Evaluation Question 1-In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Please follow the below link for extra information...

http://justambersa2media.populr.me/q1-extra-information

Evaluation Question 2- How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Evaluation Question 3- What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Evaluation Question 3 from amber_98

Feedback-

The use of our audience feedback was very effective; therefore we used it across the whole project, for our Trailer, Magazine Cover and Film Poster. It allowed us to have feedback instantly, and make changes appropriately, without wasting time. Feedback was both positive and constructive.
We were also able to, due to the feedback, conduct our research further into professional looking products, in a variety of ways, through online questionnaires, survey and interviews with audience members, appropriate to our target audience.
As well as this, we used questionnaires to gain answers to questions we had about the pieces. For example, helping us choose a colour that would best fit a certain piece of text, if we could not choose which one looked best ourselves. 

VIDEO 2
Below is the feedback that we gained fron our target audience (Males and Females, between the ages of 16-25)



VIDEO 3
Below is the final cut video, where you can see that we took our audience feedback into consideration to ensure that our trailer looked professional.

Evaluation Question 4- How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Overview of the Prezi:
Prezi - we used this website last year in our AS work therefore was fairly familiar with using this in our work. Prezi was good in displaying our research in a presentable way to make it more interesting than creating a PowerPoint. We used this in the research stages when deciding on a genre. We used a simple template provided on the website then added the information about the different genres we felt we could recreate. The fact that Prezi is interactive meant that it could show our ideas and the journey to our final chosen genre. We also used this for our evaluation question 2 to make our work more creative and it meant that it was clearly laid out and easy to see the connections and our explanation between our three products. 

Slideshare/Powerpoint/Word -Slideshare is an online resource we used which we could upload PowerPoint and Word documents to in order to embed them on our blogs so the file could actually be shown. We used Powerpoint and Word as we were highly familiar with these programmes therefore felt it was a good was to display our ideas because we could do this fairly quickly which meant we could manage our time better and perform more research to ensure our final products were of good quality.

Videos -Obviously this was the form of our trailer, however we also used videos in our research stages when discussing ideas for our storyline as well as to record audience feedback shown in our evaluation. We found this helpful, particularly when receiving audience feedback as we could record our audience as they were saying it rather than having to try and remember or write as they talking. This made this a good resource to refer back to when making the improvements to our products. We uploaded videos to YouTube first as this meant that we could then use the embed code to make sure they worked on our blog. 

Although some of the technologies we used were similar to our AS work, we wanted to challenge ourselves more by producing more varied and creative work. We both felt that one of the biggest challenges we had this year was editing the trailer.

As we wanted to be more creative generally this year, we found different softwares we could use to present our work in order for our blog to be more intriguing.

The Last Summer- Final Cut

Film Poster (Analysis)

Film Poster (Final)

Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Magazine Front Cover (Final)

Trailer- Audience Feedback(Trailer)- Freya

Name: Freya
Age: 18
Favorite Genre: Horror


Strongest Points of the Trailer: The kill scene, the scream, Sarah's and Lukes fighting scenes
Weakest Points of the trailer: Too much Luke footage
Favorite Part: Lauren's hang scene, especially the feet
Cinema: Yes
Out of 10: 10/10


Strongest Points of the Magazine: The devil shadow
Weakest Points of the magazine: The right hand side is a bit lacking
Is it eye catching: Yes
Out of 10: 9/10



Strongest Points of the Poster: Editing, the special effects
Weakest Points of the poster: None
Is it eye catching: Yes
Out of 10: 10/10


So what does this tell us that in terms of what our intended audience?
We have achieved our goals in making a successful poster, trailer and magazine cover.
We was always aware of the amount of footage of Luke issue, although we still had a lot of footage it was about the musicality and how well they mesh together and the clips we had didn't go well with the audio.

Freya was exactly right in the the right side is empty for the sake of the shadow although Amber and I stand by our reason for keeping that side emptier and focusing the text on the left hand side.

Film Poster- Editing

This as i before and after shot of the photo of myself and Vikesh. We were able to make the background darker, to match the background of the poster, We also added the effect of a rope burn around my neck, making me a lot paler (due to the lack of blood) as well as a bullet hole on Vikesh's head. 

Here are all the stages that we went through to get the final product.

After than, we imported the photo onto Canva, so that we could fit it onto the poster. 

Film Poster (In Real Life)

Amber got the photo from Google, by searching 'Street Poster Template' and she then used Pixlr. Editor to edit our film poster onto it. By doing this, it allows us to see what our poster would look like it a real life situation. 

Film Poster- (Third Draft)

Using the helpful feedback that we were given, we increased the size of the date, and changed the colour to match the title of the film. We also added the names of the three main characters of the movie (with their surname more prominent than their forename) to show who will be starring in the film.Finally, we added IMAX and 4DX which encourages the audience to see these versions of it, as it will generate more money.

The final thing left for us to do on our poster is to take the main photo.

Film Poster- Choosing the right time of day to shoot

-We need our photo to be taken during a gloomy part of the day.

 -Because of this factor, Amber and I decided to search up sunrise and sunset times. We have decided to take it  around 6pm on the 10th of March.

Film Poster- (Second Draft)

This is the second draft of our magazine cover. The feedback that we were given was that the colours are synergised with the rest of our products,which is good; the title being in red clearly shows the genre of the film, and the tagline grabs the attention of the viewer.

Constructive criticisms that we were given, was to add the names of the three main actors, so that the audience are aware who will be starring in it; make the release date more obvious(possibly the same colour as the title and add some more idents (such as IMAX) 

Film Poster- (First Draft)

This is the first draft of our magazine cover. 

The picture that we have used of the group of friends, is not the picture we intend to use for the final product. Instead, it will be a picture of our cast, looking the way that they die in the movie. For example, I will have a rope burn around my neck as I was hung, and Amber will be drenched in water as she was drowned.

We stuck with the conventional red colour for the title, due to the fact that it does not just grab the attention of a passer by, but also connotes blood and danger, which would automatically show that they genre of the movie. We have stuck to a plain colour scheme of black red and white, so that the text is easy to read from a far distance as well as close up; being on a dark background will also help this. 

We have included the certificate of our film also, so that members of the public will know whether or not they are eligible to see the movie. The idents are also easily visible at the bottom of the page, so that people will know who the movie is by.

Film Poster Plan

Film Poster Codes and Conventions

Film Posters- History

Magazine Front cover (Fifth Draft)

This was the orignal piece, but we decided that the red was too much, and did not show a difference between the advertising of the film, and the Film Magazine Company

First of all, we changed the magazine cover title to blue

This is our final magazine title colour

Magazine Front Cover (Fourth Draft)

The feedback that we obtained from our second survey that we conducted, was that the background of the magazine cover needed to be more exciting,as it is a little plain. Due to this, Amber used Pixlr Editor to add wall on to the photo. This gave the picture more of a setting. Also, not through feedback but from our own thoughts, we added a blood splatter over Lukes' name, to again emphasise the genre of the film.

Steps of the Editting Process

1- Open Pixlr Editor Programme.

2- Click ‘Open image from file’

3- Chose the photo required from your library

4- On the navigation bar, go to ‘layers’ and click ‘duplicate layer’ so that you have two copies of the original image.

5- Google to find a background that will be fitting, but also big enough for your image.

6- Right click and scroll to 'Copy image address.'

7- On Pixlr's navigation bar, choose the option called layers, scroll to 'Open image URL as layer.'

8- Paste the link from Google and press Enter

9- Use either the lasso or eraser tool to remove the body from the wall

10- Darken the duplicated layer and lighten the wall

After adding the the wall, we asked for the final feedback so that we could add the finishing touches to the front cover. Things that we were told to do included:

- Make the masterhead stand out more (make it a different colour to the rest)

-Add a magazine tagline

-Increase the darkness of the shadow (To make it more obvious)

-Add text that will grab the readers attention above the masterhead (include buzzwords)

Magazine Front Cover (Third Draft)

Due to feedback that we gained from our Survey and peers, we decided to make the front cover more applicable to the genre of our trailer. Due to this, the shadow of the protagonist was changed into a devil; which will give our audience some ideas about his character. We also changed the text around the image so that the shadow is clearly visible. We kept the font red as red usually connotes danger and blood;a convention of a horror movie. 

Magzine Front Cover Survey Results

After creating a survey using https://www.surveymonkey.com/ these are the results. The top three graphs show the ratings for colours used, fonts used and the image used. Each gained 7/10 or above.

The last two pictures show the written feedback that we were given from each individual that took the survey.

From this we will be able to improve our front cover, due to what was written. Examples of what we are going to do are:

- Edit out the white strip on Luke's top and the pipe in the background

- Move the 'Exclusive Star' sticker to the bottom right of the magazine cover
- Make the bar-code clearer, by making it bigger or moving it elsewhere
- Make the shadow more prominent and give reason to it being there.

After making all of the above changes, I believe our magazine cover will look more professional. 

Magazine Front Cover (Second Draft)

After choosing that the main character of the film would be the best person to put on the front cover of the magazine, as it would attract a big audience, we had a photoshoot.

During the photoshoot, we took many different shots, consisting of different angles and different filters. In the end we chose two different shots which are shown above. After adding the text on the top, we decided that the second picture is best, due to the fact that all of the writing is visible, without covering the actors face. 

Magazine Front Cover REDO (First Draft)

After a more in depth research period about magazine front covers, we decided to update and drastically change what we already had. This was due to the fact that what we had looked cheap, messy and unprofessional.

Looking at film magazines, they are pretty plain, making sure that a reader can see every piece of information on the front cover with ease, without the background image cover up any of the text. Furthermore, the covers have a maximum of 3/4 colours, so we stuck with this convention. 

We chose red as it is one of, if not the most eye catching colour, which would grab someones attention automatically. 

(Designed by Amber, Altered and Defined by Lauren)

Magazine Front Cover- Further Research

Magazine Front Cover Analysis- Total Film

The magazine front cover I will be analysing is from the company called ‘Total Film.’ They are a very well-known magazine company and they appeal to a wide audience of all ages. F

For this magazine front cover, it is obvious to me that they have used a lot of different codes and conventions that are a necessity in making a successful cover that will attract an audience. Imminently looking at the front cover, the main thing that stands out is the main image of the three main actors in the film, as well as the Master Head of the company, and the title of the film. This becomes imminently attractive to the appealing to the audience, as they may like these actors, or like the company that produces the magazine, and will therefore go ahead and read it/ buy it. We will use this technique when we come to create our magazine cover, using large text and an image that will stand out and grab an audience member’s attention.

The colours that have been used for the magazine are again a very important aspect, when it comes to being attractive and attention grabbing. The colours used are usually related to the film in some way, in this case, the title of the film is linked to the background colour and the shades that relate to a action film, such as silver. For example for us, we are going to use colours that uphold the genre of our film, such as reds, whites and black, and this will also immediately show the audience, that this is not going to be a horror.

The image used, shows the 3 unique selling points. Not only does that picture show the three main protagonists of the movie, but also shows three very well known, famous actors. This will again grab the attention of audience members, as they will be interested in what their favourite actors are a part of.

The image which has been used of them, a long shot, clearly shows their stances/posture/costume as well as their faces. This helps to show who has power put of these three. Being in the middle, the women is centre of attention, but the males are taller, and therefore have a sort of dominance over her. (this upholds a stereotype of action films) 

Furthermore, as their costumes are very similar colour to the background, it seems that the preferred reading from the editor is that we focus on the characters facial expressions of each character which is brightness and difference in colour, as well as the text. Using this image is incredibly important and is a main selling point for not only the magazine, but the films itself.

There is quite a bit of text that has been put on the front cover, which gives a peek of what is inside the magazine. The use of buzzwords on magazines such as ‘exclusive’ ‘epic’ and ‘complete access’ are more appealing to an audience, as they believe they are seeing things that cannot be found anywhere else.

Finally, a sticker has been included in a different colour which makes it stand out. This sticker includes text about another film, and this will attract audience members, as the magazine gives a wide variety of films, rather than just one. 

Magazine Front Cover (Film) Codes and Conventions

Researching magazine conventions, it will benefit us, as it shows what makes successful magazine covers. It tells us what is best to include and why. 

Magazine Front Cover Inspiration

These magazines covers show us what information and pictures need to be included to make a professional looking and successful cover. 

Magazine Front Cover- (Criticisms)

After finalising our first draft, we showed a copy to each of our peers. They all agreed that the colour scheme worked really well, it is eye catching, and they would pick up a copy if they saw it in the shops. However, they again all agreed that the background image needs to represent a horror movie in a better way. 

Because of this, we have decided to change the picture to a close up shot of the protagonist (male) with a hand of an unknown person on his shoulder. This creates enigma codes such as who's had is it, and why is it there. We have also decided that the magazine cover needs to look more professional and have decided to make it a little plainer, as there is a lot of writing on the cover, which takes the focus away from the pictures itself. 

(Myself during the editing process.)

Magazine Front Cover (First Draft)

Magazine Front Cover (Name-Font)

For the title of our magazine, we wanted to choose a font that was easy to read, but can be also made eye catching due to the colour that we choose. As a result we chose Copperplate Gothic Light, as its the most simple, but can still be made effective. After choosing this font, we decided as a pair that the best colour scheme to be used for the cover is Black and White for the background image and Red, Black, White and Grey for the text.