Evaluation: Question 1

Anna Skelding

For my first ancillary product, I decided to create a film poster for my documentary film. This would help gain my film recognition by the target demographic and possibly create a secondary audience. The poster would also be used as a form of promotion.

It could be argued that the positioning of the title within my poster challenges the typical conventions of existing media products. This is due to the fact that it is placed at the top of page and above the image, whereas current film posters tend to place the title at the bottom of the page in order for the main image to be the focus of the poster. Although I am therefore challenging conventions, I feel that the image is still just as striking and it could be argued that my poster would therefore stand out in comparison to competitor products due to the unique positioning of the title. I decided to place the title at the top of the page as I want it to be a main focus of the poster, as well as the image. This is because I have used the font within the title within both my trailer and other ancillary product, consequently creating brand recognition through the development of a logo.

I feel that within my film poster, I have conformed to the conventions of existing media products through the use of my main image. This is because, similar to other products, it takes up a majority of the space within the poster and is intended to be the main focus of the product. The use of existing conventions is also evident through the characters use of direct mode of address. This is effective as they would catch the viewers attention and connect with the audience. It could be argued that I have developed the conventions of existing media products as I have hinted the narrative of the film through the body language and clothing of the characters, which in my opinion highlight the seasonal aspect of the film as well as the topic of festivals and binge drinking.

I feel that the colour scheme of my poster uses conventions of existing media products as the choices of bold and contrasting colours highlights the narrative. This is because it connotes both danger and the rebellious attitudes of teenagers. For example, within horror film posters they would consist of a dark and gloomy product in order to hint the genre. Whilst looking at existing products of a similar genre, for example Glastonbury in Flash Back, it could be argued that I have challenged typical conventions through my choice of clashing colours. This is because their poster appears to have a consistent colour scheme of different shades of orange. Due to this it could be argued that the daring colour scheme of my poster would draw the viewers attention away from competitor films.

The images below show a screenshot of my film poster in comparison to the existing product of Glastonbury The Movie in Flashback

In order to make my product appear as realistic as possible, I made sure to add credits at the bottom of the poster. This is because it is a frequent convention used in a majority of existing media products today. This is evident through the images below.

I also feel that the language used within the credits uses conventions of existing media products. This is evident through the expression Coming Soon, which would maintain the audiences attention and give them a pre-knowledge about the existence of the film before its release. This technique has been used in films of a similar genre, for example Project X, which is aimed at a similar target demographic to my film.

I feel that I have challenged yet developed the conventions of existing media products within my poster by adding the logos of popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Vine. I felt that this was an effective marketing technique as it would inform the demographic that there are other ways to access information about the upcoming film, making them an active audience.

I have used the convention of adding a review quote on my film poster in order to both inform and attract the audience. I also did this by adding a high rating out of five as a persuasive marketing technique. The use of both a quote and star rating is evident within many current and existing products today. I have also used existing media product conventions by adding the logos of the companies involved at the bottom of the poster. I felt that this was a necessary aspect to include to create a sense of realism.

It could be argued that I have developed the conventions of existing film posters as I have attempted to hint the narrative in another way as well as through the main image. This can be seen through the two pulse lines at the bottom of the poster. I felt that this was necessary as the images denote a beat and therefore music, highlighting the concept of a music festival and the genre.

The image to the right shows a screenshot of my completed film magazine cover.

It could be argued that the masthead of my magazine uses the conventions of existing media products. This is because the main image has been superimposed on top of the title. This is a technique which has been used in film magazines such as Empire. The title itself also conforms to the conventions of competitor products as the word Vision connotes that films are visual and that we watch them. This is effective as the audience would have an immediate knowledge of what genre the magazine is, maintaining their gratification.

The main image uses conventions of existing products as it reflects the narrative of the film. This can be seen mainly through the clothing and facial expression of the character in the image. For example, she is wearing stereotypical festival clothing and is screaming, connoting that the film looks at the rebellious and daring attitudes of teenagers. Similarly, the picture also conforms to the conventions of existing products as the character is using direct mode of address and therefore connecting with and engaging the audience.

It could be argued that I have developed the conventions of existing media products through the colour scheme of my cover. This is because I made sure to interpret the same colours used within the film poster and trailer, creating a house style and making all of the products work as a brand for recognition. I have used the conventions of existing products by using colours that I feel best reflect the narrative/ mood of the film. The use of contrasting colours also makes the cover more striking and therefore stand out in comparison to competitor products.

I used conventions of existing media products with regards to the cover lines as I placed them around the image on both sides. However, it could be argued that I have challenged the conventions as I only revealed three other features within the magazine. I chose to do this in order to not give too much away and to make sure that the viewer is focused mainly on my documentary film.

In order to conform to the conventions of existing media products, I placed the main cover line on top of the main image. I also expressed it through a large sized font in order to attract the viewer firstly to the main cover line. It could be argued that I also developed the conventions of existing media products as I also added an effect around the text V Festival in order to make it is as striking as possible.

In order to make the magazine cover more realistic and conform to conventions, I chose a quote from the article inside the magazine in order to attract the audience. Due to this I made sure to use language which hinted the narrative and theme of the film. I decided to use the adjective concerning to highlight the issue of under age drinking and engage the audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXOY4rt8 M7g (Link to my trailer)

I feel that I used conventions used within existing film trailers through the use of voice overs. I did this at the beginning of the trailer in order to hint the narrative and therefore give the audience a pre-knowledge of what the film is about in order to keep them engaged. I also used voice overs during the trailer, however they were audio clips taken from parts of my footage and placed onto another clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7JRa4zyl2M The link provided shows an existing documentary film trailer which uses voice overs at the beginning, similar to my work.

I feel that I have conformed to conventions of existing trailers by adding text as well as voice overs at the beginning of my trailer in order to hint the narrative, providing the audience with a pre-knowledge of the plot/genre. As you can see from the screenshots on the next slide, this convention was used in the trailer for the film Project X.

PROJECT X:

MINE:

Whilst looking at Project X, it could be argued that I have used the convention of emphasizing the negative stereotype of teenagers (TE Perkins), similar to mine. This is seen through the reference to excessive drinking/ drug consumption.

Background music is an essential aspect within any film trailer as it sets the scene and in some respects hints the narrative and genre. Due to this, I made sure to use this particular convention. I used two different songs within my trailer, one being Heads Will Roll AA Track Remix and the other being Only Love Ben Howard. I chose these particular songs as they highlighted the atmosphere of the footage and made it seem more realistic. For example, as the beginning half of the trailer is more positive, fast pace and shows the characters having a good time, I decided to use an upbeat songs. Whereas, as the second half focuses on the dark side to festivals, I chose a slower song in order to relate with the circumstances. It could be argued that I developed the conventions of existing media products as I made sure to use contemporary music in order to suit my young target demographic. I felt that this was necessary in order to keep the audience engaged.

It could be interpreted that I have challenged the conventions of film trailers by adding bright colour effects to certain clips of my footage. I chose do this in order to make my trailer stand out in comparison to competitor products. I also did this to connote that the characters are confused due to the consumption of alcohol. Similarly, I also added a black and white colour effect onto a piece of the footage in order to highlight the change of atmosphere.

I feel that I have used the conventions of existing media products by adding alcohol and drug statistics to the trailer. I did this in order to signify (Saussure) the danger of underage alcohol/ drug consumption. I felt that it was a necessary convention to use as it would shock the audience, engage them and therefore persuade them to keep on watching.

Adding additional information about the film at the end of the trailer is an existing convention in most films. Due to this, I felt that it was essential to do so. As my film is based on real life, I felt that it was also necessary to add a helpline for those who may be suffering with alcohol/drug addiction etc. I felt that this was a convention that would add a sense of realism to my trailer.