The document discusses how a film distributor determines the marketing strategy, release dates, and platforms for releasing a film. It notes that popular films are typically released in cinemas first, while lower budget films may go straight to DVD. Promoting films through social media, posters, trailers, and magazines is seen as vital for attracting customers. The document then analyzes the marketing of the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It details how the film was promoted as a prequel to the Harry Potter franchise to attract existing fans. Teaser posters, trailers, and character posters were released to build anticipation. Warner Bros. invested heavily in social media promotion. The overarching theme was

1. How effective is the combination of my main product and
ancillary texts

2.  A film distributor makes the decisions about the marketing
strategy, the media that the audience will be able to view the
movie on and the release date of cinema screening and home
viewing/DVD. Films can be shown to the public in various ways,
most commonly films that are thought will be popular amongst
the majority of the population will be shown in cinemas;
whereas other films, possibly with lower budgets will go straight
to DVD release. They also come up with a marketing plan of how
to promote the film and to what target demographics.
 Promoting the film is vital to attracting customers and social
media has now become a big part of marketing campaigns.
Posters can now be shared on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Magazines can now be viewed online, which again can also be
seen on social media platforms. As well as this, YouTube is
usually the biggest promoting website for films as people can
easily view the trailer. Social media creates a larger audience and
a bigger reach of consumers that will view the products.

3.  The movie is based on a short book written by J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) but it was presented
as a guide book written by Newt Scamander. The textbook is referenced briefly in one of the
Harry Potter books; which was in fact, the leading selling point throughout advertising and
promotion.
 The marketing was very well planned and thought out. It was emphasised that the movie was a
prequel of the Harry Potter sequels, which would have attracted fans of the movie of all ages
and genders; despite it being a film typically aimed towards the younger generation.
 There were a series of teaser posters released as well as teaser trailers to build up the release of
the film. There were also character posters released to allow the audience to identify with the
characters before watching the film; something that is not usually done.
 Due to the film being released by Warner Bros. it meant that it got a lot of promotion and
marketing, possibly more than the average film. For example, the movie received plenty of
social network advertising and also used the movie as a way to become the first studio to buy
into Twitter’s Promoted Stickers ad and used Promoted Hashtags that turned specific ‘hash-
tagged’ words into emoji on the network. Further Twitter integration allowed people to type in
special commands to unlock clips of unseen footage.
 The main theme was that the studio is expanding the Harry Potter world into this new franchise
and trying to persuade fans of Harry Potter to join, as well as bring new ones. Although, the
posters, trailers and social network promotion didn’t reveal much about the actual narrative it
was about being taken on a ‘magical journey’ and being brought into the crazy world of magic.
This, however, is what enticed viewers to watch the film and made it become a success; leading
to the next five films in the series.

4. Similar
image on
the
magazine
cover to
the
official
poster-
creates
synergy
between
the
products.

6. My magazine ‘Cinematic’ colour scheme is inspired
by the Total Film cover and the Empire covers. I
used red and black as they connote horror; however
I decided to add another colour to make the
magazine standout. I decided to use blue because it
is complimentary with the red and is also used in
many professional magazines.
The placement of the image and coverlines was
inspired by the Empire magazines (left) as I thought
these were simple yet effective. I also decided to have
the model use direct mode of address because I
thought this portrayed her character well and also
would attract customers more.

7. For my poster I took inspiration from
The Conjuring poster and the Woman
in Black 2 poster. I liked how they had
someone sitting and I decided to also
do this. Also, The woman in Black
poster portrays the little boy as
innocent and vulnerable, I also
wanted to do this with the model on
my poster.
In both posters I liked the use of
black and greys, as well as the slight
red on the Woman in Black poster. I
decided to also do this on mine.
Our group decided we would
give our trailer an 18
certificate. We decided this
was the appropriate certificate
due to the violent scenes and
strong language that would
have appeared in the film.
However, the trailer would be
suitable for certificate 15. Also,
our target demographic are
aged 18 and over.

8.  The poster and magazine clearly link and promote the same
product. I have used the same font for the title on both the
poster and magazine. However, on the poster the title is a lot
bolder and I have added a double text layer to do this.
Additionally, I have used the same model for both ancillary
texts so consumers can see they are promoting the same
product. As well as this, the model used is the main
character in the trailer which links all three products
together.
 The trailer also uses the same font as the title from both
ancillary texts for the text within the trailer. Additionally, all
products portray the main girl as innocent; which is
something we wanted to create. The lighting on all products
is also very similar, which shows they are promoting the
same thing.
 By making all three products similar I have created a synergy
between the ancillary texts and the trailer. This will generate
a bigger audience and promote the film better as the
products are working together.