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DVD poster analysis

REVENGE

The main signifier of this poster is the woman, as she is the only person there and she is the first thing we look at. From this we can gather she is the main character, which is unusual as she is a woman.

She is wearing a black dress which leads down to thorns which has connotations of evil and mysterious, which also relates to her facial expression as she is giving us direct mode of address but she is mysteriously glaring at us. Her body position is quite firm to represent a serious character  The use of male gaze can also make the audience want to watch the programme. She is contrast to the back ground as it is much more bright, there is clouds in the background which makes it not a perfect sky this could relate to the story line, but she dominants the poster as her and her dress takes up most of the space and gets the most attention.

When then look at the quote ‘what goes around comes around’ which is the opposite colour to her dress so that it stands out, as is the title except for the letter ‘g’ which is in red which has connotations of evilness. The font is quiet feminine but has a sharp edge which could tell us something about the character. As this is a promotion poster is has the date of which the programme premieres and this is also in a white font to make it stand out from the dress, and then the company that produces it follows this to give the programme quality. Both the quote and date are in capital letters but smaller than the title as the title should be what is standing out the most but they still want the other text to be noticed. 


DEXTER
The main signifier of this poster is the man as he is the only character on the poster. Again from this we can gather he is the main character.

It is an extreme close up so we can only see his face, we are getting direct mode of address and from his facial expression we can assume he is angry about something. There is also a cut on his face which could contribute to the story line  We can only see the top of his top, but his facial hair has connotations of ‘rough and ready’ which can relate to using a female gaze character. 

This poster is very simple and it is landscape which is unusually, but there is nothing specific about the background except that it blends from blue down to a misty brown, so this automatically makes the character stand out the most.

The quote, title and date are all in the same colour and similar fonts. They are all in a masculine sharp font, but the title and the date are in capital letters because they are the ones that want to draw the most attention to. The American television channel is in a different colour as they would want this to be made clear and not blend in with all the other text, this is also there to give the programme quality.

PRISON BREAK

The main signifier in this poster is that man in front of the other, as he is the first character we look at and also he takes up more space than the other and is in the centre of the poster. Unlike the other posters there is two characters on this one which says both these characters could be equally important in the show, but as one is positioned in front of the other this shows us he will be the character with more power.

The shot is a close up as we can only see the characters from the shoulders up, it is also uses the female gaze. We are getting direct mode of address from both characters but from their facial expressions we can gather they are angry as they both have pierced eyes, and a very serious face.

The lighting is very dark which connotes mystery, and there is two lights being placed on the two characters which brings them out from the background but there is still a dark shadow hitting both characters from the right. This shadow is very strong and it covers half of the main man’s face which adds to the mystery of this character. Both characters are male and there is no representation of women which is playing on the stereotype of women being weak characters.  The lighting at the bottom of the poster is much lighter as this is were all the text is and this bit wants to stand out.

The text is a very manly font and really stands out from the background. We know which part is the title as it is a different colour and the biggest text on the poster and also is the brightest part of the poster. The date and the broadcasting company ‘FOX’ is the second biggest as they want this to be clear and to stick in the audiences head, and to also give it quality.  The quote is then slightly smaller but as it is still around the title it is still noticeable.

DVD cover analysis

PRISON BREAK

The main signifier of this cover is the man in the background as he is a lot bigger than the other character, we then look at the smaller character who is crouched down. There is no representation of women on the cover which is playing on a stereotype that women are weak characters. Similarly there is no representation of race on the cover which is playing on the stereotype that a character of race is rarely the main character.
The camera is a front shot but we are only getting direct mode of address from the dominant character, the other character is looking up maybe away from us. The lighting is very dark from the right side and this makes it very difficult to see the right half of the dominant characters face giving off a sense of mysteriousness. The character who is crouching down has a light shedding on him from where he is looking and very little shadow on him this could relate to the sense of hope.

The facial expressions of the characters are also quite different as the dominant character has a very serious look about him and we get this from the one eye we can see which is very piercing. The other character although he has some seriousness about him, he also has a look of worry, this can be shown in the way that his mouth is slightly open yet no expression is truly formed.

When it comes to dress code the smaller character stands out more as it is clear what he is wearing. He is wearing a grey overall and big black boots which tells us he could be linked to the title. The why he is positioned and the way he is wearing his overall gives of an impression that he is quite chilled and sly. Whereas the other character we can only see something blue which is faded out so the main focus is on his face.

The background also plays a significant part as it is mainly white and is a contrast to the characters. There are faded lines across and down which portrays walls and bars which has connotations of prison. The text is very manly which could portray a manly programme.
The back of the cover starts with the title and summary of what will happen in the series underneath this is some screen shots of parts of episodes and the purpose of all this is to make the audience want to watch it.

REVENGE

The main signifier of this cover is the woman with a black dress on as she is the biggest thing on the cover. She is wearing a black dress that leads down to thorns which has connotations of dangerous, dark and maybe mysterious. We are also getting direct mode of address from this character, and the way her body is positioned has a sense of seriousness about her, and also how she is positioned in front of the other character gives her more power which is unusual as the main protagonist of a text is usually a male.

Then there is the characters that are in a strip across the background. We are also getting direct mode of address from them, and again from their facial expressions they all portray serious determined characters. The strip these characters are in is full of dark clouds which could suggest something about their personalities or even their past life.  The main background is dark red which has connotations of evil and has some text scrolled over it which could relate to the title or story line in the text. The title is quiet feminine but with a sharp edge this could be because the main character on the DVD cover is a woman.  On the side of the case there is the company which produced the show which is an example of brand identity, then the name of the series is repeated so it is clear what it is.

On the back of the cover there is a quote from a newspaper about the series and then a brief about the series to make the audience want to watch it. There is also screen shots of parts of episodes, and a special features box again to intrigue the audience want to watch it. There is then a picture of the same woman from the cover but in a different position, this time she i s not giving the audience direct mode of address and her facial expression is more devious which makes the audience see her in a different perspective and makes them think to what her character is really like.

THE INBETWEENERS

The main signifier's of this cover are the four boys, as they take up the most room, they are all in school uniforms which gives away the target audience of teenagers. They are positioned in dress code as the characters behind have a blue jumper on whereas the two in front don't, this could say that the two characters in front have more power. 

It is a full body shot of the characters and we are getting direct mode of address and although there body positions are similar their facial expressions vary  as the two characters on the right have a more chilled out facial expression as they are laughing but the others have a more serious facial expressions. 

The title and series of the programme is over the characters as most of the attention is drawn to the middle. The font sticks out as it is in contrast to the characters and has a slight dark shadow around it. The font at the top of the front, the DVD logo and also the channel 4 logo is in black as an opposite to the title, and is there to give the programme quality and to make the audience want to watch the programme. The 18 logos are also a brighter colour to make them stand out as this is a legal obligation. 

The spine of the DVD has a darker background, and has the title the series, the DVD logo, the channel logo and the age on it. The darker background makes these stand out more so that it is more eye catching to an audience.

The back of the DVD cover starts with 3 statements from different newspapers to appeal to the audience. Then underneath in a bolder font has 'award wining' written as they want to make this stand out to make the programme look better. Then there is a brief about the series which gives you a little incite on what will happen to draw your attention in and make you want to watch it. Then underneath is a half body shot of the same characters from the front in a similar position .

5th draft

SUSPICOUS BLOOD

BY

CHARLOTTE SMITH

DURATION (9:00am – 12:15pm) DAY AFTER PREVIOUS EPISODE

SCENE 132/1.EXT HOME                                 (9:00am)

STEVEN and LINDSEY are walking out of the house, the neighbours who are in pyjamas stare out of their window as Lindsey and her father get into the car. Steven is dressed in a black suite with his jacket held over his shoulder, Lindsey is dressed in a dark black pants with a white top.

   

LINDSEY:

Why does she have to stare at us

like that?

STEVEN:

(Starts the engine) I don’t know

Lindsey just Ignore it

There is an awkward silence until they reach the next set of lights

STEVEN:

(Turns his head to Lindsey) Lindsey

are you okay?

Lindsey ignores her dad and stares out the window

132/2.EXT CHURCH                                      (9:30am)

Steven’s close friends and family are waiting outside the church, DEBBIE a close family friend who is stood with her daughter BETHANY on the church car park is rooting around in her bag.

DEBBIE:

I wonder where they are, there twenty

minutes late…ring them will you

BETHANY:

They’ll be here in a minute, don’t be

so inpatient mum(Lindsey and Steven

are seen driving up the road)See

they’re here now

DEBBIE:

Okay be extra nice Bethany it will be

a hard day for them

BETHANY:

(Sighing)I will

Various family and friends approach Steven’s car as Lindsey and Steven get out, everyone is silent

STEVEN:

Right well, we all know why we’re here

(stares around) let’s get on with it

Steven grabs his jacket out of the car, swings it over his shoulder and heads towards the church, Lindsey, family and friends follow

132/3.INT HOUSE                                      (10:00am)

Back at AMANDA’S house. Amanda is the next door neighbour of Steven and Lindsey.

AMANDA:

(Shouting pacing up and down the room)

I can’t believe they didn’t invite me.

How can they not invite ME? I was her

best friend, yeah we had a small

argument but what should that matter?

We were still best friends, she would

of wanted me there.

BERT:

(Sat on the sofa with a brew

in his hand watching television) There

is no point in shouting to me about it,

if you’re that bothered then just go,

they’re most likely not going to make a

scene about you being there

AMANDA:

I can’t just show up with no

invite or anything… (Stops pacing)

actually yes I can, yes I can, he can’t

stop me can he?...right I’m going to go

it, I’m going to go

Amanda grabs her keys and coat and heads to the door

AMANDA:

Okay I’m going,

BERT:

Get some tea bags whilst your out

please

Amanda slams the door and gets into the car

AMANDA:

(Whispering to herself)can do this,

I can do this

Amanda puts the keys in the car sits and stares out the window there is then a repeated banging on the window

BERT:

You’ve forgot your bag!!You can’t

buy teabags if you don’t have this

(Chuckles to himself)

Amanda winds her window down and snatches the bag off of Bert who is stood in his dressing gown

AMANDA:

Don’t tell me that you hope it goes

okay or offer to come with me… its fine

Amanda winds her window up and drives away

132/4. EXT CHURCH                                    (10:15am)

Amanda pulls up next to the church as everyone starts to exit, she gets out the car and walks over to Steven, Steven looks over very shocked and irritated

STEVEN:

(Staring directly in her eyes,

whispering angrily) What do you think

you’re doing here? You shouldn’t be

here you wasn’t invited, and I don’t

want you here so please go home

AMANDA:

(Calmly) Listen I’m not here for

trouble, I was her best friend, I

have a right to be here, you might

not want me here but she would’ve,

I’ve a right to say goodbye just like

all of these other people, I just want

to show some respect for my best friend

LINDSEY:

You weren’t mums ‘best friend’ when

she died so you’re not her best

friend now, just go

STEVEN:

(Still whispering angrily)Best friend?

Really? Like Lindsey said you meant

nothing to her when she died and you

still mean nothing to her now go away

AMANDA:

(Whispering angrily) I’m staying

no matter what you, Lindsey or

anyone else for that matter says,

I know who I am to her and that’s

all that matters, I know that whatever

happened between us she would of wanted

me here (Walks to her car)

People approach Steven and shake his hand whilst Amanda sits and glares at them

STEVEN:

Right I think we should all be moving

along now, c’mon Lindsey (Places his

arm around Lindsey and starts to walk

her to the car)

Steven and Lindsey both get into the car, Lindsey stares out the window at the church as a tear falls down her face

STEVEN:

Ey chicken, c’mon don’t cry, your mum

wouldn’t want you to be sad today

LINDSEY:

You don’t know what mum would want,

you’re not her, and you don’t know me

like she did, let’s just go and get the

rest of this day over with

Steven says nothing, starts the car and starts to drive away, all the other cars follow

STEVEN:

I didn’t mean to upset you back there,

it’s hard for me to sweetheart, I’m

doing the best I can

LINDSEY:

Let’s just not talk about it anymore

dad, I just want this day to end

132/4 INT PUB                                        (11:00am)

All the cars of Steven’s friends and family pull up outside the pub

STEVEN:

Right c’mon

Both Lindsey and Steven get out the car and are greeted by the bar owner, they enter the pub were there are some guests, they all look over as he walks in, Steven smiles and walks to the bar

STEVEN:

(Looking at Lindsey whilst reaching

into his back pocket to get out his

wallet) What do you want to drink hun?

LINDSEY:

Nothing thanks, I’ll just go sit down

Steven sighs and shakes his head, Lindsey sits down at a near seat and looks around to see a few people staring at her, she looks down and pulls out her phone

STEVEN:

(Walking over to Lindsey) Ey Lindsey my

first ones free because it’s our event

LINDSEY:

(Looks up to  her dad with a shocked

face) How can you say that…it’s not the

time for jokes dad

STEVEN:

Oh no hun, I didn’t mean it like that…

your mum would want us to be happy,

not all sad

LINDSEY:

(Snappy) Dad it’s mums funeral so sorry

if I don’t find your stupid jokes funny

STEVEN:

I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you again…(Takes a sip of his drink) look

Jessica’s over there, are you not going

to say hello?

Lindsey gets up and walks over to the door where JESSICA is stood wearing a long dark dress

JESSICA:

Hey are you okay? Here this is for you

(Reaches in her bad and pulls out a

card, she reaches out to give it to

Lindsey)

LINDSEY:

(Takes the card and smiles) I’m as okay

as I can be on a day like this, thanks

for coming though, I’m glad you’re here…

my dad’s been trying to (sarcastically) ‘lighten the mood’ all day and I’m not

in the mood for him

JESSICA:

Oh god, he has to just put on a brave

face for everyone else, I’m sure he just

wants to keep you happy… have you not

found anything else out yet?

   

LINDSEY:

Well I can tell you he’s not doing a

Very good job and nope nothing, I think

I’m wrong, I haven’t found anything other

than my dad acting strange but that’s

bound to happen because we’ve just lost mum right?

JESSICA:

Yeah that’s what it will be, (Looks

over to Lindsey’s dad who is joined by

a couple of friends) It must be hard

for him, you shouldn’t be so uptight with

him Lindsey, especially on a day like this,

I know you’ve lost your mum but he has

lost his wife to

LINDSEY:

(Looks over to her dad) I know I

shouldn’t but it’s just hard to not be

today, I just can’t be joking around when

I know I’m never going to see my mum again

132/5. EXT PUB                                       (11:30am)

Outside there are a few people having a cigarette, a car pulls up and a woman who is dressed longs black skirt and top gets out… a phone rings

KATE:

Hello…yes I’ve just got here now, I

shouldn’t be to long…about an hour or so...yeah, okay bye… bye

(Kate grabs her bag and walks into the

pub)

132/6 INT PUB                                        (11:35am)

KATE walks into the pub and stares around, Steven notices her and walks over smiling

STEVEN:

Hey, I’m glad you made it

Kate smiles

KATE:

I can’t stay for too long, he’ll be

wondering where I am, you know what

he’s like

Lindsey stares at them and begins to walk over she walks over

STEVEN:

Right well..

Lindsey interrupts

LINDSEY:

Who’s this then dad?

STEVEN:

Oh Lindsey… I didn’t see you there,

this is my, err…secretary

LINDSEY:

Your secretary? That’s funny you’ve

never mentioned your secretary before

STEVEN:

That’s only because I don’t like to

talk about work at home sweetheart…

anyway Kate this is my daughter, Lindsey

Kate reaches out her hand to Lindsey, Lindsey ignores the gesture, glances at the hand to see a wedding ring and then walks over to the bar

LINDSEY:

(To Barman) A coke please

KATE:

Well its clear someone doesn’t like me

…and your secretary, really? Could’ve

thought of something better than that

Steve, I’d never be a secretary

STEVEN:

Well I had to think on the spot, she

would’ve clicked on if I said you was

a close friend of her  mum’s she knows

all about her mum and her friends…anyway

how long have you got?

KATE:

Only an hour or so, I told Jerry I was

popping to my mums, the last thing I want

right now is him going up there and asking where I am

STEVEN:

Who cares what he does, I’m sure you can

think of something to tell him, you always      do (Steven winks at Kate) Now come over

here so we can have a proper talk

Steven and Kate walk over to a less crowded area of the pub, Kate pulls her bag up to her shoulder and they both begin to whisper angrily at each other

KATE:

I do care about him you know, none of this

is his fault he shouldn’t be the one who

gets hurt, and as far the i always do

comment, I could say the exact same about you

STEVEN:

Please you can’t be serious, I know what

you care about, and it’s not him it’s

what’s in his pocket

KATE:

Your one to speak, you only married that despicable woman to get one over on me,

and now look at you crawling back

STEVEN:

Okay! Let’s stop this it’s not going to

help, and I can see a certain someone

is keeping a very close eye on us

Steven looks over at Lindsey and smiles, Lindsey just sips her drink and glares

STEVEN:

Let’s go over and act like we have just

had a conversation about work… okay?

KATE:

You can’t just keep brushing this

conversation off, it’s not just going

to go away on it’s own, the not the right

place or time phrase is getting old

STEVEN:

You don’t think I know that Kate, your

part is as big as mine in this, but for now

I need to put a brave face on for my daughter so come on

Kate and Steven walk over to Lindsey

STEVEN:

(Stroking Lindsey’s hair) Sorry about

that sweetheart we just had some work

to discuss

KATE:

I’m just going to nip to the toilet, I

won’t be long

STEVEN:

Can I get you a drink or anything for

when you come back?

KATE:

No, best not I’m driving (Kate walks

away)

LINDSEY:

So who is she really dad?

STEVEN:

Kate?...She’s my secretary  darling

LINDSEY:

You really expect me to believe that

you have never mentioned her before but

she is your work secretary? And when you

say you never talk about work? You talk

about work 80% of the time! why’s she

even here anyway she didn’t even know mum

STEVEN:

What’s so hard to believe darling? She

just has some trouble with some work so

I told her where I am and I suggested she stopped for an hour, that’s all

LINDSEY:

Yeah okay whatever

Kate walks out of the toilets and Lindsey walks away and goes and sits with her best friend

JESSICA:

Who’s that then, with you your dad?

LINDSEY:

He says it’s his secretary at work and

she had a problem with work or something,

I don’t even know

JESSICA:

And do you believe him?

LINDSEY:

I’m not sure, since mum died I don’t know

what to believe

KATE:

I can feel her staring Steven, I don’t

like it

STEVEN:

She’ll just be suspicious, it’s like all

the young ones these days don’t worry      I’ll sort it

KATE:

We can’t be having people being suspicious Steve, especially your own daughter,

not when where in a situation like this

STEVEN:

I said I’d sort it and I will, the more

you get worked up the more suspicious

people will get, we just act like we are

work mates and that will be it, trust me

will you

KATE:

Well sorry if I find it hard to trust people, I’ve ended up in this situation, it’s not exactly easy for me to trust

Phone rings

KATE:

It’s him, I best take this outside

132/8. EXT PUB                                       (12:15pm)

KATE:

Hey sweetheart

132/9. INT PUB                                       (12:15pm)

Inside the pub Jessica and Lindsey stare out the window at Kate

JESSICA:

Who do you think she’s speaking to?

LINDSEY:

I don’t know, probably someone she

doesn’t want to know that she is here

JESSICA:

Or maybe because it’s quiet outside

and loud in here? Things don’t have to

always be the worst possible thing you know

LINDSEY

(Getting angry)C’mon it’s my dad

nothing has ever been simple or straight forward since mum died.

JESSICA:

Well given the situation Lindsey I

don’t think everything will be as

straight forward as they was…

Kate puts the phone down and walks back to the pub, Jessica and Lindsey sit back down

JESSICA:

Quick get down!

KATE:

I best go, he’s wondering where I am

STEVEN:

Already? You’ve not even been here an hour

KATE:

Yes already, I told you I didn’t have

long, now are you going to walk me out

or shall I just go?

Steven puts down his pint and follows Kate out the door, Lindsey follows shortly after. Steven goes in to give Kate a kiss goodbye as she unlocks her car

KATE:

(Whispering angrily) what are you

doing? Do you want us to get caught?

STEVEN:

No of course not I just want a proper

goodbye, it’s not a lot to ask, no one

can see

KATE:

This isn’t a game you know Steve

STEVEN:

I never said it was just give me a kiss

and ill go

They share a quick kiss and he waves her goodbye as she reverses out the car park, Lindsey is stood behind a wall irritated