TASK 1, 2

Grace Odutayo Media Studies  Film Marketing

Task 1
 



NOT FOR THE DEMOGRAPHIC


The movie poster for Coraline is a good example of targeting a young audience. The poster displays several visual cues for catching the attention kids in the preteen stage where they are too young for
Grace Odutayo Media Studies  Film Marketing 

teenage enigmas but open to clear distinctions of hidden meanings. The poster is immersed in rich nocturnal colours and imaginative content as if it came from the imagination of the target audiences age.Within the front and centre is a girl with a preteen like attitude bodily disposition with is elevated in her body language as it apparent her arms crossed and hips turned out , not only this ,but one of her eyebrows are raised.This suggests to the audience that she might know something the audience don’t know / are yet to find out once they watch the movie. While the poster has an eerie dark side too it, it is still illustrated in decorative fun way.The lettering is bright yellows and clearly juxtaposed the dark illusory background.In addition the writing is constructed to look like a kids handwriting , giving into its young teenage target audience.The composition is circular around the figure of the young girl making her the dominant character.
Applying Steve Neale Genre theory , that genres all contain instances of repetition and difference, it is clear that the film might have dark paranormal elements adding a sense of difference to a film which targets a younger demographic , inviting a different audience - perhaps older teenagers.
One might also be observant of the juxtaposition of the front cover as the right side of the cover looks bright and optimistic and the left, dark and sinister. Studying the image one might take a preferred reading of the text that there is a dark side and light side of the film.Or they might take a negotiated position of the text only accepting the dark and sinister look of the cover , and the cover might deter a younger target audience.
The title ‘Coraline’ as the name is more uncommon than the name Caroline, a more common name.Suggesting that the protagonist on the cover might have an experience that is the opposite of ordinary and common. This is an instance of Bathe’s Hermeneutic Code as the name raises questions on the part of the reader.Exploring the iconography further it is apparent that the tree on the left hand side of the DVD front cover has been given a personified semblance as it is curled around the protagonist’s head leaving the viewer questioning why the protagonist is unaware of this which is emphasised by her attitude and confidence shown through body language.


 FOR THE DEMOGRAPHIC






Due to the women's position within the cover , one could argue against bell hooks argument that there is a struggle to end patriarchal oppression as women the cover is dominated by women , representing the fact that women are independent from men.However due to the lack of representation for people of colour , bell hooks argument that particularly those who are non-white, do not share a common social status can be applied.
This Film Poster aims to appeal to the older female demographic , women aged 30-50 are selected to appeal to a female audience of that age range , as the audience would be able to recognise the actors , and relate to them.The DVD has various star vehicles such as Rihanna, Sandra Bullock , Anne Hathaway and Sarah Pulson.These women are featured on the front and back cover dominating the cover , suggesting female empowerment.There is a red-striped background , the vertical lines potentially indicating imprisonment - suggesting the characters might have a criminal background.The background is also red - a colour that signifies danger , lust ,  passion , sexuality- another notion being attached to the film.The character’s postures are upright , and confident - and they’re are seen as a collective.The colour yellow and the font of the title stands out from the background above the characters - the colour yellow has connotations of cowardice and faithlessness - hinting at the theme of the film.
Media language is used to indicate industry , as the names of each star vehicle can be seen at the top of each actress , it is apparent the nature of the film is mainstream as it is able to use well known , famous actress and a singer. In this case ,Steve Neale’s concept of genres consisting of instances of repetition and difference can be applied ,as the cover is clearly constructed to appeal to an audience who are familiar with the heist/robbery genre.This is established by the use of costumes and props used , on the back of the cover , the women are dressed in dark duller clothing and all sunglasses.To the right of the back cover , in a larger front , alliteration is used to engage the reader further as  ‘the
plan is priceless’ is read.Bathes use of the Hermeneutic code is incorporated to make the reader question what the phrase means and want to watch the film.






This film gives to the film noir genre as there is a strong use  dark colour scheme , the colour of Bond’s suit blends into the setting.Despite the protagonist being dressed formally these is a sense of action and both mystery as his shirt is undone and he is holding a gun.This is an instance of Barthes' Hermeneutic and Proairetic Codes being incorporated - the colour is desaturated and bleak giving the poster an air of mystery. The colours of the main character are bolder which draws attention to him.This poster also has the capability to utilise a star vehicle -Daniel Craig, who is known for playing the role of James Bond before. Also, with the idea of a female in the background is iconic as a typical 'Bond Girl' and the femme fatal. As well as this, the gun under the film title are an iconic symbol of the Bond Films and create a strong brand identity.The protagonist takes up a large portion of the left and centre of the poster and he's very big which will attract the audience’s attention right away. The institutional information is directly under the film title which draws attention to it. The white stands out from the background and the font is in capitals and rather classic which makes it easy to read. It contains the brand identity of the ‘007’ with the gun logo, and the date of the film is larger so that it stands out more.
Van Zoonen stated that ‘masculinity is about efficiency, rationality and individuality’ and this is shown though the proximity of Bond and the woman.The woman is placed behind the male protagonist , and is almost in the darkness , whereas Bond is in action and can be seen clearly -giving him higher status and dominance of the cover .

This is a good example of a film poster targeting my film target audience , it is clear through the title and the media language embedded that the poster targets adults aged in their late 30 to 49 as the title reads ‘ this is 40‘ establishing an age range the film is intentionally targeting.The poster is filled with high-key lighting ,  adding to poster message of the life of a 40 year old being clear cut and exposed.An audience aged 30-49 might take a dominant or preferred reading of the poster realising that images are constructed to relate to their life  , the main picture on the poster is of  a caucasian couple , the women brushing her teeth her partner on the toilet behind her.This could signify that most most couples aged around 40 live a simple sort of life , one where they are comfortable enough  to be in each others company- even in the most uncomfortable way - this is conveyed in the fact that a man in sat on the toilet with the door wide open on his ipad.

Media Language is further used in addressing the genre for the poster  , this is emphasised by the use of alliteration of the letter ‘l’.The bottom of the poster reads ‘Laugh-Out-Loud funny’ establishing the films genre ,by stating how the movie will make the audience laugh , implying the nature of the film is humorous.There are various different gesture codes and facial expressions used , such as shock , confusion , exaggerating how elements of the film might shock or confuse the audience as well.

The poster is constructed  as a collage of photos , connoting togetherness and community , the red outline signifies innocence ,goodness.Whereas red is a rather emotionally colour and is also associated with energy  - suggesting there might be hard hitting , emotional moments within the film’s light-hearted humorous nature.

    

This Banner for ‘Now You See Me 2’ is a good example of targeting my chosen demographic but the represented of women within the banner poster is limited ,as the poster presents eight male actors and one female character.This could imply that the film is predominantly male dominated and would allow a female audience to only take an oppositional reading of the media text ,as a female audience might take notice of the female actress potentially being used in a voyeuristic way.Not only this but one could argue the young female character is being used as a device to attract a young  male demographic - consequently excluding an audience a females.

In comparison , 

This banner poster clearing depicts a media product adhering to both genders  and ethnic backgrounds.The Banner has a high-key lighting allowing the audience to see each character clearly  , the background is blurred , allowing the audience to focus on the characters before them.There is one caucasian male  and female , two african american actors and three unknown.All characters seen in the posters are being used as star vehicles as this film is part of a franchise in which these characters are recurring/seen often with the film.

The slogan at the top provides a sense of enigma as it leaves the audience wondering what it means.The banner is very simplistic - suggesting that the film is known and has an audience so it doesn't need to encode anything hidden meanings or ideas as the audience might already know what the film is about.

Radio Programme

At the start of the radio interview extract the presenter Ronan Keating , directly speaks to the radio audience , introducing the main actress from the film , he lets the audience know about Jennifer Lawerence’s achievements presenting Lawrence as a star vehicle  , as he states ‘ Oscar winner , BAFTA winner’ letting the audience know that Lawrence is a renowned actress and they should see her in the film.Keating tone is uplifting giving the interview an overall happy and approaching feel.Keating uses uses a direct mode of address to make the audience feel as though they are part of the interview - like they are there.Keating makes the audience feel involved by asking questions for them using nouns such as ‘they’ and ‘us’ for instance when he says ‘you are with us this morning’.

They focus on key scenes within the interview allowing the interviewee to address the film context , and how it felt acting within it.At various moments Lawerence and Keating speak over each other , making it feel less scripted and more informal , this immensely makes the interview seem realist - inviting the audience in.They also address subjects that are out of the film context such as Lawrence's previous work , her pet dogs, which consequently allows the audience to familiarise themselves with the actress and the film.The interview has implicit language limiting the target audience to 16 and above - linking to the film pg rating of 15.