2. 1. How are you using
media technologies
in the
construction, researc
h, planning &
evaluation stages?

3. During the construction stage of my ancillary tasks, I used Adobe
PhotoShop & Adobe InDesign to design and construct my work.
Adobe PhotoShop worked as the main software I would use for
image manipulation, image composition and most importantly
image editing as a collective such as, sharpening, colour
correction, brightening & contrasting. For example, for my
ancillary task 2, the films poster, I researched the way in which
images were often arranged on the page and how, what to the
audience is a simple piece of image composition in truth,
requires an in-depth thought process and requires great
consideration being taken into account of the links it has to the
film to entice the audience to watching the film. For example, for my ancillary task 2, the films poster, I researched
the way in which images were often arranged on the page and
how, what to the audience is a simple piece of image
composition in truth, requires an in-depth thought process and
requires great consideration being taken into account of the
links it has to the film to entice the audience to watching the
film. For example, using „Adulthood‟ as a prime example I found
that the places in which the characters were positioned on the
poster had direct links to the films plot and its main messages.
Nevertheless, using InDesign I was able to experiment how I would
use text to present a more professional piece of work. I also looked
in greater depth at the alternative platforms the urban genre
caters for, such a music blogs, publication sites and artistic
production establishments. One of which was 'RWDmag' that
would employ the use of simple layouts and text fonts to create
their products. In reference to text fonts, I experimented on
InDesign on various images and snapshots from the film to select
and use as my final product. InDesign was a very straightforward
programme to use, especially as it allowed you to create layers in
which it became easier to manoeuvre words & titles around the
page to suit the design brief I had made for my poster. I found
that, in contrast to Photoshop, InDesign presented a sharper and
more defined image for a poster that has to be visually pleasing
for the target audience.

4. During the planning stage, I constructed templates for my ancillary tasks
that enabled me to have a rough idea of what needed to be done in
terms of image composition, text fonts and sizes to avoid making drastic
changes along the way. This planning was carried out in InDesign &
PhotoShop as the text pieces were a crucial part to get right so I used
InDesign to create multiple templates on possible designs. This was a very
important stage and process as it enabled me to familiarise myself with all
the tools, effects and organisation. Initially I was using Microsoft word to
experiment with text fonts before taking it into InDesign. I also made rough
templates for image composition in Adobe PhotoShop.
I began by merging two images of our establishing shots, The London Eye
and The Houses of Parliament together to form one image. This was a way
of keeping consistency in terms of what is in the film and how it will be
marketed through the poster. Nevertheless, I marked out using the ruler Additionally, I searched the internet visiting
tool where my four action images would be placed enabling me to clearly various font creating sites to sample a few
construct the poster. I also chose to begin thinking of fonts to use for the desired fonts I would possible integrate into
main title simply as a reference tool that would later be finalised in my ancillary tasks.
InDesign.
http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/list/style/Handdrawn
The poster was drawing to a finish but one or two things had
caught my attention and needed redefining and editing in
PhotoShop. As you can see, the film strip effect placed on the
images is slightly slanted towards one side and because of this I
chose to change it rather that overlook it.

5. Moreover, I used Adobe Premiere to produce the film trailer
Ransom. During this stage, I opted to experiment fonts for the
transitions to be used in the trailer. This also led me to font
creating websites and also looking at fonts employed in current
real media products as a basis to my own film. This exploratory
part of my research was carried out on Adobe After-
effects, looking at what can be done to highlight and bring
attention to the important tag lines that are to feature in my film.
Additionally, Adobe After-Effects was a programme used to
complete the film trailer.
Here we have the initial scenes that work to build the scene, such
as the protagonist being strapped to a chair. This is an enigma
code, where we are unaware of the identity of the protagonist.
Additionally, I have also looked to lock particular layers in order
to make the editing stage much more easier.
Here we had creatively used the police in our film. This was
brought in at the very end of our film in order to add a sense of
realism and present a strong element of verisimilitude. In editing I
had to work between the two task bars to enable me to work
more accurately between the trailers scenes.
At the bottom of the workspace was the audio bar where the
sound that had been incorporated with the action was
place, also any special effects we implemented in our trailer.
Also, they were sequenced to run in unison with one another to
keep the transitions as smooth as possible.

6. In this section I was using Adobe After-Effects to create the inter- Here I went back into Adobe premier and implemented the
titles to be implemented in our film. I clicked on workspace inter-title that I designed and added effects to in Adobe After-
which then opened a new slide in which I was able to change Effects. Although the two images are different, I used the same
the colour contrasts, brightness and transitions timing. principles and tools to design and implement them in my work.
In this space I aimed to designate a separate workspace to Also, I began to fit the inter-titles into the trailer itself on the
preview the transition of my inter-title. In this very space, it timeline.
became possible to extend the workspace also of the drop
down options which enabled me to also work much smoother
and effectively. Research into sound tracks was vitally important as we had to make
sure collectively we didn't fall into a situation where we used a
common „Grime‟ or „Rap‟ track that could affect the theme and
purpose of our film. Nevertheless, the soundtrack we used as our first
track was one featured in the Inception trailer. This trailer was greatly
influential & enabled us to think much more broadly in terms of effects
we could add.
I highlighted the segment or section that was relevant to the trailer and
cut it out accordingly.
Now that the desired part of the soundtrack is in place, I then needed
to rename the file and place it in a specific folder in order to import it
into the trailer. The file or soundtrack would now be saved as a .WAV
file to produced a much sharper and clearer audio file which would
prove important in the effectiveness of our trailer. Additionally, the
tempo of the soundtrack had been edited slightly to increase tension
and entice the audience to want much more than what they already
have. This programme proved problem free and easy to use to edit
audio for the trailer.

7. 2 . In what ways will your media
products use, develop or
challenge forms
& conventions
of real media products?

8. My media product design was heavily influenced by current
media products such as the 'Adulthood' poster. As previously
identified, I acknowledged that the position of characters on the
poster had a significant amount of planning and great
consideration taken into how it links to the narrative of the film.
For example, Robert 'Mooney' characterised by Femi Oyeniran is
located at the far right of the poster signifying his position in the
film. We see that 'Mooney' wants to break away from the
evermore decaying region of London they live in. This is further
emphasised by the central position of Sam Peel played by Noel
Clarke who presents macho apparel. Additionally, props also
play a significant part in the design of this poster as a bat is
placed at the foot of Sam. This is to show that at the foot of the
escalating problem concerning young people in London is the
violent subculture that people can be socialised into. This applies
significantly to the way in which my poster was designed as I
aimed to present characters in such a way that it has significant
links to my trailer.
Furthermore, in reference to my magazine I aimed to use and
develop upon the conventions employed by 'Empire', an
established company who produce film magazines. I looked at
various editions and aimed to understand how each genre
determined the design and effects used. For example, the title
of the film „Green Zone‟ has a poster designed with a green
surveillance effect added, to present a direct link to the
narrative or a surrounding theme in the film. In this instance, I will
develop my product to have direct links to the narrative to avoid
producing a confusing product, achieving this by integrating
things such as the establishing shots into the background of my
poster. However, I will look to challenge the conventions of Moreover, I also took into consideration the way in which the
current real media products by opting to not use weapons such poster designed for Inception was constructed, using a specific
as fire arms or knives, in either of my ancillary tasks. This is scene of the film to create a collective image that would both
because, even though action films contain the common shoot- give a brief summary of the narrative, but also withhold
outs and standoffs, I felt that I wanted to present the drama information that would entice the audience to want to watch
elements of my film in the ancillary tasks and gradually integrate the film. From this, I opted to present key frames from the film to
and portray the action elements in the trailer. allow the audience to understand and appreciate the theme of
the film.

9. Nevertheless, my magazine will develop on the design paths
taken by „Empire‟ & „Total Film‟. I have opted to merge an
edition from each of these magazines on separate issues and
develop thoroughly on the design employed by „Empire‟. Empire
has strayed from an elaborative design to a simplistic approach,
where the text font is a focal point for the magazine. This is
something I will use in terms of using bold, identifiable fonts but
develop on this further by adding visual effects to the images
and texts to present an all round professional product.
Furthermore, L.Mulvey‟s (1974/5) theory on visual pleasures and
narrative cinema led me to consider the impact of
corresponding colour schemes employed in my ancillary tasks.
From this I would alternate the colours used in both ancillary
tasks. It became evident that the poster the film company‟s
release, are dissimilar to the design path taken by the magazine
producers. This is because, the two products may cater for the
target audience but the products will appear as replications if
they are closely similar in terms of design.
This is my ancillary project 1, the magazine and I found that after
research I needed to create a name that was appealing and
had a direct link to the products I was creating. This lead me to
the masthead and title „Legendary‟. This name implies or
denotes a substantial status in the industry, a magazine that has
top credentials and only markets the best media products
currently in the market. Nevertheless, I also looked to integrate
an online website that I would act as an additional promotion As a result, I opted to produce a product for ancillary task 2 that
device used to push the sales and audience attraction of this had immediate links to the film and produce a magazine that
film. presented a subtle but effective portrayal of the film.
Nevertheless, the fundamental colours such as black and white
The central image is of a character in the film who is not
were the main colours to be employed in my ancillary tasks. Black
identified to integrate an enigma, a sense of mystery that only
connotes mystery, horror, darkness whiles white connotes a sterile
becomes clear as your read the magazine and also watch the
product, one that is of cleanliness but such a juxtaposition of
film, so the two products work hand in hand to create one contrasting themes is what allows the boldness of my ancillary tasks
strong collective body of work. to stand out.

10. 3. What have you learned from
your audience feedback?

11. The main thing I learned from audience feedback is that taking I found this encouraging as this
sole consideration into what is needed to present a professional insightful feedback enabled me to
body of work for a specific target audience is crucial. I feel that build on the foundation I had to
from listening to the viewpoints of classmates and various other further improve my magazine. In
college students, I acknowledged that being able to present the reference to my poster, I found that
main message in a few images is important. Reason being, when constructive criticism enabled me to
a poster is seen from afar, the audience does not have a lot of build upon the foundation already
time to read every line of information, the most they‟ll see is the set in my design process.
title and the main images that should be able to sell the story. In Additionally, I found that feedback
my poster, it becomes evident that array of images I opted to from various people, not just media
use perfectly sold the story and enticed the audience to want to students allowed me to pinpoint
watch this trailer/film. One thing I did to branch out or expand ways in which I could improve my
the responses I received was to send the poster to the actors work to effectively appeal to my
and also display the poster on social networking platforms such target audience. One of which was
as „BlackBerry Messenger‟ to see what people thought of it. From to make the text slightly more
this I found that people of varied ages were interested in seeing readable from distance. This could
the finished product (trailer/film) as a result of my successful be achieved through the use of
poster design. bolder colours and larger text fonts.
Evu 18: In reference to my main task, the film trailer, I was pleased
with the responses and feedback I gained from it. Once
“the magazine in again I looked at a variety of viewpoints from different
contrast to the people such as graphic design students, art
poster is not as students, history, politics and English students also. This was
strong in quality but to make sure that I was not simply catering for media
is still a good piece studies students who have been taught to analyse such
of simplistic but products and take critical responses upon such products.
effective design.” Additionally, one other point that came of interests was
that my trailer presented an issue that has not been
explored by real media products currently circulating in
Femi, 18: the industry. It was acknowledged that the common
“the poster is a very strong piece of
responses of people to such genres of film, is one that
design, I feel that the way you have
homogenises young people into anti-social subcultures
captured the narrative in your poster
but the opposite view was taken when I received
especially is very good. Also, your trailer
feedback. From this, I learnt that it is possible to create
is very good, presents a side of London
something that is socially desirable and can be seen to
that I haven't seen presented in the
brake or stray away from the usual conventions identified
media today so I think you‟ve done
in urban dramas. Nevertheless, it became evident that by
well. However, I do think the magazine
collecting various perspectives on my media product
could be better but overall a quality
enabled me to learn what can be employed to improve
piece of work all round.”
my work further and how much more can be added.

12. 4. How effective is the
combination of your
main product
& ancillary task?

13. Creating an ancillary task that has no direct link to the trailer is
very much a disastrous thing to do which is why I aimed to keep
a level of consistency throughout the planning, construction &
also the research stages. Personally, I feel that I successfully
made a link between my ancillary tasks and the main task as, I
extracted elements of the main task into my magazine and
poster to ensure the consistency was evident in each of my
projects. Additionally, I looked to transfer the fonts used in my
magazine to the fonts used in my poster to certify that I
consistently kept the standard of my work at a high level.
Moreover, I also went one step further and included the same
fonts featured in the transitions in the film to the ancillary tasks
also.
DIRECT
LINKS
Nevertheless, it became important for me to do this because;
the text I use has a heavy influence on the ways in which the
products are interpreted. The institutions I had designed and
constructed also feature similar text fonts simply to present a
professional piece of work and have direct links to all my pieces
of work. The main aim of my poster and in essence both my
ancillary tasks, was to successfully promote and market the film
to reach a substantial peak in sales.

14. An example of a thorough marketing strategy was the
integration of an enigma code. An enigma being a question
that is not immediately answered and thus draws an audience
to a text. In reference to my own text, this comes in the form of
the identity of the protagonist being hidden for a prolonged
period of time enabling the audience to become enticed into
the film. This plays to the ideology of urban dramas that they in
essence look to depict male strengths and present a masculine
view of 21st century London. Moreover, this links to the theorist
Roland Barthes, who presented the five codes. One code that
perfectly summarises the way in which I have linked my products
together is the proairetic code (ATC) in which tension is built
through action and withholding information that proceeds ay
given scene. This worked to develop the stories tension and keep
the audience thoroughly interested. A progression from this
proairetic code was the use of binary oppositions, this being a
clear division between the protagonist and antagonist/good
and evil.
Nevertheless, my products all work to build audience interest so when
the trailer is released; the acknowledgement of the poster is what lures
the audience to watch the film.
Moreover, it is evident that every film has a marketing tool whether it is a
magazine or poster it has a USP, a unique selling point that separates
itself from every other product currently on the market. My USP is that
such an issue has not been introduced and the way in which it is
presented, with no form of weaponry involved allows this film to be
considered different to that of films such as Adulthood that is of the
same genre. I chose to present an archetypal character, one that could
be identified by the audience to be universally accepted and
recognisable. This archetype character was the protagonist, the
character that found himself at the centre of controversy at no fault of
their own. He is simply a humble character that is made a lucrative
target by his former friends & this also presents itself as an archetypal
character.