2. The Poster
The films poster clearly shows the films natural
environment and use of location shooting. This may be
to show the niche audience who may view the film.
This is reenforced by the in fabricated nature of the
film poster unlike main stream hollywood posters,
again showing the film may be for a niche audience.
The natural environment in the poster says something
about the style of the film as well. The top right
picture showing the same kind of natural style and
environment. When it comes to the issues we can see
that the boy carries the exact same facial expression
from the poster into the film, showing that there may
be problems in his life. And also in the poster we can
see the boy standing alone in the woods bringing up
the theme of isolation and loneliness which is another
issue of the film.
3. The Poster
The poster reflects the style and informs the audience about the film in many ways. Obviously the natural style
is shown. The poster is set in that woodland area just like the bulk of the film. But it’s not only that the natural
style of the film is communicated in the film it self with the acoustic music that plays. So the natal style shown
is key to the film. There audience is informed about the film through the issues and themes shown in the
poster amongst other elements. The theme of isolation and lowliness are clear on the poster and the child’s
abuse issues are slightly shown as we see that marks on his face. This tells the audience some of what the films
about. The reviews also indicate to the audience that the film is subtle, clear that the film isn’t going to be an
action blockbuster from that comment, more likely to be a more quiet and detailed production.
4. The Poster
The poster promotes the short film many ways. The first and most obvious is the official selection logos and the
reviews. These are demonstrating how good the film is form a critical point of, and although the quotes and ratings
may be seen as biased as they are picked out by the maker of the poster, there is no arguing with the film being
elected for prestigious awards. And when it comes to the reviews they could be seen as biased but if they are a
respected film critiquing publication then then there is no arguing with them either. Both of these promote the
film as when they are looked at deeply they can’t be seen as being overly biased.
The poster creates preconceptions abut the films story and how well it may do. When it comes to the story the
issue and themes have been spoken about, but other preconceptions about the story may be how action driven it is
or how big the cast may be. These are both shown you would assume the the subtle comment in the quote would
be telling the audience it’s not very action driven and the lone child in the shot may say that the cast will be a small
one. The great reviews on the poster give away that the film will be very well received.
5. The Magazine Review
From reading the film review what do we learn/
understand about the genre of/audience for/
directors rationale behind the film?
How does the film review inform my audience
about my film?
Overall the film review reference the film and it’s main story
points. It brings up the films themes and issues. informs the
audience about the film in a way the film itself doesn’t do, by
offering critical analysis of it. In each paragraph you get a
brief telling of what is happening in the story at certain
points and then information on how well this is done by the
film maker. The themes issues and directing style is also
commented on ‘However Geldard isn’t one to shove such a
resealing tale into the audience’s face’. A quote showing the
information on the director.
The genre of the film is actually referenced in the text so the
reader gets a complete understanding of the genre of the film.
And from this we learn about the audience, the audience for a
British realism short is quite a definitive one. I know from my
own research that this is a niche audience who are very
informed and know about film form a technical point of view.
And when it comes to the director we learn about his previous
feature film about a child with mental health issues, showing
that his new film about the a similar type of child with mental
health issues, this is an issue that he is clearly invested in
displaying.
6. The Magazine Review
Is my film review in any way biased and what might be the
impact of this?
How does the way that the film review attracts and audience
to my film differ from the way that my poster does?
Well the film review attracts the audience of a magazine like sight
and sound magazine. An audience that enjoy an intellectual film
magazine that discusses the complex issues in a film. Where as
the poster could attract anyone. Depending on where the poster
is placed anyone could see it and be intrigued. But overall I feel
the same audience will be attracted the poster shows the signs of
the film being for a niche audience, with its natural setting and un
man made feel.
Overall I think the review isn’t biased, however the review does bring
up more good than bad points about the film and this could be seen as
biased. The effect of this may be that less people read the review and
want to see the film because they feel its being over sold and is just
going to be a let down from what the review is promising.
7. The Magazine Review
How effectively does my review breakdown/articulate the
themes and issues that are then chief concern of my film?
The review communicates the themes and the issues of the film
clearly. The issues of abuse, loneliness and social interaction
problems are shown. The themes of appearance vs. reality and the
effects of abuse are also broken-down. The mental illness problems
are brought up the most, and are even broken down by referencing
the directors previous works. The circumstances of abuse are also
well described as what is happening the film is broken down as the
task the main character is sent on is described along with the
challenge of convention that is the middle class setting. This quote is
taken from the review ‘On the whole the film delivers a quiet social
commentary of the effects of abuse, in this subtle realist production that has
the ability to make the audience think.’. This is clear breakdown of the
main theme of the film. All of these themes and issues are
communicated/articulated well, using the language of an academic
film review, as seen in the quote used.
8. The Main Task
The effects of abuse or how children can be fragile yet
surprisingly equipped to rise when knocked down. In
the poster the main character is shown to be slightly
stronger than he is in the film. As a poster is made to
attract an audience it is easy to make the main
character seem strong and more imposing in the
poster. However this doesn’t mean that he is displayed
too differently see the main character overcome his
fears at the end of the film. The issues and themes are
explored in a more impersonal, critical way in the film
review, but in the picture shown we do see the main
character down on the ground giving us an over
perspective on his character, one that shows him to be
weak or defeated. An issue that is shown in more or
less the same way throughout each product is the issue
of loneliness. Sam is shown to be alone in all the
pictures for both ancillary task is alone for most the
film. And in the film and magazine review we see the
effects of this neglect and isolation, as the main
character can’t talk talk to anyone until he overcomes
this at the climax of the film.
!
What key thematic elements that are common to both the
main and the ancillary tasks? How are these explored/
represented differently in each?
9. The Main Task
How do the review and poster reference one another to promote/deepen our understanding/introduce extra
layers or meaning into the film?
Do the film review and poster convey/communicate the same message/meaning as the film or do they
mediate narrative/characterisation elements?
Overall I feel my poster and my film review together communicate the same issues, although this may be in
slightly different ways. When it comes to both of them in comparison to the film the message and
characterisation may vary slightly. As I said before the poster shows the boy in the poster to be a more
dominating character than in the film having a difference on characterisation, added to this it has an effect
on the meaning as from the poster you may feel there will be a ending of more resolution creating the
message that all problems can be over come. If you look at it you can see the film review goes against this
saying about how the director wouldn’t shove such tale of resolution into the audiences face. So the poster
and film review differ there. On the whole I feel the film review and the film deliver the same issues and
message but the poster may be the only one that people could miss interpret as it has the least information
about the film.
It could be said that the poster references the film review with it’s use of a quote from it and this is promoting
the films subtlety giving the audience a greater understanding of the film before it has been viewed. However I
don’t feel the poster can add anything more after the viewing of the film, but the dil review can. The idea of the
review is to breakdown and help the reader understand the issues, meaning and narrative by offering critical
judgement of them. The film review brakes down many of the themes, issues and meaning in the film, and this
has been said before. Overall as the film review is a ver positive one the message and narrative of the film are
promoted by the review and its positive commoners about them.
10. The Main Task
How do my ancillary tasks impact on my main product?
Are my ancillary tasks a clear reflection of my main product?
Both tasks impact on the product in different ways. The impact of the
poster comes before the viewing of the film and the impact of the film
review comes after the viewing of the product. The poster captures
some the main themes, issues and characterisation of the main
product, whilst simultaneously promoting it with its good ratings and
official selection logos. And the film review has a huge impact after
watching the film because it offers that new layer of meaning to the
film. The critique of the film allows the reader to reflect on what they
thought of certain parts brought up in the review. Overall they have a
huge impact on the final product both before and after the viewing of
the product showing them working together well with the film.
On the whole I feel yes, but as with anything, there could be a clearer
reflection. The posters image although good may be slight
misconceiving with the main character looking so strong within it.
And also the environment although key to the story, in the poster it
almost looks like a horror film poster. Besides that I feel it represents
the issues in the film well as well as the character and narrative. And
as for the film review, I think its an extremely clear representation,
offering insight into the story as well as directors back ground and
critique. It may be said that the review doesn’t reflect the main task
as it is to positive but I feel its fair and offers up negativities in the
film also. Overall I feel both products are a strong representation of
of the main task.
