a2 media studies evaluation q1

Evaluation Q1: In which ways does your media product

use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real

media products?

A2 Media Studies

Ellie New

Film Trailer: Unmasked

Evaluation: Q1 Trailer

PlanningI began my planning by looking at the purpose of a teaser trailer and what is the definition of a

‘teaser trailer; I watched three trailers which I then analysed in depth looking at key codes and

conventions which appeared in all three of the trailers. The trailers I looked at were all fairly

recent, I did this in order to see what is portrayed within horror trailers in modern day society the

trailers I looked at were ‘Mama’, ‘The Woman In Black’ and ‘Jessabelle’. I then went on to look at

genre conventions of ‘Horror’. Focusing on Location, Technical Elements, Mise-en-scene and

Themes; which gave me an understanding of what a stereotypical modern day horror trailer

includes. I also studied the use of narrative within trailers and how it has been portrayed within the

three trailers I had previously chosen to study; this gave me an understanding of how to create a

clear link between my uses of shots making viewing easy for an audience to follow. Looking at

representation of stereotypes of characters was also a key part of my research, in order to make

sure I chose the right characters to represent the roles I wanted to be portrayed within my own

trailer.


A media product which heavily influenced my trailer is the film

‘Friday The 13th’, which I have analysed in depth.

Link to trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsVKn-MS14

The opening scene of Friday The 13th begins with

an establishing shot of the lake, which is where the

film is set, the camera then uses a panning shot to

reveal the rest of the location. Within my own

trailer I have also incorporated this using an

establishing shot of the graveyard presenting the

place primarily where the most of the film will be

based. It also signify the beginning of the trailer,

presenting a narrative.

However, I feel that the location of the establishing

shot of Friday The 13th looks quite idyllic and

tranquil which does not immediately reveal the

genre of the film. I feel that my trailer challenges

this as the graveyard immediately gives

connotations of death and the unknown.


The next scene from Friday The 13th

presents the victims; they are

represented as stereotypical middle

class teenagers. Their age is conveyed

in the trailer by choice of clothing, they

are all wearing causal clothing opposed

to suits and smart business wear.

Furthermore, one of the girls within the

group is wearing a pink top making her

appear youthful and innocent. They

are also shown partying, consuming

alcohol and explicit scenes which are

stereotypical ideologies for teenagers.

Within my own trailer I have tried to

incorporate teenage ideologies in order

to attract my target audience of age 18

– 24 . The protagonists/ victims of my

trailer are wearing parkas, jeans, t-

shirts and ‘converse’ trainers which are

categorised as stereotypical ’teenage’

clothing. Furthermore, youth is

represented by the teenagers using

smart phones which also reinforces

that the trailer is a modern construct.

The narrative also portrays youth by

the topic of conversation; talking about

‘boys’ suggests that the girls are young

and naïve.


The killer character within

Friday The 13th is pictured

wearing a hockey mask to

conceal his identity. He is

also pictured wearing dark

clothing, giving

connotations of

evil/darkness. The killer is

also pictured with a

machete knife, the killers

motivation is

stalking/physiological.

Within my own trailer I

have used the same style

of costume, however our

killer is not pictured with a

weapon as the ‘slasher’

element is implied within

my trailer which does

challenge conventions of

‘slasher films’. The killer

within our trailer is also

featured wearing gloves,

further concealing his

identity. Whereas, within

the trailer above the killer is

more exposed.


Both constructs present the

victims trying to escape the

killer in an attempt to get away.

Playing intense high pitch

music in order to create a

reaction from the audience.

Within my trailer there is an

element of ‘the male gaze’,

created by film critic Laura

Mulvey; which suggests that

women are seen as weak and

vulnerable victims, the ‘damsel

in distress’, the male character

is usually the killer portrayed

as dominant and powerful. I

feel that this aspect of my

trailer conforms to the

conventions of a horror film.


I feel that my own trailer does challenge

forms and conventions of real media, as

within my trailer there is no physical violence

presented. In the first two examples I have

shown from Friday The 13th, the ‘slasher’

aspect of the film is represented by a man

held and knife point and then killed which is

shown within the first image. Then within the

second image there is blood evident,

implying violence and death.

However, the last image I have presented

shows the audience that the killer has now

got the victims without showing any death or

blood saving the explicit scary scenes for

the film. I also decided to do this as I felt that

these scenes may not look believable due to

the lack of professional acting and high tech

equipment.

Ancillary Tasks: Poster &

Magazine

Evaluation: Q1 PosterPre-Production: Research

found on Word Press

Tag Line – ‘Welcome’

implies a sarcastic tone as

the killer is not welcoming

them however, it creates a

link between the poster and

the audience

Cover Image – The killer

looks strong, powerful and

dominant he also looks as if

he is ready for action, which

could scare the audience

making them want to view

the film. The dark

background of the woods

also gives a feeling of the

‘unknown’, contributing to

the horror element

Header – Advertises the

film in its signature font,

the use of the red font

implies connotations of

blood, danger and passion

and warns the audience

that there is a horror

element. Furthermore, the

slits within the text and the

mirror reverse of the text

suggests that the killer is

broken or fractured

mentally.

Credits – Paying credits

to the directors and

performers

Evaluation: Q1 Poster

Poster Analysis - My

Finished Poster

Font – Same font used

throughout poster,

using signature font of

film

In order to create my media poster I looked at three

other examples from films such as Avatar, Friday

The 13th which was the main focus of my media

trailer and ‘The Dark Knight’. I felt that ‘Friday The

13th’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ were the best examples

as they feature a horror/action genre. The image

upon my poster is clear and has been taken using a

professional camera (Nikon D40 DLSR); in order to

produce a crisp image. I felt the tag line ‘welcome

to the graveyard’ creates a personal touch, however

it is sarcastic as the audience is in the presents of a

killer. A tagline was evident on both of the posters I

had chosen to focus on. Furthermore, they both

featured a strong, dominant cover image making the

protagonist looking empowered and ready for action;

I also used filters to darken the image making it feel

more dystopic. For the title I decided to use a red

font which holds connotations of blood, death,

danger and a warning. The blurred reflection of the

text upon my poster and slits implies the fractured

personality of the killer. I have then decided to use

credits and have incorporated logos of professional

companies which may entice my audience to view

my film. I feel that my product conforms to a real

media product.

Evaluation: Q1 Poster

Evaluation: Q1 Magazine

Pre-Production: Research

found on Word Press


Mast Head - Taken

from another film

magazine, as the brand

is so iconic it is still

recognisable to fans

when covered

Tag Line - ‘ The ultimate

exclusive’ implies it can

not be found anywhere

else hence why it is

‘exclusive’. Which will

attract fans

Cover Lines – Listing

new films, celebrities

and reviews which the

audience will be

interested in

Sub Header –

Introducing the film

advertised

Barcode –

Professional

looking

Fonts – Use of

three fonts, all sans

serif to attract the

target audience,

‘Unmasked’ is

written within its

own signature font

Colours – After studying

other film magazines it

became apparent that

bold, primary colours

such as: Blue, yellow

and red were regularly

used. Attracting a young

male audience, I have

also incorporated this

into my own work

however, it may also

attract a female

audience

Issue Number /

Price

Cover Image – My cover image

presents the protagonist from a

low angle shot, making him

seem powerful and dominant.

The character is also giving a

direct address to the audience

establishing a link between the

audience and the character, the

large building the the

background of the image

contributes to the horror element

Magazine Analysis –

My Finished

Magazine :


When creating my magazine I looked at three

different examples, which I thoroughly

analysed; two from ‘Empire’ magazine and

one from ‘Total Film’. All of the magazines had

in common that they included one key

character as the cover image, which I then

incorporated into my own magazine cover.

One of the Empire magazine covers had a

location taken from the film presented within

the background, I also decided to incorporate

this into my own work so that my audience

can gain a sense of setting as to where my

film is set. Furthermore, all of the magazine

colours included bright, primary colours such

as blue, yellow and red; in order to attract a

masculine audience. I have also featured this

within my own work however, I do feel it will

also capture a small female audience. I feel

that my magazine cover follows the forms and

conventions of a stereotypical film magazine.

It includes cover lines, giving more information

to the target audience which they may be

interested in. It also includes interviews with

the main character and other typical

conventions such as a barcode and issue

number and price, making it appear as a

professionally created construct.

Ellie New

a2 media studies evaluation q1

Education