Evaluation

Question 2

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

                      

Script

R: Hi I’m Rachel
A: And I’m Amelia

R: For our A2 media production we produced a music video to the song called searching for the sun in the dark by lost in colour, we also produced a digi pak and magazine advert as ancilliary tasks to go with the video.
A: We feel the combination of our main product and ancilliary texts works effectively together because there are similar links and reference between the music video, digipak and magazine advert.
R: The links are mainly created through the imager. For example the composition of the imagery on the album cover is a recreation from a still image in the music video. This is a direct link between the two products and effectively allows the audience to identify the two products together, with each product reminding the audience of each other.
A: The back cover of digi pak also creates effective visual links. As the back cover uses the same mise en scene of a red scarf wrapped around a brunette woman’s face also seen on the digi pak front cover and in the video.
R: However the composition, positioning and framing of the back image is completely different, with the character facing a side view looking into the blank space instead of front on. This image is therefore original to the digi pak only rather than being an image taken from the music video.
A: This is effective as the back cover image is seen as an extension to the original image and concept explored in the music video and album front cover, creating a sense of fluidity between all images on the products. The fluidity of the back and front album images is particularly seen in the magazine advert, where the two images combined look as though their one image.
R: We thought the image on the front cover is affective as it is relied upon to be directly recognisable to the music video, so it secures the sales of people who have seen and like the music video. We found this works effectively combined with the back cover of a digi pak as the back is not primarily relied upon for enticing audience, instead extends on the imagery on the front and provides the audience with something new and creative.
A: This we know to be effective as many real media alternative rock bands albums rely on the front image to be recognisable with the back cover being made up of new and creative imagery. (EXAMPLES)
R: The use of matching font in the magazine advert and digi pak is another element that suggests to the effectiveness of the products working together as a whole.
A: We used the same font for the album title that we used for the contense of the album on the back of the digi pak and for all the text on the magazine advert – even the promotional text, for example the date of release.
R: This was effective as it created fluidity and direct references between both products. However by using the same font for promotional text, for example the date of release, can be seen as less effective, as the promotional writing that matches the album title font is very rarely seen in similar real media album products. (example) Real media texts tend to do this so the font for the product is specific to that particular product only.
A: The ancilliary tasks and music video also work effectively together as they both promote the same message.
R: For example both the ancilliary tasks and music video connote the feeling of isolation and the sense of being trapped, this shown by the use of a scarf wrapped round a woman’s face signifying a sense of suffocation.
A: We felt this particular message was portrayed successfully across all our products when appealing to the target audience, of males and females aged 14 – 22. This being as the image is surreal, unconventional and slightly weird. These types of images appeal to this particular age group as they have a tendency to stand out, be different and non -traditional. So a cutting edge and strange images like this would grab the attention of the target audience.
R: Also the use of surreal and cutting edge imagery to promote a message is very typically effective for the alternative music genre. (EXAMPLE... ARCTIC MONKEYS)
A: We felt the message of isolation and corruption in society is more strongly defined in the music video than to the ancillary tasks, as stereotypical characters are used in the video to help promote unfortunate situations in society. These areas have a great significance in the music video, however this is not presented on the ancilliary tasks, which may be seen as ineffective element to how the products appeal and work as a whole.
R: Our products also worked effectively together when promoting the band. For example, in the music video we had many long shot of the band performing and taking part in the narrative, promoting them as a professional, successful alternative band. This we know to be effective part of our products as performance shots are a widely used convention by many alternative and rock bands real media music products. (EXAMPLES)
A: We carried this representation of the band further, within the inside pages of our digi pak. We did this by having a striking head shot of each band member and their name in capital lettering next to their shot, also a convention widely used in real media products (EXAMPLES).
R: We felt the energetic, youthful and lively portrayal of the band shown in the video and the images used on the inside pages of the digi pak worked very effectively in promoting the overall image of the band. As they both suggested energy, fun and a youthful nature, which will help appeal to an audience with similar characteristics, playing on the illusion that the audience of the product will aspire to be like the band members.

A: Overall the combination of our music video and our ancillary tasks work very effectively together as a promotional pak. Although the effectiveness of using font could be improved and more representational links could be made in the ancilliary tasks from the video, there are high level of effectiveness with n the visual links and themes between the products, and the effectiveness of the youthful lively representation of the band being signified through both products, means that overall our products would appeal to their target audience and do professionally fit to the convention of their music genre in order to make sales.

Evidence of recording and editing: