1. How effective is the combination of your main media product and ancillary text?
When constructing our double page spread and radio trailer we had to constantly
consider how we can combine them to relate our documentary. To do this we had to
make constant reference to the content by including quotes, pictures or information
relating to it. This prevents the audience getting confused with the purpose of the
products and losing interest.
Target audience
When constructing any of our three media products we had to constantly think about
our target audience, which were young male and female adults aged between 17-24,
middle class, Caucasian that have or frequently use their mobile phones. This seemed
like an appropriate target audience considering this generation of people have been
exposed to mobile phones from a large proportion of their lives. And are frequent
users of these devices.
However we did not want to rule out other potential audience members such as
parents of children who use mobile phones or adults that frequently use them. So this
meant we had to constantly think how we could appeal to not only students but other
members of society. One way we actively did this was too include facts and figures in
all three of our media products. This makes the media products educational, which
appeals to those who like to be mentally stimulated.
Double page spread
The double page spread through many different ways
reinforces the connection between the ancillary products
and the documentary. Firstly through the headline, it is the
title of our documentary. So directly tells the target
audience what the documentary is about.
Another feature of the TV article is the images used, we
chose them specifically as each image represents a crucial
part of the documentary, that we felt the audience would
find most interesting. For example chose to include the
2. video diary, as it shows Siobhan in a social experiment. Due to her age she fits within
our target audience, Therefore making them feel they can relate to her.
We then felt long and hard on which pull quotes to use within our article as it was
crucial that they directly linked to the content of the documentary. So we chose to use
a quote from the expert interview. This reinforces that the information on the topic
that we have is professional and trusted. This further linked in with the radio trailer as
we used the same sound bite within this.
I felt that overall our double page spread effectively combined with the main media
product in order to attract the target audience. We felt we were able to make enough
relevance to the topic area, without missing out essential conventions of a TV article,
for example the use of images that clearly show the scenes from our documentary. Yet
we included a drop shadow on each of these.
We also felt throughout we made consistent effort to appeal to the target audience
with our use of language, house colours and stylistic features. For example we
incorporated bright vibrant colours where possible, but through our use of dramatic
text were able to keep the seriousness of the topic.
However one area we could suggest improvement would be the layout of the article,
we opted for a simple yet effective layout that included rectangles along each side,
however when looking at other articles they were able to incorporate a variety of
effects and shapes that proved effective. If we were to have had more time I feel we
would have been successful in doing this. As we feel these aspects would of allowed
us to further appeal to our target audience.
We also felt our choice of TV guide could have been
improved. We opted for radio times, although this is an
already established, successful radio and TV advertisement
magazine, looking back at our target audience and the
programmes they are likely to watch we feel an alternative
would have been more appropriate. As from research it is
unlikely for our specific TA of young adults aged 17-24 to
read these. So if we were to improve upon this we may use a
electronic advertisement site, that would allow us to
incorporate the article and documentary trailer on the same
page. This would further combine the media products.
Radio trailer
I feel the radio trailer is effective in combination with our main media product in order
to effectively promote it to our chosen target audience. I feel through the repetition of
the tittle ‘Necessity or luxury?’ in all media products we have created a brand identity.
The audience is constantly being reminded of the topic and the documentary name.
3. Through the sound bites taken from the documentary we are further creating a link
between the trailer and the documentary. As they are being shown what is included in
the documentary itself, And not having the visual aspect will make them more
intrigued to watch it.
We also combined the media products by using a radio station that further appeals to
our target as Capital FM has a young listener base. This helps link in with the
magazine and TV station that our other products were shown on as they all appeal to
the same TA.
In conclusion I think that there is clear visual link between the documentary, double
page spread and radio trailer, Through the use of house colours, relevant pictures and
the headline. I feel the two media pieces have effectively and successfully promoted
my documentary. We have also made sure we targeted the same target audience
consistently throughout all three media products, using language that they are familiar
with. Throughout all three media products we featured the date, time and channel that
the documentary will be featured on. This is essential in ensuring the target audience
has the right information in order to watch the documentary regardless of which
product they come in contact with. This in turn increases the likelihood of the target
audience watching it, as they are being constantly reminded on where it is being
shown.
