Evaluation Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?


For my media coursework, my brief was to create a selection of materials related to an original children’s TV drama, to include the title sequence to the TV programme, together with: the front cover to a magazine for the series and a DVD cover for the series. These three products are all promoting the same thing, and therefore must be closely connected.
I have tried to integrate my products as closely as possible. I had to make sure that continuity was used between the three products, otherwise they would not work together to promote the TV programme. One way that I linked my products was to use the same logo for the programme. These are the logos as they appear on my products:

Magazine logo:

DVD Cover logo:

Video logo:

I have used the same logo on my magazine and DVD cover, which I produced on publisher, however I was not able to use the same logo on my video. The reason for this is because my logo was produced on the website http://fontspace.co.uk and had to be copy and pasted onto my publisher products. In “imovie” (the editing programme used for my audiovisual product) the only fonts that could be used were the pre-set ones. This meant that I could not use the same logo on my video as my ancillary tasks. This did let the continuity of my three products down and this was commented on in my audience feedback.


The colour scheme for all three of my products was very similar. I decided to use the colour of each character in the colour scheme of my product. This makes it bright and colourful for my target audience and by using the same colour scheme it combines my products more. I have used the font “HOBO STD” in all three of my products to allow them to be linked. When people see the font on one product, they can immediately connect it to the other products. Here is an example of how I have used fonts in my three products:

Magazine:

DVD:

Audiovisual product:

In my products, I have not used the same images as this would be boring. In my ancillary tasks I have used similar images to keep the products related. This has allowed me to create a brand identity for my product. This has a positive effect as people will associate my products with one another and be interested in all of them. This makes my products more popular and promotes the TV series better.

Continuity throughout my product has also helped me to create a brand identity. Using the same mise-en scene, costume and props for each character throughout each of the three tasks has kept my characters recognisable. This is important because the mise-en scene of each character is quite obvious and the audience notice any changes that are made and not continued throughout. For example, the character "Bridget" wears large, black glasses and wears her hair in pigtails. These two elements act as signs to the audience of what type of character she is and without these, the audience would not recognise the stereotype. Here is an example of how i used continuity between my three products:

Magazine:



DVD Cover:

Audiovisual product:

My package is intended to market a specific product, a children’s TV series. I think my package markets this product well. The opening sequence provides a nice introduction for the programme that will interest the audience in the characters and make them want to watch more. My magazine is very suited to my target audience and allows them to get behind the scenes access to the programme. This makes them feel more involved and therefore more interested in buying the product and watching the series. My DVD cover also promotes my product well as it makes the programme look fun and exciting for the audience. The use of conventions, technologies, layout and production all allow my package to promote the product to a high standard.


The use of diffferent types of media have affected how my products have appealed to the target audience. Magazines and DVD's are types of media that are very popular and appealing to children. Therefore, using these items in my ancillary tasks has helped me to reach my target audience. Magazines and DVD's can be purchased for the children by parents or with pocket money. Therefore, they are easily accessible to children. Other types of media, such as websites or digi-paks are not so commonly used by children. A lot of young people don't have access to the internet - and even if they did they may not be able to use the service properly. This would make it useless for me to have created one of these media products. Magazines and DVD's are the most appealing type of media for children. Magazines include lots of puzzles, prizes and activities which can make the children feel involved in the programme, and therefore more likely to watch my product. DVD's have the same effect. The bonus features and behind the scenes action can make children feel involved with the characters.

My print adverts would be placed in similar products. Placing the adverts on these products means that they will be easily seen by the target audience. When children are reading through their usual magazines, they will see the adverts for my products and may be interested in buying them. Here is an example of how print media can be advertised within similar products?

My audiovisual product will be advertised during the commercial breaks on children's TV channels. This is an easy way to reach my target audience. By showing my opening sequence at this time, my target audience will already be immediately engaged into my product and they will become aware of it. This is often done with similar products on children's TV channels to advertise new programmes.