Evaluation Question 1

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

CONVENTIONS OF A TRAILER 

In our research and planning our group investigated the codes and conventions of a film trailer. Through this research we were able to understand how our group used, developed and unchallenged the forms and conventions of a trailer.

From looking back to this research our group has been able to understand the different conventions of a trailer that we used, developed and challenged in our final media production. Our group used this piece of research to act as a guide so that we can include all the conventions of a film trailer for our main task. We made sure that we always made reference back to this slideshow to make sure that we are including all the key points in order to create a successful trailer.

Character Introductions:

Character introductions are very important as they help build the story line. Trailers typically introduce their main protagonist first so that the audience can understand that the film  is built around the life of character. So in our film production our group made sure that the protagonist was the first character that the the audience can see. By doing this our target audience (males, 15-24 years old) will be able to relate to the media production as they are able to identify at the very beginning of the trailer  that this film is directed towards the youth, as the male protagonist is young; reflecting their age.

Actors and Directors Names

Using the names of the actors, directors and producers names in the trailer is very important as they allow the  audience to know who is involved in this production. If the audience recognises any of the names from the previous work they have done they are more likely going to watch the movie. In our film trailer our group made sure to include this important elements as it is an consistent feature in all trailers.

Music

Music is very important to  trailer as it dictates the atmosphere of the entire media text. We made sure to use copy-right free music, with lyrics in our trailer as we found it more effect than instrumentals. Additionally, voice overs are very important to a trailer as they all the audience to have a greater insight into the story-line of the media text. Our group made sure to use a voice over at the very beginning of our trailer when the protagonist and his sister is at the grave yard. This is because in our first draft from the feedback that we got many people thought that Mya, the protagonists sister was actually his partner. This was not the message that we were trying to give. As a result we added the voice over to show the audience that they are brother and sister.

CONVENTIONS OF THE DRAMA GEN|RE

Our group then conducted an interview with the director and two actors in the movie in order to understand how the actors and co-director (Ellie D'sylva) viewed how we challenged, used and developed conventions from their perspective. This has allowed has helped our group to understand how individuals view our film production.