Post 16: Ancillary Task 1 - Postcards Part 1

I will first of all analyse the conventions of British film Posters and one american film poster, and later on look at conventions of a postcard, as this will make my understanding of both improve, and help me to see the difference. I can also go against these conventions and use them to make my postcard the best it can.

This is one example of a British film poster. As you can see there are a few numbers arounf the image, and I will talk about these aspects.

Number 1 and number 2

Here you can clearly see the main actors' names, and this is because they are unique selling points. This is where an aspect on the front is more likely to make someone watch the film because of that aspect. These actors is an aspect that would appeal to many different people, and is likely to make people watch the film because of this. Hugh Grant is a British actor, where as Andie Macdowell is an american actress so from this, audiemces from both Britain and America will likely to watch this film. The names of the actors help when advertising a film as it is one of the first things an audience sees when looking at the

Number 3

This is the background of the image, and this guves the audiences an idea about where the film is set. Here you can see Big Ben, and signifies London. This not only gives the audiences information about where it is set, but can also give them an idea about the genre or the time period. The background images help to give a feel about the image, and these can sweud people into watching them; British viewers will have a connection to it and American actors may admire this landmark.

Number 4 and 5

Here is an image of the main cctors in the filkm, and from this you can work out what type of film this is, and they work as a unique selling point. Hugh Grant is a big actor in Britian and will attrqact a british audience and the other woman is american and would attract the audience from America. The way they are holding each other suggest a romance film, and the audience will see this.

Number 6

Number 6 is the title of the film, and this is very important as it is needed to show the audsience what the title is. As this is in red, and as well as the romance like feel of the images, this firther suggests to the audience what the genre of the film is about. There is also a little picture of a heart and a split in it and this also shows the genre of the film

Number 7

Here is a tag line of the film. This creates a small interest of the film and makes them want to watch the film. This also generates curiosity in the audience to make them want to see the film.

Number 8

This is all the information about who created the film and who helped within the film, the production names and other production details about the film. This then shows the audience about the making of it, and if they recognise the names and have liked that name or production company, then they are more likely to watch the film.

 

As I want to make my film postcard as real as I can, I have to study existing postcards, and understand the conventions they have, as this will help mine to look as real as it can. After looking at many postcards, I have noted down those conventions. These will help me to understand the layout and help me in the future. I can also go against some of the conventions to make mine stand out from the others.  The image above is the basic layout of a postcard, and the image and title ect will go on the blank space on the bottom half and the other information goes at the top.





On the front
- An Image - This picture will give the audience extra information about the film, and can also help show the genre too. This can draw them in, and can make them curious to see the film. Some choose to have less of an image to make them not know too much, and want to see it, where as some like to show many aspects of the film to make them want to see it; bearing in mind this is a short film, and will need to catch their attention as quick as possible.  
- The Title - The title may not always have anything to do with the film, however by including the title it will stick in the audience's mind more. This may also attract the audience by an unusual name.
- The size (half an A4 sheet) - Postcards have to be this size, as the name suggests; this is also a good size to advertise within a small budget.
- A tagline - A tagline helps attract the audience to watch the film, and will give a clue as to some of the film and sometimes the genre.  

On the back
- The layout of a postcard - As shown on the image above, the technical details and a few other pieces go on the back. Not all the audiences will read this, but some may and this shows that the film was made seriously and who made it.
- The production name and logo - This is to show the viewer who has helped create the film, and as it is only a short film, this is essential to help get their name known.
- The names of actors - These are again needed to show the audience who has acted in the film as they are trying to sell themselves through the short film.
- A synopsis - This also helps generate curiosity in the person reading the postcard and tells them what the film is about.
- A rating of the film - This is purly to help the audience see how well it was rated as other would have had to watch the film to rate it, and people like other opinions.
- An email address or telephone number- As mentioned before, this information is used to get in contact if someone likes what they have created, they need contact information from them.

Short films do not have the bidget to advertise films like they do with a larger bidget. Film producers are able to create adverts on the television on many channels, at different times and even in different countries. They are also able to make adverts on the radio, as well as posters in town centres, busses and other public places. This is where film posters come in handy, as these can be created within their bidget.

This on the other hand csn prove to be difficult to use for marketing their film as they are limited to places where they can distribute their postcards. This also means they wont be able to globelise their film, as they will only be able to leave them in places they can get to and place. But they are small enough to make more copies and place them in more places they want.

Using the postcard idea means that the film makers will be able to advertise them in places they want, and know will get an audiemce. For example, if the short film was science fiction, they could leave them in science fiction shops or in a library in that scetion, or the safest option is in a cinema as the people already there like films, and these will catch their interest.