Audience Research: Profile

Audience feedback: TV listings (DPS)

I wanted to received some feedback from one of my close friends regarding my final product. I used iMessage as an application to conduct the feedback, as it meant I could easily send over a screenshot of my work too. 

As demonstrated below, Katie has given me some constructive criticism and advised me to add a transparent background behind the main article. I think this could potentially look really good so therefore, I tried it out.

Below is a screenshot of what the main article now looks like with a transparent background colour placed behind the text. I used the 'magic wand' tool on InDesign to match the colour red from one of the lifeguard's uniform. 

However, where I have turned down the transparency level to 15%, the colour has changed slightly. However, I think it is an effective adaption because it adds more colour to the overall look of my double page spread. 

Generic Research: Codes and Conventions

After analysing already existing products as part of the research process for my ancillary products I have consolidated my research into two lists. These involve the codes and conventions for each of the two products, this list will help me out when it comes to incorporating them into my work. 

The TV listings (DPS)

• Large masthead, in top left hand corner 
• Byline 
• Lots of images to illustrate text
• Direct mode of address
• Clear colour palette 
• Sub-headings 
• The time and channel the show features on
• Web address
• Rhetorical questions
• Imperative and declarative tones
• Colloquial lexis (language that can be understood) 
• Columns for the article  
• Paragraph breaks 

The Newspaper advert

• Central image 
• Direct mode of address
• The logo (usually on right hand side of the advert)
• Usually horizontal shaped 
• Clear colour palette 
• The logo the same colour as typography 
• Web address
• Simple yet effective-not too crowded 
• A strap-line
• The time and date being shown
• Text placed within a shape (as seen on Channel 4 adverts)

The Documentary extract

• Expository...or Participatory 
• Rule of thirds effect when presenting interviews
• Establishing shots 
• Statistical facts
• Text on screen to introduce characters
• Slow motion editing technique 
• Editing also something sped up 
• Consistent font types throughout 
• Still images used as cutaways
• Panning camera movement 
• Non-diegetic music in the background 
• Over the shoulder shots 
• Underwater shot types 
• Strong mise-en-scene- actors involved dressed in uniform

Generic Research: Journalism on the lifeguard

This particular article lists specific elements that only qualified lifeguards would be able to relate to. Therefore, this could be an article that my target audience may have read, if they are that interested in the role of a lifeguard. 

Click here for a link to '14 things your lifeguard might not tell you'

Click here for a link to 'a real life lifeguard assesses lifeguarding in Baywatch'

Click here for a link to the Baywatch trailer, which acts as a representation of what people think lifeguards are like

This is an email I received from the Royal Lifesaving society. It proves that lifeguards as needed due to their importance. This is what I plan to raise in my documentary. I want to raise awareness about what it really takes to be a lifeguard.

Generic Research: Channel 4

This is a YouTube video that I found very beneficial to watch. It demonstrates a wider range of generic conventions that have been used on already existing Channel 4 adverts.

 I have come to the conclusion that the more niche designs are a lot more effective and interesting to look at for the target audience. 

Some of the example within this video hold conventions that you wouldn't expect to be on a Channel 4 advert. 

An example is where the text covers the majority the main image. This would not have been a design I would have originally thought would look effective, but after watching this video I now think differently. 

Production: More changes to my listings

This is a screenshot of the changes I have now made to the top of my listings double page spread.  I have moved the tagline into the centre of the page, so it can easily be seen by the audience when they look at the masthead.  Furthermore, I have included a summary of what my documentary is about at the top. I have made the change of making it into more of a slanted position, it fills the space slightly more and is also a lot more interesting to look at. 

After reviewing the conventions of some other listings magazines, I have chosen to include a small author's note at the very bottom of the double page spread. This is a screenshot of the product straight from InDesign, which means that is why there are lines still over the top of the text.
I needed to research how I was going to place an image inside a circular shape, as this is something that isn't obvious on InDesign. Therefore, I used a YouTube video that told me exactly how to carry out these changes.
Click here to see this video

This is a screenshot of the YouTube tutorial that I found. She walked the tutorial through step by step, so I found it easy to follow. It was slightly fiddly to get the picture in line with the while circle behind. but once I worked out the technique it was easy to do.



I have been in contact with Charlotte from my focus group, as I wanted her opinion on the writers note I have included at the bottom of my double page spread. 
Her feedback was positive, and I have decided I am definitely going to leave this part in as it is a popular convention of already existing magazines. 

Production: Adding a title

I have decided to add a suitable title to my TV listings page. Due to my documentary being aired on Channel 4, I decided that this logo would be the most appropriate one to use for my product.

Many other already existing products I have looked at also have logos on the front page. I discovered that they are all short and simple titles, with the purpose of simply labelling what the product involves. It is also a professional convention that brings the product together more.