1. Evaluation Q.2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
By Marcus Sole

2. Ancillary 1: Double Page Spread
For the double page spread I researched numerous examples on the internet, looking at mainstream magazines such as ‘Empire’ and ‘Total Film’ and lesser know companies such as ‘Go Magazine’. I looked at the different styles and layouts, and there was a huge variety, especially when it came to age differences. Some magazines used less text and larger/more images whereas others chose to writer larger more in depth articles and using this I decided to create a basic outline plan using Adobe Photoshop.
Ancillary 1: Double Page Spread

3. After thinking about the style, I decided to go with an article that focused a little more on the making of the film, therefore using photos of behind scenes. This asserted with the audience that this was an amateur film. However for the feature image, I chose a film that represents the vast emptiness that Lewis is part of an the the artistic scenery that I hope I have produce throughout the film.
Another way I tried to create a cohesive combination between this ancillary task and my main task was the use of red. I used this for the film title and box in the background of the sub-heading as well as the star rating, and page numbers in the bottom corner. This co-insides with the red I used for ‘Incognisant’ in one of the opening shots of the film. As well as my ancillary 2 task.

4. I used the article to try and develop the audiences interest, talking about the basic premise of the film without giving away of the major plot points. This then would hopefully make my demographic more interested in films especially those interested in film making as that was quite a large part of the article.
I looked at Empire’s film reviews for inspiration on how to write an article professionally. Keeping the details as minimal as possible without being vague to keep the audience interested

5. Ancillary 2: Film Poster
After some extensive research on film posters I quickly discovered the style that I liked and though would suit my film best. I thought to portray the isolation that Lewis’s character (also called Lewis) experiences it would be best to have him as a sole character with a large backdrop behind him, making him look small and insignificant. I found some images online to portray my idea and even edited them to see how my vision would look.
Ancillary 2: Film Poster

6. Using these photos as inspiration, I used a low angle long shot to depict the vast landscape that Lewis is amongst with the tree drowning out much of the light. The dark colour scheme with a slight blue tint is very similar of that of the film and therefore links the tone and feel of the film together as it makes the short seem grittier and serious, which of course is what I was trying to create.

7. There were quite a few changes from this to the final cut
There were quite a few changes from this to the final cut. Firstly I decided not to have a tagline, despite my intentions as I feel it would take attention away from the title, and having just the title leaves that extra degree of mystery, which I wanted for my film as it was more likely to have a profound effect on the end result.

8. I am very happy with my ancillary tasks
I am very happy with my ancillary tasks. I believe they both compliment and add extra to my short film using similar camera work, mise-en-scene and tone, which is accentuated by their simplicity which gives very little of the film away. and hopefully entices the audience in.
End Results