In what ways does your media product, use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

Question 1 (Part Two)

Firstly, to gain inspiration for my poster I searched crime/ thriller movie posters into the Google Images search engine. This showed me a variety of existing

posters in the particular genre that I was looking for. We used many posters for inspiration towards our final poster. Also, I looked at the conventions that they all have in common and what makes each of the posters similar yet different at

the same time. I identified their unique selling points and the use of mise en scene within the posters and how it had been used effectively to target the

specific audience. From the Google search I was able to realise that majority of the posters had similar dark colours used in them with a hint of red. We also used this idea within our poster too. The connotation of the colours such as,

black, grey and red is that there is danger and mystery . We used these colours so that our final product is able to associate to the genre as much as possible.

Poster

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Analysis (Existing Posters)

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Analysis (Existing Posters)

Inspiration Poster: One

Inspiration Poster: Two

Inspiration Poster: Three

Poster Conventions

Eye-catchingRelating to the genre

Consistent theme

Dark colours

Hint of the colour red

Production company and

directors names need to be visible

Release date is visible

Main image is generally

of main character/s

Cast names are included

Movie rating

Poster AnalysisCast: Along the top of the page I have included the names of the main characters that will appear in the film, I have used this idea from the magazine ‘Seven’. This is a convention we have used on our poster because it allows the audience to easily identify the cast in the film and if it is an actor/actress they like then this would influence them to watch the film.

Title: After looking at the previous existing products. I have been inspired by the placement of the title from the ‘Parker’ poster. The title is placed in the middle of the poster just beneath the characters faces. This makes it stand-out and become more eye-catching for the audience because it is clear to see.

Release date: I have included the release date ‘Coming Soon’ on our poster. This is a general convention found on almost all existing film posters. It helps to inform the audience about when the movie will be releasing. We used ‘Coming Soon’ as our release date this creates a sense of anticipation for the audience because they do not know the actual date the film will be released.

Colour: We have used predominantly dark colours such as black, grey and white. We have also used yellow to fit into our genre the police tape title design we have included. Also, there is a hint of red which is a common convention that we have followed in our crime/thriller poster.

Main image: the main image we have used is a medium long shot of the two main characters in the film. This is a convention that is found on all film posters, they all include the image of the main character/s on the poster. This is a technique used to sell the film and allows the audience to identify the characters. The facial expressions on the actresses faces allows the audience to differentiate between who is the good character and who is the bad character. Shiwa’s face is vulnerable whereas Sarah’s face is stern and serious showing the difference.

Pull Quote: we have used a pull quote on our poster. This is a convention we have developed. Usually on posters a slogan may be found to describe the film however, we decided to use a quote from a popular critique. We also, included ratings. All this combined can be used to attract the audience because it gives them an insight of what others had thought about the film and gives them recognition.

Poster Analysis

Weapons: this is a convention we challenged in our poster and we did not include it in our final poster. This is because we solely wanted the audiences attention to be on the two actresses and show their significance without the need of weapons, which can be seen through their facial expressions.

For my magazine to gain inspiration, I searched crime/ thriller movie magazines into the Google Images search engine. This showed me a variety of existing

magazines in the crime/thriller genre. Then, I looked at the similar conventions that they all have in common and what makes each of the magazines unique. I identified their unique selling points and the use of mise en scene. From the Google search I was able to acknowledge that majority of the magazines had

similar colours, a hint of red was also visible. We used this idea within our magazine too. I analysed how the existing magazines had been used their

conventions effectively to target the specific audience as I would be using them for inspiration.

Magazine

Magazine Conventions

Masthead at the top

of the page Cover lines on left

hand side of the page

Relevant flash on the page

Barcode placed

very small in a cornerMain

image is the focus

Header at the very

top of the page

Footer at the very

bottom of the page

Film name is visible

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Analysis (Existing Magazines)

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Analysis (Existing Magazines)

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Analysis (Existing Magazines)

Inspiration Magazine Cover

Inspiration Image

Magazine Front Cover AnalysisThe masthead on our magazine is placed at the top of the page signifying it’s importance. This is a film magazine convention we have followed as existing products also place their mastheads at the top. The font is white and very bold making it one of the first things the reader would see. We decided to use ‘Total Film’ as the magazine company for our film because from research we have found that they are a popular company and their font style fits in nicely with our film. Also, our inspiration magazine used ‘Total Film’ so we used that idea too.

The cover lines on our magazine take over most of the left hand side of our front cover. This creates the magic ‘C’ which means that a readers eye starts on the left hand side and circulates anti-clockwise along the page. Our magazine is set out exactly like this which is a convention that we followed of existing magazines because we found that it is an effective technique. The cover lines attract the audience because of the language used to persuade the reader and grab their attention. For example, ‘exclusive interviews’ and ‘free cinema tickets’ would instantly make the magazine more eye-catching because it engages the audience and gives the magazine a personal feel. Also, giving out freebees would make the reader want to read the magazine even more because they are also getting something out of it for free.

The main image we have used is inspired by our inspiration magazine. In that magazine there is a close-up of the actor which displays his facial expression very clearly. We also wanted this effect with our magazine so we decided to use a close-up picture of our actress as the main image. Her facial expression is inspired by our inspiration picture of a models expression where she is crying and makes the audience sympathise with her. We also had Shiwa use a similar appearance on her face. We felt that the image was the main attraction on our poster. This is also a convention we have followed by using the main character on the front cover.

The film title is placed directly underneath the main image. This is a convention several existing products follow. This allows the audience to identify the film that the magazine issue will be talking about. The title is bright and large underneath the image which grabs the attention of the reader.

Above the title is a pull quote in white which sells the film as the quote states “Most shocking film of 2015” by using the adjective ‘shocking’ it makes the reader want to find out more about the film and want to watch it to find out what is shocking.

Magazine Front Cover AnalysisThe flash used on our magazine is beside the main image on the left hand side of the page which makes it stand out. It is a silver circle which links with the theme of our film. The writing inside reads “Liam Neeson reveals all” in capital letters which makes it eye catching for the reader and easy to read. This is attractive as it would make the reader question what he reveals hence making them want to read the magazine. This is a convention we have followed as the flash is relevant to the magazine and is used to attract the reader.

The header at the top would attract the audience as it shows that the magazine is up to date on all events and films. It reads “the modern guide to films” showing that all things within it will be exclusive and nothing old will be shown. The fact that it is a guide will also attract the reader as it will help them with the most up to date information on movies. This is a convention we have followed because a header is supposed to pull the reader into wanting to buy the magazine which is what we have effectively done with our magazine.

We have placed our barcode discretely on the right hand bottom corner of the page. This is because we did not want the main focus of the magazine to be distracted by a barcode which is why it is in a corner. This is another convention that we have followed as existing magazine also place their barcodes out of the way of the readers main focal points on the magazine.

The cover line of the existing products images shows that the magazine company has a large variety. Also so that the audience can watch out for the upcoming issues.

The age rating is visible next to the title. We have included this because it allows the audience to know that the film is an adult film and that viewers under the age of 15 will not be able to watch the film. This makes the audience aware so that if a younger person is reading the magazine then there is no false hope for them as the age rating is clearly visible.

The footer at the bottom of the page is used to entice the audience. The language used grabs the readers attention. ‘PLUS!’ shows that the magazine has more to offer rather than what is on the front page.

OverallI think that we have successfully been able to use, develop and challenge

conventions from real media products. Our final products look professional, realistic and fit for purpose. Throughout the process of this coursework I have

been able to develop my skills massively and learn new techniques to make my products effective for the target audience. Although, we did overcome some

problems as a group we were able to work together and identify main conventions we would use in our trailer, magazine and poster, we had to make sure we referred back to our research, planning and genre consistently as we

were able to take on board the comments and improvements given by our target audience. Audience feedback is vital when creating a trailer and ancillary texts. To conclude, I am confident that our final products are more than able to meet the needs of the audience and has followed conventions of existing film

products.