The document discusses how a media product (a film trailer) uses, develops, and challenges conventions of real trailers. It follows some typical conventions like using diegetic/non-diegetic sound and fast pacing during intense scenes. However, it challenges conventions by having a young male as the victim rather than a female, and a dominant female villain rather than male. Research was also done on film magazine covers and posters to understand their conventions. The trailer and other materials developed conventions like logos and taglines while also challenging norms like gender roles.

1. Q1. In what ways does your
media product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
Within this presentation I will explain how my trailer (media product) develops, uses and or challenges the forms and
conventions of a real media product. I will compare my film to the trailers that I have researched and explain how
representation, narrative, ideology and media language uses, develops and or challenges forms and conventions of a
particular genre/style.

2. I follow similar conventions in my trailer:
• An equilibrium
• Diegetic and non-diegetic sound
• During the ‘disruption’ lots of fast paced shots
and sound that that complements the action on
screen
• The editing becomes more apparent, more
shots
• More cuts and more transitions during the
disequilibrium scenes
• Rating card
• Fading to black to increase suspense
I found that the typical conventions for these films
were:
• Diegetic and/or non-diegetic sound to start off
with
• Lots of fast paced shots and sound that
complements the action on screen
• A disturbing shot often someone killed or hurt
• The editing becomes more apparent, more
shots
• More cuts and more transitions during the
disequilibrium scenes
• Most often has a vulnerable character and a
villain
• The soundtrack often changes to create a thrill
Researching recent products at the start of the project made me realise the typical
forms and conventions of real media products out today. ‘Goodfellas’ is a typical
gangster film which I chose to briefly analyse, also looking at many other film trailers
that were similar to my genre.

3. I challenged conventions of a typical crime/gangster trailer by
having a young male as the victim, this is challenging conventions
because stereotypically it is a fragile female who would play the
victim. I also had a dominant female as the villain, switching the
gender roles challenges the normal conventions.
As well as looking at trailers I also analysed magazine covers and
film posters, which are also used to promote the product.

4. Conventions of a Film Magazine
• The Masthead Features on all magazine covers, usually at the top of the page and
indicates which magazine it is e.g. Empire or Total Film. This should be the largest
text on the page and it can reflect the audience it caters for.
• Cover image The image on the front cover should reflect the audience and style of
the magazine, the type of shot used is often a mid-shot and the Mise-en-scene
should show connotations of the type of magazine it is.
• ‘Buzz Words’ These involve ‘Free’ and ‘Exclusive’ which capture the readers
attention and makes them want to buy the magazine.
• The new film is often the focus point, the title and taglines will be used on the front
cover.
• The use of colours and fonts usually give an indication of the film’s genre – a horror
film would use dark colours whereas a family film would use brighter colours.
• There is usually a mixture of fonts used depending on the story.
• The price and the barcode are normally placed at the bottom of the page so that it
is out of the way.

5. Research into Film MagazineMasthead
Both Mastheads are
recognisable to many people
as it is used on every single
Total Film/ Empire front
cover and uses the iconic
bold red and white colour.
They are both well
established, that they don’t
need to display the full title,
for example the image of
Empire, people know the
magazine and it’s title even
with the ‘M’ and ‘P’ missing.
Cover Image
The image of the main characters can be appealing to male audiences, however
female audiences can also be interested as the actor is well known.
Barcode and Price
This is an important item
to have on the front
cover of the magazine
as it identifies the
magazine when it is
being paid for.
This gets the audience
involved, and want
them to get engaged
with the other story
involved.
Buzz words such as ‘First
look’ draw audiences
and give them a sense of
gossip.
The cover story of
Harry Potter and
Sherlock Holmes
indicates that the
magazine is not just
for the feature film
fans, so it entices a
wider target
audience.
The cover story is the
second biggest font
on the magazine, this
shows it is dominant.
The bold font of the
typography suggests
power and a sense of
darkness about it.

6. Conventions of a Film Poster
• It must be eye catching and captivating to the audience
• There must be a focal picture that will draw in the audiences eye
• The title is displayed in a large, eye-catching font
• It clearly defines the film’s genre
• The poster should be designed to attract the largest audience possible
• There is usually an indication of when the film is being released – either a date or
‘Coming Soon’, although they are sometimes less specific, for example they might
say ‘In Cinemas This Summer’
• Information on the Directors and Production Company is often displayed in a billing
block at the bottom of the poster
• There could be reviews or titles of other films that the company has made

7. Research into Film Poster
The film is called Goodfellas
and the font is a traditional
serif type, this is because it
looks old fashioned which
relates to the Mafia. Thus
giving the audience an
indication into the gangster
genre, as this font is
associated with the mob, as
shown with other gangster
films containing the same
font e.g. Goodfellas, Casino.
It also links with the
strapline.
The main image is of the three main
characters, this is because the star
actors are the unique selling point, as
they include Robert De Niro and Joe
Pesci, well established actors who are
closely associated with the gangster
genre. Their attire of black suits, ties
and white shirts with large collars also
represent a traditional gangster and
connote a funeral, illustrating violence
will be involved. The secondary picture
is of a man lying dead in the street in a
suit and Capone hat, showing that
violence will be involved and further
clarity into the gangster genre
The most prevalent colours are black and white.
This is because black and white are commonly used
in gangster films to create an ominous undertone
and serve as a harsh contrast, which are displayed
in gangster films through the characters extreme
violence but love for their family. The colour black
represents death, moral darkness and lack of
knowledge while white represents purity and
innocence. These colours could also represent a
gangster suit, a subtle hint into the genre.
I believe the target audience for the film is
males aged between 18 and 30, the poster
seems attractive to this audience as it shows a
man dead in the road and clearly represents
that the main action in the film will be violence,
giving an indication into the genre

8. Overall I believe my main product and ancillary tasks both,
challenge and develop forms and conventions of real media
products. I believe they look realistic and would easily fit into the
thriller genre on shelves in shops. I feel that my trailer does
actually challenge conventions via the character gender switch.
But, uses traditional thriller images and follows the form of an
original thriller trailer.