Evaluation 4;

4.    How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rd3qlQq0G0&feature=youtu.be

Evaluation 3;

3.    What have you learned from your audience feedback? 

From our audience feedback we learnt that we had been quite successful in promoting the film, with the use of film trailer, posters and magazine cover. Each one of these devices achieved their purpose at advertising the new film. 

Evaluation 3

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However one thing that we learnt that needed changing was that the genre could often get confused with thriller. These two genres are quite difficult to tell apart as can be shown in our deconstructions of the horror ‘Insidious’ in comparison to the thriller ‘Black Swan’. A reason for this could have been because of the use of red; this links to the idea of blood which is effectively gore. However we used red to represent the idea of death and mainly to show danger. We could improve on showing the genre more by possibly changing the colour scheme and the image that has been used for the poster. This is due to the fact that the image on the poster represents blood. This links to the idea of audience theory. This is because audience theory looks into why this would be aimed at a certain audience and how they would react. Therefore if we have confused the audience into thinking that they will be viewing a horror and then they see a thriller this will be quite shocking. Also it might be considered as false advertising.

One theory is the hypodermic needle theory, this suggests that the audience receive the media text without actually trying to make sense or challenge the data being received. This is different from our audience theory as we found that from our results that the audience have been challenging the data as they have clearly shown there might be confusion between two genres. Therefore suggesting a stronger idea of reception theory as this suggests that the produces code the media texts and the audience de codes them in their own way.  

Also something else we found in the results of audience feedback questionnaire is that the majority found that the trailer maybe a bit short for a theatrical trailer. A theatrical trailer is a film trailer that may appear in a cinema. Therefore we would consider possibly adding a few more clips. This is because we wanted the clips to almost flash to help create suspense representing the thriller genre. Also we would want to keep the fast pace that is conventional of a film trailer.   

Evaluations 2;

2.    How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Our main product and ancillary texts seem to link well and reflect the film in each; also they all are produced to achieve the purpose of promoting the film successfully. The post production of the film can be seen in the detail and attention we paid to what was necessary to include and the research we did into the genre.

The production was an important part in keeping the continuity of the genre. Also it helped to combine the texts. The first way we achieved this was when we decided on a main title font and style, this was so that each of the promotional pieces could then have the same. This would help the audience in remembering and help make the promotion pieces it all recognisable to the film. This is similar to all of the deconstructions we have done as the all the promotional devices have the same font and style. The only thing that really changes is the colour of the text but this is so that it stands out against whatever background they have.

However we did find that they all stayed based around the same colour theme, when we were adding the text we tried to make sure it stayed with the re-accruing colour theme we had. We decided to include a re-accruing colour theme as we had noticed it in the research into the different films promotional features. It appears to help and a consistency, also it helps to keep the idea of the genre the same. We used the colours; red, black and white these were used because red is often linked to blood and danger which is often apparent in a thriller. Black was used to add mystery and suspense which is an atmosphere which is conventionally created by a thriller. Finally white was used to represent the innocence and purity of the baby which plays a big role in our film. Also white helps contrast and make the text striking compared to the darkness of the backgrounds. This colour scheme is similar to that of ‘Shutter Island’ and ‘Black Swan’ which are both thrillers. However ‘Black Swan’ often uses white as the background and black in the figures clothes to make her eye-catching.

The next continued effect throughout our devices was the use of the same actor. If we did not use the same main figure in our poster and magazine it would be hard to tell that these related to the film trailer. Also at the end of the film trailer the main character is used ad one of the final images, this allows the audience to understand that this character plays an important role. Also we found that keeping the hair and makeup the same for the film trailer and poster was important in combining the promotional devices.

Another way to integrate the promotional devices together was the use of the production logo which appears on each of the promotional devices. This helps make the film recognisable also it helps in advertising the co-operation itself. I was important for us to represent the genre in each device and to use features that would audience to recognise and see that each device is for the same film.

The distribution of the promotional products would involve making it all available to the audiences. We would consider doing this by using the TV, internet and cinema to show our film trailer. However we did find that it might not be longer enough to be played in a cinema. Also we would add the film trailer before or after films that have a similar genre or plot. We would then distribute magazine to all kind of stores, but mainly ones that will then receive the film itself, therefore film shops, film rental stores and other media based stores. The posters then would be positioned in similar stores and possibly in cinemas and across billboards etc. However we did create a poster that maybe more specific to were it positioned, this poster is the long horizontal one which we designed specifically to be shown alongside a bus. We added an email address to the promotional features this is to show ere they could get more information; which may include viewing the other promotional devices. Therefore the email address helps to link the devices together after they have been distributed. Distributing the devices will help in the creation of the two step flow theory; which suggests that once a viewer has seen the promotional device they will discuss it with other, then they will view the device. Therefore helping with marketing the film and creating a wider audience.

Evaluation 1;

Conventions of a film trailer

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1.      In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

During our media we followed certain conventions in creating our film trailer. One of the conventions we found was important to include in our film trailer was to show clips of the film which would not give a way the whole plot and would leave the audience asking questions; which they could find the answers to in the film. Therefore persuading them to watch the film; this is the main purpose of the film trailer. Also in the trailer we added the conventional titles, that helped the audience understand who had produced and who was starring in the film, this may possibly influence there choice. We found that in the film trailers we deconstructed they would show the names of the main actors, this is to introduce them to the viewer, also a viewer may decided to watch the film, due to the credibility of the actor. We also kept the idea of making the main title bolder and stand out more. We found that this helped create a lasting impression in the film trailers we had researched. Also in the deconstructions we found that often the title was shown as the end clip, we kept this the same in our own film trailer, as it then became the last image the audience saw, thus helping make it more memorable. Another conventional feature which was highly important in a film trailer is the release date. We added the release date after the title. This was because it would then give the audience the desired information they needed to remember. Also we added the details of the distributor and the co-operation, this was important as it allows the viewer to know who create that film as well as allowing the audience to recognise if they have made any other films that were successful. One of the main conventions that help to create a successful film trailer is the sound track and music that links to the trailer. We added quite an eerie soundtrack as it would allow us to link to our genre of a thriller. We found that in all film trailers it was important to constantly link back to the genre, therefore the audience know what sort of film they are going to watch.  

We developed these conventions by using different effects for example; we used a textured a moving background for the titles. This was to help add movement and consistency to the film trailer. Also the colour red helps to represent the danger which links with our genre, whilst the white contrast with the darkness of the background. We wanted the main title to stand out, compared to the other titles, therefore we created it on a larger scale also we added a title effect called; cinematic, which helped create a spotlight and make the main title appear really dramatic. Also it helped make the image memorable, due to its boldness and striking appearance. Also the music helps to highlight the title as there is a sudden change in the tone and volume. Another way we developed the conventions was that we showed a quick range of short clips, therefore not giving away too much information. We also found that this helped to quicken the pace of the trailer, which helped create an atmosphere of suspense, which is popular for the thriller genre.

The conventions of magazine cover which we followed include; the magazine title being towards the top of the page, the main headline which represents the main article in the magazine, feature article photo, date and barcode. These were all the important features we had to include into our magazine cover. We decided to add the title quite large as it was seen in other magazines, we used a font which was bold and accessible for a wide audience. The font colour we decided to make black due to how darkness would relate to the thriller genre.

Also we developed the main headline, by adding as second image to the front cover. The second image we decided to use to show the character that will appear in the film. This is because we challenged the feature image that would normally appear on a film magazine. We did this by deciding to use an image were the actress is glamorous clothing, rather than her character. The character would normally appear on a film magazine. However we thought it may give our magazine cover a nicer appearance. Also the darkness of the shade still adds to the thriller genre, which was important to convey in the magazine cover. Also the lighting seems to make a sort off halo around the figure which makes her striking, and appear to stand off the page. We found it important to stick to conventional features of a magazine cover so that we were able to create an effective and successful cover. Also because we did not want the cover to get confused with a poster. Another important aspect was to continuously link to the genre of thriller and to represent the film, whether it was in the main headline or the small image of the character.

The main conventions of a movie poster are; eye-catching title, tagline, actors name, and one strong image. We stuck to the conventions quite strictly, as we found they gave us a great outline to help in the production of own movie poster. We placed the title of the film towards the bottom of the poster this was because if we placed it anywhere else it would overcrowd the initial image. Also we used a red font as it is striking against the image and background, and it is often represents danger. We added the actors name towards the top of the page, to show the importance, the name is then followed by the tagline. This helps to direct the viewers eyes down the poster to finally reach the striking film title. The strong image we decided to use shows a lot of detail in the facial features; however we decided to crop the image to add mystery to the other side of the face. We darkened the images so that it would create a mysterious effect and suspenseful atmosphere, which is common of a thriller genre. We did not really challenge any of the conventions of a movie poster, maybe just changed the usual layout to fit our image and genre better.      

We found that genre theory was highly important in the creational of the film trailer, magazine cover and movie poster. Genre theory helps to categorize a film and allows the audience to gain an understanding of the film the film trailer, magazine cover and movie poster are promoting. Effectively it helps the audience understand whether the film is aimed for them, thus helping market the film.

Audience Feedback Results;

Here are results from the audience feedback questionnaire we created. The feedback should help us to evaluate our success. Also it will help us to understand were we could have improved and what were the good qualities of our film trailer and promotional devices.

Media questionnaire

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Audience Feedback Questionnaire;

Audience Feedback Questionnaire – 10 males and 10 females

1.       What age range are you?
15-20         21-25      26-30     31-35     36-40     40+

2.       What Genre do you think the film trailer, poster and magazine cover represent?
Thriller             Horror               Comedy                Action              Romance                 

3.       What age rating do you think this film would be?
12                     15                           18                          18R

4.       In the film trailer, do you feel the title of the film is shown clearly?
Yes                       No  

5.       Do you think that the music in the trailer works well in conveying the genre?
Yes                          No    

6.     What did you enjoy most about the trailer?

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7.       Do you feel the trailer needs more titles?

Yes                          No 

8.       What do you think of the length of the trailer?

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9.        From looking at all three aspects of promotion for this film, do you have a sense of the film’s plot?

Yes                           No

10.       Do you think the magazine cover, trailer and poster work together well in promoting the film?
Yes                            No   

11.     From watching this trailer, were you intrigued by what was to happen in the film?

Yes                             No   

12.   If you saw this magazine in a shop, what aspects would influence you to buy it?

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13.        Would the film poster and magazine cover alone influence you to go and watch this film?

Yes                              No   

14.       Is the editing of the trailer aesthetically pleasing?

Yes                               No   

15.       Overall, Would you go and watch this film?

Yes                                No   

Editing Magazine Cover;

After looking at different magazine covers we decided that we wanted to make our cover quite glamorous and introduce the actress as the main image. We began by setting up an area that was all white by using a white sheet and wall.

We then decided to place the light on the left of the model so that half of her face would be dark and half light showing a contrast, which is similar in the contrast of personalities in the plot of our thriller. We went through a range of outfits that we looked, quite formal and glamorous and we decided to use a black or red dress. The black would represent the genre and its mystery and the red is often linked with blood and danger like the thriller genre.

We began creating the look by doing the hair and make-up, we did the hair quite formal and pretty, as this is conventional for the type of magazine cover we decided to do. We decided on quite natural make up, but created the eyes a bit dark to make them look mysterious. After this we went on to taking the pictures, each member had a go at taking the photos; we tried from all different angles and had quite a collection. We uploaded the images onto a laptop and went through deciding which photos we liked the best and which we thought would work best on the magazine cover.

We created different shots that were horizontal and vertical. We found with the horizontal ones that when making the magazine cover we would have a close up on the characters face. The close-up would take up most of the magazine cover and may over crowd the magazine with the other information we wished to add.  The next variation was if we kept the flash on or off. The flash on pictures made the model very defined and had a large amount of detail, however it did not allow us to catch the light as we wished and did not create the dark contrast.

We decided to use a pose were the model was looking away from the camera; this was because it added mystery which links to the thriller genre.  We decided that we preferred the black dress as it made the model look more grown up and added to the darkness of the image.  We choose the image that created the halo of light around the character highlighting some of her features; also this image hides some of her features which make the genre apparent in the picture itself.

 We then went on to editing the image; we did this in a programme called photoscape. We changed the levels of the; brightness, contrast and hue. Also we looked at the different effects the programme offered. However after looking at and testing out a few of the effects we decided that there wasn’t any we felt worked well for a magazine. We compared the edited version of the picture to the original and decided that we had edited the image too much as it had lost some of its depth and contrast, also the black had become a purple tone. Therefore we went back to the original and only raised the level of the contrast and brightness slightly.  

Whilst editing we noticed a dark line which was the lamp stand therefore we decided to get rid of the line to try and smooth out the back of the image and make the light look quite mysterious. We did this by using the clone tool; this allowed us to repeat an area. We tried to get the area as similar as the original, so that it would fit in covering the lamp.

After this we went back to what we decided we wanted to include in the magazine cover.  We started with the title, however we came across a problem the text on the photoscape programme would not extend to the size we wanted. Therefore we had to copy the edited image into paint then add a title using the text tool in paint.  We came to realise that paint had give a white outline around the text therefore we had to edit this outline out using the pencil tool. We decided to crop the image in paint to the tip of the figures nose, this is because it will make it easier to line up when importing the image back onto photoscape. This idea worked very successfully. The rest of the text was done on photoscape as we didn’t need it to be too big.  We decided to use a white font as it is simple and illegible to read, and on the most important parts of the magazine we used red. We decided on red as it is striking and represents danger; linking back to the thriller genre.

We included an image of the actors in her character; this was to allow the reader to know what film the magazine will be talking about. We added everything we had recently thought was necessary, without making the magazine appear over-crowded. Overall we are pleased with the result and find it links well with the trailer and the thriller genre which was the two main objectives, as well as having the purpose of promoting the film.