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

Within our portfolio, we have completed both the film and the ancillary texts – these texts consist of our film poster and magazine review. As a group we worked on the film, however we split into twos to complete the post-production ancillary tasks. Myself and Chris worked on the magazine review, whereas Jack and Jon were involved in the poster.

We knew ultimately it was the combination of these texts that would secure an effective portfolio – this means that each text had to match up to others. When our film was complete and we were happy with it, we knew that our other texts had to be just as good. Similarly, the positive feedback we had received meant we were avid for a similar standard in the poster and review.

Firstly I’d like to talk about our film itself in some detail, and how effective we thought the finished product was. The key was to create something similar to our original idea formed in pre-production, so the project had to be as we planned. We are pleased to say that it is highly similar in all respects – script, storyboarding, locations etc, so inevitably we knew that our original plans for effectiveness were successfully put across within the five minutes of our film. Our effectiveness comes from the gritty and retrospectual atmosphere that forces the audience to consider their own decisions and what they would do if they could change the past. This is ultimately displayed in a clear sense for example through the extensive voiceovers which are addressed with an openly questioning tone as our protagonist, Wesley, dwells on his decisions.

  Above: voiceovers offered a lot of explanation for our premise, and engaged the audience so that they could grasp some emotion and enthusiasm from Wesley. In this sense, we have achieved some effect from these voiceovers.

However at the same time there were certain elements that we feel have potential to distract the audience from reaching such meaning. A few things were not intended in production, and unfortunately we feel that some points could have been more effective in the finished project. For example, the shaky camera effect was used a little too much – this is reflected in our feedback too, and is probably the most widely accepted point – the camera’s path can sometimes distract from the action. You can see an example below. In this case the camera zooms quickly and momentarily confuses the audience. This is something we would certainly alter if we were to remake.

Above: an example of our camera-shake and a quick zoom, both of which are in the spotlight for potential distractions. 

There were a few other points, too, which meant our final project wasn't as effective as it could have been. The entire premise is certainly confusing, with multiple layers of narrative and time shifts. This is distracting in itself, as if the audience are in a state of confusion, the film isn't as effective as if they knew what is going on. One could argue that the confusion means the audience become so adamant to figure it out that they leave with the thoughts engrained, therefore the film is more memorable and ultimately effective. Yet it was our feedback that gave the majority vote – it seemed that most people felt a little uncomfortable.

Above: many found the reflection motif to be the origin of confusion - it's a little unexplained - maybe the film would more effective with a clearer explanation

In terms of our ancillary texts, again we are mostly pleased with the results. The magazine review looks vastly professional and the film poster had received much praise for its illustration. The review is effective in the sense it is highly informative and it’s highly attractive for the eye. The only problems we had were involving a few formatting and spelling errors – these could certainly have lost some effectiveness, but in the end we spotted these and managed to correct the errors. Similarly, on the poster there was one spelling error which was swiftly addressed. The poster fulfilled its ultimate aim which is to attract the eye: this is achieved through a combination of colours and eye-catching text.

Right: a repeated word error on the magazine, with a spelling error on the poster

Overall we’re really pleased as all of our texts are effective, certainly to us. The key to the combination is certainly the similar standard between pieces, which has successfully bonded everything together in a professional looking portfolio.