2. For my A2 coursework, I had to create a film trailer along with a film poster and
magazine cover. The genre I chose for my film was romance. I decided to do this
genre because I felt comfortable doing it as I had previously completed the same
genre for coursework in AS Media and I really enjoyed doing so. During A2, I had
to complete a variety of different stages - researching, planning and construction.
The task given during A2 was to create a film trailer alongside a film poster and
magazine cover in order to promote the film. It was important to ensure that my
trailer, film poster and magazine cover were connected through the use of
different elements; such as font, costumes, imagery, hair and make-up, etc. to
ensure that they demonstrated the genre of the film as well as allowing the
audience to understand and associate each separate task to the other.
It was also important to ensure that the conventions within the trailer, film poster
and magazine cover were found within the existing romance genre to ensure that
they were as realistic as possible and were similar to one another. It was important
for me to connect the trailer with both the film poster and magazine cover to
ensure that house style was used throughout - to allow for the audience to link
each separate product to one another.
3. During the film trailer, text and credits were used to inform the audience about the
details regarding the film. This included the title, release month, social media
opportunities and some specific production members. It was important that I
included this information due to the fact that it gave the audience the information
that was required for them to understand a little about the film - without giving too
much of the storyline or ending away.
Example of font:
4. In order to link the trailer to the magazine cover and film poster, I ensured
that the text shown in the trailer was the same font that was used in the
magazine and poster. This font was called 'Linotype Centennial LT 95 Black'.
This font was used because it was similar to existing romance film posters
and trailers due to the fact that it wasn't aggressive (like it would be in a
horror for example), but was instead sophisticated and formal. I had used it
within the film trailer and therefore knew it was important for the audience
to link the tasks together with the use of the text and so I also used it within
the magazine and film poster. This worked really well and made a similarity
between the main task and both of the ancillary tasks.
Font used within the
magazine cover:
Font used within
the film poster:
Example of font:
5. Within the film trailer, there are a number of different costumes that both the main
female and male characters wore. The costumes differed depending on the time and
location of that scene – i.e. they wore jeans and a coat outside because it was cold
and then wore more casual clothing when indoors in the house because it was
warmer. It was important to use a different variety of costumes to ensure that it
looked more like a trailer rather than a short film or opening. This is due to the fact
that the trailer had to contain a number of different scenes and would not look good
if the characters wore the same costumes during the entire film trailer.
Coats and trousers
were worn outside to
make it realistic and
to keep them warm.
Smart clothing was
worn at the beginning
to indicate that they
were about to go to
work.
Dresses were worn to
show that the girls
were getting ready to
go out.
Casual clothing was
worn to indicate that
the couple were just
hanging out indoors.
6. I also linked the costumes within the trailer to the film poster and magazine
cover. The main image within the poster featured the two being intimate while
wearing casual clothing - which was used during a couple scenes in the film
including a kitchen scene. The main image within the magazine cover featured
the two once again being in each other's personal space. This time though, they
were wearing smarter clothing - which could be seen during the beginning scene
of the film trailer. I decided to ensure that they wore the same clothing in both
the magazine and poster as they did in the trailer because it linked well and
indicated a complete package which included the three separate products.
PosterMagazine
Note: The florescent jacket
was not worn during the
magazine cover because of
the high level of brightness.
The shirt was worn without
a jacket.
Note: The blazer was not
worn during the magazine
cover because colour of the
shirt of the male character
(they would blend in
together).
7. It was important for the hair of the main female and male character to be similar
in the trailer, poster and magazine cover. This was due to the fact that it made it
easier for the audience to link the tasks to one another. I therefore ensured that
they both had their hair done/positioned in a natural way so that there would be
little (if any) difference between the separate shots. The male’s hair consisted of
naturally wavy and his fringe flowed down onto the side of his face. I made sure
this was apparent even when the male wore a beanie over his hair.
The female’s hair consisted of a long piece that was half red and half black. This
wig was one that the model wore often in real life. I wanted the hair to be as
realistic to the main character as possible, so therefore ensured she was wearing
the wig at all times during the filming and shooting. The hair was not completely
straight but looked natural and worked really well with the male’s hair.
The hair therefore linked together due to the fact that it was exactly the same
in the film trailer as it was within the film poster and magazine cover –
allowing the audience to get a feel for the character’s appearances.
8. Poster
Magazine
Trailer
Shows the red
side of the
female’s hair and
the fringe of the
male.
Shows the red and
black of the
female’s hair and
the body and fringe
of the male’s hair.
Shows different shots within the trailer that
indicate that the female and male’s hair is
similar throughout – the body/fringe of the
male’s hair and the red and black of the
female’s hair.
9. When watching the trailer, you also receive a sense of 'intimacy' and love between
the two as they interact with one another. During the film trailer, the main
characters are seen to be demonstrating their affection for one another through the
use of hugging and entering each other’s personal space. It was important for me to
display this affection because it is a extremely common convention found within
romance films. It was therefore just as important for me to show that the two were
together through the use of the poster and magazine to allow for the audience to see
the same relationship between the two main characters. I captured the main
characters being intimate within the poster and magazine cover. The film poster
showed the two facing one another and leaning their noses on each other. This
main image demonstrated to the audience that they were close and in love (there
was little personal space). The magazine cover also demonstrated a relationship for
the audience. The main image features the couple looking directly at the camera
with their heads close together. The lack of personal space therefore shows they’re
comfortable with one another. The use of intimacy within the trailer, film poster
and magazine cover all link well together and create an overall ‘loving’ atmosphere
between the two characters.
10. Film trailerMagazine
Poster
This indicates to the
audience that the two
are close enough to
enter each other’s
personal space.
This indicates to the
audience that the two
are together and in love
because physical
connection between the
two.
This indicates
that the two are
comfortable
enough to hug
one another with
emotion.
These indicates to the audience that the
two enjoy each other’s company and are
happy to enter each other’s personal
space.
11. The ancillary tasks and main task link together as well in terms of release dates. It is
important for the poster and magazine to be released at a specific time in
comparison with the trailer. The film poster would be released in advance to the
release date of the film to ensure that it promotes the audience to want to see the
film when it comes out using enigmas like the main image and font. The magazine
cover links well to the trailer because they would both come out around the same
time. This is due to the fact that the two coincide with one another. The magazine
cover features an interview with the two main characters and is there is font present
that says 'the film that's taking the world by storm'. This indicates that the
magazine would come out just after the film because it informs the audience that
the film is becoming a hit and therefore encourages them to go and watch the film.
Poster Magazine Trailer
12. I personally think that the combination of my main task and ancillary tasks is effective
due to the fact that they all feature conventions which include the same font, hair,
costumes, credits and similar release dates. This is important because it allows for the
connection to be made between the trailer, film poster and magazine cover. A
connection is vital during promotion of the trailer because it encourages the audience
to want to go and see the film because of the buzz being created from the poster and
magazine cover.
I think that I have used the research and planning stages well to ensure that I have
featured conventions for the individual tasks that were presented to me. I was then
able to make links between the different tasks by including the similarities that I
thought would make for a good outcome.
13. I ensured that I included the similarities within the trailer, poster and magazine
cover because it allowed for the audience to make a connection themselves and
therefore informed them a little about the film through the trailer, poster and
magazine cover. All three of the products create enigmas for the audience as they try
to promote the film and encourage them to go and see it – which is the aim of the
film, magazine and trailer.
The audience are the main reason why the trailer, poster and magazine were
created. It is therefore important that they understand what the film’s genre through
the three media products. Showing intimacy and lack of personal space between the two
characters within the trailer, poster and magazine created a link but also indicated to the
audience that the genre was romance. I think that this was effective and informed the
audience about the genre without giving away too much information.
