Nayani

Vijayaratnam

Evaluation Activity 2

How effective is the combination of your main product&

ancillary tasks?

Assignment Brief
The main criterion for our coursework was to create a short film, which
lasted approximately 5 minutes. We were given to choose the genre on
which we wanted to focus our film on, ranging from romance to horror.
In addition to this we had to complete two ancillary tasks from an option
of three for which we chose to do a film poster and film magazine review.

Ancillary Task

The purpose of our ancillary tasks was to promote our films using a visual
medium through the film poster and a written medium through the film
review in order to ensure that our film is being marketed to a wider target
audience. We had to consider the aesthetics and information of these
tasks in order to portray our short film in the best light possible as means
of attracting audiences. In order to achieve this I used a software known
as Adobe Photoshop CS6, as it was simple to navigate and allowed my
texts to be of a high standard.

Colour Scheme

The main colour scheme within my ancillary tasks was the use of the
colours black and white. I chose these monotone colours in order to
reflect the seriousness and sensitivity of the topics that are discussed
within my production. As well as this the black and white symbolizes the
flashbacks I have incorporated as Tanya revisits her past memories with
her mother. I have purposely used both these strong colours as I felt that
it would be effective as they are eye catching and relate to the themes
explored within my production.

Black is a strong colour, which symbolizes a variety of emotions such as

anger, pain, hatred etc. Within this production these are emotions which
Tanya faces as she is attempting to cope with the death of her mother.
The use of the colour white juxtaposes this representation of Tanya as it
depicts innocence and purity, which is a reflection of young Tanya who
the audience view through the flashbacks.
 Nayani Vijayaratnam

Poster

The tagline supports the

title of my film, and gives
the audience an insight to
The use of a black and white what my short film is
filter adds to the reminiscent about. Also a letter
atmosphere, which I have possesses connotations of
attempted to create within seriousness and therefore
my production as Tanya it conforms to the
only has memories of her conventions of a drama
mother left. Also the film.
colours of the flashback
scenes are significant as
black connotes darkness and Through her character
death, which insinuates the position the audience are
death of her mother. This is able to recognize her
contrasted by the colour significance as she is in the
white, which connotes foreground. Furthermore,
innocence and purity, which her all black attire
could refer to young Tanya insinuates a sense of
and her naivety to her darkness and negativity
mothers illness. which may need to be
resolved, which fits the
drama genre.

The bright pink coloured flowers

contrast the rest of the dull and dark
colours used in the poster, which
emphasises its significance within
my production as the flowers act as
a motif for Tanyas mother and her
journey too seek for a sense of
closure. This journey that Tanya is
on, is narrated to the audience
through the use of non-diegetic
voiceover, which is a convention of
a drama film.
The title of Dear
Mum allows the
audience to identify
the main theme of
the short film
immediately.
This allows our audience
to identify the
certification, which is
important. Through our
genre research we found
that most drama films had
a certification of 12A,
which is why we thought it
would be fitting for us to
rate our film a 12A.
Nayani Vijayaratnam

For the title of my production I used the

font Notera as I felt that the calligraphy
style matched the theme of a letter.
Furthermore, I felt that the delicate look
of the writing matches the sensitive topic
of death and mourning within my drama
short film.

For the font of my cast and tagline I

wanted to create a simplistic look,
which is why, I used Baskerville Old
Face as I felt that it looked
sophisticated and was easy and clear
to read.

For my billing I used the font

Steel Tongs. The billing
includes the directors name,
cast and other important
production crew roles
throughout the production.
 Nayani Vijayaratnam

Film Review

I felt that the name of the magazine was significant, as it

would immediately make my readers aware of where
they are able to find out about my film further, if they
wish to. I decided to use Empire, as it was an This image depicts a clear
established film magazine, targeting at a mass audience, representation of the pain,
which would benefit my film and increase the chances of which my protagonist,
my film being viewed. Tanya Brooks is enduring;
the placement of her hand
over her mouth insinuates
to the readers that she is
trying to stop her crying.

For the title of my film I For the main body of

used the font Bell MT the film review I used
and made it bold as I the font Adobe
wanted it to stand out Caslon Pro as it was a
and be recognized classic font, which is
immediately. easy to read and adds
Furthermore, I chose to the sophisticated
this particular font, as I look, which I was
wanted to create a aiming for.
refined and sophisticated
aesthetic.

As I wanted the quote

to stand out in
between the rest of the
text I decided to make
it bold so that it would
attract the readers.

Within my film review I used a specific colour scheme, which I felt matched the
drama genre of my production and the negative aspects of life, which my production
revolves around. This is further highlighted by the quote from another film magazine,
through the use of words such as heartbreaking, which connotes pessimism. In
addition to this, the quote allows the audience to infer that my production is one that
is worth watching.

The main body consists of the process of filming and the directors reasoning for her
choices when creating the short film. It informs the audience of the personal
experiences, which influenced the production adding to the realism, which is expected
Nayani Vijayaratnam

of a drama film, as well as allowing the audience to sympathize with the character of
Tanya Brooks. Overall, portraying the significance of the main body text.

The image used was taken on set during filming in order to reflect Tanyas lifestyle as
well as allowing the audience to insinuate the high level of acting within my
production, which adds to the empathy the audience, feels.

Summary

To conclude, I felt that the combination of my film poster and film review are very
effective as they explore the concepts of my drama film through the use of colours,
images, fonts and written texts. This engages the audience through all of my materials
which, I have produced encouraging my target audience to view my short film.

The main words/ phrases, which I have used within my ancillary tasks, are:

Dear Mum

Heartbreak

Alcoholism

Death

I feel these words are significant to the narrative and I have ensured to connote these
terms through the mise-en-scene, editing, cinematography and editing throughout my
5-minute short film.