Question 2: How effective is the combination

of your main product and ancillary texts?

By James Pinnock – A2 Media Evaluation

Magazine CoverHere is my magazine cover. It matches the dark conventions associated with the horror trailer and horror in general. The theme has been changed of EMPIRE to match my trailer which is a common theme with EMPIRE changing their cover dependant on the starring film. The blood and gore combined with the black and red house style matches across al products as it’s affiliated with blood and the house style used across all my products showing synergy.

Magazine Cover/TrailerThe first element of combination I used was the use of the main enemy protagonist in my trailer and on the magazine cover. The bloody magazine cover gives the indication he’s the villain combined with the fact he is potrayed as a villain in the trailer. This can be further identified with the poster as he is used on that as well. The masked villain is also one of two characters identified in the trailer ensuring people know who’s in it but shows what one could be considered the main character. The mask is also easily distinguishable and as he is used across all ancillary texts it means the character is widely recognised.

Magazine Cover/TrailerAnother obvious yet important use of synergy was the use of my logo on the trailer and on the magazine cover. I made it clear why I used the logo on the magazine cover in the previous question but I used it in both and throughout including the poster as it makes the branding of the film and the film as a whole more recognisable. With this is didn’t challenge any conventions but built up a consistent house style that people will recognise eventually and help advertise the product.

Film Poster

I maintained the dark eerie house style with the red writing throughout my ancillary products and one of the main protagonists featured once again. The most easily recognisable character is also used making it very easy to identify the film from simply looking at the character.

Film Poster/TrailerWoodland is something used in my trailer and quite honestly a major part of the trailer as its used in the early establishing shots. I used this on the poster as a slightly faded out effect but the woodland is still very much noticeable and shows the synergy between both. It also carries along peoples opinions of woodland associated with horror adding to that earie effect. This symbolises the major roll that the woodland has in the film and how its associated with both media products. This is effective as it maintains a similar style and gives a good indication to where key action is going to happen.

Film Poster/Trailer I have once again used the logo, as I have in all the ancillary texts. This maintains the house style and makes my main product more distinguishable. The red and black/dark is also used maintaining the house style and is effective because of this. It also helps create a easily identifiable brand to do with my media product.

Film Poster/TrailerIn both texts I have used the review from EMPIRE. This shows the positive opinion but also shows that a trusted brand approves of it. It not only makes the opinion more easy to remember but if people only see one media product they still become aware that the review is positive and they can associate a brand they trust with my trailer or poster. This is very effective as it builds up trust with the viewer or the person who sees the poster and when they see EMPIRE they may even buy the magazine which features my cover, this further establishes a positive opinion of my trailer or ancillary products.

Teaser Poster/Trailer

The teaser poster I created had a very minimalistic look. I still used conventions and synergy in it though. I once again used one of the main protagonists, being the more recognisable one. I also used my logo and the dark red and black colours as seen in all of my ancillary products. This also included my tag line as seen in my main poster but more minimalistic. This is effective as it further adds to the notice that the trailer will get and make conventions found throughout my products very easily recognised.

House Style• The house style I used remained consistent throughout my trailer

(reviews) and ancillary products. This gave notice to my product and proved effective as it built up a brand of my product making it easily recognised.

• The fonts I used also remained consistent except the bottom of the poster and magazine cover sub heading where they were different for effect. The fonts used once again maintained a recognised house style combined with colour making my product furthermore easily recognised.

• The characters seen my trailer included a main protagonist and a equally important villain. I decided to use my main villain in synergy with my products as the mask was very easily identifiable and made it a lot easier to promote the trailer/film.

What Would I do Differently?

If I were to be tasked this again I would improve my editing skills and work on improving my skills a lot more in my own time. This includes syncing my music better and adding cooler and more effective ideas. I still felt I learnt a lot in this time and If I was tasked again could probably use other effects I have learnt but didn’t use such as more advanced syncing etc. I did overcome issues such as editing and did manage to look at tutorials on YouTube to help.