Q4: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts

Lorna Keaton, Behraam Khan, Halima Khan and Iram Dogar

Main product

Our main product was a film production. Firstly we produced a five-minute film, this was called ‘Casecosis’. We decided to use people from our A2 media group, as we had a better understanding of the concept of our film and better aspect. This it made it flow easy. We eventually decided to use the school forest for our venue, as it created a sinister atmosphere. Due to it also being a forest it made if even more effective.

Ancillary texts Furthermore we decided to produce a film poster and a review, as part of our ancillary texts. The sole purpose of a film poster is to advertise an upcoming film, through letting the people know about information about the film such as the name of the film, the genre, actors, and narrative. We used a big bold headline keeping with the conventions of film posters. Generally they include the main actors, while including something about the concept of the film. Ours does this with the three main actors and the forest behind it.

Furthermore the review also provides the audience with a summary of information regarding the film. Our review also includes a rating and verdict, allowing people to decide whether they’d want to watch the film.

By using the main actors from our film within our ancillary texts proves to work effectively, due to the looks on our faces: angry and confrontational. In addition, the action shot taken from the film also includes the main actors. Both of these images flow from the film, as the ending of the film cuts to the three main actors positioned the same as the film poster. The use of the black and white effect, makes it look immaculate, creating a clear link between the film poster and the film. However, similar images are used throughout which also interlinks. The use of intertextuality makes it clear to the audience the link within our ancillary texts and film. We used bright colours within the film poster and review, which makes them memorable and eye-catching. An example of this is the vibrant colour red on the headline, with a dull black and white background. Whereas, the review has a white background, however this makes the colour red stand out even more highlighting the important factors of our review. The black and white effect used throughout the film and film poster also creates a sinister style, which goes with the genre and concept of our film. Both the review and poster style goes well together and with our film, as the main concept of our film is carried throughout. We also used the font Helvetica light throughout the film and both ancillary texts, creating a smoother and more recognisable flow by the the audience. This also makes the combination more memorable to the audience. All three elements are also interlinked by simply the title of the film and recognisable actors both from face and name.

Furthermore it’s clearly evident that there is the use of synergy throughout our media production. The film poster and review combined together, create an effect greater than the sum of our film by it’s self. This use of media synergy helps to promote our film through the use of linked products that we produced. It could also be through the use of DVDS, clothing or a soundtrack.