IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

What are the conventions of a children’s magazine cover?

During the research stages of my coursework I found various existing children’s magazine covers so that I could analyse them. I did this so that I could compare and decide which conventions and forms were most popular, meaning I could incorporate them in my product. The three magazine covers I analysed were Balamory, Hannah Montana and Tracy Beaker.

Conventions of a

children’s magazine

cover

Catchy cover lines

Programme title at the top of the cover

Variety of font sizes

A lure e.g. free gift

Smaller images relating to cover lines

Many bright, bold colours

Various fun fonts and shapes

Main image of the main characters

Barcode, price and issue number

Posters

How are these conventions used on my magazine cover for ‘Run Around’?

Title of the programme at the top of the coverFun shapes used for cover linesOne main image of the main charactersVariety of fonts, font colours and font sizes

Barcode, price and issue number

Smaller images relating to the cover lines

Lure/free gift

Vibrant, colours to make the cover exciting

Posters

What are the conventions of a children’s DVD cover?During the research stages of my coursework I found various existing children’s DVD covers so that I could analyse them. I did this so that I could compare and decide which conventions and forms were most popular, meaning I could incorporate them in my product. The three DVD covers I analysed were Balamory, The Sleepover Club and Lizzie McGuire.

Conventions of a

children’s DVD cover

Clear, simple and organised

Programme title at the top of the cover

Variety of font sizes

Series information

Logo of the channel or distributor

Many bright, bold colours

Various fun fonts

Main image of the main characters

Barcode and rating information

Vibrant

How are these conventions used on my DVD cover for ‘Run Around’?

Title of the programme at the top of the coverVibrant, bold colours to make the cover funOne main image of the main charactersSeries information

Rating certificate

Clear, simple andorganised

Focal point

Enhanced image

Variety of fonts, font colours and sizes

How are these conventions and forms used in my ancillary tasks for ‘Run Around’?

In my ancillary tasks I followed as many conventions of similar products for a child’s audience as possible. I did this so that my target audience would be increasingly appealed to my products. When comparing my DVD and magazine covers to existing ones I had analysed there were many similarities. For example, my products had a main image of the main character spread across the covers which would help the audience to immediately recognise the characters and become familiar to them. The characters are all smiling and appear to be a happy friendly group, displaying the programme is light hearted and entertaining. With my magazine cover the cover lines are focused around the images and are in bold, colourful fonts. A variety of font sizes are used too and the headings are in fun childish shapes which will be instantly relatable to the target audience. The title of the programme is features in the masthead so that the products are recognisable too. The bright, bold colours used on my products make them seem fun and exciting which in turn will make young children want to buy them. On the magazine cover there is a barcode, issue reference and price making it look professional. The DVD cover features a certificate rating and series information which follows current conventions. There are fun cover lines on the magazine which attract the required audience such as lures ‘Free yoyo’ and childish language ‘cool’. There are also things such as puzzles, jokes and hair tips inside which will instantly grab children’s attention. The clothing of the characters relate to their stereotypes with props such as glasses to help enhance this.

What are the conventions of a children’s opening sequence?During the research stages of my coursework I found various existing children’s opening sequences to their programmes so that I could analyse them. I did this so that I could compare and decide which conventions and forms were most popular, meaning I could incorporate them in my product. The three opening sequences I analysed were Balamory, The Sleepover Club and Hannah Montana.

Conventions of a

children’s opening

sequence

Minimal camera movement

Transitions between shots

Each character has individual style so Various costumes are needed

Sometimes lyrics with the theme tune

Close up shot of each maincharacter

Fast paced editing

Cool, upbeat theme tune

Variety of shot types

No other sound other than theme tune

Editing such as cuts, wipes and fading

Each character introduced with their name (in a colour representing their personality)

How are these conventions and forms used in my final audio-visual opening sequence ‘Run Around’?My final audio visual opening sequence for ‘Run Around’ also follows conventions of

children’s programmes. For example the characters all follow different stereotypes so that a wide range of the audience can relate to certain characters and their personality traits.

This will make it easier for the younger audience to watch and understand too. In the sequence a girly character is introduced who is holding a mirror and applying lipstick, a sporty girl is shown to be playing football on the playing field, a smart boy is wearing

glasses, surrounded by books and working on a laptop in a classroom to show he is a nerd and a comic character is introduced who is shown to be laughing and trying to fit in a small box. The use of the appropriate props and school surroundings such as a playing

field, playground and classrooms help to create verisimilitude. When each character was introduced their names were displayed with themin suitable colours, such as the girly character Emily’s name being in pink. This colour represents femininity which

helps to identify her character. The fonts used for the text are very childlike, simple and clear to read so that it is suitable for a young audience. At the end, the title ‘Run Around’ is displayed in a rainbow coloured effect which is

suitable and appealing to children as it is vibrant. The bright and fun fonts used will keep children entertained through the sequence and will grab their attention. Mainly a still camera is used due to the audience being young

children. This means it will be easy for them to follow and they wont get distracted. However, there are some movements in the sequence such as panning. The group of friends I decided to use were a mixture of males and

females so that all children can relate to them. During the sequence they were all shown to be friendly , happy and laughing together which is another convention. As the characters are all of completely different stereotypes it sends a subliminal message to the audience. Following another convention, I structured the cast to do fun, energetic and youthful shots all together at the beginning and end of the sequence.  This is to draw the audience into watching

the video which works as they see the cast having fun and then to keep the audience wanting to watch the programme as the final image they see if again fun and youthful characters which they can relate to. I used an

upbeat, cool theme tune to reinforce the fact the programme was youthful, fun and light hearted. In between each shot I used a chequered transition which kept the style consistent and also made the sequence exciting for young

children to watch which is another typical convention.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

When producing my ancillary and main tasks for my children’s programme ‘Run Around’ I have used as many forms and conventions of real media products as possible. This is so that they fit in with current existing similar products and would therefore be more likely to appeal to my target audience of young children. All three of my products are fun, exciting and vibrant creating a consistent youthful style. My main task of the opening sequence did break some conventions though as I felt the overall product would work better otherwise. For example, I chose not to use a theme tune with lyrics due to the fact I wanted the sequence to be simple and easy for children to watch without confusing them with lyrics. Another convention I broke whilst producing my main task was the camera movements. The conventional way to record an opening sequence is to use a still camera however it is evident in some of the filming that it is handheld due to the unsteadiness of it. I feel this could be improved upon if I were to create another similar product. Overall I feel my media products use, develop and challenge forms of real media products very well. I have followed the conventions of existing similar products strictly to produce my ancillary and main tasks to a high professional standard suitable for my young target audience.