MEST1: June 2011 (Q2)

"Our enjoyment of media products is influenced by the platforms we use to access them." How far is this true of your cross-media study? 

It is irrefutable to acknowledge that developers and distributors of media products (particularly films) tailor the media platforms used to deliver content to the audiences with the intention of providing enjoyment. One of the films covered in this case study is Ill Manors, a 2012 low-budget social realist film by debut director/rapper/singer Plan B. This is alongside Skyfall(...)

Ill Manors 

Print 

- GQ Mag (targets fashion enthusiasts, aspirers psychographic profile, image conscious, plan b persona) 

- Posters/billboards (mass exposure, brand image gritty urban, strugglers, iconography, synergy) 

Broadcast 

- film genre and context 

- music video (political, urban, setting, synergy w/ Ill Manors brand 

E-media 

- sbtv niche audience (nonchalant, lowbrow, DE demographic) 

- music video (further insight into film and narrative, broadcast emedia) 

- TEDx lecture (reformers, resigned, explorers - background info to plan b brand and film, intellectual engagement) 

AFIE 

- Accessible on all platforms (simultaneous release, experience selection) 

- credited by MediaMagazine 

Skyfall 

- direct interaction Cocacola advert and activity 

Emedia - Adele (Twitter) (two step) 

Broadcast/emedia - Music video - Skyfall (Adele) 

Belle 

- Print: multiple interpretations to be drawn from differing designs 

- Broadcast: Film (social controversy and racial issues) 

- E-media: Amma Asante interview and Oprah Winfrey reference 

Independent case study: peer assessment

1. Name of student whose blog you are assessing: Kirath
2. Name of film they have researched: Skyfall
3. Have they covered all three platforms? Yes
4. Examples they have provided from print platform: Posters and billboards
5. Examples they have provided from broadcast platform: Film trailer and promotional advert 
6. Examples they have provided from e-media platform: Twitter and Facebook 
7. What institutional information did they find out about the film? Distributor info, box office success, age certificate
8. What issues did they find in terms of representation in the film they studied? Comparison to ill Manors, values/ideologies and British representation of James Bond
9. What links or comparisons can you find between this case study and Ill Manors? Positively critically acclaimed British films which differ in representative focus (groups)
10. Is there anything you can learn from this case study? What could you add to your own case study after looking at someone else's work? Further research film trailers, finding alternative subsequently released trailers from the official release one.

MEST1 SecB Practice

Consider how imaginative techniques are used by media products from your cross-media study to attract and maintain audiences. Support your answer with reference to a range of examples from three media platforms. [32 marks]

ill Manors 
- E-media: TagLondon campaign, innovative, use of tech, social media
- Print: use of flyers and posters for music events, synergy w/ film 
- Print: Posters, textual analysis of conventions, synergy, brand image, contextual relevance to film and Ben Drew image 
- Print: GQ Magazine, fashion, different audience targeted 
- Broadcast: music video, featuring stars, similarities/synergy w film and campaign overall
- E-media: social media engagement on twitter and facebook 
AFIE 
- Print: synergy w/film, arthouse styled film 
- Distribution of film on all platforms (Bc, VOD, theatre)
- Print: MediaMagazine article
- E-media: publicity for upcoming release and distribution (@rookfilms n @mrwheatley) 
Belle 
- Print: two different poster styles, differing contexts of film, targeting separate audiences (historic romance/drama) 
- Broadcast: trailer, historic/drama conventions
- E-media: interview w/ Amma Asante and Gugu Mbatha Raw (<3) 
- E-media: reference by Oprah Winfrey 

MEST1 practice

Institutions 

One of the ways in which the Habbo Hotel news story fits into Channel 4's public service broadcasting remit is the portrayed adherence to provide investigative journalism. This is conveyed by the set design exhibited by the shots of the presenter in the studio. The display of digital screens and lights alongside other studio technological equipment provides the news broadcast with authenticity as it seems that nothing has to be concealed, thus implying the news presented to the audience is reliable due to the transparency of the news production process as well as due to the high technology Channel 4 utilise to provide quality news. This is important to Channel 4 as their core base is in news a they've been running since the channel began in 1982. Collectively, these factors regard Channel 4 as well as presenter John Snow with credibility for being proficient in news provision, 

This particular broadcast also consists of controversy which is parallel with C4's brand image. This is because the presenter advocates that the broadcasted report contains "sexually explicit and inappropriate content", which is also shown pre-watershed at 7PM. This decision would create disputation with regulators OfCom and thus be controversial. The actual report is one which BBC would refuse to air, a fact which compliments Channel 4 for being innovative and proudly different. The channel also exhibits their trait for experimentation in the clip as Snow states that the upcoming report is presenting a man posing as an 11 year old girl in order to test the issue, an approach which validates their news and also makes for unorthodox viewing which is different and innovative. 

It is further noteworthy to state that Channel 4 are ingratiating themselves to their targeted British audience by presenting the situation as severe and dramatic, making it concerning for the nation by clearly claiming that the issues are taking place 'here in Britain' and additionally drawing attention to parents to raise concerns. These points compiled would present Channel 4 as socially conscious, to glamourise their brand image as a public service broadcaster.