Ancillary Task Research.

Romance Film Posters and Magazine Front Covers.

This poster is very similar to the teaser trailer for Dear John in a variety of ways, the image used in this poster is of the two main characters situated in a beach environment which the trailer mostly is, the setting creates the idea that this is a holiday romance and it is also an opportunity to show the setting that the film will be based in. The camera shot used is a medium long shot of the two main characters this shot allows the viewer to understand the close relationship between these two characters. Everything surrounding the couple is slightly faded and blurred out which means that they are the main focus and implies that the film is all about their relationship. Surrounding the couple everything is very bright and light and contrasts with the darker clothing that the couple are wearing, by having them in darker colours it draws the viewers eye to focus on them, it also means that their faces are quite light from the reflections and particularly draws you to that area in particular. Very soft and calm lighting has been used which suits the setting as holidays are meant to be relaxing and calm, this works well with the pose that the couple are in also as they look comfortable with each other. Unconventionally for romance films the text on this poster is yellow and white where as you would image more pinks and reds for romance and passion but instead these colours continue the calm and soft feeling that the poster has and the ideas it creates for the mood of the film. On this poster we are shown quite a lot of information about it, in order to sell the film the to the widest audience it can appeal to. On the poster the largest pieces of text are the name of the film and also the name of the main characters, this allows to attract any big fans of the two actors which are often seen in romance films. We are also told where the story has come from in order to attract fans of the book that the film is from and also fans of other books/films by the author. There is also much smaller text telling the viewers other people who are involved in the making of the film or who are in the film which again attracts a wider audience. There is a small area saying a rough time of when the film is released so the viewers can look forward to seeing it. The final piece of text which is shown on this poster is a question/quote which relates to the ideas behind the film, by having the text saying “What would you do with a letter that changed everything?” it creates anticipation for the viewer as they want to know what is going to happen as the poster is quite simple in an intriguing way which is likely to make the viewers want to watch it more as the lack of information allows them to create ideas and they will want answers and to know what is going to happen in the film. Another important piece of information on the poster is the website for the film which allows the viewers to find out more information and clips from the film.

Unlike the Dear John poster the setting of this poster is quite unclear as it is very blurred and the main focus is the couple. Having the image focus on only the couple creates the ideas that the film is really all about them and they are main focus throughout which is a typical convention of romance films. This picture again like the Dear John one is just of the couple and the shot shows that there is a very close relationship between them, this picture is quite passionate and romantic as they look as though they could be about to kiss this creates a clear outline of what the genre of the film is. The camera shot for this picture is a medium shot as it allows them to be the biggest thing in the poster and makes them the main focus. The lighting in this poster is all quite bright showing that the relationship between them is very joyful and loving, behind the characters the lighting is very bright which highlights them and again makes your eye focus on them, the characters are dressed in darker clothes which flow together and link the couple together. Again like the Dear John poster the colours used for the text is yellow and white which isn’t the colours which imply romance, but as the picture is so romantic and loving pinks and reds aren’t needed. Instead the bright light colours create a warm and joyful feeling for the film and that the relationship between the couple is very happy, the colours also insinuate calmness and relaxation. On this poster again we are told the names of the main actors which is a typical convention of all romance films. We are also shown the name of the film and further information about who was involved with the film; names of people and companies. Unlike the Dear John poster we aren’t told and release fate for the film at all. Again we are given an website for the film which will allow viewers who are excited for the film to find out more about it and possibly see clips from the film which aren’t shown in trailers. A very important piece of text which is shown on the poster is quite large text and will really appeal to a wide audience is the text saying “INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS.” having this text instantly appeals to viewers as seeing something that is based on real life events creates a more interesting and realistic feeling to the film.

In the poster for Remember Me you cant really see where it is situated but the black and white slight shadow of buildings implies that it could possible be in a city. The poster is tilted to a slight angle and looks a little bit scruffy and worn out, this creates the idea in the viewers head that this isn’t a typical perfect romance film and instead it is different and a bit rough possibly. Again like the previous two posters the shots used for the image is a medium/long shot which shows the couple very close together and insinuates that the relationship between them is very close. By having very vague surroundings the image focuses solely on the couple and again implies that the film is mostly about their relationship or that they are the main focus. Both of the characters appear to be smiling which creates the image that the relationship between them is very loving and happy which creates a contrast on the poster.The contrast on this poster is that differently from the other two posters the photograph used is black and white, the black and white creates a slight morbid feeling to the film and contrasts with the happy expressions on their faces. Using a black and white picture also creates a traditional feeling to the film especially as the edges look worn out and create the image that this is an old photograph. The lighting used in this photograph is quite bright behind the focal point which is the two characters which highlights them as it shines on their faces which draws your eye to look at them, again they are dressed in dark clothes which contrasts with the dark background and makes them the main focus. Unlike the other two posters the text used follows the conventions of what you picture the colours of romance to be by using red, but the way they have used this red with a black and white image creates a slightly painful feeling to the film rather than the passionate feeling you would imagine. Again like the other two posters we are shown the names of the main characters in quite large writing which is a main selling point for the film and is the way to attract the most viewers, on this poster we aren’t just shown the names of the two main characters instead we are shown names of a variety of actors as this could attract an even wider audience as some of these actors aren’t typically seen in romance films so this will hopefully attract a wider audience. We are again like all posters told the name of the film as well as further names of people and companies involved in the making of the film. We aren’t told the release date of the film but just that it is coming soon which can create anticipation for people who want to watch the film. Like both Dear John and The Vow poster there is an important piece of text which has relation to what the film is about or what is going to happen in the film saying “Live In The Moments” this implies that their could be some sadness in the film and will really help to attract viewers as this will help to make people excited for the films release.

The romance genre isn’t often seen on the front cover of film magazines as they tend to feature action, adventure or mystical films. The only front cover that I have been able to find related to the romance genre is Entertainment Weekly magazine which features film, TV, music etc. The front cover of the edition features Twilight Breaking Dawn, the image used for this front cover is very conventional image for a romance film this is because a medium shot is used and it shows both of the main two actors, both of the actors and very close to each other an are in a loving pose which looks as though they could kiss. The pose that they are in is very iconic of the romance genre and creates a powerful effect. There isn’t a large amount of text on this front cover as it isn’t needed as the actors shown are highly considered with their characters in the film. The blue background behind the two characters creates a soft, calm feeling surrounding the couple and the romance. The text that is seen on the page very strongly implies that it is a love film using words such as “Love” “Sex” and “Baby” these words a typical conventions of romance films. On this front cover we can very clearly see that there is buzz word which will attract readers “Exclusive” will particularly appeal to fans of the film as this means that they are going to find out new things and many know things before anyone else does. Like all magazine covers we are shown the name of the magazine in the largest writing but doesn’t take to much of a distraction away from the film. We are also shown the name of the film in quite large writing to attract fans. There is also all the typical things you see on any magazine front cover such as the edition number, the date etc. Which are all conventions which I will feature in my ancillary task.

Conventions of the Romance Genre:From looking at these posters and the magazine covers there are clear conventions linking them all together:Firstly the pose which the couple is in on all of these is very similar with them looking at each other and possibly about to kiss. This pose helps to establish the genre and make it clear to the audience that this is the main couple in the film.The image shown on these clearly shows the audience the themes of romance films being; love, relationships, happiness etc.In all of the posters that I looked at, they are all set in very realistic settings which helps the target audience to relate to and aspire to the relationship which is shown in these posters and the film.From all of my genre research I have been able to establish the conventions seen in Romance films and the advertising for these, the common conventions include colours and lighting which is very bright and cheery which creates a theme for the films. The contents of all of these has shown me that the target audience demographic is teenage girls aged 13-20, this is clearly shown due the focus on the perfect romance by using attractive males and females for them to aspire to be and looking at the clothing as well and other aspects which are typical female interests.Similarly in most of the Romance trailers that I have looked at and the films show that there are phases which all of the couples go through such as the meet-cute and boy meets girl, at the start of the relationship this the leads to the perfect romance phase where they are happy and in love and then there is the moment when the relationship has to overcome a conflict or issues. Theses conventions have helped me to think of ideas which I can use for my trailer and themes which I should show in order to attract my target audience.