RESEARCH - Research into similar products - dvd covers

                                                              Hannah Montana Dvd cover.

Layout:
The layout of this dvd cover i believe it the most effective. The route of the eye firstly travels through the "walt disney" logo this is effective because it's helping to advertise walt disney and also children may like other Walt Disney films and be attracted to this one because it's also made by them. The route of the eye then travels into the masthead, "hannah montana- the movie" this is effective because it's written and designed in the same way it is normally in the programs etc, so children will recongise it and relate to it. There is also "the movie" bit added on, this is effective because otherwise children buying it may think it's one of the programs and be dissapointed when they get it home. The route of the eye then travels into a tagline, "she has the best of both worlds", then through Hannah Montana. Hannah is smiling and looking happy, she looks as if she's wearing lots of make up and is well styled up. The route of the eye then travels through another tagline, "Now she has to pick one" where it then goes through another image of Hannah, she is also smiling and happy, but looking more natural. The reason for this is because they are contrasting the city world, to the coutryside world. The hotspots of this magazine are just focusing on contrasting the two worlds together.

Images:
The images used are cleverly created. Both images are close ups, showing how Hannah is smiling in both of them,  but contrasting the different stances. In the first picture, Hannah is shown to have bright blonde hair, lots of make up ect. This is effective as in the top picture she is shown as being in hollywood, where the lighting has been used, and "hollywood" has been shown in the corner. Whereas in the second picture,  Hannah is shown as having brown hair, less make-up and far more natural looking. This is because this half of the image is set in the countryside, we can tell this by the horses and hay ect which is in the picture. The effectiveness of doing this is Hannah is seen as being two different people, showing children that you can do all sorts of things with your life. Also with Hannah being shown in different ways, the children have essentially, two "different" Hannah's they can aspire to be like.

Fonts:
 There isnt much texts used, but where there is the fonts are simple bold and readable, which is effective of the young target audience.

Colours:
The colours used on this cover are mostly whites and blues. Sterotypically blue is a males colour, although we know this is aimed at females. The reason for the colouring to be uncoventional is because they needed that colouring to make the effectiveness of the imagery work.

Conventions:
This DVD effectively follows conventions by including a happy Hannah on the front, shown to be like she is on the program. Also because children will recongise Hannah and aspire to be like her. The layout of the dvd cover is also conventional, having the masthead at the top etc.

RESEARCH - Research into similar products - dvd covers

                                                                   Ben 10 Dvd Cover.

Layout:
The route of the eye firstly travels through the masthead/title, "ben 10" this is written how it would normally be written and will be recognised by children who have watched the program. This is also bold and stands out well. Above the title there is a caption "volume 4..." This suggests that it's part of a box set, this also helps grab attention as it stands out well, as the white contrasts with the black backgroud. The route of the eye then travels into the monster/alien thing. Behind it there is lots of little pictures of little monsters and aliens with their arms out and their legs kicking showing they are ready to attack. The larger thing is shown as being very visious, as its teeth are out and it's eyes are bright yellow and feisty looking. The route of the eye then travels though to Ben, showing clearly his facial expressions. His mouth is open and his eyes are bright suggesting he is up for a fight or he is running really fast to get away from the monster. In the picture his watch is giving off something and is shown to be keeping the demond at bay. The route of the eye then travels through Ben's clothes, he is wearing his typical clothing he wears in the programs, this is effective because it means the children will recognise him. The route of the eye then travels through the "pg" age rating, this is showing what the target audience age is, boys aged around 4-10. The last thing we see is "cn" this stands for cartoon network and is helping to advertise the network, although it is helping advertise this dvd because people who like other cartoon network programs might be intrested in watching something different. The hotspot areas are showing the monsters face and Ben's face, maybe they did this in constrast, as the monster is looking fiesty and Ben looks like he's ready to take on the monster!

Colours:
The colours used in this dvd cover are greens blacks and yellows. Green is sterotypically more of a masuclin colour, although yellow and black arent so much, you know that this is targeted more for the males because of the idea of mosters and fighting ect. Black block colouring is used on a few occasion in this dvd cover, this is effective as it enables things to stand out more and grab the attention of children.

Fonts:
There is hardly any font but when its used its simple, consistent, clear and bold to ensure young children can ready what it says.

Images:
The images used are effective to the target audience. All pictures are cgi which younger children enjoy and can understand. The facial expressions of both Ben and the monster are shown clearly, to effect the situation which is happening. All the little aliens at the back are effective because they add onto the big monster, showing to the audience no matter what Bens faced with he can always win and achieve. And to younger boys being a hero is something they can look up to and aspire to be like. As the image of the monster is the biggest and most central to the page you get the impression thats the most dominant character in the film, the one Ben has to keep fighting to become a hero.

Conventions:
This dvd cover sticks to conventions because it is clear to the target audience it wants to achieve, this is shown through the images and the colours. Also having Ben on the front cover dressed in his normal feature clothes is effective because children will recongise him. The layout is conventional, with the masthead being at the top. Also using CGI imagery when the target audience is young children is effective as they can easily understand it.

RESEARCH: Research into similar products - dvd covers.

                                                                      Balamory Dvd Cover

Layout:
The first thing you see is the masthead Balamory, this is bold and in rainbow colours, they way it would normally be. This is effective because the children will recongise it from the programme, and can relate to it which will help advertise the dvd. The route of the eye then travels through to the Cbeebies logo, this is adveritsing for the BBC although it also helps attract other Cbeebies fans who might not have actaully seen Balamory. The route of the eye then travels through a circular picture which is full of sun, and bright skys and looks happy. This is effective and contrasts the title, "rain or shine" and also, reflects the umbrella on the right side. This will attract children in because it looks fun. The route of the eye then travels through the masthead/title, "rain or shine" this is written in bold bright orange writing, which is effective because it stands out. The actually title rain or shine is effective because children like both, and having a dvd about both may be fun for them. The route of the eye then travels into the restiricted age "u" which is basically anyone, so helps set the target audience of very young children. It then travels through a tagline, "have fun in Balamory whatever the weather" this is effective because it contrasts the masthead, sun and umbrella all together and suggests that Balamory is always fun despite the weather. Also it will help teach children that you can have fun whatever the weather. The hotspots are showing the characters, they are dressed like they would normally be on the show, helping chidren recongise them and be drawn into the dvd cover. Pc Plum is shown as being an authoritive character, yet still smily and happy. All the characters are shown smiling, which will help children be attracted to this dvd above others.

Colours:
The colours used in this dvd cover are mainly blues, oranges and yellows. These are all sterotypically unisex colours, contributing to the target audience of young boys and girls, around the ages of 1-6. The sky is shown as being bright and blue, suggesting its nice weather and everyones happy. The costumes of the characters are all bright, suggesting there all fun and this is something children like. Pc Plum's not so bright, but he is in his uniform showing authority. The orange bold writing used for the masthead is effective, exspecially with the white background because it stands out more. Also the contrast of the orange against the yellow and blue characters costumes is effective because it stands out even more.

Fonts:
The fonts used are plain and consistent throughout, but this is effective to the younger target audience it's aimed at, as they need clear big writing to be able to read and understand it. There is very little font on the dvd cover which is effective because unlike a magazine, you dont really want to know whats happened in a film before you watch it.

Images:
The images used are effective because they are the normal characters from balamory which can be recognised by the children. Both images of the females are mid shots, showing their clothes that they would wear on the tv programme, this is effective because the characters will be recognised by the children. The shot of Pc Plum is a close up, this is showing his facial expression, as he is happy. All the characters are shown as smiling, to attract the children because they look happy and fun. The way the images are placed suggest that Pc Plum is more important than the other characters as he is in the middle and looks more dominant, however this would work as he is the police officer and is the most authoritive character. CGI was used to create the circular picture in the middle, this reflects the title because its sunny  but the little charaters are wearing coats and scarfs, "you can have fun whatever the weather."

Conventions:
This Balamory dvd cover does follow conventions. They've used lots of bright colours, simple fonts and smily characters to convey with the audience being very young children. They have also used the characters from the program and dressed them in their outfits, which is effective because the young children will recongise them.  The masthead does not follow conventions as it isnt at the top, but it is still effective. Another convention they have used is CGI, this appeals to young children because its colourful, fun and easy to understand.

RESEARCH - Research into similar products - magazines.

Hannah Montana magazine.

Layout:

The route of the eye firstly travels through "new look new look new look." This is a brilliant thing to start of with as the reader will automatically see that it's new first and want to see the rest of the page. The route of the eye then travels into Hannah's face and through her body. She is shown as being happy and enthuastic which is how she comes across in the programme. She is standing in her normal stance, hand on hip and she is holding a microphone. This is effective because it's showing how she would be on the tv programme. Hannah is not wearing too much make-up, which is good because of the younger target audience, she is wearing trendy young clothes, which are not too revealing which also takes effect for the younger target audience, as they will aspire to be like Hannah. She also has a pink bangle and pink earings, all these things suggests that this magazine is for young-teenage girls, around the ages of 6-14. The route of the eye then travels through "peek inside.....Hannah's advice for you." This is effective because the word "you" makes it more personal, the children reading it will think Hannah's addressing them, which for them will be an exciting prospect - to be spoke to by Hannah. We then see the Disney Channel logo in the bottom left corner, this will be a way of advertising Disney. This can be effective because children which often watch Disney programmes may want to get this magazine even if they havent watched Hannah Montana, because they may enjoy other programmes made by Disney. The last thing you see is, "the movie and change your style issue" this is giving you an insight into what the magazine includes. The hotspot area mainly focuses on Hannah's face, above it you can see the masthead, "Hannah Montana", this is shown in the colours and the same fonts as it would be in the shows etc, which is effective. Other things advertised in this magazine are, "learn to sing loud," this is shown on a bright pink section which grabs attention. These are also giving you an insight into whats inculded in the magazine, which people want to know when their buying a magazine. 

Colours:

The colours used are mainly purple, yellow and pink. These colours support the idea that this magazine is for the target audience of females aged 6-14. The metalically background is effective because it makes everything stand out that little bit more. Block colouring is used to make things stand out, e.g the yellow section at the bottom is used to enhance the writing on it and also to enhance the picture above it.

Fonts:

 The fonts used are simple to read, but are also consistent which gives the idea of a more grown up effect. The Hannah Montana and Disney logo are the same as they are on the programme/merchanise which will attract the regular veiwers/buyers as they will recognise the logos.

Images:

 The image used is a mid shot, showing clearly her stance, which is effective to her role in the programme, and also what she is wearing, which is effective to her young feminine character. Hannah is shown as being happy and fun, fashionable and sylish.

Conventions:

This magazine follows conventions as it shows clearly its target audience even if you didn't know before. Also as the main image is Hannah and she is the main character in the programme which is effective, she is also shown with a microphone which is good because she sings in the programme.

RESEARCH - Research into similar products - magazines.

Ben 10 magazine cover.

Layout:

The route of the eye firstly travels through the beginning of a slogan "awesome free gifts" which stands out well as its in bold white writing, with a black background. Free gifts appeal to anyone, expecially children as they like things like that. The route of the eye then travels through the masthead, "100% offcial Ben 10 magazine" This is effective because it follows the conventions of being the same on all other ben 10 products, also its red, black and white so it stands out against the green background. The route of the eye next goes through a section which reads, "free giant posters" and also has a picture version of the posters, this is effective because it gives you an insight into the posters included with the magazine. The route of the eye then travels down through the characters face, he has his hand across his face, which is his normal pose for his alien fighting superhero character. This is effective because he's doing what he normal does, meaning children will recognise Ben and associate him with his tv programme. Also Ben is central to the page, showing him to be the main and dominate character with all the power and glory. The route of the eye then just travels through the rest of Ben, showing he is wearing his normal character clothing. The bottom of the magazine cover, is shown as being blank. I think maybe it should have more things at the bottom, although the layout is clear and not cluttered and iit is still conventional and effective. The four main hotspots of the magazine are around Ben's head, this is effective because it means his head is central to the page, so he's clearly seen when you pick up the magazine. The section at the top left hand corner shaped as an arrow is effective because it has a checklist of what things are included in the magazine, this is pretty clever and young children will like it because all things a checked off. There are quite a few things included in this magazine, "wallet, dog tag, note pad, badge and stickers." These are effective things to have because the children may feel they are like Ben by having them. 

Colours:

You know this magazine is aimed at Boys, as its a Boy's programme. But you can also tell by the ways they try to achieve their target audience, e.g the use of colours, gifts they are giving ect. They colours used throughout are mostly green, with the occasional red and black. Green is sterotypically a male colour so you will associate this magazine with Boys. Also the idea that the character is a alien fighting superhero will attract the attention of boys because they may think its real and aspire to be like Ben when they are older.

Fonts:

The fonts used are simple, bold and readable, this also is done because of the target audience, young children are not as advanced as adults, and need simple clear writing for it to be readable.

Images:

The image used is a mid shot showing the characters stance, which is important to his super hero image, it also shows his clothing etc. This character is not real and is created by special effects but children do not understand this so will be attracted to the fact he's so bright, colourful and effectively created like the superhero he is made to be.

Conventions:

Although this magazine cover isnt as full and exciting as it could be, it still follows conventions of being submissive to the target audeince, using the character how he is on the tv programme and using colours, fonts and things that appeal to young children.

RESEARCH: Research into similar products - magazines.

Balamory magazine

Layout: 

The layout of this magazine is quite cluttered, but this helps attract the children as they love having lots of fun things to do. The route of the eye firstly travel through the tag line at the top, "bbc free giant poster, map and 2 gifts" this is very well done and will attract children. The word "free" is bold and bright yellow, drawing attention to the fact something is free, then its telling you whats with the magazine, and then says and 2 free gifts. The fact that the 2 is circled and stands out more suggests that getting they want to draw attention to the fact there are 2 free gifts. The route of the eye then travels through the masthead, which is bold and using different colours, which will attract the children. The route of the eye then travels into the Cbeebies logo, this will encourage children who like cbeebies to buy this magazine even if they have not seen Balamory, because they may like other Cbeebies programmes.The route of the eye then travels through the female character, she is shown to be smiling and waving, also wearing the clothes she would in the programme, this will help attract children because they will remember the character by her clothes, also because she is happy and children may aspire to be like her. The last thing seen by the route of the eye is, "story, colouring, puzzles, fun" these are all typical things children like to do so by mentioning them it will increase the chances of the children being attracted to the magazine. It's also giving an insight into what the magazine includes. The three characters are placed on the hotspots of the magazine, this is effective because it gives the impression that all the characters are of the same importance, rather than having one character in the middle which dominates them all. This incourages the attention to be drawn to all of them. The way they are all dressed in their normal programme clothes is effective because the children will recognise them and immediately associate them to the programme. In the primary optical area, there is a balloon which reads, "make butterfly wings" this will also help attract attention to the magazine, because children like insects, and could often thing they will become a real butterfly if they make the wings. The idea of it being in a balloon just empahasises the idea of fun for the children.

Colours:
 The colours used in this magazine cover, are mainly pinks and blues, showing that its for both the male and female target audience, as blue is sterotypically a boys colour and pink for girls. The masthead is in multicoloured, which children could assosicate with a rainbow, which they like and get excited by. The characters are dressed in different colours which make them stand out from the background, showing they are more important. The policeman would be sterotypically seen by the children as a hero, which is probably why they have used him on the cover of this magazine. The characters are represented as being fun, which will help respresent the programme as being fun. Josie Jump is represented as being happy and sporty, Pc Plum is represented as being happy yet authoritive and the third character is just represented as being happy. The speech ballons also stand out as they are different colours to the background.

Fonts:
The fonts used are simple as the target audience is children, and they need to be simple and easy for them to read. Some of the fonts used are the same used on other balamory things, eg the tv programme, this is effective because then the children can assocaite them as all being together.

Images:
 Two of the images used are mid shots, showing what the characters are doing/wearing, i think the reason for this is because the children may remember the character by its clothes or props, rather than their faces. Whereas the shot of the lady is close-up so you can see the impression on her face. The image of the butterfly is created by special effects, its bright and colourful and is lacking detal, although the children will probably see it as being real.

Conventions:
Conventions are followed through this magazine cover. This has been achieved through their bright use of colour, images of characters recongnised by the children from the tv programme. It is clearly shows evidence of the right target audience being children of both sexes.