Final Film & Ancillary 1+2

Final Film

Ancillary 1: Poster

Ancillary 2: Magazine Review Page

Evaluation Question: 4

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

Overall, this is the overview of the types of media technologies in the different parts of my A2

course. Greatly improved in my variety of technology compared to AS:

Here is my answer to Question 4:

Evaluation question; 4 from jonathan randall

Evaluation Question: 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

(Answered through the audio of the video:)

*(Extra audience feedback, which wasn't included in the audio video)

*Feedback on the film:

My feedback on my film was regarded to be very important in deciding how good the film was 

portrayed to the desired audience, and to older as well. The feedback that I gathered was important to 

me because I found a problem that without peer review, you may not feel that the film can be

negatively portrayed, because you are giving your subjective view on it. As I had a lot of audience

feedback from peers and teachers, I was able to change my film to suit the feedback.These are the

critical responses from my peers. As mentioned in my audio of the video, without the feedback, your

film can actually be at a poor quality without a clear narrative. Just because you know what happens

in the film, doesn't mean that the target audience will know what is happening. 

Therefore feedback gives you the ability to explore what other people think and gather from the film
to give you a clear sense of your film on other people. As you can see from the video, which I edited
to sum up all my audience feedback, the majority of the feedback was positive. However, from my
teacher for my example, I learnt professionally criticism to take forward and change on the short film
to make it the best it possible can be.

Evaluation Question: 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Evaluation Question: 1

In what ways does your media production use, develop, and challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

From my research to start with into short films, my understanding of the conventions compared to a

normal full length films are completely different. From my research, my understanding of this is that the short films are created by upcoming inspired directors and producers who want to

become successful into the industry with showcasing their work. As they are upcoming inspired

Infiltration Short film.

producers and directors their budget is small, therefore by creating a small film they can establish their skills through a budget that suits them the most due to the fact its only 5-10 minutes long, little characters and locations needed (conventionally). This is something therefore I decided to make, as I wanted to achieve a contemporary short film which followed the majority of the conventions in which I researched, however still challenges some conventions; as well as expressing my creativity through the story line (featuring a 'twist' in the storyline - natural in a short film due to the restricted amount of story time, making it more interesting). One example I was inspired by in which I watched on the media platform 'YouTube' was 'Infiltration - a short war film'.

The film followed the general conventions of a short film with some challenges on conventions. The film followed 2 Army Corps who were assigned on assassinating a enemy soldier. However the 'twist' being that the Army Corp gets killed by his other Army Corp on the mission, and therefore creates the interesting 'twist' in the storyline. Also it challenges the conventions of a short film by how it's not very relatable to the audience watching with the fact it's not everyday life you are assigned to assassinate someone. However this aspect of how to challenges the conventions I find interesting in the film, but not something I established to take in account to my short film. As well as this, it challenges the Todorov theory which is typically applied to short film, as it ends of a cliff hanger and the disequilibrium doesn't get solved.

This is something I chose to follow in my horror/thriller short film as it makes the ending a lot more dramatic. In terms of production techniques with shooting my short film,  I did not want to challenge the conventions too much because I realised while experimenting with different conventions compared to what is normally used in short films and discovered that I may not be able to pull off the filming style I wanted with equipment I obtained, because it could end up looking unprofessional. Following this reason,  I therefore decided to use camera angles and shots, such as the standard close up shots, long shots etc, which were more common and avoid the risk of the filming style being misunderstood through my presentation of the shot styles. I wanted a very consistent and easy to follow narrative that can be understood through the shots, especially at the beginning of my short film with Danny cycling to the house of the sleepover, therefore I followed simple yet effective angles, adapting to focus pulling as a professional effect we practised and applied. Because my film is focused on two main characters, I felt that it was important to create an intimacy between the viewers and the characters. I did this through the use of mid shots and close ups, being able to read the characters expression is important if they alone are leading the narrative. During my editing I also used a conventional approach to a horror/thriller short film, for example tension building cross-cutting, so that it wouldn’t cause confusion. Though this is something I would have avoided if I were creating a film with for advanced technology and professional actors because it is a bit cliché and unoriginal.

From the fact that whilst researching short films, very rarely any of them were accompanied by a poster or magazine review page. So in this situation, I am in fact challenging the conventions to how short films are presented to the audience. From research on short films on the internet, I discovered that conventionally full films are presented with this, not short films. However, in despite of my A-level, I challenged this convention and therefore created a situation for the fact that my short film achieved great success and had a poster and magazine review linked with it.

With the narrative elements of short films, they do not have enough time for any substantial character development and for the audience to really feel a great connection with them. Also there generally aren’t many characters in one short film, usually 1, 2 or 3  characters, possibly with some background characters in there too, therefore my short used these conventions well, establishing 3 characters in the whole of the short film. This is shown in most cases such as the ones I analysed in my previous blog entries, such as 'pictured' and 'lights-out', including both 2-3 characters which I took inspiration from. 

The website- YouTube

Through media conventions, most short films that I researched and analysed, were either published on YouTube or featured at a short film festival of some kind. YouTube is a video sharing platform and was created in 2005, therefore is very adapted and professional in terms of how you can upload your video, how you can link the video between social networks and how many people can actually watch the short film you posted. For example, both 'lights-out' and 'infiltration' obtained over 3,000,000+ views, in terms of popularity on YouTube that is a lot. Following this point, in terms of how many people are actually using and watching videos on the website, YouTube themselves exclaim in obtaining over 1,000,000,000+ (One Billion) active users per month. From this point it shows that me publishing my short film to Youtube is a excellent way of obtaining an audience and attention to it. However, this has shrunk marketing in general as more people are entering the world of this video sharing website to watch videos, and because of the amount of users, it's a no brainer that short films are getting posted on this website. 

The website - blogger.

Following my ancillary products and where they are published to, I have used this website I am using now, Blogger, to present these to my audience. This obviously challenges conventions of real media posters and magazine review pages as these will primarily be printed copies in the real world for the audience to read in actual film review magazine and view posters in shopping centres (for example). However, Blogger has actually been a very effective way for me to share to my audience as it is digital, meaning anyone that uses the internet can view the products still, and it's a lot more environmentally friendly. Using digital copies of my ancillary products can also be useful as magazines are becoming less and less popular and posters are transferring from print media to online in order to target larger audiences/target audiences. For example for target audiences, It can be put onto a website specifically for horror/thriller short films, therefore making it a lot easier to access and more people can see it/view it, adding to my short film audience count.

A snapshot from the film, protagonist Thomas in fear from the prank call.

Following genre conventions, my short film definitely uses them. For example, a close up of the protagonist to show fear is a classic convention of a short film. This is something I made sure was included in my short film as this engages the audience intensely and adds tension to them while they watch it.  Conventions through post-production such as slow editing that causes tension, suspense and an unsettling feeling was definitely used in my short film, for the fact of when the stalker enters the house. For symbolic conventions, I also used these through the use in my ancillary product of the poster. This involves red, black etc, connoting blood and death. This is a theme through my poster and something I researched and followed conventionally while making it. As well as this symbolic theme, the use of a knife in my short film connoted death and violence towards the 2 characters, adding suspense as the stalker was walking closer and closer to them. For the characters, we also followed the conventions in this short film through horror/thriller. The two protagonists were in fact careless teenagers, and so fitted that convention. As well as this, the antagonist was a serial/psychopath and so fitted that convention. However, one aspect of the short film challenging the conventions was that there was no 'main protagonist' e.g. a hero, as both of them got murdered. Through horror themes as conventions, the theme of insanity definitely fits into our short film, and therefore uses that convention.

In conclusion, my short film uses the main conventions of the narrative structure within short films, I wanted to create a film that conventionally followed the horror/thriller genre told through a relatable detailed story. I tried to achieve this through showing the mood through the expressions of my character and the symbolic references in my film. I also I tried to follow conventional production techniques so that my audience would not be concentrating on the camera work. Should I have been directing the film with a full crew I would have done things differently, indefinitely challenging conventions to construct a more original and engaging film.

Post- Production (Editing): Changes

For the editing, our short film was intact too long(around 6 minutes 40 seconds), therefore we had to run through the whole short film to shorten parts in which we never used as we are only allowed around 5 minutes approximately. We started on the start where we felt was the most time consuming. Therefore we cut the parts to make the film run smoothly as well as fine cutting parts to shorten the overall short film.

By doing these changes to our final film, we felt it also made the short film flow better because it keeps the audience interested with the quick cutting and tension building. At the time of going through the film, we found areas which weren't following as well. This at the time we then adapted to make it the best we possibly can, as well as improving some clips we feel would make the narrative flow better.

As well as making the film shorter, also changes to the contrast on the 'night time' shots were changed to make the shot more realistic.  This was applied to two of the shots, which are shown below. We felt that with the inclusion of the change in contrast, it became very unsettling for the audience which we felt we wanted. We also moved around the sound to match the shots so it really creates tension at the perfect times.

Feedback (Film): Audience Feedback

Here attached is the audience feedback which I received from my media peers which we interviewed after viewing our film. We feel that the majority of the feedback is positive. However, of course some changes such as sound placement and sound bridges will need to be implemented within out short film before it is finalised. We are glad with our feedback and how our film has approved to the target audience that we wanted to apply it to (15). Furthermore, audience at an older age range, such as our teachers, we also interviewed to gain feedback from a variety of age population to drive better validity of age range. Before the watching of the film, we didn't give any background to the film, this was so they can gain the narrative from the short film itself. If they were able to show they understood the narrative as well as showing the genre to a excellent amount will show that are short film is successful. We showed the final film and not the first draft, as before we got feedback from media students, our teachers both gave us brilliant feedback as well as letting us know our film was too long. 

We straight away applied this criticism and took time to shorten our film by a 1 minute to reach the correct timing of the short film. Once we had completed this, we then showed the short film to the audience to gain any last feedback before completing the film. This is to get even further feedback to adapt our film. Once this will be done, our final film will be created.

Post-Production (Film): First Draft

Attached is the first draft of our film. However, now we have this canvas of the corrected flow of narrative in our film, we need to now gain audience feedback for constructive criticism as well as shorten it down to be in the specific timing frame we are allowed; 5 minutes approximately. Despite us at the minute being happy with the product, we still feel some bits are weaker then others and we will try and adapt them to therefore improve them or delete them and then work around the deleted part. This process we feel is best by going through the film chronologically and cutting shots down to the best they can, as well as deleting parts where we feel aren't strong enough or don't fit the detailed narrative.

Ancillary Product: Magazine Review Page

Full Magazine Review

First page of the magazine review

second page of the magazine review

Feedback (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Page Peer Feedback

I used 4 family members to answer my questions as I thought that they would be the most suitable as they have experience with films, magazines etc. I asked my four members of my family separately so that they were not influenced by the response of others.

Do you feel that the overall style and look of my magazine review page I have created page is strong? 

“I thought that your review page was strong as it genuinely had the feel of a magazine."
“Yes, the review page definitely looks like it could belong in a film magazine and is very strong!"
"I love it, there’s no mistaking that it is a strong review page."
“I like the feel it, making it a strong magazine review page!"

Do you think the style of the review page is similar to that which you would see in a professionally designed magazine?

“The design of the page is very good, it paid off for you to use a professional publication software. I like the blue theme!"
“Yes, I like the incredible detail you went into!"
“The style of the review page is typical of what you would see in a magazine review!"
“It is clear that you have taken influence from other film magazines therefore proven to be a perfectly designed magazine!"

Do you think that it fits the general style of film reviews?

“Your review is perfect!"
“Your actual review is very good and is a perfect style!"
“It is very nicely written!"
“The writing is very excellent!."

Is there anything at all that you would change about the magazine review page?

"Leave how it is!"
“No, I wouldn’t change a thing"
“You probably could have written a bit more and squeezed it in!"
“No, keep the review how it is."

Response to Feedback

Once I have gotten back my feedback from the interviews from the questions I chose, I feel that the responses given back were broadly positive. This signifies that I have covered everything.

Feedback (Ancillary Products): Review Page Peer Feedback Questions

Now that I had completed my magazine review page to my own standards it was time to get some feedback from my peers. I know that there are problems with my review page, but most of them are beyond my expertise. This will help me to see if my review page is missing anything and if it is to the standard of the others in my class. As opposed to the feedback system I have used previously I will be doing a more planned and formal interview in which I will ask pre-written questions and my peers will respond with helpful criticisms. Here are the questions I will be asking:

• Do you feel that the overall style and look of my magazine review page I have created page is strong? 
• Do you think the style of the review page is similar to that which you would see in a professionally designed magazine?
• Do you think that it fits the general style of film reviews?
• Is there anything you would change about the magazine review page for feedback?

Process (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Page

It was difficult to establish where to start when making something I haven’t had experience with at all. This is because it is software that I haven’t previously used. To help me get the hang of the program (InDesign CS6) I watched beginners tutorials on YouTube which helped me find the basic tools and from there I generally didn’t need to look up much more. Also, I asked my teacher to teach me the basic skills for starting and completing the magazine review page before I began the process.  I started by inserting the pictures I wanted into the double spread page, by creating a box for placing the pictures into, this is so I can the work around it. The placing box can be used so you can move the image within the desired area you want it too.

It wasn’t as easy as I expected when, in my mind, the simple things e.g. page numbers. I want to have the professional look seen in other magazines that I researched into. Following this therefore, I tried to ascribe a similar design with graphics. I separated the page number and the text with a thick black line to add a graphic element and changed the colour of the magazine title to blue and black as shown above. I had to make up the name of the magazine because I didn’t want to make it for an existing magazine as this would mean I would have to get the layout and graphic elements just right. To choose the font and colours I used the system as trial and error, to get it the way I want it to. I found that there is usually a dominant picture, which is a lot larger than the rest and usually has the title under it, so I put down my focal picture and worked around that. The focal picture that I chose was with both the characters so they can get familiar with the characters before they watch it. I added the title onto the white background with the same text font as my poster to have a correlation effect in relation with my franchise for the movie, as this seems to be the convention. Next I moved onto the ‘background’ text box which includes bits of essential information about the film, this is an important part of the review page as it is usually what the viewer reads first to decide whether they want to continue onto the main article. I kept a simple blue line design as I don’t want it to distract from the information, I used a bold blue font (matching colour scheme) for the standard words such as, ‘Duration time’, ‘Actors’ etc. and then did the answer in a simple black font (times new roman).

I added the text before arranging the pictures on the right hand page because I didn’t know how much room I would require. It was complicated trying to put my text into columns because I had already written it so I had to make different text boxes and copy and paste the text in each one separately, getting the correct amount of writing in each one so it flowed. After a good few hours I had done the text and I was ready to fit my secondary pictures onto the right page. Next, I then added the 'look closer' aspect to my main focal image on the first page, now I know where everything is going.I was both fortunate and unfortunate with the way my text had filled the page, there was room enough for me to include a verdict box at the bottom of the first page. For my verdict box I used the bold font that I had used for the magazines main font and the tone of blue which I used through out the page. I added some simple lines to separate it from the main text and after the small box of type I included a star rating from a star font. I then included the quote in the centre of the article on the first page, for the text to wrap around it, as this looked professional and 'broke up' the main body of text. Having put these finishing touches in place I was done, I then had a lot of extra space underneath (bottom left) of the rest of the text on the 2nd page, therefore I spent my time creating the interest chart in Indesign. This took several hours, however many magazines have used this, and from this, I thought it looked very professional.

Research (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Ideas Feedback

From surveying 15 of my friends and family, I gained feedback to which one they would want our magazine review page to be designed on my 3 initial design ideas. Here are the results in the form of a pie chart:

As you can see, initial idea 1 had the most tallies being at 12 out of 15 chose that one. However despite this, I also asked what they would change about it. Here is the feedback in which I gained to establish on my final poster design:

• "The main image of the picture on the first page should be bigger, filling most of the page so attract the audience." (6 people said...)
• "The review name should be included after the review article" (3 people said...)
• "Another look closer should be included, or something with extra info" (2 people said...)
• "page numbers should include the magazine review page company" (1 people said...)

With this feedback in mind, I shall take this constructive criticism and adapt it to my magazine review page when making it. However some advice I will ignore, such as extra info, as this may make the magazine review page cluttered. 

Research (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Page Initial Idea 3

With this last magazine review idea, I have tried to create a complicated like design, not much like the style of the others as I thought I would add diversity to the ideas. I have made sure all parts included are symmetrical and follow a 'in-line' layout - adding some professional aspects to it of course. The title would be much larger as shown in the initial design idea, covering most of the page, catching the audiences attention as well as the picture. I have made sure again like the other magazine reviews that the main image is in the centre of attention being the biggest aspect of the review page. This is because I feel that this engages the audience at first glance like the others, and I have discovered this through my research of magazine review pages. Therefore having it small will only not engage the audience, but not emphasise the film as well. I have decided that the magazine review company shouldn't be in this magazine review idea, as this defeats the object of the short film being the centre of attention.

From this example of the Clash of Titans  review page, I feel I gained most of my inspiration from this from my initial idea, as my lay-out is similar to it. This is because this is perfect for our short film to be portrayed through it again, like the other magazine review pages and also that it looks extremely professional.

Research (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Page Initial Idea 2

With this magazine review idea, I have tried to create a artistic lay out to this one, not much like the style I was thinking of, when approaching the research into magazine review pages. I have made sure all parts included are symmetrical and follow a 'in-line' layout - adding some professional aspects to it. However, as from the lay-out the quote from the article may mix the text lay-out together, but if I was making this initial idea, then I would make sure the text looks professional the way it wraps round the text, instead of all over the place. I have made sure again the main image is in the centre of attention being the biggest aspect of the review page. This is because I feel that this engages the audience at first glance. Therefore having it small will only not engage the audience, but not emphasise the film as well. I have decided that the magazine review company should be top left, I will be designing this myself, as so I can get the colour scheme of the page through-out.


From this example of the Pirates of the Caribbean review page, I feel I gained most of my inspiration from this, as my lay-out is similar to it. This is because this is perfect for our short film to be portrayed through it, and also that it looks extremely professional/arty.

Research (Ancillary Products): Magazine Review Page Initial Idea 1

With this magazine review idea, I have tried to create a very professional lay-out again, similar to my posters. This is following the lay-out of the some of the magazine review pages I analysed previously (see previous posts). I have made sure all parts included are symmetrical and follow a 'in-line' layout - adding to how professional it looks. I have made sure the made image is in the centre of the first page and considerably larger than any other aspect of the review page. This is because I feel that this engages the audience at first glance. Therefore having it small will only not engage the audience, but not emphasise the film as well. I have decided that the magazine review company should be top left, I will be designing this myself, as so I can get the colour scheme of the page through-out.


From this example of the spiderman review page, I feel I gained most of my inspiration from this. Despite it having the main image on the whole right side of the page, I have made the lay-out and some aspects of my design similar to this one. This is because this is perfect for our short film to be portrayed through it, and also that it looks extremely professional. Also, I have taken inspiration from the title of the spiderman magazine review, as I feel this has a nice design which will fit with my magazine review.