Magazine - Final

Poster - Final

Trailer - Final

This is the final draft of my trailer. YouTube seems to recommend videos at the end and if paused - sorry!

Evaluation Question 4

How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages? 

Mindmap of media technologies used

Planning

• These stages involved me first consulting the list of possible briefs to select the one I felt I was most interested in.
• To develop an understanding of my chosen brief (promotional package for a film encompassing a trailer, poster and magazine cover) I used Microsoft Word to take a screenshot of the specification and underlined the parts which were most relevant.

Using Media technologies in the research and planning stage

• The primary media technology I used at this stage was YouTube, a video sharing platform.
• This allowed me to explore existing real media products so that I could emulate the form of a trailer as much as possible.
• Using a web browser or search engine is a prerequisite for using YouTube. In order to gain accurate and useful results, I had to know what to search for. This perhaps hindered my use of media technologies because I stayed within the realms of my existing knowledge, searching for trailers I had heard of as opposed to other trailers which could expanded my knowledge of the medium further. For example, other trailers could have made more creative use of transitions which I could have applied to my own production. This was also the case for when I was conducting research regarding my ancillary products. When watching trailers, I made mental notes which I then transferred in writing straight onto ‘Blogger’. This was good because it meant that the analyses could be completed quicker, but on reflection using technologies such as Microsoft Word or Apple Notes would have been better. This is because writing or typing notes would allow me to articulate and organize my thoughts better before going into the analyses.
• I also used YouTube to embed these trailers into ‘Blogger’, as a way of illustrating the points I made.
• USING MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION STAGE: iMovie
• Whilst Adobe Premiere Pro was my chosen editing software, to begin with I decided to create a draft version of my trailer using iMovie. This was because I was already familiar with iMovie from making my AS coursework production. I found the software to be less complicated and easier to navigate. This gave me a clearer idea of where to start and allowed me to see what kind of product I wanted to create in Premiere.
• I found this to invaluable as it gave me a sense of direction; I was beginning to lose faith in my abilities as I found Premiere to be so perplexing and a little overwhelming. On reflection, I appreciate that this did not advance my skills as much as I would have liked because I was perhaps not as experimental as I could have been with Premiere. In addition to this, iMovie only has pre-loaded titles, which restricted my ability to experiment with and envisage titles. As a result, the element of my production which involved using typography and titles was less planned than I would have liked. 
• Using this technology had mostly positive outcomes, but it was time consuming. However it probably took less time than using trial and error in Premiere.
• I used PREMIERE PRO to edit my footage. I found the razor tool particularly useful so I could be as accurate as possible when cutting the footage.
• I used GARAGEBAND to edit and enhance the non diegetic soundtrack. As a result, it had a more positive effect on my trailer.
• With regards to my ancillary products I used InDesign and Adobe Photoshop - InDesign for the magazine cover and Photoshop for the poster. I feel that this helped to give a more professional look to my products as they are chosen softwares in the media industry.
• To present my evaluations I used a variety of media technologies such as YOUTUBE and POWERPOINT. I created a survey using SURVEYMONKEY, and online survey builder so I was able to gain feedback on my products. I also used KEYNOTE and POWERPOINT to export files to mp4 videos so that they were more interactive.
• I feel that I have learned a great deal about media technologies this year.

* Sorry about the format, I made this first on Keynote then copied it to blogger.

Evaluation Question 3

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation Question 1

Presenting my production

Like most films, my trailer was premiered using YouTube, a video sharing platform. YouTube was founded 12 years ago so is established itself as a leader in video sharing. As a result, it has many features available to its users. These include a video stabiliser and editing function. 

I could have used Vimeo to share my production but found Youtube much simpler to use and it easier to embed the video on my blog through YouTube.

Vimeo

Trailer

The short video above exemplifies how I drew inspiration from Disney's Maleficent (2014).

Slide order:
1) Title Slide
2)Using the conventions and form of the medium
3) Examples of the use of medium conventions
4) Conventions in Relation to Genre: Using conventions of the "Dark Fantasy" genre
5) Examples in Real Media Products: "Dark Fantasy" Genre Locations
6) Examples in Real Media Products: "Dark Fantasy" Genre Locations - 2
7) Evaluation: Using the conventions of real media products
8) Real Media Products: Developing the Conventions of these in my trailer
9) Developing the conventions of real media products: Low key lighting
10) Developing the conventions of real media products: The female antagonist
11) Examples in Real Media Products: The female antagonist (Maleficent)
12) Examples in Real Media Products: The female antagonist (Huntsman: Winter's War)
13) Developing the Convention of Sound in my trailer (has audio)
14) Developing the Conventions: Title Transitions in my trailer
15) Evaluation: Developing conventions of real media products
16) Challenging the Conventions of media products: Having One Character
17) Challenging the Conventions of Real media products: Overlaying
18) Evaluation: Challenging the Conventions of real media products
19) Evaluation: Using, Developing and Challenging conventions of real media products

Poster

Evaluation Q1 - Poster
Magazine Cover

Evaluation Q1 - Magazine Cover

Gaining Audience Feedback - TRAILER (2)

I created an online survey (see previous post) and then messaged those in my media group asking them to complete it, giving me feedback. I thought that this would be a good sample of people to ask because they are knowledgable about media and so it may be easier for them to interpret the questions. 
I also asked some people who didn't do media to broaden my reach and make the responses more representative, explaining to them specific media terminology beforehand. By doing this, I could gain insightful responses because they are not connected to the course or task, so would offer a different perspective.

Gaining Audience Feedback - TRAILER

Create your own user feedback survey

Making my magazine cover

The above video goes (quickly) through the process of me making my magazine cover.
I decided to use inDesign as it is the programme of choice for industry professionals and so my cover would look more sophisticated. 

Making my magazine cover draft

I decided to use Pages to do this as it was a programme that I am confident in. Firstly I set the document layout to A4 and imported the image. When I resized it, I held down the shift key to ensure that it didn't go really pixelated. As it main image, I made sure that it took up at least half the page. Then I layered the masthead over the top. I decided to go for the name 'Movie Magazine' as I thought it was simple and that the alliteration would be effective. 
Underneath this, I wrote the slogan "The Best News Movie News and Reviews" because it serves to sum up the magazine and the rhyming makes it easier to remember- if the magazine was a real commercial product, it would need some way of standing out and people remembering it so as to gain readership. Instead of putting the selling line around this area I decided to put it on the lower lefthand side of the magazine, so it is not obtrusive and more discreet. This involves the price and barcode.

Next I decided to work on the main cover line. Above this I wrote "ON SET EXCLUSIVE!" in American Typewriter, which contributed to my house style as my chosen font. The house style colours are red, black and white. "Exclusive " is a word that I frequently came across in my research; it is a buzz word which acts to excite and engage a potential reader, making them believe that they are in a privileged position. Therefore it is something that I wanted to incorporate into my own work. I made the text of the title of the film relatively large (58 pt) so that it was obvious what the magazine is promoting. To create synergy between my products, I decided to make the Malice typography the same font as in my trailer, and furthered the connection by applying a shadow outline to the piece of text. Then I added in more cover lines - covers often state what else is in the magazine besides the main story. I have put the coverlines together.

Magazine cover draft

Ancillary Product research - genre specific Magazine cover analysis 3

Masthead

The masthead is large to promote the company making the magazine. The white typography connects with the main cover line of 'Harry Potter 7'. White connotes innocence, goodness and purity, Harry Potter is the protagonist and so it links to his heroic qualities within the franchise. However, the red outline suggests that there is an element of danger within the film and also links to the main colour of the magazine cover. The masthead is covered by the main image of the protagonist and so it suggests that the main image is more important to potential readers in promoting the film. The puff in the masthead is stating that the magazine offers 'The World's Best Movie Reviews'. This makes the reader believe that they are in a privileged position. 

Main Image

The image is central to the magazine cover and this reflects its significance in promotion the film. The image partially covers the main coverline 'Harry Potter 7' and so this suggests that Harry Potter is an iconic character because usually this text is placed on the top layer of the design so that the reader is clear which film is being promoted - whereas the disruption of this coverline does not impede the recognition as Harry Potter, and Daniel Radcliffe himself are both easily recognisable. 

Coverline - Left Hand Side

The transition from white to grey text implies that Harry was innocent in school/earlier films but now he has to face the real world his character is more morally ambiguous. This coverline uses the rule of three to create impact for the reader. The question mark at the end of the coverline leaves the reader wondering whether Harry can 'cut it in the real world' and his role in the narrative, making them want to read the article inside the magazine.

Other Coverlines
The other coverlines use sibilance to have more impact. The use of exclamation marks creates an excited tone and gives the reader a taste of what can be found inside the magazine. Specifically, the superlative "greatest" substantiates the positivity and sense of privileged position that the magazine has established for its readers. Again, a triadic structure (three coverlines on right hand side) is used. 

Strapline
"The modern guide to movies" uses alliteration to help the statement flow better, and is perhaps suggestive of the demographic that the magazine is trying appeal to. "Modern" has connotations of the technologically able, younger generation, so perhaps the movies included will substantiate this.  

Other 
The barcode and banner reiterate that the magazine is a commercial product sold primarily for profit. The banner uses the "buzz word" 'PLUS!" to emphasise the amount of content that is featured in the magazine. Furthermore, the second person pronoun "you" in itallics makes a direct appeal to the reader, resulting in more impact. 

Ancillary Product Research - Genre Specific Magazine Cover Analysis 2

Here is a magazine cover promoting Maleficent (2014).
The Magazine Cover

Magazine cover promoting Maleficent (2014)

Masthead
The masthead is large to make the reader aware of what magazine they are reading. The cover perhaps follows a linear structure because in the Western world we tend to read from left to right. It would make sense for the reader to look at what magazine they are reading before they start. The masthead size also acts as a way of promoting the magazine company itself. This demonstrates how the magazine is a commercial venture but also a way for the company to hold up its reputable status as having "the world's best movie reviews."
The masthead is white which makes it stand out against the dark background and contrast with the costume within the main image. The masthead incorporates the selling line which includes the price. This is written in considerably smaller font than the masthead because the information plays less of a role in whether someone chooses to buy it or not.

Colour Scheme and House Style
The dominant colour scheme used is blue to give the magazine a cold feel, relating to the character of Maleficent. It also matches the low key lighting used in the image. The white text matches the pale makeup of Maleficent and helps her to stand out. By alternating the blue and white colours in the main cover line, it adds variety and helps the reader to see how they compliment each other. White connotes innocence and so subverts the characterization of Maleficent as an antagonist but helps to emphasise the ghoulishness of her character at the same time. Yellow is used as a contrasting colour, and so would mean that the magazine is more eye catching on a newsstand. Additionally, it brings some brightness to the magazine; the blue and white colours are quite sincere whereas yellow has positive connotations such as happiness. The typography used contributes to the general house style as it is bold and the use of capital letters helps to demonstrate the importance and exciting nature of the content.

Use of 'buzz words'
The magazine uses 'buzz words' such as "exclusive!" to make the reader believe they are in a privileged position and so they feel more inclined to purchase or read the magazine. It also makes the content more engaging and attractive.

Puffs
A puff is used on the right side of the magazine to detail what is inside. By highlighting the numbers, it means that the comprehensive nature of the magazine is emphasized. It is not square, a shape used in the rest of the magazine, so perhaps deviates from the house style in this respect. Despite this, being different means it stands out and becomes more eye catching.

Main image
The main image is of the primary character, Maleficent. Maleficent has antagonistic qualities but over the course of the movie, the reasons for this emerge and so she is considered by some as a protagonist. The image uses direct address and so mirrors the power she holds over the kingdom. Direct address is something I would like to embed into my poster.

Splash
The splash is interesting because the yellow contrasts so starkly with the rest of the poster. However, it helps it to stand out and substantiates the fact that it is "massive" in the movie information it offers its readers. This is because it lists the other significant elements a reader can find in a poster.

Evaluation and Critical Reflection
The magazine cover is successfully executed as I believe it captures the essence of the film which it is promoting. In addition to this, it also informs readers of other content they may be interested in.
I feel that the main image is especially effective in drawing in potential readers. When I come to create my own magazine cover, the splash is not something I want to emulate, however. Whilst it is eye catching, I feel that it subverts the style of the rest of the magazine too much.

Ancillary Product Research - Genre Specific Magazine Cover Analysis 1

Here is a magazine cover promoting Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
The Magazine cover 

Masthead
The masthead is large to make readers aware of the magazine they are reading. This is part of their selling point as it helps to make the magazine recognisable. The white writing contrasts with the dark background to make it more eye catching for the reader.The last letter of the masthead is covered up by the head of one of the characters in the image. This could suggest that the image is of paramount importance to the magazine cover as it effectively communicates the essence of the film.

Barcode
A barcode is included to remind the reader that the magazine is a commercial product. It follows the convention of being placed in the corner, this reflects that it is not that important in promoting the film.

Tag Line
The tag line "The Fairest Of Them All " is a reference to Snow White and offers the reader more information than the title which you are conditioned to read first. "Fairest" is a superlative and so will make the reader believe they are in a privileged position. It is in capitals which makes it stand out against the title. This is furthered by the use of a different colour.

Colour Scheme and House Style
The colour scheme is based on gender neutral colours of white, yellow and pale green. This suggests that the producers of the magazine believe the film could target a wide demographic and both genders. White connotes innocence and purity which could relate to both the character of Snow White and the concept of fairytales. Additionally, it could be a reference to the devotion of the magazine to movie content. The yellow has both positive and negative connotations .It primarily connotes brightness and so this could reference to the wants and needs of younger children, substantiating the idea that Snow White is an innocent story. However, it is not fluorescent and is a darker shade of yellow which suggests there are scarier moments in the narrative.  The green colour is quite muted and so again suggests the idea of innocence which is associated with fairy tales.  The low key lighting of the main image contrasts with this and therefore makes the green and yellow stand out.  This makes it more eye catching for a potential reader and so the magazine conforms to its purpose of promoting the film.

Main Image 
The image subverts the expectations of a usual magazine cover because it features three different characters rather than one main protagonist.  Therefore we can infer that they have prominence within the narrative.  However the character in the middle is in the foreground of the image which suggests that she is slightly more significant in the story than the others; perhaps she plays the role of Snow White. One of the characters uses direct address to engage the viewer in reading the magazine.  The other characters have a more submissive look which suggests that they like to avoid confrontation.  Therefore by looking directly at the reader the male is conforming to their stereotypical gender role of participating in conflict.  This role is furthered because by doing so they are also conforming to society's preconception of males as strong and able people.  There are sparks in the background of the image which implies that the narrative encompasses war and tragedy or rebellion.  This is conventional of films within the dark fantasy genre.

Slogan
"Australia's Best Movie Magazine" is a strong statement, but it helps to build up readership. The superlative "Best" makes the reader feel fortunate to be provided with the "Best" movie news and gossip.  

Evaluation and Critical reflection
This is an effective cover as it successfully communicates the essence of the film to a reader or potential reader. 

Ancillary Product Research - Conventions of a Magazine Cover

A magazine cover is designed to fulfill a similar purpose to a film poster in that it promotes a film. Well renowned film magazines such as Empire probably target a more specific demographic than film posters, which can be viewed by any type of person. Though they are able to see the cover, the film would probably be better promoted if the person picked up the magazine. This is something film fanatics are more likely to do.

Conventions of a Magazine Cover

Main or focal image
Magazine covers are predominantly filled with a main or focal image to catch the attention of the viewer and encapsulate the essence of the film. The main or focal image will usually be of a character who holds prominence within the narrative, for example the protagonist or antagonist. Occasionally the image will be more cryptic in order to build up anticipation surrounding the film. However, films that are promoted using magazines are normally 'blockbusters' produced by conglomerates. Therefore it is likely that the film is well known and speculated anyway.
Frequently the image will be in the centre of the magazine, with the less eye catching elements placed around the edges.

Example of a focal image - Daniel Craig as James Bond, promoting Spectre (2015)

Typography
The typography used to introduce the viewer to the film usually relates to the genre or character of the film. It is usually large to catch the attention of the reader and demonstrate that this part is what they want the reader to see. The typography differs depending on the element of the magazine.

Magazine cover promoting Ant-Man (2015)

In the magazine cover shown above, Ant-Man is written in large text to show that it is a significant part of the magazine. The text is almost stencilled, perhaps an attempt to mirror the robotic and computerised characteristics of the character. The choice to write it in capitals not only reflects the importance of the text but the brazen personality of the trailer.

Masthead
A masthead is the name of the magazine. It is usually in large typography and is in bold, so the audience can see what magazine they are reading. Normally it is placed at the top of the poster, like in the one below:

Masthead - Cineaste

Slogan
 Most magazine covers have a slogan which sums up the magazine - usually its prestige, or values. This can sometimes be hyperbolic - for example "world's best". The one below for 'Little White Lies' magazine is truth and movies; the juxtaposition of lies and truth is effective. Slogans are sometimes referred to as selling lines.

Little White Lies Magazine - Slogan: Truth and Movies

Barcode and Edition

Magazines are commercial products - they need a barcode so that they can be purchased. This is usually placed discreetly in the corner of the magazine. The edition/issue tells the reader what edition they are buying, so they can make sure they are up to date. This is especially useful if they have a magazine subscription e.g May 2015.

Cover lines 

Cover lines on right

'Puff' on right

Cover lines are summaries of the articles in the magazine. The cover line for the feature article is almost always larger because the editors of the magazine feel this is the story that is going to make people want to buy the magazine. If encompassed into a circle, these are often called "puffs".

Tag

A tag is a word or phrase that may also be called a "buzz word". These are sometimes hyperbolic and help in the selling of a magazine by classifying something as "Exclusive" or "free". The reader will want to feel privileged in buying the magazine. Sometimes the tags are paired with free gifts to attract the reader to the magazine further.

Layout

The layout of a magazine is often rather formulaic. The magazine can be divided into thirds which can determine the place of different elements. 

Left third:  Contains the main feature of the magazine (usually an exclusive interview or article) 

Middle third: Contains the main or focal image of the magazine cover.

Right third: Usually contains more cover lines

Top line

Sometimes there is a line which introduces and leads into the main image and cover line. This can create more suspense, and is usually placed at the top of a magazine. Additionally, as we read top to bottom, it can impede the immediacy of the main image and typography.

Banners

These are normally positioned either at the top or bottom of a poster. They tell the reader what is included in the magazine that may have been left out of the cover lines, for example "posters and more!". As they are placed in order to accommodate the main features of the cover, they are usually quite ambiguous, making the reader want to see what is inside.

Colour Scheme and House Style

A magazine usually adopts a colour scheme which depends on what is on the front cover. For example, if it is promoting an action horror film which stereotypically has a larger male demographic, they may choose to use a predominantly blue colour scheme as this is stereotypically a male-orientated colour. Often the colour scheme is in keeping with the house style of the magazine. This is the traditional typography and colour it employs as part of its brand. Occasionally they may have to deviate away from this if it means promoting the film better. 


Magazine promoting Spectre image from https://pocketmags.com/total-film-magazine/october-2015
Magazine cover promoting Ant-Man from https://www.uniquemagazines.co.uk/Total-Film-Magazine-Subscription-p645 (past covers section)
Magazine cover promoting Elle http://www.newsstand.co.uk/140-TV-and-Film-Magazines/13994-Subscribe-to-CINEASTE-Magazine-Subscription.aspx
http://www.newsstand.co.uk/140-TV-and-Film-Magazines/8798-Subscribe-to-LITTLE-WHITE-LIES-Magazine-Subscription.aspx
Magazine cover for Hobbit from http://www.elvenesse.net/images/EmpireHobbit.jpg
X-Men magazine cover from http://www.gotceleb.com/anna-paquin-empire-magazine-cover-march-2014-2014-01-28.html

Making my poster

To create my poster, I used Adobe Photoshop CC.2015.5. This was because I felt it would be the best software to manipulate the images into a poster.
Firstly, I dragged my chosen image (Lara standing in a grotto) onto an empty canvas. I used the selection/move tool to make the image an appropriate size, filling the canvas. This is something which is conventional of posters as the size of the image makes them eye catching.

I wanted to experiment with the colours of the image but the image that I had chosen already had a brightness and contrast filter applied, so I didn't want the colour to be overly intense. With this in mind, I decided to adjust the image so that it was black and white. I believe that this helped me to convey the sinister element of my product; black and white is usually suggestive of lifelessness, as opposed to technicolour which connotes hope and optimism.

In order to create synergy between my poster and trailer, I decided to use the same typography as my main title. To do this, I had to take a screenshot of the title so that I had it in image format, and then I proceeded to use the 'Magic Wand Tool' to clear all the black space in order for it to blend into the poster document. This was eventually successful although it was at times a challenge to ensure that the right parts were selected. I also used the same font for both the release date and slogan/tagline so that uniformity was created.

I decided to overlay images as this is something that I have done in the trailer, but was conscious of the fact that there was usually one main image in a poster, so I didn't want to make them too obstructive. Therefore I reduced the image size, opacity and fill of the image. I tended to reduce the opacity to 50% and fill to 60% before assessing whether it needed to be more or less opaque. I liked the effect it had as I thought the images looked 'faded' which added a layer of ambiguity or enigma for the audience.

To change the colour of Lara's eyes, the eclipse tool was used. Red was the desired colour, (red eyes have connotations of evil/devils) to match the text and then the layer was duplicated so that both eyes matched. I am happy with the effect; they could have been more red but when this was the case they did not blend in very well. As a result, I altered the opacity/smoothness of this and they are now a subtle yet noticeable red.

The additional/other information at the bottom of the poster was created using a condensed font as normally that part of the poster contains a lot of information but it is designated a small proportion of the poster.

Lastly, I overlayed the original image loaded into Photoshop on top of the black and white image and used a combination of the quick selection, lasso and eraser tool to colour specific parts of the poster. I wanted to inject some colour into the poster because I was wary that it conformed more to the conventions of the horror genre rather than dark fantasy. The fantasy genre is usually more colourful on account of the mystical creatures associated with it.  The eraser tool was also used to get rid of white space surrounding the '12' BBFC rating logo. This was tricky because it needed such fine trimming.

Editing my poster draft

I made the changes as outlined in Feedback from first draft of poster. (Post can be accessed by clicking here - opens a new window).
After comments about the positioning/size of Lara in the main image were substantiated by my teacher, I decided to use the lasso tool to bring Lara in the poster again, making her larger and more representative of the photo.
I was conscious that the red eyes would be cliché as it is so frequently done, especially after it was mentioned when I asked for feedback. As a result, I have taken the decision not to adjust the colour of Lara's eyes as I felt that this was too suggestive of the horror genre rather than fantasy.
When changing the colour of the tagline/slogan, I decided to look at the blending options before settling on outer glow, which gave the text a more "3D" look that I felt was effective. I did similar to the main title and increased the size so that it became  obvious that this was more important than the slogan, as well as making the release date easily readable - this is significant as the poster is often a promotional tool aimed at increasing box office takings.
In modifying the tagline I increased the font size slightly so that it corresponded better with the title.  I then changed the additional information at the bottom of the poster to white as I felt this was more appropriate and conventional.
To give parts of the picture of the overlaid face prominence in the poster, I decided to get rid of surplus borders and first used the blur tool to do so. However, this was unsuccessful. Then I used an eraser tool which worked well and defined the picture. 
To get rid of the blank space in the overlaid picture of the hand I used the magic eraser tool to select and clear this.
I used the selection tool to experiment with the size of the main image. I decided to make it larger to ensure that this image was the main focus of the poster.
I decided to make Lara's lips pink in order to correspond with the colour of the tagline. I aligned this tagline to the centre of the poster. I brought the text to the front of the poster.

Feedback from first draft of poster

I wanted to gain some feedback on the poster I created to see what people thought of it and how it could be improved. Almost everyone I asked recommended that I change the colour and size of the slogan, a few suggested that this could be done by moving it further up and aligning it in the centre. On reflection I want to align the release date to the centre also, as I feel that this would serve to emphasise the importance of release dates; posters are promotional tools for films. 
Feedback was gained by asking people to look at the poster and then telling me their initial thoughts, which I then discussed with them.

Poster Draft

Update to poster outline

When creating a draft of my poster I have decided to include three images instead of one main image as I feel that this would better promote the film.  Having a main image does not always convey the narrative of the film and frequently pictures are merged together to make the image more interesting.  This also allows me to fill the poster with images erasing any white space around the edges resulting in a more sophisticated product.  I have decided to include images from different points in the narrative to conform to Todorov's narrative structure.  However I have made the restoration of the equilibrium less clear because I want to maintain some ambiguity surrounding the narrative.  Despite this I may change the third image at a later date to make my poster more engaging for the audience.

Ancillary Products: Poster Outline

I have produced an outline of my poster to give me a general idea of the layout.

Poster outline/layout

Rationale:

I have decided to make my poster predominantly composed of a main image as this is the thing which catches the attention of the audience, which would help it conform to its purpose of promoting the film. The star system is at the top; if cast members are not well known this is usually less visible but still included. Alternatively, positioning it like this may help to boost the status of the cast because it may be the first thing the audience/passer by sees; in the Western world we tend to read left to right, top to bottom. The title and tag line, as well as release date are more visible as these are key in promoting the film. These are at the foreground of the image to suggest their prominence. I have then left a space for other information which is standard and necessary to include on a full theatrical release poster, such as the rating and production companies involved. These are less visible because they play less of a role in promoting the film.

Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis (Genre Specific Dark Fantasy 3)

Institutional Information
Dracula Untold (2014) is a dark fantasy action film directed by Gary Shore, starring Luke Evans and Dominic Cooper. The production companies involved were Legendary Pictures and Michael De Luca Productions. It was distributed by Universal Pictures. It was released in the USA on 10 October 2014 with a budget of $70 million, generating $217.1 million at the box office.

Synopsis (from IMDB)
As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.

Film Poster

Dracula Untold (2014) teaser poster

Genre
The genre of the film is dark fantasy. There are various ways in which this is conveyed through the poster. The setting with the rubble and costume of the main character (presumably the protagonist) suggest this.

Image, characterisation and colour
The main image is of a powerful man who is presumably the protagonist. The fact that he is at the front of the image suggests that he is a significant character in the film. He is addressing the audience by looking straight at them. This could help the audience engage with the poster conforming to the purpose of the product. In the background the ground is filled with dead bodies. The protagonist is standing on them characterising him as sinister and triumphant. The bats are also suggestive of death linking to the dark nature of the film. The building in the background is a stereotypical location used in dark fantasy movies because they support the idea that the character is powerful  and it fuses together elements of the fantasy and real world. 

Star system
There is no star system visible on this poster. This could be because the director wants to build anticipation around the film and not give to much away in the poster. Luke Evans is a famous actor and so the director could be working on the assumption that the audience for this film would recognise him. Perhaps they are relying on the narrative of the film to appeal to to the audience rather than the cast members. Excluding the star system it usually a technique used in teaser posters. 

Typography
 The typography used is sans serif. This could mirror how the film has a contemporary narrative compared to the original Dracula film and novel because serif font is usually used in more traditional media types. The large writing and bold effect of the title shows that it is a title and therefore this part of the poster will stand out to the audience. The typography used is silver. Silver connotes armour and coming close to victory - linking to the battleground like setting and the power the protagonist possesses. 


Strap/tagline
The strap line is not written in as larger size font as  the title, but is still clear to an audience or passer by, reflecting its importance in the narrative. The word "beginning" connects to the fact that the story is "untold". This helps build up anticipation surrounding the film because the audience are being put in a privileged position. The strapline is black which substantiates the idea of power and sophistication. The position of the strapline is significant because it is placed at the top of the poster so it is likely to be noticed by the viewer. This shows that the designer felt that it was important in promoting the film. The word 'bloodline' links to the connotations of Dracula and vampirism, and so conforms to the conventions of the dark fantasy genre. The inclusion of 'blood' roots this poster in the dark fantasy genre because the prominence of blood is gruesome. This may not be the case with a traditional fantasy film.

Costume
The protagonist is wearing armour which suggests that he is powerful and perhaps going into battle. This links to the action that is likely to be seen in the film. Conflict is a common theme in dark fantasy films because the plot is based around the protagonist attempting to defeat the antagonist who engages in evil doings which are not in the interest of the protagonist. The dominant colour in the protagonist's costume is black which is a symbol of darkness and death connecting to the features of the narrative. Bats are also a symbol of death and so we can infer that death is important in the narrative. The protagonist is wearing black which subverts the conventions of a usual protagonist who intends to restore the equilibrium. Therefore there is ambiguity surrounding the true motives of the character. This may characterise the protagonist as a false hero. His cloak is worn and ripped. This could suggest that he has been involved in a lot of conflict and has become battle hardened, especially as he is standing in a powerful wide legged stance in this image. This damage could also connote that he has developed imperfections which have shaped him as a protagonist. Bats are also a symbol of rebirth which links to the word 'beginning' which features in the strap line. It could also link to his reincarnation as a non-human character (vampire). Rebirth supports the idea that he has immortal qualities stemming from his resilience. The serpent that is visible on the protagonist's armour also leads the audience to question his motives because in the Bible serpents are a symbol of temptation towards evil (such as in the Garden of Eden). 

Mise-en-Scene and Iconography
The lighting used is low key to add further ambiguity and enigma to the poster. It also uses pathetic fallacy because it reflects the sinister mood of the poster, and possibly the narrative. The castle is a stock location in fantasy films as it is often a symbol of power and authority.  There is not much clarity surrounding the building, so some may interpret it as a church. If this is the case, the poster effectively uses the concept of religion. Religion has been a common theme of the posters, I have looked at so far. This is interesting because the concept subverts the sinister nature of dark fantasy films as it promotes purity and holiness. Clouds add further ambiguity to the poster because they result in an ominous looking sky and so suggest the poster does not offer a clear picture of the narrative to the audience. 
Interesting iconography is used. Flags are a symbol of patriotism and a signal of celebration. Therefore being used on a battleground is subversive, and perhaps leads the viewers to take negative connotations of it. Whilst weapons are commonly used by the primary characters in the film (especially antagonists) in order to demonstrate their power and perhaps ability to inflict harm, the character in this poster has none. This could suggest that he has a reputation for being reborn and so substantiates the idea that he is resilient. It also hints at the inhuman, "Dracula" element of him; he is able to fight without getting hurt. Alternatively, he could personify a "weapon", being one himself.

Other Information
The information on this poster regarding release of the film is vague, conforming to its purpose as a teaser poster. For example, it doesn't yet have a rating. However, there is a website listed at the bottom of the poster which suggests that the companies involved want viewers to interact with the film to build up anticipation after seeing the poster (the Western world reads left to right, top to bottom). It is also informative about the production companies involved. It was produced by the conglomerate Universal Studios. Smaller, independent film companies are unable to afford using viral, syynergetic marketing techniques to promote a film. Hence it is wanting the audience to decode the film as a successfl blockbuster film.

Evaluation and Critical Reflection
Overall, this film is successful in conveying elements of the genre whilst sustaining ambiguity and as a result of this, audience anticipation. Including a star system may have made the poster more effective in promoting the film; knowing a familiar face may help generate more initial interest as a teaser poster does.

Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis (Genre Specific Dark Fantasy 2)

I have decided to look at multiple posters for this film to enable me to see the different techniques employed to convey similar messages, and communicate the essence of the film. All images retrieved from IMDB.

Institutional Information
Horns (2013) is a dark fantasy horror film directed by Alexandre Aja, loosely based on a novel written by Joe Hill. The production companies involved were Red Granite Pictures and Mandalay Pictures. It is distributed by Dimension Films and RADiUS-TWC. It was first released on 6 September 2013 as part of the  2013 Toronto International Film Festival, before being released theatrically in the United States on 31st October 2013. The film made $3.9 million.

Synopsis
Following the death of his girlfriend, a young man awakens to find that he has devil horns sprouting from his temples.

Poster 1

This first poster uses softer tones to make the red stand out more, emphasising the devilish qualities of the main character. Green connotes nature and jealousy, linking to the rage the main character experiences after finding out he is being blamed for the untimely death of his girlfriend. The image also has religious connotations. The green links to the Garden of Eden. This association is substantiated by the snake, who in the Bible tempts Adam and Eve to eat the fruit they have been told not to consume them. Therefore it connects to the wider theme of good and evil.
The character's prominence in the narrative is shown by the close up of his face, as it immediately engages the audience. This strength and prominence is contrasted by the girl, who looks lifeless and weak, but innocent and peaceful. One character being positioned above the titles and the other below could be a reference to heaven and hell.
This links to the strap line, "love hurts like hell". Red also signifies love, as well as the danger that their relationship encounters. The colour of the typography (off white) could refer to how the protagonist's innocence and reputation has been stained, constructing him to be an anti hero.
With regards to the star system, Daniel Radcliffe's name is included as he is a well-renowned actor, best known for the titular role in the Harry Potter franchise. Hence he could influence whether the public go to see the film. However the promoting of him is softer, with his name in typography only slightly larger than the strap line, in keeping with the rest of the poster.

Poster 2

Poster 3

Posters 2 and 3 are predominantly grey. This is more conventional of horror and dark fantasy than the
first; it has connotations of unhappiness, ambiguity and darkness. The grey also emphasises the brighter colours, such as red (in both) and white (in Poster 2). The mix of white and red could refer to how a man who insists he is innocent has been labelled as guilty.
The typography in these posters are also what you'd expect from a horror film, especially the title. This is because the the font is more hectic; there is nothing neat about it. Stereotypically it is the type of writing that evil and extra terrestrial forces have. There is something other worldly about it which links to how fantasy films merge together aspects of reality and the imaginary. The second poster is the only one of the three to allow us to see the female character (presumably his girlfriend) properly. She is holding on to him. This could communicate both the tender nature of their love, and the fact that she is dominant in his life, almost pulling him backwards and pushing him over the edge (as does the blame he receives for her death).

All of the posters use direct address to hook the audience in and make the poster more eye catching and display the protagonist's powerful stature. The third poster definitely gives a more magnified view of his face, allowing us to see the anger in his eyes (usually red eyes are associated with possession). The monochrome colour of the rest of the poster makes this stand out further.
Religious references are furthered in this poster (Garden of Eden is mentioned in Poster 1) by the positioning of the text to make a crucifix shape. The text about "the devil" both subverts and substantiates the idea of religion. In folklore, devils have possessed "bad" people. However, a lot of the time (but not always) religions emphasise being morally aware and innocent. 
The last two posters also promote Daniel Radcliffe more strikingly, it may be directed at a more targeted group of people and possibly be promoting the film in different countries. The last two also advertise the film as being based on the book by Joe Hill whereas the first one doesn't. The decision to omit this from the first poster could be fuelled by it being a teaser poster (inferred by "coming soon" - they usually have less information) or the fact that the shared frame of reference is missing from the first poster's audience.

Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis (Genre Specific Dark Fantasy 1)

Institutional Information
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) is a dark fantasy film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The production companies involved were Telecino Cinema, Estudios Picasso, Tequila Gang, Esperanto Filmoj and Sentenia Entertainment.  It stars Sergi López and Maribel Verdú. The film is distributed by Warner Bros Pictures. It was first released in Cannes on 27 May 2006 and had a budget of $19 million, taking $83.3 million at the box office.

Synopsis
Taking place in Spain, 1944, Ofelia and her mother arrive due to the posting of her mother's new partner, a horrible army officer who is trying to end a guerrilla uprising. During her exploration of an ancient maze, Ofelia meets the faun, who informs her that she is a legendary lost princess and must successfully complete three dangerous tasks in order to claim immortality.

Film Poster

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) theatrical release poster

Genre

The genre of the film is dark fantasy. This is suggested through many elements within the poster. For example, the setting uses trees which are conventional of the fantasy genre because of the way they are curved. However, it is made scarier by the use of the colour dark blue as it adds more ambiguity.

Image and Characterisation
The main image is of a young girl facing a maze or clearing, with lots of trees, so we can infer that it is some kind of forest. The imposing nature of the setting characterises the girl as helpless and vulnerable, she probably looks quite shocked. If this is the case, she becomes the archetypal victim. As we are unable to see her facial expression our impression is based on inference. There may be an element of inquisitiveness, and the audience will want her to succeed. If she becomes a victim in the narrative, she will most probably become an object of sympathy for the audience. There is also an obvious full moon at the top of the poster. Moons are symbolic of goddesses, deities and other fantastical characters, connecting to the genre. A full moon connotes monsters and werewolves. This means the inclusion of a moon in the poster relates to both the 'dark' and 'fantasy' elements of dark fantasy.

Mise en Scene - Symbolic Codes and Conventions
The predominant colour is dark blue. This connotes mystery and darkness, linking to the darker element of the genre. It is also associated with night time, linking to the pathetic fallacy employed in the poster. Another colour used is green. This is a colour frequently used in fantasy films as it connotes nature - often these films have external settings. The fact that the plants are dark green provide a sense of sinisterness, linking to the genre. Brown connotes the earth. This links to the fact that most fantastical characters and creatures stem from real life in order to create verisimilitude. 


Mise en Scene - Costume
There is only one costume in this poster - that of the young girl. She is wearing a dress which has connotations of being feminine; it constructs her as a stereotypical little girl. However, the dress she is wearing is not a gendered colour. For girls, it is stereotypically pink. This may suggest that she does not embody all the archetypal qualities of a little girl. Alternatively, her dress could have been chosen for her with the intention of making her blend in to her surroundings - it is a similar colour to the stone. This makes what is in front of her stand out to a passer by or audience, reinforcing her vulnerability. Her socks are white, which adheres to the traditional "school-girl" look. Furthermore, this substantiates the idea of her being innocent.

Star System
There is no traditional star system on this poster. This may be because the actors are not very well known, and therefore they won't necessarily influence whether someone goes to see the film. It is also a Spanish film and aimed at a British/American audience. Cast members who are well renowned in Spain may not be known to them. However, the name of the director is included which may persuade an audience as he is likely to be well respected.

Typography - Title
The typography of the title is stereotypical to the genre as it is a serif font and bold to emphasise its importance. The serif element links to "Ye Olde English" writing that fairy tales often use. It is also the same colour as the trees; it is intertwined. This helps make it appear more sinister.

Strap/Tag line
The strap/tag line is "Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine". This is written in slightly larger typography than the line which informs the audience of the director, so it stands out. This suggests that it is important. The theme of good and evil is frequently explored in dark fantasy films. It also hints at key parts of the narrative, such as Ofelia - good - having powers that the evil does not.

Other information

Towards the bottom of the poster, there is other information. The block of text that is more difficult to read usually lists the notable individuals and companies that are involved in the film, for example the editors and producers. These are obviously worthy of being on the poster, but are likely to make less difference to whether the audience see the film, so it is not written as clearly. The rating is more evident, it is also in this section of the poster. This is probably because it gives the audience an idea of the content, and whether they can see the film/who to take with them. The film is rated R, meaning restricted. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see an R rated. The awards won by the film are also featured, demonstrating to the audience that it is acclaimed, and worth going to see. It gained official selection for Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival (all 2006).
There is also a review featured; "...a fairytale for grown ups". This is evidence of the positive reception gained, perhaps it was chosen because it captures the essence of the film.

Evaluation
Overall it is an effective film poster as it encapsulates the main features of, and draws the audience towards the film.