A2 Media Studies - Evaluation Q1

Evaluation Q1: In which ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

A2 Media Studies

Ellie New

Film Trailer: Unmasked

Evaluation: Q1 Trailer

PlanningI began my planning by looking at the purpose of a teaser trailer and what is the definition of a ‘teaser trailer; I watched three trailers which I then analysed in depth looking at key codes and conventions which appeared in all three of the trailers. The trailers I looked at were all fairly recent, I did this in order to see what is portrayed within horror trailers in modern day society the trailers I looked at were ‘Mama’, ‘The Woman In Black’ and ‘Jessabelle’. I then went on to look at genre conventions of ‘Horror’. Focusing on Location, Technical Elements, Mise-en-scene and Themes; which gave me an understanding of what a stereotypical modern day horror trailer includes. I also studied the use of narrative within trailers and how it has been portrayed within the three trailers I had previously chosen to study; this gave me an understanding of how to create a clear link between my uses of shots making viewing easy for an audience to follow. Looking at representation of stereotypes of characters was also a key part of my research, in order to make sure I chose the right characters to represent the roles I wanted to be portrayed within my own trailer.


A media product which heavily influenced my trailer is the film ‘Friday The 13th’, which I have analysed in depth.Link to trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsVKn-MS14

The opening scene of Friday The 13th begins with an establishing shot of the lake, which is where the film is set, the camera then uses a panning shot to reveal the rest of the location. Within my own trailer I have also incorporated this using an establishing shot of the graveyard presenting the place primarily where the most of the film will be based. It also signify the beginning of the trailer, presenting a narrative.

However, I feel that the location of the establishing shot of Friday The 13th looks quite idyllic and tranquil which does not immediately reveal the genre of the film. I feel that my trailer challenges this as the graveyard immediately gives connotations of death and the unknown.


The next scene from Friday The 13th presents the victims; they are represented as stereotypical middle class teenagers. Their age is conveyed in the trailer by choice of clothing, they are all wearing causal clothing opposed to suits and smart business wear. Furthermore, one of the girls within the group is wearing a pink top making her appear youthful and innocent. They are also shown partying, consuming alcohol and explicit scenes which are stereotypical ideologies for teenagers.

Within my own trailer I have tried to incorporate teenage ideologies in order to attract my target audience of age 18 – 24 . The protagonists/ victims of my trailer are wearing parkas, jeans, t-shirts and ‘converse’ trainers which are categorised as stereotypical ’teenage’ clothing. Furthermore, youth is represented by the teenagers using smart phones which also reinforces that the trailer is a modern construct. The narrative also portrays youth by the topic of conversation; talking about ‘boys’ suggests that the girls are young and naïve.


The killer character within Friday The 13th is pictured wearing a hockey mask to conceal his identity. He is also pictured wearing dark clothing, giving connotations of evil/darkness. The killer is also pictured with a machete knife, the killers motivation is stalking/physiological.

Within my own trailer I have used the same style of costume, however our killer is not pictured with a weapon as the ‘slasher’ element is implied within my trailer which does challenge conventions of ‘slasher films’. The killer within our trailer is also featured wearing gloves, further concealing his identity. Whereas, within the trailer above the killer is more exposed.


Both constructs present the victims trying to escape the killer in an attempt to get away. Playing intense high pitch music in order to create a reaction from the audience. Within my trailer there is an element of ‘the male gaze’, created by film critic Laura Mulvey; which suggests that women are seen as weak and vulnerable victims, the ‘damsel in distress’, the male character is usually the killer portrayed as dominant and powerful. I feel that this aspect of my trailer conforms to the conventions of a horror film.


I feel that my own trailer does challenge forms and conventions of real media, as within my trailer there is no physical violence presented. In the first two examples I have shown from Friday The 13th, the ‘slasher’ aspect of the film is represented by a man held and knife point and then killed which is shown within the first image. Then within the second image there is blood evident, implying violence and death. However, the last image I have presented shows the audience that the killer has now got the victims without showing any death or blood saving the explicit scary scenes for the film. I also decided to do this as I felt that these scenes may not look believable due to the lack of professional acting and high tech equipment.

Ancillary Tasks: Poster & Magazine

Evaluation: Q1 PosterPre-Production: Research found on Word Press

Tag Line – ‘Welcome’ implies a sarcastic tone as the killer is not welcoming them however, it creates a link between the poster and the audience

Cover Image – The killer looks strong, powerful and dominant he also looks as if he is ready for action, which could scare the audience making them want to view the film. The dark background of the woods also gives a feeling of the ‘unknown’, contributing to the horror element

Header – Advertises the film in its signature font, the use of the red font implies connotations of blood, danger and passion and warns the audience that there is a horror element. Furthermore, the slits within the text and the mirror reverse of the text suggests that the killer is broken or fractured mentally.

Credits – Paying credits to the directors and performers

Evaluation: Q1 Poster

Poster Analysis - My Finished Poster

Font – Same font used throughout poster, using signature font of film

In order to create my media poster I looked at three other examples from films such as Avatar, Friday The 13th which was the main focus of my media trailer and ‘The Dark Knight’. I felt that ‘Friday The 13th’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ were the best examples as they feature a horror/action genre. The image upon my poster is clear and has been taken using a professional camera (Nikon D40 DLSR); in order to produce a crisp image. I felt the tag line ‘welcome to the graveyard’ creates a personal touch, however it is sarcastic as the audience is in the presents of a killer. A tagline was evident on both of the posters I had chosen to focus on. Furthermore, they both featured a strong, dominant cover image making the protagonist looking empowered and ready for action; I also used filters to darken the image making it feel more dystopic. For the title I decided to use a red font which holds connotations of blood, death, danger and a warning. The blurred reflection of the text upon my poster and slits implies the fractured personality of the killer. I have then decided to use credits and have incorporated logos of professional companies which may entice my audience to view my film. I feel that my product conforms to a real media product.

Evaluation: Q1 Poster

Evaluation: Q1 Magazine

Pre-Production: Research found on Word Press


Mast Head - Taken from another film magazine, as the brand is so iconic it is still recognisable to fans when covered

Tag Line - ‘ The ultimate exclusive’ implies it can not be found anywhere else hence why it is ‘exclusive’. Which will attract fans

Cover Lines – Listing new films, celebrities and reviews which the audience will be interested in

Sub Header – Introducing the film advertised

Barcode – Professional looking

Fonts – Use of three fonts, all sans serif to attract the target audience, ‘Unmasked’ is written within its own signature font

Colours – After studying other film magazines it became apparent that bold, primary colours such as: Blue, yellow and red were regularly used. Attracting a young male audience, I have also incorporated this into my own work however, it may also attract a female audience

Issue Number / Price

Cover Image – My cover image presents the protagonist from a low angle shot, making him seem powerful and dominant. The character is also giving a direct address to the audience establishing a link between the audience and the character, the large building the the background of the image contributes to the horror element

Magazine Analysis – My Finished Magazine :


When creating my magazine I looked at three different examples, which I thoroughly analysed; two from ‘Empire’ magazine and one from ‘Total Film’. All of the magazines had in common that they included one key character as the cover image, which I then incorporated into my own magazine cover. One of the Empire magazine covers had a location taken from the film presented within the background, I also decided to incorporate this into my own work so that my audience can gain a sense of setting as to where my film is set. Furthermore, all of the magazine colours included bright, primary colours such as blue, yellow and red; in order to attract a masculine audience. I have also featured this within my own work however, I do feel it will also capture a small female audience. I feel that my magazine cover follows the forms and conventions of a stereotypical film magazine. It includes cover lines, giving more information to the target audience which they may be interested in. It also includes interviews with the main character and other typical conventions such as a barcode and issue number and price, making it appear as a professionally created construct.

Ellie New

A2 Media Studies - Evaluation Q1

Education

Transcript of A2 Media Studies - Evaluation Q1