to the audience about this TV Drama would be that you are shown both sides of the main characters life, however, other characters are naïve to what actually goes on in her life.