Soap Opera Magazine Analysis (Two)

Target Audience

The target audience for this magazine is clearly shown as youth females who are within the social class of E-C1 and fits the stereotype of watching soaps and favourite gossiping. This means that the Laura Mulvey (1975) may be mentioned within this analysis as she is the dominant theorist for woman as she states; 'Woman are sex objects and don’t have any important role within television plots.'

 Also this could also mean that there will be evidence to support the Blumer and Katz (1974) because the target audience will be watching/reading soap gossip/features for their own reasons such as; 'Personal Identity, Diversion and etc.'

Since there is crime mentioned within youth's lives so much from the start of a very early time period of history, as the target audience is female youth's there will be evidence of Stuart Hall's theory now and then as he states;  'Teenagers aged between 12 and 25 are heavily involved with sex, alcohol and are often moody.' Crime will be mentioned in most cases of a soap opera because they like to keep the audience interested in terms of a 'normal lifstyle' in where the setting takes place, creating stereotypes of areas within Britain.

Masthead

There isn't really a masthead for this magazine front cover and this is against magazine common conventions. Although within the space of where the masthead should be; there is date which could mean when the magazine is in or out of date for the soap opera current stories taking place. This could be suitable for the target audience who fall under the theory of Blumer and Katz because they will be purchasing this magazine for their own purposes of 'Diversion, Personal identity and etc.'

Images

In terms of connotation; the colour presented upon 'What's on TV' magazine is mainly, a deep pink, aqua blue and yellow. These three colours in denotation could represent mood for the feminine target audience their trying to attract to purchase this article. The colour deep pink could represent that the target audience is young females (16+), the aqua blue may connote the youth's and lastly the white may connote curiosity. This is all evidence to show support for the Stuart Hall theory (1904) because he states; 'Teenagers aged between 12 and 25 are heavily involved with sex, alcohol and are often moody.' 

The magazine has a few common conventions in sight, the blank white box could be where the barcode once was but was removed, it has the price tag, main storyline, strap-lines and main image, other common conventions such as the issue and others upon the contents page, therefore this magazine demonstrates that it is suitable for their target audience who the soap opera's predicted: 'Faithful viewers/purchasers' and will fall under the Blumer and Katz (1974) theory as they will be purchasing the magazine for their own purposes in terms of the common conventions on display.

The females presented in most of the images within the photographs are all dolled up with make up and have fashionable hairstyles; this could connote that the target audience of this magazine issue is for females because they may purchase this magazine because each character in sight may represent a female person in Britain. Although it could be argued that men may view/glance at this magazine due to the female characters appearance, being suitable evidence for the Laura Mulvey (1975) theory as she states 'Woman are portrayed as desirable sex objects within media.'

The men portrayed in this magazine front cover all look like they will be suitable for the Marxist theory and will attract some men into purchasing/glancing at 'What on TV' magazine because certain star vehicles/characters may represent a certain person/goup of similar men within Britain.

Within the back of on of the photos is a young girl with fire in the background, this could connote anger and will attract the target audience as people will be as curious to know what is happening within this storyline, maybe thinking its crime. This is evidence for Stanley Hall because the fire may connote crime as well as emotions and this makes it suitable for the target audience to view.

Lexis/Text

The main storyline for this magazine issue is from EastEnders with Roxy and Derek as the main image stating; “Kill Roxy! Derek hires a hitman” in big capital yellow letters with a black outlining, in another yellow box surrounding the second half of the storyline to help the words stand out to the target audience. The way the yellow box is surrounding the text could connote crime because in terms of its appearance the teaser looks like a police 'do not cross' line upon a investigation scene. Therefore this could connote that the presentation of these words are suitable for the target audience who fall under the Stuart Hall theorist (1904) because he states; 'Teenagers aged between 12 and 25 are heavily involved with sex, alcohol and are often moody.' Also teenagers will want to view this magazine article story because it will excite them about what’s to happen within the storyline next.

In terms of lexis choice, the magazine seems to use many negative words within their teasers 'Kill, split' and 'horror.' These Lexis choice words are all involved with crime or depression, demonstrating that these soap stories about to be spilled into a magazine will attract their target audience who fall under the Stuart Hall theory as they will tune in to watch the soap Emmerdale and EastEnders to witness these scenes take place and maybe relate to them, as well meaning the Blumer and Katz theory (1974) has evidence for their theory in this soap opera magazine front cover.

Conclusion

On a whole after analysing this magazine 'Whats on TV' demonstrates that my predictions were correct, there was evidence for Laura Mulvey, Blumer and Katz and finally Stanley Hall because the target audience is youth females who are within the social class of E-C1 and fits the stereotype of watching soaps and favourite gossiping. Although also I have found evidence of other theorists that may attract other people than the target audience into viewing this magainze; that is Marxist (attracting men who are straight, white and middleclass) as the characters presented may represent an individual man within Britain.

Annaleigh Benn

Soap opera Magazine Analysis (One)

Soap #1

The primary target audience for this soap magazine will be faithful, interested and British in watching the soap opera's that are displayed upon the front cover, this magazine mentions soaps such as Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders, therefore this will attract woman who are aged 15+ plus and are in the social class of E-C1.

So the main theorists that will be applied to this magazine brand name front cover will be Blumer and Katz (1974), Stanley Hall (1904) and Laura Mulvey (1975) because I will now analyse this cover and show how 'All about soaps' magazine has attracted their target audience using techniques/technology designs.

MastHead

The masthead on this current magazine front cover tends to be quite full in terms of images of star vehicles (from EastEnders) covering the magazine's slogan name “All about Soaps” and is located at one eighth down the page layout.  This may put certain faithful magazine readers from purchasing this magazine because they cannot see the title and some of the target purchasers may not see it. Although you could argue because of the colour; it may attract the target audience into purchasing the magazine because of the colour of the logo, representing that most of the stories that are advertised upon the cover may be dangerous or thrilling for those who are curious to know wha’ts going to happen next in a plot within a soap opera.

The slogan for the magazine isn't clearly visible as it is hidden behind some of the main characters of EastEnders because they are involved with the biggest story on soap television, but part of the slogan revealed states; ‘Gossip, plots…’ and etc’ in blue font with red stars in between gaps of per word. This could attract the target audience (woman) who fit the stereotype of gossiping in certain events of a normal lifestyle and therefore fall under the Laura Mulvey theory (1975).

Text/Lexis

In terms of denotation; the bottom of the magazine states “PLUS! Three fab posters!” This will attract the target audience's attention to pick up the magazine because the star vehicles the three posters have upon them will encourage people to purchase this magazine, falling under the Blumer and Katz (1974) theory as they state people will watch soaps/television for their own personal purposes such as: “Personal Identity...Diversion and etc.” In this case it will be mainly for personal identity because there is a particular set of characters on the magazine posters.

In terms of connotation the magazine contains all of its common conventions in terms of: price, barcode, price, a main storyline, a main storyline image, issue number and a masthead. This would demonstrate how the magazine is suitable for the target audience who are faithful in purchasing this magazine, also it will agree with the Blumer and Katz theory (1974) theory (personal identity, diversion, information and etc) because people will be encouraged this magazine in terms of the professional layout to the target audience viewing the storylines and etc to glance at what they would like to know.

There seems to be a semantic field of relationships but in a negative sense because there is word choices such as ‘Three is a crowd’ ‘Three free posters’ and ‘secret affair’ in two storylines of the magazine front cover, this could attract the target audience who fall under the Laura Mulvey theory because the characters that are caught in his affair scandal are woman star vehicles from EastEnders (Zoe about to steal Sonia’s man?) and Emmerdale (Charity has found a new lover, but who is it?) , connoting how woman are delicate and are sex objects to men, the dominant gender, also showing that these storylines may attract men also because it will represent how men are dominant and have a choice of woman in the plots, falling under the Marxist theory.

Some advertisement word choices has been placed on to the magazine front cover, these are ‘Exclusive! Inside! Plus!’ and ‘Revealed.’ This will attract some of the targets audience attention because the words are bold and stand out on the page to help advertise the dramatic plot in a certain soap opera featured on television, attracting the audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory as they will read the magazine front cover to know more about the soap opera plots for their own purposes; entertainment, personal identity, diversion and etc.

Images

In terms of colour, the main colours to attract the target audience (Youth's) for this gossip soap opera magazine is red, yellow and white, all these colours could represent emotions such as 'red = anger' and 'white and purple = curiosity/misunderstood' but the third colour would disagree with the Stanley Hall theory because the colour 'yellow = happiness/excitement' and this theorist states; “Youth's are involved with crime between 12 and 25, as well as sex and moodiness.” So this magazine may attract some youth's but possibly an older working audience.

The woman characters portrayed upon the magazine front cover will all fall under the Laura Mulvey theory because all of the star vehicles are wearing make up and will attract audience of both men and woman. Woman will be attracted to the images in terms of the characters representing them as a individual person, although men will be attracted to the soap opera because they may see these woman as desired sex objects. But in terms of the storylines, these will make the target audience interested to see which character portrayed in the soaps Emmerdale and EastEnders has

Two timed with another.

Many of the images featured on the front cover to represent a soap opera storyline has a white frame around them, this could have an effect upon the target audience glancing upon the magazine because the images will stand out. People will therefore view the magazine images for their own purpose, making it suitable for people who fall under the Blumer and Katz (1974) theory.

Men presented in the photographs are straight, white and middleclass demonstrating that these characters portrayed are dominant in the media working area as well as the storylines in the soap operas. This will attract men into watching the soap because these characters portrayed in the soap operas may represent many individual men in the Britain.

Conclusion

After analysing this soap opera magazine; ‘All about soaps’ is suitable for the target audience (females aged 16+ and is in the E-C1 class. They are also faithful into watching the soaps regularly and purchase the magazine for their own purposes) because it has shown evidence of Laura Mulvey (1975) and Blumer and Katz (1974). Also the magazine may attract some men into purchasing as it has evidence of the Marxist theory and this may represent an masculine individual in Britain.

Annaleigh Benn

Soap Opera Poster Analysis (Three)

The target audience for this soap opera would be broad females at all ages; therefore I will now analyse this poster using the theorists Laura Mulvey, who states that woman are sexual erotic objects to mens desires by the view of the camera and appearance of the female character. She also adds that men have the main acts in storylines whilst woman don’t. I will now begin to analyse this poster to see if this poster is suitable for encouraging the target audience to view this soap.

In terms of colour for this poster, there is a variety of colours from pink to grey, this could represent each star models personality in terms of the character on the pink gives a flirtatious facial expression and the character with the red could connote she’s feisty and firey. This will go against the Laura Mulvey theory (1975) because she could be one of the major roles within this storyline and will represent woman who are watching this programme, middle-class and therefore encourage them to watch it to see if predictions on who killed the victim is correct.

The female character upon the red  peg is wearing make up and has her hair all dolled up, this will fall under the Laura Mulvey theory because it will attract men and woman who find this character attractive and will be watching the soap to watch their star vehicle, once again representing woman who are watching this programme, middle-class and therefore encouraging them to watch this programme.

Looking at the image, in terms of graphology the black background makes the main characters stand out as if their all equally suspicious of this investigation about the drama that is happening within the soap. This could therefore be suitable for the target audience that this soap is aiming for; woman because this particular gender tend to get more involved in activities than men (stereotypically). This would therefore fall under the Blumer and Katz (1974) theory.

The Lexis used within this poster is quite detective like as it states “Who killed Tom King?” with a interrogative question, this could help involve the target audience more because it will encourage them to follow the storyline further, especially as it says “Conduct your own investigation at itv.com/emmerdale.” This will definitely get the audience more involved with the personal pronoun in use “your.” This will fall under the Blumer and Katz theory because they will watch and get more involved in the soap for their own reasons like; personal identity, diversion and etc.

The ITV1 logo is placed within the middle of the circle of suspects, this will be suitable to catch the audiences attention because it connotes that’s where the centre of all this action is taking place, on the channel ITV1 and the target audience will tune in to watch it. This will be suitable for the target audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory.

Also in terms of Lexis it states “Its far from quiet in the country” This agrees with the Higson theory because this soap opera is creating a new stereotype for the countryside giving people who are watching Emmerdale a different impression of Yorkshire. This could therefore mean that this soap is suitable for their target audience because … (got stuck)

Also in terms of images the characters within the image all look quite aged, there isn’t one young character there. This is once again creating a stereotype within Yorkshire and will have an affect upon the audience. This will be suitable for the audience who fall under the regional identity theorists Higson.

There isn’t as many female characters as there is male characters within the poster (2 woman and 8 men) this could also fall under the Laura Mulvey theory because she states that men are the dominant characters within an interesting storyline. Therefore this demonstrates that this will be suitable for the target audience due to how iTV1 has said they predict woman will be viewing this soap opera for entertainment.

Although you could argue this out number in men and woman is evidence of the theorist Marxist as he states that men who are straight, white and middleclass are the stereotypical people that run the media and they are running the media in this soap because there is more men within the storyline being suspicious of Tom Kings murder.

The storyline within the soap also declares that the murderer of Tom King was Carl King as he was ‘pushed’ out of the window. This will also support Laura Mulvey’s theory because she states that men are the dominant characters in an interesting storyline and within this plot of the Soap, there isn’t much of the female characters involvement.

Overall this soap has demonstrated that the majority of this poster will encourage the target audience to view this soap after viewing the poster because most of this after analysing it has shown that it supports Laura Mulvey. But also it has shown evidence of other theorists like; Blumer and Katz theory and Marxists. 

Soap Opera Poster Analysis (Two)

The target audience for this soap opera poster advert is teenagers who fall under the Stanley Hall sterotyping theory of Youth’s. Stanley Hall states teenagers are moody and curious about sex, alcohol or drugs, then are involved within criminal activity between the ages 12 and 24. I will now analyse this poster to see if it would be suitable for the target audience that Channel 4 have predicted for the Soap Hollyoaks and analyse if this would encourage them to watch this.

In terms of graphology the dark left hand side image shows overweight and cheap looking people in a old pub, which could connote that this is something people wouldn’t want to see within a soap making it unsuitable for the target audience that Hollyoaks is aiming for; young teens as there will be nothing in this that will interest them.

But if you compare the left side of the image to the right, all light, glamorous and stylish with more attractive actors, this could connote that the show is trying to persuade everyone its the new cool show to watch, meaning it will be suitable for their target audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory; watching the soap for their own personal interests such as: Personal identity (from the cool looking star vehicles), diversion, entertainment and etc.

The typography used makes the text look as if it’s been erased, which goes with the theme in the Lexis choice “Rub some Hollyoaks on it” through the pink rectangle shape background. This will attract the audience who fall under the Stanley Hall theory because the colour pink and the erase theme could represent moods. This means it would be suitable for the target audience because the target audience is adolescences who are searching for the next big thing.

In terms of colour, the right side of the image has a lot of stale and old colours such as brown, dark red, brown and etc. Whilst if you compare this to the left side of the poster contains lots of lively and fresh colours such as red, pink, blue and a lighter red, this could connote that the show is more fresh and up to date, which would suit the target audience who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory; watching the soap for their own personal interests such as: Personal identity (from the cool looking star vehicles), diversion, entertainment and etc.

In terms of images the image on the left hand side contains the Channel 4 logo, this will be useful to those people who are interested in watching the soap because of how up to date the poster makes Hollyoaks look, it will encourage them to tune in on the channel. Therefore this is suitable for those who fall under the Blumer and Katz theory.

Also in terms of images the female character on the left side of the poster will fall under the Laura Mulvey (1975) because the blonde has her hair done up, she is wearing makeup, glamorous clothing and revealing a bit of her legs. This will be suitable for the target audience who find this star vehicle attractive (mainly men) and will watch the soap.

The male characters within the images will fall under the Marxist theory as they are portrayed as the men who run the media, white, middle class and straight because one of the men is dancing with a girl and another one is working behind a bar. This will attract the target audience who are males because these star models will indicate to them that this soap opera is aimed at both men and woman despite the stereotype of woman watch them more.

Overall this poster has shown enough evidence of supporting the Stanley Hall theory; the main theorist for the stereotype target audience in mind for the soap Hollyoaks. It has also shown evidence for the Blumer and Katz theory audience as people may want to tune into Hollyoaks for their own personal interests/reasons.

Annaleigh Benn