The combination of the main film product and two ancillary texts (a film poster and radio trailer) was effective in promoting the film. The film poster represented the mysterious atmosphere of the film through the image of a hooded character and tagline. Research was conducted into successful thriller posters to guide the design. Similarly, the radio trailer included sound bites and music from the film to directly reflect the main product. Both ancillary texts linked well to the film and represented it accurately according to research into common effective promotional techniques.

1. Evaluation Question 2
Ben Houghton
How effective is the combination of your main product and the ancillary texts?

2. What We Were Aiming To Achieve In Our
Main Product?
In our main product, we were trying to create a short, five minute film that was as exciting as
possible. We wanted to portray an underlying theory or idea to our film, such as the seven minute
death theory. We focused on this idea and referenced it throughout our main product. We also
wanted to make sure our target audience enjoyed our film.
The two ancillary texts which were used as a way of promoting our film were a film poster and a
radio trailer.

3. Final Film Poster
How Was The Poster Created & Decided?
We each designed our own film poster which we
thought would be suitable. To create these individual
posters we used Adobe Photoshop.
When all the individual posters were collected
together, as a group, we decided which one should be
our final film poster.

4. How Does The Poster Reflect Our Film?
The poster shows continuity between itself and the film which creates an effective
combination between the two. The poster represents the mysterious and confused
atmosphere of the film through the image of the hooded character. The way this character
is hiding their face on this poster adds to the mystery. However, the red circle surrounding
this character could show that they have an important role in the film. In relation to this,
the circle around the other character shows that he could have some importance in the
film or could be in danger. The tag-line, “How much time do you have left?” is a direct
quote from the film and references the seven minute theory behind the film. The
background of the poster is dark, representing the main characters lonely situation. I feel
that the poster correctly represents the film and that both the film and this ancillary text
link well.

5. How Effective Is Our Poster In Promoting Our
Film?
Before creating our film poster, we conducted research into posters from the psychological thriller genre to make sure the
styles we were using were equal to films from the same genre. From this research, we were then able to recognise which
elements should be included to make them eye-catching in order for people to notice our poster and therefore want to watch
our film. The following link shows the research which was undertaken:
http://bca2media2017group4.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/thriller-poster-analysis.html
From this research we found that thriller posters include elements such as:
 Dark Colours - To hide any idea of a story or plot.
 Tag-Line/Strap Line - An eye-catching sentence which reflects the storyline.
 The main characters face - shows the characters feelings and loneliness.
 Sense of confusion and mystery.
We took inspiration from a poster from the film ‘Shutter Island’ when creating our own. As people who usually watch
psychological films will look for these elements in a film poster, it was important for us to include these so that our film was as
effective as possible in promoting our film. Both these posters are showing an accurate image of what the films are about,
making them both effective in promoting their main product.

6. Similarities To Other Film Posters
Dark Background To Portray Mystery
Character Facial Expressions
One Other Visual Pointer Linking To The
Story
Tag-Line From The Film

7. Radio Trailer
Research Into Radio Trailers
Radio trailers are available to a wide audience, allowing the promotion of our film to be increased. Due to the radio trailers
importance in the advertising of our film, we conducted some research to find what features are commonly used so that we
could make the most out of creating a radio trailer. This research can be found here:
http://bca2media2017group4.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/radio-trailer-research.html
From this research, we found that trailers include:
 Sound-Bites from the film
 Music that creates anticipation, tension and suspense (music which is also used in the film).
 Voiceover to provide information.
 Sound Effects
 30-40 Seconds In Length.
We were able to use this as a checklist when creating our own radio trailer for our short film. We also analysed other radio
trailers as part of this research, one for the 2013 film ‘Gravity’ and another for an episode of Doctor Who.

8. How Does Our Radio Trailer Reflect Our Films
Ideas
Our radio trailer had to reflect our film and have links between the two. The radio trailer begins with
a memorable quote from the film. This straight away gives a link between the trailer and the film.
The quote is also significant in terms of the storyline and what happens during the film. The trailer
then includes a sound effect to add tension and suspense, followed by the first dialogue from the
voiceover. The voiceover, recorded on a H1 Zoom Recorder, gives information and also persuades
the listener by stating, “The most anticipated short film of the year”. Other memorable quotes from
the film are also included such as, “Where am I?” and “We’re In Your Head”. The music used in the
trailer is also used in the film, this shows a direct reflection of the main product and the ancillary text.
The music rises to a climax, leading to an exciting listening experience. The final dialogue from the
voiceover states, “You don’t want to miss a second”. This relates directly to the underlying idea of the
film, which is the seven minute theory and the concept that the character only has seven minutes to
find out how he died.
Radio Trailer Link

9. How Effective Are Our Two Ancillary Texts?
Through our research into film posters and radio trailers, we created a checklist which
showed us what needed to be included in both ancillary texts in order for them to be
successful in promoting our film. Both ancillary texts are effective as they relate directly to
the film in various ways and they both represent the film effectively.