QUESTION 2:How

effective is the

combination of your main product and

ancillary texts?

Introduction I tried having a flow and synergy between the ancillary

texts and the main task. Synergy is “the interaction or cooperation of two or more organisations, substances or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” In media terms, this means the synergy between the actors and film company.

The synergy in my work relates to my actress and I am working to develop my teaser trailer.

My trailer is effective with my first ancillary text because it is clear I am demonstrating continuity between the red, white, blue and black theme of the trailer and magazine cover. I have placed my film’s title on the cover as the main strapline to show this is the main plot device through the daughter’s illness deteriorating, therefore leading towards her death. For example, “The Cold Answer” connotes the seemingly cold response the doctor passes onto the mother. I wanted to name my film “The Cold Answer” due to the medical cure being refused. The audience has an understanding of the characters’ decisions which places them in danger. I wanted to express the consequences of the committee's decision. The result – the dead daughter returns, now a demonic spirit, hunting those she believes wronged her. The decision to use this cover design links with my trailer as the multimedia video demonstrates use of blue, red and black and use of dark and light colour. The darker colour symbolising the daughter’s illness once it deteriorates and eventually kills her. I placed my model in the centre, with an evil grin, to represent her importance. I also decided to use the same image for my poster to demonstrate continuity. I copied “The Cold Answer” onto the poster to make it an iconic title that sells and advertises my products.

The use of red, white, blue and black represents the evil aspect of the narrative and links cohesively with the main trailer and first ancillary text. I have also used the same photograph as the poster’s main selling point since my magazine text has the same image and font to show continuity is maintained between all three of my products. It is a clear indication for my audience that the trailer and ancillary texts link together. For example, I have the same logo design on both products and the website address on the magazine, to show my audience the information about the film is located on the magazine’s website, “Filmsweekly.co.uk”. I used the same design idea for the title because I want it to be recognised on both ancillary texts. I decided to use the actress’s name to provide a realistic sense of advertising and selling my product. Also, this makes the actress recognisable to my audience and is less iconic than the magazine cover. Including reviews from digital media corporations creates realism and may allow the audience to keep the poster as a souvenir. I added the 15 certificate on the poster to reach to a teenage audience that expands the market range. This makes the rating instantly recognisable whereas if they don’t see the certificate, they’ll be more unsure of the targeted age group.

I used Adobe Premiere Pro to construct my video, insert text and change lighting effects. This also matches the ancillary texts which are blue, with my actress addressing viewers – similar to the close up shots of her eyes.

The reason I used identical fonts and similar photography techniques is to match continuity and meaning, which is a transformation of the mother being devastated over her child’s death and then a gradual transition of something more deadly.

This matches the design of my ancillary texts which demonstrate a subtle usage of dim lighting along with a spotlight effect with my actress’s face looking forward to symbolise there’s no going back with her decisions.

I chose to start my trailer with a night shot and include brighter sequences, was to reflect that a passage of time had passed. The other idea was to link with meaning, which is a change between a grieving mother to a horrific circumstance where the daughter’s ghost’s stalks the hospital and places everyone, including her mother, at risk.

I chose to start my video with a long shot of a car which is in colour and I decided to end it with the Extreme Close Up (ECU) of the daughter’s eyes opening which emphasises the concluding twist of the daughter being the main antagonist, and also suggests that at the end of my trailer, the daughter will have her unfinished business fulfilled.

This scene of my trailer has artificial lighting which shows the daughter’s final moments leading up to her death.

Good Audience Feedback Individuals in my 15-25

audience group sent feedback about my trailer and ancillary texts, for example: “Kissing the daughter goodbye is too quick /Good red eyes/Voices need to be louder.”

“I think it was really good and the trailer looked professional and I liked where the eyes appeared.”

“The video was good but it wasn’t clear that it was a mum talking to the doctor and they need to speak louder. The scene where the mother kisses the daughter should be longer. I really like it though.”

Effective Constructive Criticism

I thought my products together were good and my tutor feedback informed me that I was working well. After constructing my magazine task, the type of responses I received include:“Good, each time you upload a copy of your ancillary tasks add an explanation as to what you have changed and why and how you feel it targets your audience.”

“Now I would like to see your next edited version of your teaser trailer with an analysis of what has been changed and why. Also audience feedback - start working on your poster remember continuity is very important. Well done for feedback on your magazine cover - remember to update your blog with all the changes that you are making.”

“I need to see evidence of audience feedback on both your ancillary tasks and teaser trailer so far. Use social networking sites and post results.”

Conclusion

The main products and ancillary tasks went well as there is an effective flow between the products and the use of synergy is in evidence. If my ancillary texts are seen in billboard advertisements, audiences associate them with my film, as the logo and colour schemes are identical. This shows continuity has been established.