1. How did you use media tecnologies in the construction and resarch, planning and
evaluation stages.
To create the perfect trailer we had to experiment with all types of current new technologies to get the
best outcome. When researching film trailers I got to analyse camera shots, types of music, the pace of
editing when planning my trailer. One part of the trailer making which got my really excited was the
choice of music such as using instrumental pieces from Youtube or iTunes. It brought the trailer to life
and made a story of it's own as I chose a dramatic suspense piece with drum beats to build up tension.
Using iMovie for the creation of my trailer was really interesting as even though I had used it the year
before for AS I developed it a bit further and from using the internet to look at other trailers which
followed my genre they inspired me to do the same but to add my own touch. For example using a
white and black colour scheme as it's simple, bold, dynamic. Using the fade to black transitions made
the pace of the editing really quick but natural as when looking at other types of trailers they didn't use
dramatic transitions such as a comedy as it doesn't fit with the plot.
Creating the ancillary tasks (magazine cover and poster) I used Photoshop. I do use Photoshop for other
purposes so I knew how to use it but I had never used it for these purposes such as creating a poster so I
was experimenting and developing my knowledge. I also found a website on the internet called 101 free
fonts, I came across a font style which really worked well with my theme so I used it for the covers of the
poster and magazine.
Audience research was really crucial for finding out what my target audience wanted. I asked people
from different ages to answer some questions generally about trailers then looked further into asking
what they thought about my idea/plot/story line and questions about my genre type by using social
networking sites and mobiles to ask people to fill out and answer these questions on online surveys.
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary tasks
I feel that my trailer and poster/magazine covers really combine well together from using a lot of
research. I used the same colour scheme such as black and white so they link together and match. I
made sure the characters were wearing the same clothing in the trailer and poster/magazine. Even the
same venue so when the audience looked at the poster or trailer they would recognise the characters
and little things like font choices and colour schemes etc.
Even though that the ancillary tasks aren't perfect and professional they still were good backups and
experimentation I learned from. When making the ancillary tasks a lot of thought had to go in such as
camera angles to make sure I got the right shot. I wanted a serious simple mid close shot to make a
statement. I trialed lots of angles such as long shots and even using shutter speed with my camera to
capture him running which was inspired by the poster off Taken. Lighting was a trial in the ancillary tasks
2. as it was debating whether to use natural day light or studio/lamp lighting. I chose lamp lighting as most
of the trailer is at night time so it fits and work well as they both combine this. The lamp lighting I got to
play around with and chose where I wanted it to go so I could make certain areas of the photo stand
out.
When making the poster I wanted it very simple with the main pieces of text needed such as date,
actors etc and I did want a quote from the film to intrigue the audience and let them know what the film
is about. I was inspired a lot by the poster Salt such as the black background and the main character
positioned in the middle to make them eye catching. Using the white font over it makes the font stand
out too.
With the magazine it's got to be quite friendly, appeal to people to buy the magazine. I used softer
colours such as a white background and using the picture of the characters to the right leaving the text
to go on the left. The texts used were about interviews, pictures, current media events etc.
They both combine well with using the same colour scheme, characters used, mise-en-scene etc.
What ways does your media product use develop challenge forms and conventions of
real media productions?
My media product challenges and develops real media products in lots of ways. The biggest was
researching other types of trailers with the same genre to be inspired by them to reflect into my work.
This would include aspects like crime, language, violence etc. I wanted to challenge this by looking at
sub-genres to mix with them. Other themes such as anger, confusion, love, loss. By creating this it will
change the audiences perception of the film and not think it’s like every other film. I challenged the title
of film by calling it ‘Abducted’ as abducted I think has lots of different connotations such as films like
Avatar or films with aliens. It makes it seem more open and interesting instead of something like
‘Missing’.
What have you learned from your audience feedback?
I have learnt that new technology is the way forward and you don't have to have a job role to critic or
promote a film as things such as social networking sites like twitter and Facebook do this. Most people
now are involved in the Internet with in some way of a social networking site. You can find out
information about current films or what people think about the films if they trend the film name.
I have learnt a lot of people like horrors especially from the age range of 15+. I used online
questionnaires for people to use and promoted through Facebook on a Facebook page asking questions
about the trailer idea and their thoughts on music, ideas etc. I also asked personal questions about
trailers itself such as how long it should be, do you like watching them and uploaded this onto YouTube.
3. They responded with it was a really unique idea which seemed the film a lot more appealing, a lot of
drums and suspense music should be used throughout the whole trailer as it makes the trailer seem
more thrilling and want you to find out more. I also got told what colour schemes etc I should use, the
chosen colour which seemed most appropriate was either black and white or black and red. I felt black
and white was a lot more appropriate for my trailer as red has connotations of blood, anger, death,
horror and even though my film will include some of these features I just felt red was too gory and
horror like where as my trailer is an action thriller.
I had some thought where I personally knew what I wanted to do but audience feedback is key as you
want your age range to like and want to watch the film. It’s also very important to get audience
feedback on aspects such as the poster, designs, colour, photo choices. What I had learnt was looking at
other posters etc for my ancillary task was that a simple clear image usually close up was what people
liked as it grabbed the audiences attention which then appealed to them a lot more.
After the final piece I think I put this information into perspective by creating the right trailer.