The document discusses the effectiveness of combining the main product (a horror film trailer) with ancillary texts (a poster and magazine front cover). Some key points made: - The same distinct font and colors are used across all three products to brand the film and link the items together. - Costumes in the trailer and magazine are similar everyday clothes to seem realistic, while the poster uses a prop knife and tarot cards. - Colors like red, black, and white that suggest danger, death, and conflict are used consistently. - Settings create a sense of vulnerability for the protagonists in different subtle ways across the products. - Different elements are emphasized depending on the purpose and conventions of

1. Question 2
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE
COMBINATION OF YOUR
MAIN PRODUCT AND
ANCILLARY TEXTS?

2. TITLES
Trailer
Poster
Magazine Front Cover

3. The title for all three of my tasks used the same font as a branding technique. The font that I have used
appears as if someone has drawn it with blood. This immediately makes my horror genre recognizable to my
target audience as it suggests the idea of someone targeting my three protagonists. Furthermore, the idea
of drawing blood also conveys the idea of violence and danger within the film, two conventions that are
crucial within the horror genre. I made sure that all three of my titles used the same font so that the title
itself became easily recognizable to my audience. The same distinct font means that the three tasks are
linked together and if my target audience were to look at one item they would remember the other
advertising that I have done for my film. This is important as the different products have different purposes
which will attract varying target audiences.
The color of my titles for my magazine and poster are both red. I decided to use this color as red is also
conventional of a horror genre. It connotes the idea of danger from my three protagonists and suggests one
of the main codes in a horror film, blood. Similar to my font, this makes the genre of my film extremely
obvious to my target audience attract them towards the poster and magazine front cover. Also, the same
colors link the two tasks together as a way of branding the film through different media. I have used
different shades of red on my poster and magazine. This was because on my poster, I wanted the red color
to match the color of the blood on the knife. This links the two ideas together making the blood
connotation of red even more obvious. Within my magazine, the bright red was used to signify high
amounts of danger rather than matching the color of the blood that I have used. I decided to have this
difference as the connotations of my magazine front cover of the horror genre were much more subtle than
that of my poster. This was because my target audience for my magazine front cover were there to be
informed of the film rather than promote and advertise it. The image of the protagonist and the background
was not as obvious as the knife with blood on it. I wanted to follow this pattern and therefore made the red
a different shade to the poster. Using less obvious connotations fits the generic conventions of a magazine
front cover as it attracts the wider target audience.
TITLES

4. The color of my font on my trailer, however, was white instead of red. I decided to use white in my trailer
as it contrasts the black background that I have used. The black and white colors together suggest the
idea of good and evil fighting against each other within my trailer and film. I did not think it was crucial
to match the color of my title in my trailer to the magazine and poster as there were many other obvious
codes and conventions within my trailer that made the horror genre obvious. This can be seen for
example, with the close up shots of the tarot cards in the middle sequence of my trailer. These connote
the same ideas of a horror genre, such as fate and danger, like the colors that I have chosen within my
font. Furthermore, by using the same font in my titles, the branding link between all my products was
already obvious to my target audience.
Within all my tasks, I ensured the titles were large. This was so that the name of my film was remembered
by my target audience. This was particularly significant as it explains some of the major themes of my
trailer and film such as fate and fortune. This is clearly explained by the title choice that I have chosen.
As there were no other key selling points such as famous actors or directors or awards that it had won, it
was crucial that the name was remembered. Therefore in all of my tasks the title was largely framed and
in an obvious position. However they were not all in the same place. The poster and the magazine front
cover saw the title at the bottom of the page and the trailer had the title in the center of the frame. I
chose to put the title at the bottom of both ancillary tasks as it was the last thing in my audience’s line
of reading and therefore meant it would be the last thing that they remember. Once again this was a key
selling point as the name of the film was the main branding technique that I used to promote my film.
This was not important for my trailer as it was the only thing on the screen in that particular shot and
therefore it could be center frame and grab the audience’s attention. Within my poster and magazine, the
title was also at the bottom. I decided to use a title in all three products as it was both conventional and
necessary in promoting my film. It was necessary as it was the key selling point of my product. As there
were no well-known actors or directors within my film, it was essential that the title was in place for
people to remember the film after they have watched the trailer or looked at the poster and magazine
front cover. The main narrative was also a key selling point to the audience interested in the horror
genre, but it was essential to have the title in each product so the name was remembered and people
were encouraged to watch the film.
TITLES

5. COSTUMES/PROPS
Poster
Trailer
Magazine

6. My trailer and magazine article used very similar costumes, linking the two together and working as a way of
branding my protagonists and the film. As the costumes do not appear different in either of the tasks, the same
ideas link the two products together. I decided to link together these two products in particular as they were
attracting the same audience and appealing to the conventions of both trailers and magazine front covers. As
conventionally both feature protagonists, which is not as strict within the poster conventions, it was important
that their costumes were similar and appealed to the same audience which were people between the ages of 15-
25. In both tasks, my actors are wearing causal, normal day clothes. I used these costumes as it allowed my
narrative to fit the conventional horror storyline. As the three boys appeared in casual clothes it suggested the
normality of their life before the horror event. It fits Todorov’s theory by suggesting that there was equilibrium
and that life was calm at the start of the film. This confirms the conventions of a horror trailer to the audience
attracting them to both of the products. Furthermore, the costumes that I have used also attract the main target
audience for horror films – males between the ages of 15-25. There costumes do not appear as something
different from ordinary boys that would be filming a school project in normal life. Therefore it makes my
narrative more believable and there characters more authentic top the target audience. Although, the costume
choices don’t obviously connote a horror film, they do all wear dark clothing suggesting the ideas of evil and
death within the film. For example, within my trailer one of the three boys can be seen wearing a red shirt. This
suggests the same connotations of the red titles such as danger and blood. I chose to repeat those connotations
to reinforce the idea that it is a key element and theme within my trailer. Furthermore, it once again reinforces
the horror genre to appeal to my niche target market. The less obvious costume choices also reflect the purpose
of both products to promote and encourage the audience to watch the film, leaving questions open about what is
going to happen to them attracts people towards watching the whole film. It can also be argued that every day
outfits also make the boys look more vulnerable to evil forces as they are not prepared for what is going to
happen to them and have nothing in the way of protecting them. A vulnerable protagonist is conventional of a
horror film.
Within my poster, I did not use any costumes as I decided to not use my protagonists in the main photo. This was
because the main purpose of a poster is to advertise the film and therefore I wanted to make the main themes
and ideas of the film extremely obvious to my target audience. I decided to use the prop of tarot cards and a
knife instead of having an obvious image within my poster. Therefore, there were not costumes linking the three
products together. Instead I wanted to use a shocking image that created a lasting impact on my target audience.
This was an idea I picked up fro researching into the posters that were used for ‘ Banardos’ where there were
striking images of children with injections in their mouth. These images influenced me and my own product as
the images had a lasting effect on my mind and the image is what made me remember the company and what
they were saying. This was something I was keen to adhere to within my own poster as the image would make my
audience remember the poster and the film that it was promoting.
COSTUMES/PROPS

7. The props that I decided to use instead of costume make the connotations of a horror
much more obvious. The knife is a main code of a horror genre as well as the blood that
is on it. It suggests the idea of pain, death and extreme danger within my trailer. The
tarot cards that I have also used as a prop also addresses one of the major themes of my
trailer, fate. I have not used the same props across all three texts however, as in my
magazine front cover the main prop that I have used is the video camera. I deiced to use
a range of props across the three products as they together work as a branding style that
conveys different elements of my film. The magazine front cover introduces the idea of
the film being hand held and the narrative of the school project where as the poster
makes the horror genre and main themes of my trailer very obvious. My main themes
and ideas are all addressed through the main image instead of doing it subtly through
costumes like I have for my trailer and magazine. I changed the obvious genre references
from my other two products as the poster was going created for the purpose of
attracting peoples attention and the props that I have used will attract my audience
directly to the rest of the text on the poster. This is due to fitting the codes of the
horror genre e.g the knife and the blood as well being shocking and intriguing them to
read the rest of the poster. I decided to use the image of the knife and cards instead of
the image of my three protagonists as together they work as a whole to describe the
main narrative and plot to my trailer. Together they address the main themes and
introduce the characters that I will use in my film.
COSTUMES/PROPS

8. COLOUR SCHEME
Magazine
Poster
Trailer

9. The color scheme that I have used across my main task and ancillary tasks are all extremely
similar. As they are similar it works as a branding technique for my horror genre and the film
as a whole. The film becomes recognizable through the colors that I have used and the main
ideas from each product can become associated with each other. The main colors that I have
used across all three products are red, black, white and grey. These colors all have
connotations that associate with the horror genre and therefore help to portray the main
narrative of my film and the main themes. I did this as it is extremely conventional for horror
products and also will attract a horror target audience that understands the connotations of
the colors that I have chosen. The red color that I have used can be seen in the titles of my
films and on the word ‘missing ’ in my trailer. By making the word ‘missing ’ in red it
emphasizes it and conveys the idea that the protagonists being missing means they are in
extreme danger as well as suggesting that they may be hurt. It could be argued that this gives
away elements of the narrative, however, I believe that the red writing simply suggests the
danger of anyone that goes missing instead of conveying the death and narrative of the three
protagonists. Furthermore, death and danger are already expected due to the genre that the
audience is interested in. It is not giving away the main twists and elements of the entire
film. It leaves the audience with lots of questions about what has happened to the three
missing boys, making them want to see the film. This is used to the same effect on my poster
where ‘No answers’ is also in red. The red once again reemphasizes the same ideas as the
‘missing’ within my trailer.
COLOUR SCHEME

10. Black and grey are two colors that I have also used a lot within my products. The black
connotes the ideas of death and negative intentions whilst grey can be argued to suggest
the fading of hope for the three protagonists. The use of grey on my magazine front cover
shows the hope for the boys fading and making them appear more vulnerable. I wanted to
convey the protagonists vulnerability on my magazine front cover as it connected the
audience with my three protagonists and their situation. This would not have been as
effective if I had used this on my poster as there was not the image of the three
protagoniss for my audience to look at. Lastly, the use of the color white, mainly in my
trailer titles, is used to contrast the idea of good and evil. It suggests them conflicting as
well as conveying the vulnerability of my three protagonists. I decided to use the white
color in the trailer only as it fitted the main purpose of the trailer informing the audience
about the main narrative and themes within the film. This was conveyed through the use of
the black and white colors. There are no bright colors used in all three of my products
suggesting the lack of hope and happiness for the three boys in the future. This is
conventional of many horror trailers, posters and magazine front covers and makes the
horror genre clear by the connotations that they have.
COLOUR SCHEME

11. SETTING
Trailer
Magazine
Poster

12. It can be argued that the settings that I used for all three of my products vary. This is mainly
because of the different purpose of each of my different products that I made. However, each
portrays the same message about the horror genre and my main narrative. They do not use the
same obvious setting but each connotes the idea of danger and vulnerability. For example, within
my trailer the setting of the large house with the breaking news story creates the idea of
vulnerability. Although the house does not look derelict and abandoned, common conventions of a
horror genre, the breaking news story and the size of the house does create an element of
vulnerability for the boys. Also, the house is not in an area where other houses can be clearly
seen, this can be argued to create and emphasize the helplessness of my protagonists in their
situation. I decided to go against the common conventions within the trailer as it made my
narrative more believable and authentic that the three boys were filming in their own home. It was
crucial that my narrative made sense within my trailer. The long shot used distances the audience
from the setting making them uncomfortably aware of the house from the beginning of the trailer.
Furthermore, the long shot allows the audience to see how large the house is. This also suggests
elements of weakness as the house does not convey and cozy and warm atmosphere.
The setting of my magazine also conveys the same ideas. The background image that I used
for my magazine was a tree in winter. The tree has no leaves on suggesting the idea that it
has died. Winter has connotations of nature dying which suggests the lack of hope for the
three protagonists. Furthermore, winter is a time where it is cold and the conditions are
extremely harsh. This creates the same ideas of vulnerability for the three protagonists as the
large house with the breaking news story. . I decided to use this image within my magazine as
it was more a more subtle way of conveying the vulnerability of the three boys.
SETTING

13. This meant that it would attract a larger target audience rather than only the niche horror
market. It fitted the purpose of the magazine front cover to inform rather than advertising
and promoting the horror elements of my trailer and film. The use of nature as the
background image can be argued to show that even nature is fighting against my three
protagonists, once again portraying their complete lack of hope and helplessness. It may be
argued that this gives away elements of my narrative however, I would argue that it creates
questions for the audience about what will happen to the three protagonists.
My poster can be argued to not have a setting but the background color suggests the same
ideas and themes as both of the settings used in my magazine and trailer. I decided to not
have a background image for this product as I wanted the image to be the focus point and
stand out against the plain background. This would immediately attract my audience and fit
the purpose of promoting my film. The background is a gradual fade from white to black. The
fading can be argued to suggest the hope for the three boys fading as it moves further down
the page. By the bottom of the page the color is completely black. As this is the last thing the
audience reads in their line of reading it foreshadows that the film will end in a negative way
with the suggestion of death and evil defeating good. It can be argued that this again gives
away elements of my narrative; however, the ideas of death and evil are things that are
expected in all horror films and therefore does not give away the twists within the storyline
that make it appealing to watch. This does not fit Todorov’s theory as he suggested that the
narrative returns back to equilibrium after disequilibrium. However, an ending that is not
resolved is conventional of a horror film. The background setting of my poster suggests the
conventional ending of a horror film.
SETTING

14. FRAMING
Magazine
Poster
Trailer

15. The framing of my shots and images across all three of my products were
extremely different. This was because they are fitting the different
conventions and purposes of trailers, posters and magazines. This was to
ensure that I targeted the correct market in the right way and attracted them
by fitting the purpose of the product. The framing had to be different to
target my market through the different products. Within my trailer, I use
many extreme close ups. For example, the extreme close up on ‘The Devil’
tarot card helps to convey the main themes of fate and religion within my
trailer. This is significant as it reflects the horror genre, targeting my
audience, and fits the purpose to advertise my film to the audience by
conveying the major ideas within the trailer. The framing of my magazine
however is very different. This is to ensure that I fit the conventions of a
magazine front cover and the purpose of informing my target audience. The
images are all mid shots allowing me to layer the three protagonists. Layering
and mid shots are extremely conventional of a magazine cover. Furthermore,
the mid shots allow the audience to recognize the expression on the three
boy’s faces and the costumes that they are wearing. It can be argued that the
framing of the magazine front cover breaks conventions of a horror genre.
This is because the three boys appear in a group taking up most of the frame.
This could convey their dominance which is ironic in comparison to the
setting that I have used and the expressions they are pulling.
FRAMING