Children's TV Drama Research

 Analysis of the Title Sequence of "The Sleepover Club"



The theme tune for The Sleepover Club is insanely catchy and upbeat, appealing to it's target audience of young teenage girls with lyrics they can relate to such as "hanging around is just no fun when you're alone". The lyrics introduce both the story and characters, connecting directly with the audience as they are invited to "come on and sleepover". The audience also feel they can relate to the characters as they share the same teenage struggles and are reassured with the words "no matter what we're going through, together we can find our way home". 

The first shot we see is of the girls hugging and laughing, instantly establishing them as a happy, friendly group. This is followed by a shot of the boys, representing the level of importance to teenage girls; friends first, boys second. We are introduced to the individuals as characters not actors; with only their character names shown. Unlike adults, the younger audience do not watch a programme due to it's cast and so the actors' names are of no importance. Introducing the girls with just their character names also maintains the sense of reality in the programme, meaning the audience can easily relate to it. The font used is a typical girl's handwriting which gives a more personal feel and therefore gives the audience a stronger connection with each character.

Costume is used to portray the individual characters' personality; like Kenny, for example, who is shown wearing baggy, boyish clothes.The background and font colour also help establish the characters' personalities; changing with each new name. Frankie's background is purple, a colour associated with royalty and in this case symbolises her leadership of the group as the end group shot is also purple, suggesting her influence is most dominant. Pink is used to portray Fliss's stereotypically girly demeanor. Kenny is shown with a red background which is reflective of her sporty, energetic attitude.  The colour to represent Lyndz is green because of her care for the environment, love of the outdoors and horseriding. Rosie has an optimistic, positive outlook and this is suggested with the use of orange. 

The opening sequence ends with another group shot which fades to the title in pink with a heart motif (a classic girly doodle) on the lyrics "Sleepover!" to make the programme title memorable to the audience and therefore recognisable for any future merchandise (eg. DVD, magazine).

Analysis of the Title Sequence of "Lizzie McGuire"



In this opening sequence the background is white with crisp, brightly coloured lines of varying widths constantly moving. This movement creates excitement and gives a sense of the characters being fun and energetic. This coordinates with the footage of the main characters running around and throwing balls; being lively and fun. Split Screen is used to show different shots of the characters and the multiple views on one screen only emphasise the level of action and energetic fun.

Unlike 'The Story of Tracy Beaker' and 'The Sleepover Club', Lizzie McGuire introduces the people as actors rather than with their character names. This is mainly due to it's target audience being slightly elder teenagers compared to the others. These names are shown in order of importance; with Hilary Duff first. The first and last character seen is Lizzie, both with midshots, therefore establishing her as the main character. She is attractive, young and happy, engaging the audience and immediately becoming likeable. Her costume is youthful, fun and brightly coloured which further portrays Lizzie as a character the audience like and feel comfortable with.

Again, the theme tune is reflective of the overall theme of the programme. Similar to most older children's dramas, this theme tune talks of typical teenage struggle which the audience can relate to and connect with. For example, the lyrics "sometimes we make it, sometimes we fake it, we get one step closer each and every day, we'll figure it out on the way" make the audience feel trusting of the characters and gain comfort from the programme. Although aimed at the slightly elder audience, Lizzie McGuire maintains the childish feel with her thoughts channeled through her cartoon self who is briefly shown as the last character in the sequence. This is similar to 'The Story of Tracy Beaker' which also has elements of cartoon amongst the reality.

This opening sequence also helps to introduce the relationships between the characters. By throwing the ball to one another, Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo show a connection and a sense of teamwork. A graphic match of the ball is used to create the illusion of the characters throwing the ball between shots. Matt is clearly established as the annoying younger brother, with Lizzie teasing him, later the trio of friends chasing him for the ball and Matt then chasing them with a huge ball. We see her mum running physical rings around Lizzie, suggesting she can metaphorically and therefore is the one whom Lizzie respects and listens to, with a close relationship. The title shot is a group shot of the main characters together with Lizzie in the centre as the programme revolves around her. 



Analysis of the Title Sequence of "The Story of Tracy Beaker"

This opening sequence is full of energy and has constant movement. With bright colours and bold shapes, it gains the viewers attention and appeals to it's young target audience perfectly. The mix of real life pictures superimposed against a cartoon background suggests the years between childhood and adulthood, torn between the two, the children of which are the target audience. The main characters are introduced to us in order of importance, with Tracy starting and ending the sequence to emphasise her main role in the programme. The other four characters shown are all placed on the screen, suggesting that they are not important enough to have their own shot. No actual footage is used but a flipbook effect of various photos to create a sense of movement. This jerky movement adds to the childish energy which is apparent throughout. The poses of the characters are fun, with silly faces and over exaggerated expressions. 

The theme tune for the programme is catchy and with a female vocalist, appealing to the primarily female audience. The lyrics introduce Tracy's determined, ambitious nature and her as a dreamer. The major storyline of Tracy's longing for her mother is also introduced and emphasised with the lyrics "believe me now, I will win someday" with heart motifs. The title is in a bright childish font which is suitable for the target audience and is reflective of the fun, exciting nature of the programme. No names of the actors are mentioned because children so young generally aren't interested in the actors and without this knowledge, it makes the characters more real and therefore easier to relate to. The only text featured excluding the title is the author and illustrator of the original Tracy Beaker books who fans will be familiar with and so be further enclined to watch the show.

Magazine Cover Research

Totally Tracy Beaker

Tracy Beaker is a programme aimed at slightly younger children compared to the other television dramas we have analysed. This is apparent when looking at this magazine cover which is hectic; full of extra subheadings and images. Although Tracy has not been placed in the conventional centre point between the four hotspots, other elements mean this is not necessary. For instance, the main heading is the programme title and is so large it covers the entire top third of the page. The font used is a childish and fun "bubble writing" with stars and a dramatic explosion.The route of the eye travels across the title, Tracy Beaker's face and finishes with the bottom banner with various activities included in the magazine as a final attempt to persuade the consumer they want to purchase it. The colour palette of yellow, blue and pink is bright and exciting, the same colours of the logo means everything is associated and so more recognisable. 


The language used on the cover is clearly aimed at it's young target audience, using words with positive connotation such as "fab" and "wicked". There is also alot of focus on the individual reader, connecting with them and so further persuading them to read it. They do this with phrases such as "Dare to be different", "My book about me" and a cartoon Tracy directly addressing the reader with a speech bubble. The cartoon Tracy is an illustration by Nick Sharratt which fans will recognise from the programme and book, therefore relating this magazine with these things they already love. The price is in quite small print and so not in the regular bottom right hand corner of adult magazines as the price is not necessarily something for the reader of this magazine to consider because they shall ask their parents to buy it for them.

 

Sabrina's Secrets  

Similar to 'Totally Tracy Beaker', this magazine uses a bright colour palette to appeal to it's young female target audience (pink and purple being stereotypically linked to girls). The colours are uplifting and are also used to separate the cover into different sections to highlight them individually. The text is bold and is of the same colour palette on contrasting backgrounds. The font used is girly, with swirls and round edges, similar to a young girls handwriting which gives it a more personal feel. The majority of the text is kept to the dominant left side of the cover to make sure the audience read as much of the enticing sublines as possible. The only text on the right is highlighted with the pug "PLUS!" and a larger font which, along with the intriguing word "secret", lies on the fourth hotspot and so means it isn't lost. 

The main image is a midshot of Sabrina and Salem, who readers will recognise from the popular television programme. The image of her being attractive, blonde and smiling is appealing and the cat appeals to children's usual love for animals. The other minor images show girls who are examples of the magazine's target audience, therefore making a reader relate to it and be more inclined to purchase. The entire cover content is aimed specifically at girls with "sleepover ideas", "make-up", "nail art" and "dance" all advertised. The very first thing featured o the route of the eye in the left top hand corner is the logo of Sabrina the Teenage Witch which viewers will recognise and therefore link with the magazine. The very title of the magazine "Sabrina's Secrets" attracts an audience, especially those who watch the programme and are fans of Sabrina and are therefore excited by the thought of getting to know the character better. The word 'secrets' suggests to the reader they are purchasing something special and unique, finding out more than their friends and getting a personal connection with their favourite television character. The nail art gift is highlighted in a pink box, lying in the route of the eye and the word "FREE" is printed in capitals to ensure it stands out and will be a further persuasion for purchase.

Hannah Montana Magazine

This magazine is aimed at people interested in Hannah Montana herself, her television programme or her music. This front cover features a midshot of Hannah Montana which covers the entire right hand side, showing her as an attractive young, smiling, happy person. The shot enables us to see the use of costume, a polka dot dress along with bright pink tshirt and accessories, as well as a microphone prop which shows the theme of her character and appeals to young girls who enjoy singing and dancing. This is used to portray her as fun, feminine character that the young female readers can relate to and will appeal to. This target audience is apparent from the content of the magazine including; secrets, gossip, fashion, hair, and crushes.

Unlike the other two magazines, this one doesn't have such a strict colour palette, but mainly staying with bright blue, pink and yellow, similar colours ot the others which all have the same target audience. The route of the eye begins with the Hannah Montana logo masthead which regular watchers will recognise from the television programme and is bright and glittery, appealing to the target audience. Along with this is the famous Disney logo which even people who aren't fans of Hannah Montana will recognise as a stamp of quality and to be trusted, therefore persuading them to purchase. This famous Disney logo is repeated and appears twice on the cover, ensuring the reader notices, which not only helps this magazine but is also advertising for Disney itself and it's other products. Both the Disney logos feature on the route of the eye, the 2nd being the logo of the Disney Channel, advertising the channel and reminding readers where they may have seen Hannah Montana before. 

The dominant side of the cover is used to entice the reader with the best bits of what they can find inside the magazine. This ensures they will read it and therefore be more inclined to buy it. Pugs are used to make the subheadings appear exciting and worth reading, such as the pink explosion to advertise the posters included. This, along with the other features mentioned, is made appealing with the use of premodifiers with positive connotation such as "super" which is language the target audience would use. The fonts used

DVD Cover Research

Lizzie McGuire

Using the principal of thirds effectively, Lizzie has been placed in the centre between all four hotspots and therefore falls in the middle of the route of the eye, stating her as the main character. The viewer would follow the route of the eye, beginning with the title and cartoon Lizzie which they will recognise from the program, after capturing the audience's interest we read "4 Episodes From The Hit Disney Channel Series", this positive caption further persuades the buyer. The final point their eyes meet is the Disney DVD logo which confirms it's authenticity and is an image the buyer is familiar with and trusts, therefore finalising their decision to purchase the DVD. 

The product appeals to it's younger, mostly female, target audience with bright colours and cartoon style flower motifs. The mode of address is fun and friendly, typical of the genre.The fonts used for the title are fun and rounded which suit the genre and are particularly appealing to the young female audience. The characters featured are attractive, young and happy; wearing brightly coloured clothing and engaging smiles. This makes the product instantly more aesthetically pleasing and therefore more likely to sell. The cartoon version of Lizzie makes the product better suited to children but together with real life characters creates a bridge between childhood and adulthood, advertising to young teenagers.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Sabrina is the main character of this series and this is clear from the composition of this DVD cover. She is placed between the four hotspots, in the centre, meaning she is the major focus due to the principal of thirds. By following the route of the eye, the viewer reads the title "Sabrina the Teenage Witch". The font has a hand written, diary feel which is typical of a teenage girl, especially with the star to dot the I. This title acts as the logo for the programme and therefore will be recognisable to potential buyers and gain their attention. As we continue along the route of the eye, we see Sabrina, Salem and the caption "Some girls lead a magical life."

The background shows a swirl of sparkling blue, suggesting a magical theme, rooting from Sabrina's finger. This is an important image and so has been placed on the left hand side which is dominant as opposed to the right which has been left blank as it is practically dead space. The mode of address is fun and friendly, typical of the genre. Sabrina is smiling, looking into the camera lens, giving direct eye contact with the buyer and therefore engaging them. She is happy, in bright lighting, attractive and in young, fun clothes which will appeal to the target audience. 

Drake and Josh 


Unlike magazine covers, DVD covers are much simpler as the buyer will generally already have watched the programme and therefore do not need persuading of it's quality. The route of the eye here touches every feature on the cover, starting with the Nickelodeon logo which acts as a stamp of quality and also as an advertisement for the channel. We then read the programme title logo which will be recognised from the television by regular viewers. "Suddenly Brothers" is then read which not only distinguishes the episodes but also the theme of the entire programme for new audience members. This information is followed by the large mid shot of two boys who we can now assume are Drake and Josh, their comedic pose reflecting the subtitle "Suddenly Brothers" and also suggesting the comedy genre. The pug uses suitable vocabulary such as "awesome" which will appeal to the target audience and fit in with popular culture of the time. 

Excluding the logo, the text is all in capitals and the font used suggests a boisterous, energetic excitement. This is emphasised by the background which follows a similar graffiti theme which links in with teenage culture and mischevious fun which the show is based upon. The mode of address is fun and friendly, typical of the genre.