Evaluation question 2

How effective was the combination between trailer and ancillary texts?

To promote our product effectively, we needed to apply digital strategy and express our production in a variety of ways. Digital strategy is promoting our product in more ways than one.It was essential that consistency was shown throughout the 3 pieces of media text, otherwise the viewer may have been confused to what the production may be trying to promote.

How have we shown consistency?

The focus on the killer

In all 3 of our media texts, we have focused the attention on Rachel, who is the female killer in this production. This is evident in our magazine cover, since Rachel is shown in a demonic manner through the use of grunge textures, and low key lighting.

Also, in our poster, we have shown an eye which was suggestive of mystery, but also suggestive that someone may be watching without you knowing. Although it isn’t directly suggestive of Rachel straight away, we have used it as a marketing tool, since the viewers of the poster may be intrigued to decode the mystery of the entity that beholds the eye in the poster. Moreover, the focus on the killer was especially apparent in our trailer, since the backstory revolves around her death, but more so around the psychological dominance that is portrayed by the killer in the disruption sequence of the trailer.

Colours

In our poster and magazine, we have decided to use the colour scheme consisting of black, white, and red. Since black and white suggested complete desaturation, we have used red to break out of the monotonous colour scheme. Black and white in this instance is to represent the norm, whilst the red that is emphasised is used to create focus on its connotations, such as blood and danger, which links in with our horror production. The emphasis put on the dark red colour suggests that this may be a horror genre, as if the connotations of blood are symbolised, then it would mean that possible deaths may occur. We have been consistent with this colour scheme, which is evident through our magazine.

Moreover, we have isolated the eye with a black faded foreground around it, suggesting isolation of darkness. It may also suggest that the person in the poster is overcome by darkness, which applies an enigma code since the audience may be curious to whom the killer might be, and what their intentions are. This is a convention of horror posters, which I’ve derived from my research.

Our magazine includes a black and white background, and the model of the magazine being shown in a monochrome too. We have also adjusted the brightness and contrast to generate the low key lighting to the model of our magazine. As mentioned in question 1, low key lighting suggests a demonic nature, and represents darkness.

Tagline and typography

This is essential for promoting what our production is, since this will be the simplest way that our audience to refer to our production. We have done this through keeping our typography for our production title the same throughout all pieces of ancillary texts. For example, we have kept consistent with the title by using the white “pretext” font throughout the ancillary texts. Also, we have made significant use of the tagline, by using it constantly in all ancillary texts. With the use of repetition, it will engrave the tagline into the audience, and therefore, will act as a iconic representation for our production.