Evaluation 2

Evaluation Question 2

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

I have created synergy between all 3 of my products by the use of mise-en-scene, representation, colour scheme, and design. My products are combined with the colour scheme as all of my products have been de-saturated to make the image look darker than what it actually was, and to give it a more 'aged' look so that it would work in conjunction with the genre. The mise-en-scene between my 3 products were the same so that the setting of the main product was not shown as something different to what it actually is, which was a wooded area that had many derelict buildings and ruins.

Main product

My main product was shot in a woodland, where the main scenes of the product take place. Within my product, the main character, an American soldier, is shown as the protagonist/hero, and the other character, a German officer, is shown as the antagonist/villain. This is a stereotypical representation of the German army in war films set in the Second World War, as the German army and soldiers are often seen as the 'bad guys' in those products. The mise-en-scene of this product is what makes the product unique, as the aspects that are within the mise-en-scene, such as the ruin of buildings, derelict buildings, and the woodland itself make it stand out. I think this makes it different to some war films, as they are mainly based in open areas, towns, or a variety of areas. Whereas my product is based solely in the woods, so that it creates a sense of danger, as the two characters are within the same location, which creates a sense of danger due to how close they are to each other but may not know it.

Ancillary 1 - Poster

My poster ancillary was made to look as if it is at the same location where my product  was shot. By doing this it creates a link between the main product and the ancillary. Within my poster I decided to add elements of danger and conflict, so that the genre is clearly identifiable, and that it captures the attention of the audience. My poster is also de-saturated, so that the colour matches my main product. There is a sense of enigma too, I decided to do this because my main product builds enigma, and I thought that I could convey enigma through my poster as well, by having the character facing away and by having smoke emerging from different points so that it creates a feeling of danger. I believe that my poster meets the expectations of a poster, by capturing the audiences attention, building enigma, and also making the viewer of the poster more willing to see the main product.

Ancillary 2 - Magazine cover

My magazine cover ancillary links to both of my other products through the use of mise-en-scene and colour. The mise-en-scene is exactly the same as my main product, which allows the audience to see a direct connection between the two products, and the woodland visible in the poster means that it relates to both of the other products too. The colour is de-saturated in this product, to match the colour of my main product and poster. The de-saturated colour allows me to give my products an aged, gritty, and dirty look, this makes the genre more evident and also the time in which the product is based in (WW2). My product will be easily identifiable to the audience through the use of colour and imagery, I chose to use a variety of colours on the cover so that it is eye-catching, and I have seen colour used on real products to highlight important parts of information, or just to catch the eye of the reader. The main character is clearly visible on the front cover, as he is seen as a strong figure, this conforms to the conventions of having the main protagonist as a strong figure.

Comments

I think that all three of my products are successful in capturing the audiences attention, and also by conforming to the conventions of my chosen genre it allows me to make my product easily recognisable by the people who have seen it. I am rather happy with the way that my products have turned out, considering that two years ago, I had no clue on how to use editing software, and had very little experience with photoshop. I am happy with the way that my main product has turned out, as I never thought that I would be able to create a film trailer that look rather professional.

I believe that my products meet the expectations and conventions required, as all of my products are easily recognisable for what they are, meaning that the conventions are easily identifiable. I have achieved the wanted effect from my products and have also made my products easily identifiable to the audience through the use of sound, text, and editing.

A theory that is relatable to my products is the reception theory. The preferred reading of my product is that it is just a war film that has been made for entertainment purposes, and is not meant to (in any way) present people in a negative or positive way. it is just my presentation of events that could have occurred during the Second World War. The negotiated reading could be from someone who sees my products as being unrealistic and false, such people could be military historians, ex-military, or people who do not really agree with my product.