2. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media
products?
My partner and I were greatly influenced by many
conventions used in common media products.
Personally, I found different sections of the editing
process more difficult and challenging as
opposed to others, and other sections I found
enjoyable and grew my knowledge on them
quicker. Additionally, I found different software
applications easier to adapt to than others.
3. Trailer
There were points in my trailer in which I found a lot more challenging to create and edit, as
opposed to others.
More specifically, something I found myself challenged by was the difficulty when filming
scenes which I was influenced from another horror film by. I was challenged by the idea that
I could not outrightly copy a scene which I found interesting, but only use elements of each of
these and place them into the final piece and developing them as my own work.
Another thing I discovered to be very difficult was the sound area when editing. Both myself
and my partner found this to be a challenge and so finding and/or creating a sound which
would fit particular parts in our piece proved to be difficult. I decided to experiment with a
variety of different sounds which we found, and then further used GarageBand to create my
own sound with my partner. However, we our skills on this software were limited, and as was
time, and so our sounds were not up to a standard which we wanted it to be. After using a
trial and error method to decide on a final sound, I also found it, to begin with, difficult to find
any specific points on the timeline in which it suited the scene. However, after doing this
multiple times it was easy to get to grips with.
Additionally, there were points within this process which I enjoyed and adapted to quicker.
For example, I enjoyed the filming process; deciding on the make up, costume, location and
other mise-en-scene elements throughout the trailer. This was something which I adapted to
quickly because it was interesting to experiment with different elements being changed.
Alternatively, another thing which I found interesting to work with within the process of
production was experimenting with the order of scenes. After researching other horror
trailers, I found that a lot of other products do not show each scene in a chronological order
and so show them in different orders, otherwise it can risk giving away the whole storyline.
My partner and I experimented with the order of scenes and so we eventually decided on a
final order to be our final product. Doing this meant we were following common conventions
4. Poster
The film poster which I have produced follows general
horror conventions (e.g. colour scheme and centred
image). I think the conventions and elements I have
followed do not challenge any common conventions
used within the horror genre. I have deliberately not
challenged any of these conventions as I did not want
to risk letting my poster look unprofessional or as
intriguing towards my target audience. The
conventions I have followed are ones such as the
centred image; the colour scheme which allows my
colours to connate with the horror genre; the centred
text; the tag line; the billing block. I feel as though
using these conventions it allows me to be able to
meet themes within the horror genre. There was no
particular general poster which I felt influenced by for
my poster, as I used a variety of different conventions
taken from multiple horror posters I have found after
some research.
5. Trailer
Personally, I feel as though my magazine cover is following many
conventions. From other media texts which I have independently
researched, I ensured I took notes of common conventions which I
proceeded to use myself, such as my close-up shot which I centred on
the cover. My simple, stereotypical colour scheme of reds, greys, black
and white which fits in well with the horror genre. With my products
following these conventions, I believe I have successfully created a
product which follows common horror genre elements, in an intriguing
and professional way.
Other conventions I have used include my barcode, and other social
networking logos. Additionally, I have also included a scanning
smartphone barcode which I created online which – if scanned by a
phone – leads directly to my online wordpress blog. This is a common
convention in most magazines as after some research, I noticed they
generally feature similar barcodes in order to promote their digital
technology forms.
Alternatively, the cover lines I have featured on my magazine cover are
also ones which were greatly influenced by other magazine covers. For
example; using short sentences and alliteration is appealing to the
audience’s eye and so will make them want to read more.
I have also used a plug on my magazine cover to advertise a film
festival. To the audience, this is something which many members of this
and readers would be more interested in and so could potentially
