Ancillary Task Deconstructions: Listings Magazine Double Page Spread

My final ancillary task will be ‘a double-page spread from a listings magazine focused on the documentary’. The first DPS I have chosen to deconstruct is from the ‘We Love TV’ magazine and is pictured below. Although this article is based upon a drama series rather than a documentary, it will allow me to grasp the recurring conventions and increase my knowledge on how to create my ancillary task.

LAYOUT	In the top left-hand corner ‘The big interview’ suggests that there is an article of this nature in every issue. This would create a sense of structure to the magazine and allow regular readers to know what to expect. As I would like my DPS to appear as though it would be found in a real listings magazine this may be an element I decide to include when designing it. A feature I feel is vitally important within this article is the box which states when the programme is on and which channel. Therefore, if the reader finds the article interesting and believe it is something they would like to watch, they don’t have to look through the rest of the magazine to find out this information. Due to this, I have already decided I will ensure I include the date, time and channel of when my documentary will be aired within my ancillary task. This particular DPS also includes a sub-article in a column down the right hand side of the page. I believe that sub-articles are light-hearted, fun, and offer the reader a break from the heavy text within the main article. This also takes up a substantial amount of the DPS making the main article appear as less daunting to read. As a result, more people may be likely to read it, increasing their interest in the programme and consequently an increase in viewing numbers. If I were to include a sub-article I would have to ensure it was relevant to my documentary in order to interest the reader (e.g. A list of the main cast members top 5 favourite motorbikes). There is a very simple colour scheme consisting of only 3 colours (black, white and gold). This simplicity keeps the pages looking neat despite the fact that there is a lot going on due to the multiple images. Due to this I will use a simple colour scheme when creating my own double page spread as I believe it looks professional and prevents the pages from looking crowded.
IMAGES	There are a lot more images on this DPS than I expected to see. This has made me believe that due to the fact that this is about something that is going to be on TV, it is important to supply the reader with a lot of visual elements. It appears as though the whole two pages, not including the sub-article, is taken over by a large image and the article is simply set upon a white background on top of this. Numerous other images are present across the two pages however the one which I found most interesting is the close-up of the writer of the article, present in the top left-hand corner of the page. I believe this is something I have previously seen within listings magazines and I will definitely consider incorporating this into my double-page spread to create a realistic feel. I am keen in adopting the approach of including sub-images within the article as it breaks the text up slightly and also adds visual aid to things which are mentioned. Captions are included on each of the images to explain their relevance to the reader.
TEXT	There is a line above the article which gives a very short and concise description of what the programme is about. This would be an effective feature in intriguing the reader, causing them to read on. After reading the article they would be more likely to watch the programme and so, in effect, this punchy line could have an effect on ratings. Due to this, I will definitely include a feature similar to this within the double page spread I create. A further way in which the reader is persuaded to read the article is through the use of pull quotes. They gather interest from the reader as they want to view these quotes in context and as a result I believe I will use at least one pull quote within my ancillary task. Although interviews can be written in a question and answer format, this article does not do so and instead adopts a narrative feel. This gives more credibility to the writer who, as previously stated, is pictured in the top left hand corner. As of yet, I am unsure as to how I will formulate my article as I would like to view 2 more double page spreads before I decide what appears to be the recurring convention. Within the article itself, extra information about the cast members such as their age is included. Due to this, I may decide to inform the reader about personal aspects of my main character throughout my article as they may identify with him and consequently watch the documentary. Conventions which are evident here and I am already aware I will have to include when creating my DPS is the fact that the text is set out in columns and begins with a drop capital. This is a recurring feature throughout all magazines and so it would be necessary for me to include this if I want my work to appear professional.

The next listings magazine I looked at was ‘TV Choice’. However, I was unable to find a double page spread based upon one programme within this magazine. Instead, I chose to deconstruct the double page spread below ignoring the advertisement on the left. I am still able to grasp conventions from articles within listings magazines from analysing this single page, I just have to bear in mind that they would have to be applied to a double page spread when creating my ancillary task.

LAYOUT	In the same way as the previous DPS states ‘the big interview’ in the corner, this page has ‘This week’ alongside the logo of the magazine. As this is clearly a recurring convention and so I will definitely include something along these lines in one of the top corners within my work. Once again, there is a box before the beginning of the article stating what channel the programme is on and when. This vital information appears to be necessary for articles such as this and so I will ensure I incorporate this into my own double page spread. The heading and article are maintained within a blue box, adding a border to the page. Upon focusing on this page I have decided I like the aesthetic effect this blue border has. It breaks the page up slightly and adds more focus onto the main image as this is the only thing that breaks the border. Although I am unsure as of yet whether I will include this within my own task, I will definitely remember that this is something I can include when creating my flat plan. The above page has a more eccentric colour scheme than the previous DPS, consisting of primary colours (red, blue, yellow and white). These colours comply more with what I would assume to be included in a listings magazine. The brightness would attract the reader’s attention, thus making them aware of the programme and more likely to watch it.
IMAGES	There are 3 images on this page, one main image and 2 sub-images. This is the same as the previous DPS if not including the images in the sub-article. Due to this, I believe my DPS will also utilise 1 main image and 2 sub-images. Similar to the ‘We Love TV’ article, captions are included to explain the relevance of the images.
TEXT	The heading and subheading are both rhetorical questions. These would draw the reader in as they would want to know the answer to the questions, subsequently reading the article to find out. This type of heading is appropriate for an article such as this, based on a soap series, however may not be suitable for my own DPS. The word ‘FAVOURITE’ appearing in a bubble stands out and is immediately recognisable to a reader, even if just flicking through the magazine. Due to this, if bubbles fit in with the design of my DPS I will include them where possible. Within the article itself, a surname appears within square brackets ‘[Woodyatt]’. This is a professional typographical feature which I will consider when writing my own article. At the end of the article the name of the journalist, Jon Peake, appears in bold. This is a contrast to the previous article where the journalist is named in the top left hand corner and even accompanied by a photo. I prefer the way the ‘We Love TV’ article recognises the journalist and so I will not gain inspiration from this article. Finally, the only text other than the page number which appears outside of the blue border is ‘Photos: BBC’. If I include images which are stills from my documentary I will ensure I also include ‘credit’ to the TV channel which I decide it will be aired on.

My final deconstruction is also from the 'We Love TV' magazine and is pictured below:

LAYOUT	In the same way as the two above DPS, this has a ticker in the top left-hand corner. As this DPS is from the same magazine, but different issue, of my first deconstruction, this also includes images of the interviewers.   A notable convention which has now appeared in all three deconstructions is the box at the beginning of the article including essential info such as the channel the programme is on and when it begins. Due to the fact that this has featured in all of my deconstructions I have decided I will definitely include this within my ancillary task. As well as this, there are sub-articles on either side of this DPS, one of which is relevant to the main article and the other is advertising other TV programmes which may be of interest to someone who watches ‘Phillip’s Text Santa Marathon’. This works well as the DPS is based on Christmas however I feel that within my own task only one sub-article would be appropriate. Once again, there is a colour scheme consisting of 3 colours (red, white and green) and therefore I will also utilise as simplistic colour scheme. These colours are appropriate to the Christmas theme and therefore I will have to choose colours which are appropriate for my documentary.
IMAGES	Similar to my first deconstruction, the main image appears to be the main focus of the page as the article simply lies on top of it. I find this effective and aesthetically pleasing and as a result believe I will adopt a similar style when creating my own DPS.   There are also multiple other sub-images and throughout my deconstructions I have learnt that it is not enough to include just one image. As a result, I will include various other images such as stills from my documentary within my ancillary task.
TEXT	Contrasting to the previous articles, this one appears in a question and answer format. This works well because Phillip Schofield is a household name and people care what he has to say. However, I feel this may not be appropriate for my documentary featuring an unknown person. The heading is a catchy play on words but I personally prefer the idea of having a pull quote as the heading.   However, this DPS does include a pull quote which, in the same way as my first deconstruction, is placed inside a circular bubble. As a result, if I choose to include pull quotes throughout my article I believe I will place them inside a shape rather than just on their own. This is because it causes them to stand out and is also visually appealing.   The inclusion of a drop capital at the beginning of the article creates a professional look and as a result I will include this when creating my DPS.