This document analyzes the conventions used in a short film review created by the author. It discusses several key conventions including logos, images, basic information, and layout. The review uses a magazine logo, ambiguous images from the film to intrigue viewers without spoilers, and includes standard information like director and runtime. Overall, the review aims to look professional by conforming to typical conventions for short film reviews in magazines. This allows the review to appeal to audiences and be seen as a legitimate product.

1. Evaluation In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

2. Short Film Review The film review was constructed around the short film “two” I had already produced. The film review allowed me to use a variety of opinions and to play around with descriptions and turns of phrase in order to make it successful and interesting. The film review offers a chance to convey a different form of artistic expression compared to the shooting and editing of my film. It also allowed me to develop my ability when working within the parameters of the strict conventions of a piece.

3. When researching the importance of film reviews there were a variety of factors and conventions that I established to be present. One of the most important conventions of a successful review is the layout and composition of the piece. By using these conventions within my work it helps to produce my work with a professional tone and appearance. Language is also a crucial factor of a film review. The style and content of the piece is a well recognised convention and helps the audience interact and understand the piece. The images comes with a caption giving questions about the content of the short film and the relevance of the characters and these still images. A header that highlights the content of the article below. Making items within the magazine and review easier to locate. A brief profile of the film and the statistical information such as director and cast. The language used through out is detailed but easily understood. Attention is paid to the technical codes of the film. The white background gives it a clean professional tone. White is also a cheap colour to print when it is mass produced as a magazine would be. My Short Film Review

4. Both reviews contain a variety of similar conventions. One of these is the magazine logo that is found in both the top left hand corners of these reviews. The logo makes a recognisable brand for the review and helps to convey it as a professional product. By using a successful magazine it reinforces the quality of the review as well as the fact that the short film must be interesting and important to have made it into a globally recongised magazine. The use of the logo also represents the genre of the piece as SFX magazine is renowned for its content on Sci-fi, action, supernatural and horror products. My Short Film Review Real Film Review

5. Images are an important component of all forms of review. In the case of a short film it produces an interest in the characters and the narrative of the production. The images used within this review are advertising the product and are designed to draw the audience into the piece. The images used within film reviews are kept ambiguous in order not to reveal important plot features before the film has been viewed. In my case the images of Rhys tied to the chair conveys the restraint and danger he is in. The location in the back of shot is also important. The dull brick work highlights that this is an alien location with no personal connection to the characters, helping to create the tension of fear of the genre for the audience. Although in the example from SFX magazine there is not an overlaid image, this is a common features of film reviews to either enforce an idea or to reveal the contrast of the piece. The image of Kathy’s shadow is mysterious as at this point, the audience are unaware of why she is there. The shadow means that her appearance are unknown and this just adds to the tension of why she is only seen in profile. These factors help to market a product successfully. My Short Film Review Real Film Review

6. Another convention of a Short Film review is the basic information that is often located underneath the films title. Basic information such as the running time, director, cast and crew are often featured as this information allows for the audience to connect with the film and judge it for themselves. This information stands out from the majority of the review. The key information is important for the audience to consider before viewing it. The basic information in my case helps to made the product look professional and suits the conventions of pre existing film reviews. My Short Film Review Real Film Review

7. Overall my short film uses the conventions of a typical review through out. The reasons behind this are that a film review should be clear and concise to read and developing the conventions of the piece may run the risk of it becoming cluttered and difficult to navigate. The main reason behind the fact that this task only conforms to the use of conventions is that I wanted my piece to look professional, modern and stylised. The conventions used in the review layout achieve these features already, so there was no need to develop the boundaries. Attempting to do this may have resulted in my piece looking like it was constructed by an amateur. The sleek and aesthetically pleasing design connects to the modern audience the film is aimed at, meaning that this product would appeal to them. By comparing the product to pre-existing designs it allowed to me evaluate if my work had been successful and would it suit the market for this task. Overall the layout and content of my short film review matches the conventions of a stereotypical layout and have produced a design that could be replicated into an actual piece. I am thoroughly thrilled with the out come of this design.