The document discusses the effectiveness of a magazine cover the author has designed. They believe it is effective due to the chosen cover image showing the main character in a scary way, conveying insight into her character. Fonts are varied and conventionally placed. Small additional images are included without overcrowding. The layout clearly features the film and guides the eye. Improvements could include more varied fonts and adding something to the bottom right corner to complete the visual route.

1. By Amy-Jane Wilson

2. Draft 1
Why do I think it effective?
I feel that my poster would be effective due to the way in which I have used the
conventions clearly and I have also thought out the mise en scene for the image
thoroughly and I have paid a great deal of attention to the fonts that I am going to be
using within the poster. I think that the font and the image also work well together as
they have similar connotations and they would link well with the trailer, the trailer will
use the same font as the ancillary product so this would create a clear link between the
two. Another reason I think that this poster would be effective is because of the
colours that I have used, these colours will make the audience automatically associated
the poster with the horror genre.
What could I improve?
I think that I could improve my poster by changing the layout slightly I think I could
change the layout and have the main title in a different place that would fit in with the
image. I could also improve the background of the poster as I have not really looked
into what the background of the girl could be so at the moment it is just a black
background so I think this could be improved.

3. Why do I think it is effective?
I think that this poster is effective as I have used the conventions of the horror genre
well and I have also included convention of form. I have ensured that I have stuck to
a small colour palette as this is conventional for a poster but I have used a palette of
grey, black and white these are all conventional for the horror genre. I have only used
two fonts within this poster but all of the fonts are varied in size. The posters title
would be in the same font as the title of the film that is on the trailer. The image I
have used on this poster is effective also as I have once again used the main
character on the front to link it to the trailer, I have also got Beth to be holding the
significant props that are in the film (the note and the teddy).
What could I Improve?
I think that this poster could be improved as I think I could add an extra colour in the
colour palette like red this would be a good colour to have on the poster as it
connotes fear and danger. I think that I could also improve the poster by adding a
slogan onto it so the audience can read more into the film from the poster.

4. In both of these posters a close up has been used to show the
main characters face and they both use low key lighting
The background of the image on both posters Is black and this
surrounds the image of the main character, this connotes the
darkness that surrounds Beth within the film.
The title of the film is in the largest font and stands out the most
on the whole poster, this is conventional as it links both the poster
and the trailer together
They both have a blocking bill which includes information about
the production company that has been used
In the mirrors poster they have used a example of there previous
films that has been released by that production company- I could
include this on my poster to make it more conventional
The release date is clear on both of the posters
On the mirrors poster they have included small images of the
production companies logo, this Is something that I could also use
on my poster to make it more conventional to form

5. In both of the posters the image used is a long shot, this long
shot shows the main characters of the film. Both images use
low key lighting due to its sinister connotations.
The background that is used in both is also similar as the brick
wall connotes the coldness of the characters this is a
convention of a horror movie
We see in the sinister poster at the top the have included a
small bit of writing that tell the audience what other films the
production company have produced- this is something I could
improve on my poster
On the sinister poster they have also used a slogan so the
audience can get to know more about the film- this is another
convention of form that I could add into my poster to improve
it
On both of the poster there is a blocking bill to tell us more
about the production company and occasionally the cast, I
however have placed the casting under the release date at the
bottom.
On the sister poster they have used social media links like the
website to advertise there film more, this something that I
could add onto my poster to improve its conventions.

6. What did I learn from my audience research?
From my audience research I have found that the layout of both of the posters are conventional and that the audience like
the way everything is spread out within the poster. The audience also feel that the image and font ideas that I have used
for both posters are conventional so this is something I would say is effective. I have asked the audience to select which
poster they like the best and draft 1 was picked this shows it was most effective in its connotations to the audience. It has
been said though that on draft 1 the background could be changed as it is boring but this was only mentioned by one
audience member so I would look into other ideas for the background once I have a image to use to see what is most
effective. It has also been mentioned that on the posters some social media aspects could be added to involve the
audience more and also a slogan could be used. These are things that I will add into my poster to make it more
conventional to form and also will add it in so that the audience can interact more with the film using new technology.
Colour is also something that has been mentioned in my audience questionnaire they have said that maybe I could include
some red as this also has horror connotations.

7. Strengths Weaknesses
The fonts that are used- they are conventional and they are not too
overpowering. The font of the title is also the same as the trailers title
font meaning it also creates a link this way
Colour scheme- the background colour has been said to be boring and
it has also been suggested that the colour red is used in places
The layout- the blocking bill being placed at the bottom of the poster,
the image being central and the main focus of the poster
Lack of slogan and added information about the production company
Includes many conventions of form- Blocking bill, release date, title,
image
Image is conventional- close up image of the main character that is in
the film. Creates a link between the poster and the trailer
Strenghts Weaknesses
The fonts that have been used- In my questionnaire I found out that the
fonts were conventional and the variety was ideal as they liked the
simplicity within the poster
Lack of slogan- I has been suggested that I could include a slogan on the
poster to give the audience more or a idea about the film
The background- The background is a conventional background and
brick walls are stereotypically cold and this would give a connotation of
the film having a cold theme throughout
Lack of social media integration- in my audience research it was
suggested that I could include social media like a website or something
similar onto the poster
The image- The image is conventional as it clearly shows the same
character that is in the film this creates a clear link and also it would also
be able to show the main props that are used within the film
Colour scheme- The colour scheme has been said to be ‘boring’ and it
was suggested that the colour red could be used in parts to brighten it
up and add to the connotations
The layout- The layout is said to be good as it is not overcrowded and
the image and title are the main focuses of the poster

8. Why do I think its effective?
There are many reasons why I think that my magazine is effective, this includes the image
that I am choosing to use as the main cover image, this image is a mid shot of Beth and
the mise en scene used within the image would make her look very scary and sinister
providing the audience with a insight into her character within the film. I have also chosen
a variety of fonts, the masthead font is very conventional as it clearly stands out and it is
placed in the left hand corner as this is convention because its were the route of the eye
begins. I have also included a few smaller images on this magazine but not to many as it is
conventional for the magazine to not be overcrowded. I think it is also effective as the
layout makes it clear what the featured film is and it also creates a route of the eye for the
audience.
What could be improved?
I think that I could improve the fonts that have been used within the magazine cover and
maybe include more of a variety of fonts for each other different parts of the poster. I
would also include something in the bottom right hand corner as then it would clearly
show a end to the route of the eye for the audience.

9. In both of the magazines there is a advertisement for a free poster and
there is also small images to go along with this
Both of the mastheads on the two magazine are the largest text on the
magazine, this is so they catch the audiences attention and become
easily recognized- to make the masthead stand out more on my
magazine I could change the colour so it contrasts the background.
Both of the main cover lines span across the whole of the page, this
makes them stand out and clearly shows what the featured story is
On empire magazine they have placed two smaller images in the right
hand corner to show a end for the route of the eye, this is something I
would do as it is a convention of form.
Both of the images are similar size a s they both use a midshot, they
also both use low key lighting as this connotes a sense of darkness
within the character. They are also placed in the same place and take
up the whole of the magazine
In both of the poster there are barcodes and dates of issues in the
bottom right hand corners.
There is only a limited about of cover stories on the magazine this it to
ensure that it is not cluttered this has been shown on both of the
posters.

10. What have I learnt from my audience research?
From my audience research I have learnt that my magazine is fairly effective but there are some improvements
that could be made. I have found that my audience like the fact that I have used a conventional layout and
the fact I have picked up on the key feature of magazines which is the route of the eye. I have also found that
the majority of my fonts are well liked but I have found that my main masthead font was not like by one of
the audience members, this is something I will look into and try out other font styles that I have previously
picked out. I have also found out that my audience like the fact that the magazine is not overly crowed as
this is conventional for the magazine however it has been suggested that I could do with one or two more
cover stories but these would only need to be of a small size. I have however found out that the main
weakness of the magazine from my audience research along with the fonts is the colour scheme. It has been
said that my colour scheme that I have used is ‘boring’ this is something that I felt myself could be improved
so I will definitely look into this when making my final magazine.

11. Strengths Weaknesses
Layout- I have found out that the layout my
magzine is conventional as I have included
route of the eye so that I catch the
audiences attention. I have also not
cluttered the layout which is conventional
Colour scheme- The colour scheme is
something that could be improved as it has
been called ‘boring’ by my audience, I
would include brighter colours that would
contrast more with the other colours on the
magazine
Image- The image is conventional as I have
included a image of the main character on
the front and this is central of the magazine.
The image of the main character creates a
link between both the magazine and the
trailer
Fonts- The fonts that I used have also been
called ‘boring’ and some are said to be
unconventional so this is something I will
look into and try to change some of them to
make them more conventional and or my
audience to like them more.
Coverlines- the cover lines I have used are
good as they are placed in the correct place
and they are the correct size. I feel however
I could include a few more but they are a
strength as they make the magazine
effective

12. How to get an A How I will achieve this?
Appropriate use of ICT I will use an appropriate use of ICT as I will make my ancillary products on publisher and then I can easily
edit and manipulate the designs.
Shooting Material needs to be appropriate I will use a HD camera to take the pictures for my ancillary products I will also ensure that I use a tri pod
as this will mean that I can control the shot well
Manipulating of photos needs to be
appropriate and well thought out
When manipulating my photos I will ensure that I have planned what I want to do with them before hand
and I will try out many different things to ensure that they are appropriate and also effective
Framing of the shots will need to be well
thought out
When taking the pictures for my products I will ensure that I have planned out the framing of the shot, I
will try out many different frames as this will the shown me the best way to take the photograph to
make it effective
Intergration of illustration and text This would be very important within both products I will ensure that I have planned the images well and
that they are placed in the correct place on the poster to make the illustration and text integrate well
Use of language and register I will ensure that I look very well into the type of language used on both posters and magazine as I am
aware that they will be different. I will then apply my findings to my own products so I can ensure I use
the correct language
Variety of fonts and text sizes This is something that I feel I will be able to achieve and something that I have already achieved within
my draft products. I have used a variety of fonts and sizes depending on their importance within the
ancillary products. I have found this out by looking at other film magazine and posters so I was aware of
what sorts or fonts are used and what sizes are used as well.
Conventional Layout and page design This is something that I have looked into within my genre research, I was able to find out what type of
layout is conventional and then I have applied this in my drafts. I feel I have already achieved this as from
my audience feedback they all felt that my layout for both was very conventional and well thought out.