Planning- ancillary research- magazine front cover analysis

Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by Meredith Corporation, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books and popular culture. It publishes several "double issues" each year (usually in January, May, June and/or August) that are available on newsstands for two weeks. The masthead is always at the top of the page but often the font is not obstructed by the main image. 

Main image:

The focal point of the image is often the main characters from the featured film, which is why mid shots are used. The characters take up most of the image but the light and bright background creates a happy atmosphere. It suggests the film is set in a rural area perhaps. 

The colour Green (the color of life) has connotations of renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. It has healing power, suggesting that perhaps in this film one of the characters is ill or there perhaps is a breaking in the relationship that gets resolved. 

Conventions:

Usually at the top of the page there will be the masthead (title of the magazine). It will also often be the largest font on the page. The font will indicate the target audience of the magazine. Similar to the font, the image should reflect the genre of the magazine. The main shot is often a mid-shot that shows what the film is about. For example, in this magazine it is clear that the two people are a couple, suggesting its a romance film. It usual includes the main character or characters. In addition, magazine covers will have 'buzz words' which mean words such as 'exclusive' or 'free'. These are simply used to capture attention from the reader. Anchorage text is used which overlaps the image. It may tell you about the film or mention interviews with the actors. Banners just gives overall information about the magazine and perhaps mention what will be inside. Finally, barcodes, issue number and date will be on the front cover, it is required. 

Masthead:

The masthead is the name of the magazine 'Entertainment', it is the same on every issue. Often the colour is changed in order to fit in with the background, it is behind the image. The font used is bureau grot, it is clear so it can be read easily. the font looks professional and gives a sense of modernism. It is quite formal and doesn't reflect the film they are promoting. The title of the film is placed on the left hand side and is the second largest font on the cover. It immediately informs the audience of what the film is about. In addition, the fact its in italics makes it stand out despite it being smaller than the masthead. The fact the film title is positioned to the left in the middle makes it contrast with the white shirt that the actor is wearing. 

Language features:

The magazine mainly covers features that will sell. There will be pull quotes to draw the reader in such as 'exclusive', this shows that the magazine is the first to have the information. There are also subsidiary banners used to fill up dead space. they use more pull words for example in this issue the word 'plus' is used. These words attract the reader and keeps them engaged. the words stand out clearly because they contrast with the neutral background. Also the use of question marks makes the reader think and draws you in, wanting to know the answer. All words on the front cover inform the reader of whats inside, they are short summaries of the stories. 

Colour scheme:

The colour scheme is often in relation to the film, the colours used will be the same as the colour used in the poster etc. The black font and blue underlines relate to the book front cover. The colour blue often has connotations of masculinity but the fact its a light blue suggests youth as well as symbolizing trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. the colour black has negative connotations of death or the unknown. However, it can also symbolize power and elegance. The black also provides a sense of mystery, making the audience curious. The colour scheme works well with the main image as it stands out and is clear. Also the 

Planning- Ident

We created our ident in photoshop. We liked the idea of the eye as it holds the idea that the eyes are the way to the soul. We thought it would look very striking and this is how we came up with the title as well. 

To create our iden, we got a picture of an eye. The on photoshop, we changed the threshold levels to make it stand out. The use of black and white exaggerate the details in the eye as well. 

Planning- Time management of production

After changing our idea to a trailer, we no longer need the extended script. We will shorten it to make it fit the time scale. 

Planning- ancillary research- poster analysis

I chose this poster because i felt it was slightly similar to the one i plan to create. It focuses on the background as well as the character. The film is about a couple in which the husband dies, the husband prepared for his death and made plans ahead to make it easier for his wife to deal with. It had a lot of success, grossing around $53,000,000. 

Main image:
The image is a wide shot with the female on a bench slightly centred to the left. The letters blowing away in the wind gives a sense of loss, it creates the image of death as the bright white paper almost appears to be feathers/doves (a symbol of love and death). The urban setting in the background is quite dominating and suggests this is a romance film as romance films are conventionally set in cities. The fact we cannot see the character is unusual as they are not making direct address with the audience. It draws in the audience, making us want to find out what she is reading. 
The slight haze around the image creates a sort of magical atmosphere. The bright light behind the women, creating the silhouette makes her stand out and focuses on her. The tree on the left hand side is unusual as it creates a eerie mood but suggests that something does happen to this character which has a negative impact on her. the fact the tree has no leaves on, shows its in autumn as well as symbolising death. The main character is not the centre of this poster, suggesting there is more to this story other than the relationship between two people. 

Lighting:
The bright lighting behind the character immediately makes me think of heaven and the darkness around the image enhances the silhouette even more. The high a low key lighting suggests this character may have conflict within herself, a personal struggle that she has to overcome. The brightness of the letters as well suggests that they will help her, and she will get through it. 

Narrative:
I think this does fit with the genre of the film however, its not conventional to a romance film. It does show that there is going to be a break in the relationship and the fact we don't see her partner suggests we will be following her through this. The title of the film immediately implies that the couple have exchanged letters and shows that the two are apart. It does suggest that her partner was a big part of her life and despite the darkness around her, these letters appear to give her happiness. It sparks enigma, we want to know what's in the letters and what's happened between the two thats caused them to be apart. 

Conventions:
The general conventions of a poster is to get the attention of the audience and there must be a focal point to grab the audience's eye. It should also show the genre clearly. It may have a release date as well as production information and characters. Some have reviews from magazines and newspapers. 

Typography:
The typography for the film title is written in script, it makes it more personal and further implies that the couple have exchanges letters. It further hints at the narrative, it is conventional for a romance film. 
The other font is very formal which shows the seriousness of this relationship. The font in the centre of the page translates from french to "She only had one thing to tell him"

Mise en scene:
The main colour scheme is greens, blues and whites. All the colours work well together and enhance the whites, making t really effective and stand out. This then sparks enigma as well as creating a unsual mood. The colour scheme is not typical of a romance film. Often warm colours are used; it goes against the conventional colour pallette. The dark green creates a sense of death and the silhouette provides a sense of the unknown. We want to see the characters face. It implies that she will have to deal with grief after losing a loved one, she may feel isolated like how she looks on this poster. Due to the bright light, you cant see the characters clothing, she is wearing a hat however, suggesting that it is cold. This could be pathetic fallacy, representing her mood. It further sparks enigma, the audience wants to know more. The main props used are the letters, these are enhanced and draw in the audience.

Planning- conventions of a romance film

Planning- mind map of our idea updated

Planning-consent form

This is to confirm that i understand Chenderit school policy not to film students on school premises without their prior consent in writing. Neither will i post any of this material on social media or on any media including monitors, or any where in public, unless approval is gained in writing prior to the event. 
I also give my consent for my image to be used in filming tasks that form part of the GCSE or A level media studies course. 

Name- Bridey Aries (not needed as over the age of 18)
Date- 2/11/2017

Name of child (under the age of 18)- Emily Sommerfeld
Date- 2/11/2017

Name of child (under the age of 18)- Oliver Poole
Date- 2/11/2017