GCSE Media Studies

Assignment Two: Film PromotionThe release of a new film will result in a media-wide campaign with material generated across different forms such as Television, Magazines, Radio, Newspapers and the Internet.

For this project you will investigate the marketing and promotion of a new film and generate ideas for a cross-media promotional campaign for a film that you invent.

Your study will investigate the Key Concepts of Representation and Institutions.

Study question: “Compare the impact and effectiveness of a film poster and a film trailer.” How do the two elements of a film promotional campaign generate interest in the new film?

You must answer the question with reference to the release of ONE film. You must analyse the main components of the film poster and the film trailer.

Research tasksYou need to produce a 1,000 word investigation into the marketing and promotion of an existing film. You can choose a new release or a film that has been out for some time, but you must be able to access plenty of promotional materials for your chosen film. This work must be individual. You report must cover two promotional methods:

1. Method One = Film poster2. Method Two = Film Trailer

Production tasksYou will plan and produce a film poster for a new film; you will also storyboard a trailer for your new film. The storyboard can be either hand drawn or you can use a stills camera to produce a JPEG storyboard. You must explain how and why your production work deals with issues of representation and institution.

Production tasks:

1. Decide on the name and genre of a new film;2. Decide who the lead characters in your film are;3. Who is the film aimed at – who is the target audience?4. Write a 4 line pitch that explains what your film is about;5. Decide which film studio you want to produce your film and why;6. Produce a film poster for an original film – the film poster must give an

indication of the film’s genre;7. Produce a storyboard that illustrates the film’s trailer. The film’s trailer

must give an indication of the film’s narrative (or story – what the film is about). The storyboard must include audio (voiceover, music etc.) and visuals (what the audience will see in the trailer).

As part of your cross-media study, AQA GCSE media Studies requires you to produce a research and planning assignment.

Both tasks must be linked and must be for the same film.

Assignment 2 Project is individual however you will need to help each other out by posing for photos!

The print task for this project is: design a film posterThe audio-visual task for this project is: produce a storyboard for a film trailer

In this assignment you will be required to:1. Devise a marketing campaign2. Research and plan one print-based text (film poster)3. Research and plan one audio-visual text (film trailer)4. Explain how your promotional material fits into your marketing campaign,

and the impact it will have on your target audience.

Step One: The IdeaDiscuss and produce an idea for a new film. Remember the idea should be

plausible with a potential audience. A film company will be unlikely to invest in your idea if it thinks people will not go and see it.

What is the genre of your film?

Produce a pitch for your film. Keep this short (200 words maximum). Your pitch does not need to tell the entire story, but should sell the idea of the film.

Come up with an appropriate title for your film.

Step Two: ResearchMake a list of the main characters in your film.

Research and decide which actors you would choose to play your main characters. Remember to keep your choices appropriate. A-list Hollywood actors are expensive, and are unlikely to appear in a small-budget film. Many actors specialise in certain genres or in playing certain types of roles.

Research and decide who you would choose to direct your film. You may want to find out who has directed films similar to your own.

Step Three: PlanningIdentify the target audience for your film

Produce a diagram to describe your target audience. Include their age, lifestyle, fashion, music tastes, web sites they like, how they spend their money.

Devise a marketing strategy that will attract your target audience to your film. Think about how you might use different media, merchandise and tie-ins.

Step Four: ProductionYou must produce a print-based film poster and a film trailer for your new

film

Think about how your two texts fit into your campaign. It is important that your two texts complement each other.Plan and produce your two texts. Remember that this is a pre-production tasks, so you need to complete a storyboard sheet for your film trailer.

Step Five: PresentationFor your two promotional texts, present an explanation of their potential impact on your target audience.

In your explanation, consider where and when your promotional material would appear. Explain your choices.

Examples of student film posters:

An example of a storyboard for a film trailer.