Ancillary Task two: Poster

In order to create a high level of synergy throughout all of my three texts, it was vital for me to look at other existing secondary pieces. Therefore, I decided to look at the posters "Flightplan" and "Avatar". Through looking at both of these posters it gave me a clear idea of how I was going to present my poster. I highlighted various codes and conventions. I found that my text would be beneficial to obtain a large close up photograph of Katie so that her face is recognisable throughout the main part of the short film. As well as this, I kept the features of the font and the layout the same so that I could adopt similar conventions already seen in real media texts.

Ancillary Task one: Magazine review

One of the main ancillary tasks that I was asked to do was to "design a magazine review" for my short film. Through conducting secondary research into other existing magazine reviews, it enabled me to identify the key codes and conventions upon designing a magazine review. I looked at reviews within various magazines such as "Heat", "Flipside" and "Glamour". This was extremely beneficial for me to look at because it meant that I had a basis for the planning of my review. In order to be more specific to the subject matter of my review that being "body image" and "anorexia", I looked at an online review of "The Truth behind Size Zero: Louise Redknapp". This review was found on the "IMDB" website, this was beneficial for me to use because it specialises in reviewing films. Thus, meaning that I could depict the primary codes and conventions intergrated within it.

One particular convention that I noted within the "IMDB" review was the style of writing used. Throughout the whole of the review, there was a mixture of positive and negative comments to help balance the review. Thus, meaning that the review remained engaging through the critical nature of the text. Through identifying this, I looked at my review to form a comparison. In order to improve my review -and thus, make it more engaging- I will form more of a balanced review providing both positive and negative comments.

Nevertheless, from gaining the primary research (towards the end of my evaluation) it meant that I had a good interpretation as to how my target market percieved the level of synergy between all three texts.

Evaluation of Advanced Portfolio

/Volumes/martinc/final media evaluation with additional notes

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March Development

Coming up so close to the deadline I began the finishing touches to my final project. I started editing the "doctors" scenes so that I merge previous footage with it to make it more "documentary esquee". This enabled me to obtain a realistic piece to do with an eating disorder. Thus, meaning that my audience members were able to keep engaged through the realism of the text.

Recent development in editing and filming

Most recently, I have been editing quite alot in order to make the short film into a proper narrative. I have found that intergrating the different layers has helped me to make the narrative flow better. This has helped me to design the opening based on the multiple filming sessions that I have done.

Furthermore, I have filmed the third section of my narrative so that I can piece all of the sections of my work together. Thus, meaning that I can concentrate on finishing the short film so its effective in getting the message across, that being that you don't need to be skinny to be beautiful.

Ancillary tasks: Using Photoshop

This is an example of the task we conducted whereby we got into partners and took photos to upload and as shown above re-adjust colour styles, levels and positioning.

In order for me to design my own poster for the short film I am doing, it is important that I am able to identify with the tools and features that is included in Adobe Photoshop. In the previous three lessons we have taken the time to go through the basics and more advanced features of this programme. Through doing this, it has significantly helped me in preparing for the making of my actual poster. Thus, meaning that I will be to have a better understanding of how to make my poster look a certain way.

We progressed within class from taking an image of a celebrity from the internet and cropping it to only show their face and then find an animal body to place it on. Through doing this in lesson one I was able to merge the two images together to make it look natural. By lesson two and three we were getting into partners of two and taking pictures so that we could upload them onto Photoshop to then edit and re-adjust. By the end of the three Photoshop lessons I feel that I have learnt a variety of skills that will aid me in making my own poster.

Short film review: Film three

I felt it was necessary to compare two magazine reviews based on the same film, through doing this it means that I will be able to identify the different literary techniques within both articles and how they try and manipulate readers into a particular opinion.

The emphasis of the pictures all over the article emphasises the reviewer has pinpointed the best parts of the film. Due to the fact that I want to try and encourage as many audience members as possible I will use a variety of shots around my review. Thus, helping me to emphasise the most effective parts of the narrative, therefore further enticing my target consumers.

Another important aspect that I was able to identify with, within the review is the fact that the review has been split down into separate headings so that the readers are guided through the review as much as possible. Therefore, within the article I will include friendly -sometimes colloquial- language, lots of images, headings, titles and quotes from my actors. Thus, helping to increase the success of the marketing for the film.

Short film review: Film two

I found this magazine review in "Flipside" within this I was able to identify various articles and reviews. The most poignant convention that I noted was the large image that was presented above the article. Thus, helping to show that many readers will identify with the review if they are given large visual imagery to help back up the points that are made within the review. This review most definately expresses some form of a biased opinion as when the review gets to the "silly stuff" the reviewer has claimed that none of it is. Thus, meaning that the readers are made to side with the reviewer automatically as they clearly favour one opinion over the other. Therefore, within my article I will make the effort to ultimately choose one side of the argument over the other in order to establish the same opinion from my readers. Also, allowing me to identify whether I have the literary techniques to manipulate the readers opinion.

Short film review: Film one

In order to establish the codes and conventions of a magazine review I looked at a large variety of reviews and identified the ones that would help me most upon conducting my own magazine review. I looked at the magazine "Flipside" and found a review about the film "Casino Royale".

Through reading the review I was able to establish the various conventions that are necessary within a magazine review. One vital connection that I was able to identify was the way in which the magazine review was written. The review established both ideas of the film being good and also the parts that were accordingly "silly". Thus referring to it within the review as "good stuff" and "silly stuff". Through this colloquial manner of speaking it helps to establish a wider audience as more people can engage with it. Thus, helping to influence the review on a much larger demographic.

The review is split into three sections, two of the above "stuff"and the "story" section. Throughout each point that is made there is some form of critical understanding that is also established. Whereby, the readers are able to understand the parts of the story that will be most engaging. Nevertheless, to some extent it could be said that the review is slightly biased as the readers are made to express one predominant opinion over the other.

Back to planning

After careful consideration I have decided that the genre of my short film will change from entertaining my audience to informing my audience.

The documentary esquee style change has evolved from watching the likes of Louise Rednapp's "About Size 0" and Kevin Mccloud's "Slumming It". This means that the following changes will be made:

- Two voice overs will be used to reinforce the idea of the importance of the disorder and how it affects more than one person
- The documentary will be less scripted and my actress Katie will be involved in the more generic places that are associated with this disorder:

= more detailed shots
= rapid opening
= talking directly to the camera
= more symbolic messages of size 0 dresses, shops, magazines, effects from the media etc.

Another significant change will be that of expert advice, I will gather five actors to act as professionals giving advice directly to the camera. Thus, making the documentary more important and realistic to what should really be expected from the disorder.

Therefore, through looking back to my original and new research I was able to find a clear direction for my shots, editing, camera style and narrative.

Short film magazine reviews

In order for me to establish the literary techniques that I will need to include in my short film magazine review I looked at various online examples to aid me in achieving this effectively.

http://www.filmguru.net/shorts/2007/070618.html : I found this particular website useful for identifying short film reviews and posters.


"Cyn"



I recognised various writing techniques throughout the review that will provide ample support for me when developing my own review. One predominant technique I identified was that upon writing, the reviewer needs to identify their own opinion about the short film before hand. The review is biased -not a counter argument-, the writer clearly find the short film enticing, engaging and interesting to watching. This is evident in the use of certain quotes, for example "he puts forward a film that perfectly showcases his style as a director","For director Alex Ferarri, the outcome is a powerful short film called Cyn" and "a touch of humor that is so often missing from young directors". Thus, emphasising that the reviewer feels so powerful about the film that he is willing to critise other directors -who are seemingly younger- in their bid to try and obtain audience members throughout a short film. Consequently, making the director of the film Cyn (Ferarri) more observant in the way in which he strives to engage his audience members unlike others.



Another technique that I identified was the mixture of quotes from Ferarri imbedded throughout the review. This makes the review more interesting to read as consumers are kept engaged with not just the evaluation of the plot but also the directors obeservation of it. Therefore, meaning that the review of the film is made more realistic as the reviewer has gained a different take on the film from not just watching it but getting evidence for the inspiration from Ferarri behind the six day shooting for the five minute short film.

As well as this website and review I also found the website:

http://moviepatron.com/blog/category/short-film/

To which I was able to identify other short films, one that I looked at was called "Now you see me, Now you don't" by Andrew James:



The film review began with background information about how the film came to be watched and the meaning behind the front cover of the DVD. I also recognised that above the review was a star rating, assessing how successful the film is. From this I was able to guarantee that I would be reading a good review. The reviewer emphasised the diverse narrative throughout, however also commented on the use of camera angles and shots within the film. " Every angle is different and interesting", thus emphasising the reviwer is going beyond assessing the quality of the plot. "Quite honestly I can’t really think of anything negative to say about the picture (and that’s RARE!). I can’t wait to see more from Szász". This emphasises the argument is not balanced, another technique that I recognised from the previous article whereby the reviwer will take one opposing side. This is used to convince the reader of the review into thinking the same thing. If this is achieved, then the reviwer has written a successful review.

Research into my secondary tasks

As part of the short film task that I am undertaking, it is crucial for me to also develop the marketing of the film. The predominant reason for this being that in modern day society the marketing of a product is just as important as the actual medium itself.

I have been given the brief of making:
a poster for the film
a film magazine review page featuring the film

In order to effectively identify the key codes and conventions of both briefs I have researched both tasks in order to get the most realistic marketing briefs for my film.

I began through looking at posters for short films, one short film I looked at was Krotki film o milosci:



Analysis

Through looking at the image, it is apparent that the boy is in the centre of the frame. Thus, making the character more significant to the narrative of the film. The cover is rustic looking and the boy appears to have been drawn on the cover rather than taken from a photograph. Therefore, emphasising the theme of the plot to which social class becomes reinforced throughout parts of the narrative. Upon identifying what this film was about it was apparent to me that it linked in ideas of love and hatred. Therefore, the use of the two key holes covering the boy's eyes shows that he is being exposed to things in the narrative that he does not wish to be exposed to. The significance of the red tears is a symbol feature for the idea of blood. Therefore, meaning that consumers of the film are made to feel sorry for the boy on the cover as the symbols on the cover identify that he is being hurt. not neccesarily physically but internally through his emotions. Therefore, the key symbols and the tears of blood are used as a shock factor to emphasise the tragic pace of emotions that the boy is experiencing, however unable to show without physical representations. The use of the bold red title makes the genre of the short film more horrific, even more so reinforced with the white titled description to the right of it. Thus, emphasising that the short film is coming from the boy's perspective as he is affected by others and finds it hard to express this.

As well as this I also looked at the short film "Sick":



"New short film, 'SICK', dealing with the sensitive subject of depression, has linked up with Samaritans. Through seeing the film it is hoped that people will come forward to the charity earlier for help and support".

Analysis

The significance of two characters on the cover shows that they have a relationship together. After researching the film it is apparent that "The 15 minute film depicts the experience of depression and alcoholism which have left Brian’s daughter, Amanda, relying on him for her son’s welfare". The lighting within the image highlights the dark nature of the narrative, that being depression. The fact that the father's image is darker emphasises that he maybe the cause of his daughter's anxiety. Her lighting is much brighter, thus emphasising that her condition is brough to life throughout the narrative. Consequently, making the plot more centralised around her. The use of the black cover acts as a symbol for the darkness of the narrative. The white font is distinctive on the cover because it detracts from the predominant darkness of the cover. The use of the words "How often can you hurt... before you lose all feeling?" is used as a shock tactic for the consumer. Consequently, meaning that the only way that consumers can find out the ill feeling in the narrative is through actually watching it. Moreover, the facial expressions of both characters highlight the darkness of the narrative as neither character is smiling. This darkness is only emphasised even more so, upon the use of the hospital like outfit that the female character is presented with. Thus, emphasising the severity of her condition with the use of the facial expressions it helps to reinforce this.

Lastly I looked at the film "The Storm":




General Plot:

"During one of the worst thunderstorms in recent memory, workaholic businesswoman Sarah is left with no electricity and no one to keep her company. The only person able to help her out is her flat mate from downstairs, the loner Dennis".

"During the night, she slowly begins to loose her sanity as strange events happen around her. But is everything real, or is the stress of her job finally taking its toll and making her imagination run riot? The police are unable to help her. And what of her only real friend downstairs? Can he help?"

More information on http://www.walrusfilms.co.uk/the-storm.html

Analysis

The emphasis of the poster is centralised around the facial expressions of the female character on the cover. The significance of the raised eyebrows within the image emphasises the curiosity within the narrative. Thus, meaning that there is a certain level of ambiguity within the plot in order to keep the audience members engaged with what is happening. The background choice of blue emphasises that the genre of the short film is less horrific -unlike "Sick"- and more adventurous and exhilirating. The fact that the female character has her mouth open shows she is in shock of an event that has occured within the narrative. This emphasises her innocence as strange events happen throughout the night that make her question whether "the stress of her job finally taking its toll and making her imagination run riot? The police are unable to help her. And what of her only real friend downstairs? Can he help?". The title is on the top of the poster and the actors names beneath it, with the additional titles at the bottom of the poster. Thus, making the poster more formal as everything appears more organised unlike the previous two posters in which I have looked at. The character is made more centralised and the consumers are made to question more as to what the narrative is about and how it will end. The lighting has been used to create a significant effect, half of the females face is dark and the other half is light. Thus, emphasising the two sides of her life that she currently obtains, that being one of the stressful working light where she has high demands and expectations and the other where she is at home and is made to feel inferior of her social/ personal life.
Consequently, making the poster an effective piece of marketing as it intrigues consumers into the film and its simplicity makes it all the more interesting to watch for the first time.

Anorexia facts

In order for me to further the development of my short film I have found a variation of quotes that can be used when I record the voice over for my text. Thus, meaning that the text is made more documentary esquee instead of a form of entertainment. These are the quotes I found most effective and appropriate for me medium:


The person suffering from anorexia will eat very little, they may sit at the table pushing the food around there plate more than they actually eat it, often excuses will be made for taking the food to there room and eating in private where in actual fact they will dispose of it.

The person suffering from anorexia may be tired and listless due to lack of protein and nutrients and the amount of exercise they do. The anorexic may have trouble concentrating and can be very forgetful; they may become depressed and withdraw into themselves.

Anorexia can arise from several different factors, young girls mimicking there idols brings increasing pressure to gain the ideal weight, a less than perfect family life often abuse within the family is thought to play a part in the onset of Anorexia. Genetic factors also seem to play a role with some documentation of anorexia being hereditary to some extent. Another reason thought to be a cause is depression, exam results as we all know can be daunting and at some time or other we have all lost our appetite a little when under pressure or worried.

http://www.anorexiasurvivalguide.com/anorexia_facts.htm

Anorexia can affect anyone. It is much more common in developed countries such as the UK than developing countries.

Anorexia is more common in women and girls. It can also affect men and boys, and some experts think that this is increasing.

Anorexia usually develops over time. It most commonly starts in the mid-teens. In teenagers and young adults, the condition affects about 1 in 250 females and 1 in 2000 males.

If you have anorexia, your family and friends are likely to be very concerned about you already. It can be very difficult to understand why someone close to you has problems with eating.

Anorexia can be very upsetting, both for the person affected and everyone close to them. Supporting each other is very important. It can play a key part in helping the person to recover.

We live in a very 'beautiful people' kind of world where television, magazines and newspapers continually bombard us with images of extremely slim people. This is undoubtedly a bad thing, because it makes women and girls feel deep down, that slimness equates with success. Small wonder then that there is an increasing number of children as young as 11 who are on some sort of diet.

It has also been hypothesized that certain sports could attract people anorexic "attraction of sport." In these cases, it appears that people try to use exercise to "burn" extra calories, justify or hide their abnormal eating disease. Sports that may attract these individuals are those who stress the magreza and include high volumes of training such as skiing, running, etc

http://bulimia-nervosa.blogspot.com/2010/01/eating-disorders-anorexia-sports-or.html

The direction of my short film

Over the past few weeks I have been re-filming and editing my short film. Through the use of my shots that I currently obtain I have decided that I want to make it into a documentary esquee style film. The predominant reason for this being that I am handling such a delicate matter (that of an eating disorder) to which affects thousands of men and women all over the UK. Thus, meaning that instead of showing it as a form of entertainment I am going to use it to inform my audience members. I hoping that by giving them the hard facts of the terrible disorder I will be able to engage my audience so that they are made more aware of what happens, how it happens and how it can be stopped.

The primary inspiration for my Documentary esquee idea was from watching Kevin Mccloud's Slumming it from episode one, series one.
As the clip is fairly long I have decided to only include the link to which I can refer back to within my evaluation of real media texts against my own individual text: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYHoXY4qPIc

Upon playing the clip the action began straight away -in other words, credits weren't introduced or the title of the documentary- Mccloud was having an injection within a doctor's office. A voiceover was used to establish the direction of the short film and what he was trying to achieve through not only visiting the Indian Slum but also through filming it as well. This made me realise that in order to fulfill the conventions of a documentary esquee style film I would need to include my voice within the text. Thus, making it more realistic to show the effects of the disorder if I undergo this convention.

Another convention that I identified was that before the title of the documentary came a wide spread variety of shots. Thus, noting that quick editing was used so that the audience members were immediately engaged with what the text was about. This is due to the fact that they developed a wider understanding of the context of the film. Thus, meaning that I will apply this convention within my texts whereby I will use a variety of shots of Katie protraying her thinness, innocence and overall negativety of her disease. Furthermore, after watching more of the text I also recognised that the film used quick editing then slow then quick again. Therefore, the last quick editing was used to sum up what the whole medium was about and what Mccloud was trying to achieve through doing this (something which I found considerably effective).

Development over the holidays

Most recently, I have concentrated on the latter part of the production process, thus concentrating on the audio and editing. Nevertheless, this week I am going to fully concentrate on completely re-shooting particular shots and scenes. Through completing all of my shots and re-shoots it will enable to edit and insert audio according to each shot. Consequently, meaning that I can begin to add the finishing touches to my piece. In order to help achieve this objective I am going to lengthen each one of my shots so that it will enable me to cut effectively without the shot happening too rapidly, this is something that is particularly dominating a variety of my shots at the moment. Therefore, meaning that I will make a conscious effort to increase the length of variety of each of my shots to allow me with more choice within the editing stages of production.

Within the upcoming weeks I am going to be :

- Re-shooting my shots
- Editing each shot
- Adapt the audio to suit the newer scenes