A2 Media Evaluation Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and

your Ancillary Task?

Media Evaluation Question 2

Symbolism

In our main product, we decided to use a medallion type symbol to link the main protagonist with one of the other soldiers in the video. The medallion also features as the focus point of our digipack. Throughout our music video we refer back to the medallion to reinforce the idea of our main protagonist being haunted. We included it on our digipack so that audiences could understand the link between the two products. The medallion is a symbol that we have used throughout our whole project.

Screenshot from Music Video

Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

Themes

The representation of soldiers as individuals and warfare in general is made apparent in the ancillary tasks which relates to the music video.

The content within the narrative is also present in the ancillary tasks with the main protagonist mourning over the death of his fellow soldiers (band members) for the inside covers of the CD design.

The back cover maintains the gritty, sombre themes that are reflected through the location. The particular shot used is featured in the build up to the first death in the music video.

The atypical representation of a pop band in the music video is also made clear through the content of the front cover for the CD design through the soldier uniforms which follow on the themes present in the music video.

Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

Themes

The poster also demonstrates a direct link to the main product by including a particular image that relates to the music video. The themes of warfare and the army are represented.

The theme of isolation and certain emotions are also incorporated by positioning the characters in a certain way which demonstrates this.

The song ‘Ghosts’ by The Presets is also represented in an abstract way through the poster by including the sky behind the characters, this enables the ancillary tasks to link well with the main product.

Screenshot from Music Video

Screenshot from Poster (Ancillary Task)

Palette

Throughout our music video, the audience will notice that the palette is often equally divided. When half the shot is dark and gloomy to give a war type feel, the other half of the palette is bright, normally in the sky. This is to reinforce the ongoing theme of ‘ghosts’ and ‘heaven’. On our poster, we have used the same palette, with quite a dreary lower half to the shot, yet a luminous upper half. This would suggest to audiences that the colour is a constant theme running through our project.

Screenshot from Music Video Screenshot of Poster (Ancillary Task)

Costume

Within Mise-en-Scene, the costume is featured throughout our whole project. Our music video, digipack and poster all feature the same participants in the same costume. The costume is army uniform (commando) and is featured so audiences understand the war theme of the project as well as creating the link that the ancillary tasks and music video are meant to be together. There is one point in our music video when the main protagonist is wearing a suit rather than commando uniform (as shown to right). However we link this with our digipack by using the same screenshot for the inside covers.

Screenshot of Digipack (Ancillary Task)

Screenshot from Music Video

Cinematography

The range of shots/shot angles that are present in the music video progress into the ancillary tasks by including different shots for each design.

1. The front cover includes a mid-shot of the band whilst the use of the medallion is positioned as a close-up.

2. The inside covers feature a long shot of the main protagonist mourning his former colleagues.

3. The back cover includes an establishing of one of the locations in which the first death occurs.

4. The poster incorporates an extreme close-up of the band walking towards the audience.

The fact that we have included a range of unique shots represents the same connotations as the main product which, therefore, demonstrates an effective combination between the two tasks.

Typography

The typography we have used is represented through both our Main Product and Ancillary Task. The text varies between the colours of black and white, which sticks to the theme of our palette throughout. However, the typography that presents ‘GHOSTS’ and ‘The Presets’ is consistently the same font throughout. This font acts almost as a logo as it is eye catching in each product, and so audiences will easily be able to establish the link between the products.

Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

Screenshot from Poster (Ancillary Task)

Screenshot from Music Video

Conclusion

To summarise, we have intentionally maintained particular codes and conventions from the main product when creating the ancillary tasks. This, therefore, allows the audience to discover the links and easily understand what the product is about.

By incorporating the idea of symbolism, Mise-en-Scene, themes, and cinematography it enabled us to produce separate tasks which can successfully promote the main product.