Ancillary: Final Poster

Ancillary Research: Magazine Review Analysis: Wanted (EMPIRE)

Film Information:
'Wanted' is an American action-thriller, following the character Wesley Bibson (James McAvoy), as he discovers he is the son of a professional assassin. The film was directed by Timur Bekmambetov on a budget of $65 million. The film was released in June 2008 and distributed by Universal pictures. The film has a BBFC age rating of 18, due to it's violent and sexual tendencies. The review has have chosen for analysis is from Empire magazine (a predominantly British based magazine company)

Images:
This review page feature three images from the film. One of the images is behind the scenes and features the director and main actor coordinating a stunt including a gun. The caption below the image identifies the people in the picture for the reader. This identifies the genre of the film as action, as it is a genre that typically includes action sequences and violence. The second image displays the main actor (James McAvoy) running, in what is likely to be an action sequence within the film. This again places the film within the action genre and suggests to audience that the film is fast paced and exciting. The inclusion of James McAvoy within both of these images also identifies who the main protagonist and lead actor is, and thus may intrigue fans of his previous work. This may also be true for the inclusion of the director in the first image, as fans of his work will be drawn to the film.

The third image on the page is of the secondary protagonist of the film played by Angelina Jolie. In this image we see her driving a car and shooting a gun our of the window. In this image, Angelina's character is depicted as a strong female lead. This therefore subverts many of the typical female archetypes within film and thus may intrigue the audience and appeal more to female viewers. Also, the inclusion of a gun throughout these three images suggests to the viewer that violence is a key element of the narrative for this film. Therefore singling out lovers of action and violence as the target audience of this film.

Mis En Scene:
Within the images shown, Bibson has been dressed in worn, dirty clothes. This connotes grit and toughness and thus conforms to the action genre of the film. The location of the first image also suggests this. The derelict environment and rubble across the floor again connotes violence as it appears to be a battlefield-like location. Again, the use of guns as props coincides with the violent narrative of the film.

Use of Colour:
There is a very consistent colour scheme within this review. A muted green has been used frequently throughout the page for both text, backgrounds and text boxes. This colour marries well with the green of Bibson's jacket and thus the page appears professional and visually interesting. The colour green may also connote themes of growth that coincide with the narrative as Bibson learns to become an assassin. This is the only use of colour within the review and therefore presents all of the information as equally important as no text has been specifically highlighted.

Orthography and Graphology:
Orthography has been used throughout the page in order to highlight the beginning of each new segment. The first portion of every leading sentence had been capitalised and written in a green font. The draws the reader's attention and highlights important information. The majority of the text however, remains in a simple-to-read Times font and therefore ensures that the information remain clear and easy to read for the viewer.

A text box has also been included within this review displaying the institutional information of the film. The title of the film has been written in a white font, thus making it stand out against it's green background. The title for each piece of information has also been highlighted in a bold font, in order to make the information clear for the reader.

Text:
The first line of the review immediately identifies the name of the film, the original material it was based upon and directly addresses the reader with the pronoun 'you'. This is a very direct approach in reviewing the film as the author is inclusive of the audience. They also jump straight into what the film is and what it is about, thus immediately providing the audience with information.

One quotation from the director has been featured on this page in a large, bold, white font; 'the CG will make James a hero!'. The use of an exclamation mark connotes a sense enthusiasm and thus makes the film appear more exciting to the audience. The use of the word 'hero' also hints towards the narrative of the film as a conventional action film, and again appeals to fans of that genre.

How Does the Review Advertise the Film?
This review displays a consistent marketing campaign with its use of colour and frequent referencing to the genre of the film. The review also includes institutional information along with images of the key cast members and director, thus intriguing the fans of the those particular individuals. Therefore I believe that this review page successfully draws in the correct audience and from there, uses effective language and imagery to advertise the film.

Ancillary Research: Magazine Review Analysis: St.Trinian's (EMPIRE)

Film Information:
St Trinian's follows the narrative of a group of troublesome school girls who stage a robbery in order to save their bankrupt school. The film falls into the genre of a teen comedy, and has a rating of PG-13. The film had a small budget of $13 million and was released in the UK on the 21st of December 2007 by Ealing Studios. The particular review page I have found is from Empire magazine. Empire magazine is the biggest selling film magazine in Britain and thus must adhere to a primarily British audience.

Key Image:
The key image of this poster is a long shot of the main characters of the film. The image covers the majority of the double page spread and thus is the first thing the audiences eyes are drawn to. From the image the audience may decipher that the film belongs to a teen genre due to the young ages of the protagonists. The characters also appear quirky and unusual in their fashion sense, thus suggesting that they are misfits or outcasts. Their positioning and stances also connote determination and and confidence. Thus, along with their mismatch school uniforms, this may connote to the audience the theme of rebellion; which is prominent within this film.

The main image also provides an insight into the location of the film as big ben and nelson's tower are clear in the back ground of the image. Thus the audience may easily identify the location of the film as London. This also relates to the readers of Empire Magazine (a predominantly British magazine), as they are likely to identify with the location and thus may have more interest in the film.

Mis En Scene:
The costuming of the characters in the main image effectively conveys to the audience the theme of rebellion that is prominent within the film. Each character has a personalised version of the school uniform, thus revolting against the purpose of a uniform and asserting their individuality. A school uniform also suggests youth, and therefore allows the review to appeal to the correct audience for a teen film. The setting of the main image is also conventional of a coming of age film. It is clear to the viewer that the location of the image is London, and thus the film is set in an urban, city environment. This therefore provides an insight into the narrative of the film. Also, the use of such a familiar location may intrigue the audience as they can identify with the setting of the movie.

Use of Colour:
Blue is the most prominent colour on this review page. It has been used for the key quotation across the top of the review, along with blue ink-like splotches around the perimeter of the page. The blue markings along with the graffiti font of the quote, connotes a sense of carelessness and rebellion. The similarity of the blue markings to ink spots also connotes a school environment. Thus coinciding with the narrative and successfully advertising the film.

A strong use of colour has also been used for the heading of the page. A yellow text box has been used for the text 'first look: St.Trinian's'. The use of yellow successfully draws the eyes of the viewer as it contrasts the cool toned colour scheme used for the majority of the page, thus causing the title of the movie to stand out in the reader's mind.

Orthography and Graphology:
For the majority of the text, a plain Times font has been used. This clearly displays important information for the reader and thus makes the review plain and easy-to-read. In order to highlight specific information within the review, orthography has been used. By capitalising a portion of the first sentence of the review, the reader's eyes are drawn to the words. This is a common convention within magazine reviews and thus shows that this review conforms to a typical magazine layout. Capitalisation has also been used for the large quote across the top of the page. Again, this draws the attention of the reader and makes the quote more demanding to look at.

Text:
The most prominent text on the page is the quote, 'hogwarts for pikeys!'. This quote is rather explicit and thus draws the readers attention. It also hints towards the tone of the narrative and introduces an element of dark humour; thus conforming to the comedy genre of the film. The narrative follows the schemes and adventures of a group of rebellious teens. Therefore this quote coincides with the attitudes and characters displayed in the plot. Two further quotes from film critics are displayed on the page. This therefore intrigues the reader as the films appears to have been praised by professionals.

The review itself has been written in a  largely colloquial tone. This coincides with the narrative of rebellion and youth, as the informal tone connotes a sense of immaturity. This therefore successfully advertises the film and depicts the narrative as fun and interesting.

How Does the Review Advertise the Film?:
This review page has created a strong marketing campaign as each element of the page links to the rebellious, humorous nature of the narrative. By reading this review the audience may decipher whether or not they are within the target audience of this film and whether the genre would be appealing to them. Once the target audience had been distinguished, the review presents the film in a colloquial, explicit and easy-going manner. Thus suggesting that the film will be entertaining and fun for the viewer.

Ancillary Research: Magazine Review

Conventions:

• The tag line often sums up important details about the film and provides an insight into the narrative/ genre of the film. 
• The critic will provide a rating for the film, usually in the form of stars, to suggest how entertaining the film is to the reader. 
• A synopsis or summary will generally be provided for the reader in the first paragraph. This will establish the genre and tone of the film. 
• A large image will typically be displayed and will often display a dramatic scene in the film, in order to create a sense of intrigue for the reader. 
• The film name and year will be displayed. Sometimes with additional information such as genre, credits, cast and director.
• The review may begin with a quote in order to catch the reader's attention.
• Reviews may focus on the protagonist of the film and provide a brief insight to their personality. 
• Increased size of the first letter of the paragraph. 

Purpose:
The primary purpose of a film review is to advertise that particular movie. Often, if the review is positive, it can create consumer interest and thus generate more money for the film. Reviews also commonly include a brief synopsis and insight into the narrative of the film. This allows the magazine to directly locate the target audience, and thus create a review that appeals to the correct readers. 

Ancillary Research: Target Audience Feedback

 Poster 1:

Poster 2:

Questionnaire Results:

1. Which poster draws you eye more?

Poster 1: ||
Poster 2: |||

2. Which design looks the most professional?

Poster 1: |
Poster 2: ||||

What improvements would you suggest for both posters?

Poster 1:
1. 'A lighter font for the quotes'.
2. 'A clearer font for the credits'.
3. 'The tagline could be bolder'.

Poster 2:
1. 'You could include an age rating and release date'.
2. 'It needs credits and an age rating'.
3. 'You could add some more colours as it is quite monotone'.

Conclusion:
From the feedback I have received, I can conclude that my second poster is my most successful design. Therefore this is the poster I will be improving upon and adding further details to. Feedback from my target audience has suggested that I could make the design more eye-catching as only 60% of my focus group believed that this design drew their attention the most. To achieve this I will be using the feedback I received and adding more colour to my poster. I will also be including credits, a release date and age rating.

Posters: First Drafts

After having researched numerous film posters within the coming of age genre, I have decided to create two initial drafts for my own ancillary product. I will then show both of my ideas to a focus group made up of my target audience, and will ask them to tell me which one they prefer and then ask of any further improvements they could suggest to their preferred design.


Poster 1:

For my first design I drew inspiration from my analysis of the poster for 'King Jack'. This is a largely conventional poster that features the two key protagonists of the film. Their proxemics and stance connote themes of friendship; a key element of our narrative. The image also suggests youthfulness as the characters are leaping in the air in a care free way. Along with this the sunset lighting connotes tones of warmth and happiness. For this design I followed a typical poster format, with the key image at the centre and the title above it; thus conforming to the rule of thirds as the image is the first thing the audiences eyes are drawn to. The poster also features conventional elements such as critical acclaim, awards and a tagline. I decided to use a white font for the majority of my text as it stands out against the background. I also used a handwritten font for the title as this suggests immaturity and thus marries well with the title 'Growing Up'.



Poster 2:

For my second poster I have drawn inspiration from my analysis of the 'Palo Alto' poster. I have primarily taken inspiration from the strong use of colour in that poster. For my own design I have used a muted pink colour overlay, thus connoting themes of femininity and youthfulness. This design also subverts many of the common conventions of a coming of age poster. The landscape format is not a typical design within the genre and thus stands out as a unique poster layout. Again, in this design I have used a white font for all of the text, therefore making it stand out more to the audience. I have also used a font for the title that resembles water colour painting. This suggests a handwritten quality which connotes youthful creativity to the audience.