I am assessing Vijay Sahota's blog, he has chosen to research Thor the Dark World. He has covered all three media platforms: Print, Broadcast and E-Media. He has particularly looked at billboards, magazines and reviews for print and analysed them. For broadcast, Vijay has focused on Thor's DVD release, radio interviews with the cast and television promotion on channels such as Sky. For E-Media he has looked at social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The promotional techniques for Thor and Ill Manors are the same in terms of E-Media. Both films use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This is because it creates word of mouth and the internet is used on a mass scale, therefore targets a wide, specific audience.
Vijay has looked at all three platforms in depth and picked out various promotional techniques. After looking at his blog work, I could look at more examples of the different media platforms in more depth.
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Monday 14 April 2014
MEST 1 Cross Media Study-Toy Story 3
5) What institutional issues are raised in the case study?
The key instituions involved in promoting and producing Toy Story 3 are Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar animations. Walt Disney Company bought Pixar in 2006 at $7.4 million. Pixar produced Toy Story 3, along with the first and second edition of the film. The institutions funded the film and produced it using CGI (computer generated imagery) as it is an animated film. The other insitutions involved in Toy Story 3 are Walt Disney Studios and Motion Pictures, as they were the distributors. This means that they were responsible for marketing the film. They were involved in promoting as they set the release date for Toy Story 3, cinema release and when the film will be available on DVD, or whether it can be viewed online, in cinema and on DVD at the same time. In this case however, the cinema release was first (IMAX 3D, Disney Digital 3-D and Real D), the DVD released soon followed and then the film was aired on television and available online e.g Netflix.
Print media:
The official Toy Story 3 magazine is used to target children, whereas newspaper and magazine reviews and interviews with cast target an older audience. Billboards are publicly displayed, targeting children, adults, families. As the institutions involved in Toy Story 3 are well established and successful, they did not face any economic issues in this platform, funding was fully available within the budget for the film.
Broadcast media:
Radio interviews with the cast target a teenage/adult audience. TV advertisements target children, adults and families. The DVD includes the film and extras such as behind the scenes footage, targeting families again. As 3D televisions are now available, it provides audiences with new experiences as they can watch the film as if they are on set. Cinemas also provide 3D experiences. As the institutions involved in Toy Story 3 are well established and successful, they did not face any economic issues in this platform, funding was fully available within the budget for the film.
E-Media:
Print media:
The official Toy Story 3 magazine is used to target children, whereas newspaper and magazine reviews and interviews with cast target an older audience. Billboards are publicly displayed, targeting children, adults, families. As the institutions involved in Toy Story 3 are well established and successful, they did not face any economic issues in this platform, funding was fully available within the budget for the film.
Broadcast media:
Radio interviews with the cast target a teenage/adult audience. TV advertisements target children, adults and families. The DVD includes the film and extras such as behind the scenes footage, targeting families again. As 3D televisions are now available, it provides audiences with new experiences as they can watch the film as if they are on set. Cinemas also provide 3D experiences. As the institutions involved in Toy Story 3 are well established and successful, they did not face any economic issues in this platform, funding was fully available within the budget for the film.
E-Media:
Social networking sites are used to target a teenage/adult audience. YouTube trailers of the film aim to target both children and adults, as both are aware of technology. The official Toy Story 3 website is dedicated to its younger fans (children) and includes video clips, pictures, games and quizzes for interactivity. Social networking sites such as Twitter allow audiences and fans to directly tweet the cast from Toy Story 3, allowing new experiences as this would not have been possible 10 years ago (founded in 2006). As the institutions involved in Toy Story 3 are well established and successful, they did not face any economic issues in this platform, funding was fully available within the budget for the film. Internet piracy did not have a harmful impact on the selling of the official Toy Story 3 DVD's. The film successfully sold 3,859,736 units (equal to $73,096,452) on its first week of release, on November 2nd-7th 2010, North America.
Overall, all of the institutions involved in the production and release of Toy Story 3 worked well together successfully. Each company did their part in producing and marketing the film across all three platforms: Print, Broadcast and E-Media. Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar animations took the main responsibility of making the film, while Walt Disney Studios and Motion Pictures focused on distribution and marketing. Disney Interactive Studios also produced a video game based on the film, for Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PSP and Nintendo DS on June 15th 2010. This helped to reach the technology aware audience of children and teenagers.
MEST 1 Cross Media Case Study-Toy Story 3
4) How are representations constructed across the three platforms?
Print:
The Telegraph newspaper held an interview with cast member John Ratzenberger who plays 'Hamm' in Toy Story 3. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/7898867/Toy-Story-3-John-Ratzenberger-interview.html)
One way in which this print platform meets the key conventions of print media is by having a 'question and answer' style interview with Toy Story star John Ratzenberger. Although this is commonly used in magazines, the newspaper is still effective on those who are particularly interested in the film's release as the newspaper is widely available and distributed. John Ratzenberger is presented as a down to earth guy in this interview. As he speaks about Pixar movies in a positive light, readers can see his real passion and enthusiasm for Toy Story 3 and being a part of it through his character Hamm. I believe John is likable in this interview and it creates awareness for himself as an actor as well as the upcoming movie. John is represented in a positive way in order to make his character more likable. If he is liked by audiences then they will be more likely to want to watch his films and especially Toy Story 3 as this article features on it. This then leads to a larger fan base for the film and audiences will be willing to purchase DVD's and watch the film in the cinema. Audiences can represent themselves by writing in to the official Toy Story 3 magazine for example, where their comments a photos can be displayed in the last page of the magazine.
Broadcast:
The official Toy Story 3 DVD is available in Blu-Ray and can be purchased in stores and online. It includes the movie itself with exciting extras such as behind the scenes and deleted scenes.
The front cover of the DVD itself is immediately attractive for audiences. As all the characters look as though they are running towards the audience, it means the audience can feel as though they can connect with the image. The content of the DVD includes the film, deleted scenes and behind the scenes (making of Toy Story 3). This allows viewers to be able to gain a first hand insight of the characters both on and off set. The behind the scenes allows viewers to see the actors playing the roles of the characters when rehearsing their lines for example. This shows audiences about the actors personalities as we can see who takes the role seriously and which actors laugh every now and then. The deleted scenes may include extras that did not get added into the movie or funny scenes where the actors/characters were humorous. The representation however of all the actors/characters is positive as they all get on well with each other. I believe that a positive representation of the characters is used to make the actors more likable for audiences. If this is the case, Toy Story 3 are likely to gain more fans. This could then lead to fans watching the film in cinema, buying the DVD etc and creating a larger fan base as well as revenue for the film.
E-Media:
The online interview with the Toy Story 3 cast allows viewers to gain access to the actors with a question and answer style interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bive50EsTT).
Print:
The Telegraph newspaper held an interview with cast member John Ratzenberger who plays 'Hamm' in Toy Story 3. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/7898867/Toy-Story-3-John-Ratzenberger-interview.html)
Broadcast:
The official Toy Story 3 DVD is available in Blu-Ray and can be purchased in stores and online. It includes the movie itself with exciting extras such as behind the scenes and deleted scenes.
E-Media:
The online interview with the Toy Story 3 cast allows viewers to gain access to the actors with a question and answer style interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bive50EsTT).
The actors in the movie face a question and answer style interview, which gives viewers an insight to the roles they play in Toy Story 3 and the experiences they faced when playing their characters. The interview shows clips of the characters the actors play while speaking to them about their roles. The stars of Toy Story 3 face a positive representation as they talk about how they enjoyed their roles and working with the other actors. The producer and director are also spoken to towards the end of the interview and they discuss how they wanted to make Toy Story 3 different and unique. The main purpose/idea of this interview was to be able to discuss how characters in the film found their role to be for them and whether it was challenging. This is presented to the audience because it shows the build up of the film and the challenges characters had to face in order to make a perfect film. The older audience for the film get a chance to represent themselves through social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Across all three media platforms, the actors of Toy Story 3 always are presented in a positive light and reinforce their enthusiasm about the film and their enjoyable experience of working with Pixar and the rest of the cast. The actors star personas come across as genuine and likable towards audiences of Toy Story 3. The print newspaper article with John is more likely to target an older audience as it features in The Telegraph, whereas the Toy Story 3 DVD, as that is more appealing for children as shows the visual side of the making of the film. I believe all three platforms purpose is to entertain and create awareness of Toy Story 3.
Thursday 3 April 2014
MEST 1 Cross Media Study-Toy Story 3
3) How do audiences access the text across all three platforms?
Toy Story 3 is a children's animation film and targets an audience of children aged between 3-12. However, as this is the third follow on film, teens/young adults have been following the film from 1995, when Toy Story 1 was released.
Print:
Toy Story 3 is promoted through billboards, the official Toy Story 3 magazine and magazine interviews with the cast and director. Young audience who read the Toy Story 3 magazine experience a psychological experience as their interest in the magazine means that if they see anything related to the film such as the DVD they are likely to want it. The print platform reaches everyone as billboards and Toy Story 3 posters are put up publicly. Official magazines are sold in shops, therefore reach a wide audience of all ages. The producers target kids through the magazine by making it colourful, attractive and full of fun activities to interest them. The Toy Story 3 magazine allows kids to enter competitions and includes quizzes and interactive activities. The audience rewards and enjoyment include the chance to win competitions from the magazine.
Broadcast:
Toy Story 3 trailers were shown on television channels such as BBC One and BBC One HD. The film was also shown on these channels and viewers also have the chance to catch up with the film on BBC iPlayer, available online and on Sky catch up TV. The official DVD allows fans to purchase the disc. There was also a radio interview with the director on BBC 1Xtra. The audience faces an instant interaction with this platform as they witness trailers on TV or listen to radio interviews. Broadcast reaches a wide audience of all ages as it is on television and radio. Trailers for the film however may be prominently advertised on children channels more as that is the primary target audience. The producer Darla Anderson uses broadcast media to appeal to families by showing the trailer on family channels such as BBC One. The Toy Story 3 trailer includes the official website at the end of the trailer, by giving viewers additional information it gives them the opportunity to interact. The producer widens the audience appeal as they mainly attract families as to children only.
E-Media:
Facebook and Twitter social media is used in order for fans to interact with the film, therefore is used as a promotional material. The official Toy Story website (http://toystory.disney.com/) allows fans to purchase items, play games, watch videos, view the gallery and buy the movie, therefore they gain a deeper insight adn interest into the film. The world wide web allows people to view as much information as they want on the film, Youtube shows the official trailer and online sites such as Netflix also allows audiences to watch Toy Story 3 online. The audience using e-media experience an emotional connection as they have the chance to tweet and get in touch with stars from the film personally. E-Media mainly target an older target audience due to social networking sites. However, the Toy Story 3 website targets children as it includes games and activities specifically for young kids. The producers aim to appeal to both children and adults through e-media and more particularly the website and social networking sites. Social networking sites allows audiences to interact by leaving comments. The website allows children to enter competitions and includes activities. Audiences play a role in social networking sites as they help to build fan pages and spread the work of Toy Story 3. As social networking sites have on going competitions, it gives audiences the chance to win Toy Story 3 goodies. The producer widens the audience appeal as they mainly attract an older audience as to children.
Using uses and gratifications, Toy Story 3 targets Mainstreamers as it promotes the film on a wide scale to audiences consisting of children, adults and families. All the three media platforms target an A-E working and middle class social demographic. This is because although the film was a big budget blockbuster ($200 million), it still appeals to people of different status'. Although a D/E audience may not go to cinema to watch the film they can still view promotions on the interent (e-media) e.g. trailer or on free view TV channels (broadcast) such as BBC One or even read cast interviews in free newspapers (print). Moreover, print magazines for Toy Story 3 narrowcast a niche market of children as they are especially designed to appeal to them. Also, using mode of address, the producer would assume the magazine targets both male and female children, therefore uses multi colours to appeal to this audience.
Toy Story 3 is a children's animation film and targets an audience of children aged between 3-12. However, as this is the third follow on film, teens/young adults have been following the film from 1995, when Toy Story 1 was released.
Print:
Toy Story 3 is promoted through billboards, the official Toy Story 3 magazine and magazine interviews with the cast and director. Young audience who read the Toy Story 3 magazine experience a psychological experience as their interest in the magazine means that if they see anything related to the film such as the DVD they are likely to want it. The print platform reaches everyone as billboards and Toy Story 3 posters are put up publicly. Official magazines are sold in shops, therefore reach a wide audience of all ages. The producers target kids through the magazine by making it colourful, attractive and full of fun activities to interest them. The Toy Story 3 magazine allows kids to enter competitions and includes quizzes and interactive activities. The audience rewards and enjoyment include the chance to win competitions from the magazine.
Broadcast:
Toy Story 3 trailers were shown on television channels such as BBC One and BBC One HD. The film was also shown on these channels and viewers also have the chance to catch up with the film on BBC iPlayer, available online and on Sky catch up TV. The official DVD allows fans to purchase the disc. There was also a radio interview with the director on BBC 1Xtra. The audience faces an instant interaction with this platform as they witness trailers on TV or listen to radio interviews. Broadcast reaches a wide audience of all ages as it is on television and radio. Trailers for the film however may be prominently advertised on children channels more as that is the primary target audience. The producer Darla Anderson uses broadcast media to appeal to families by showing the trailer on family channels such as BBC One. The Toy Story 3 trailer includes the official website at the end of the trailer, by giving viewers additional information it gives them the opportunity to interact. The producer widens the audience appeal as they mainly attract families as to children only.
E-Media:
Facebook and Twitter social media is used in order for fans to interact with the film, therefore is used as a promotional material. The official Toy Story website (http://toystory.disney.com/) allows fans to purchase items, play games, watch videos, view the gallery and buy the movie, therefore they gain a deeper insight adn interest into the film. The world wide web allows people to view as much information as they want on the film, Youtube shows the official trailer and online sites such as Netflix also allows audiences to watch Toy Story 3 online. The audience using e-media experience an emotional connection as they have the chance to tweet and get in touch with stars from the film personally. E-Media mainly target an older target audience due to social networking sites. However, the Toy Story 3 website targets children as it includes games and activities specifically for young kids. The producers aim to appeal to both children and adults through e-media and more particularly the website and social networking sites. Social networking sites allows audiences to interact by leaving comments. The website allows children to enter competitions and includes activities. Audiences play a role in social networking sites as they help to build fan pages and spread the work of Toy Story 3. As social networking sites have on going competitions, it gives audiences the chance to win Toy Story 3 goodies. The producer widens the audience appeal as they mainly attract an older audience as to children.
Using uses and gratifications, Toy Story 3 targets Mainstreamers as it promotes the film on a wide scale to audiences consisting of children, adults and families. All the three media platforms target an A-E working and middle class social demographic. This is because although the film was a big budget blockbuster ($200 million), it still appeals to people of different status'. Although a D/E audience may not go to cinema to watch the film they can still view promotions on the interent (e-media) e.g. trailer or on free view TV channels (broadcast) such as BBC One or even read cast interviews in free newspapers (print). Moreover, print magazines for Toy Story 3 narrowcast a niche market of children as they are especially designed to appeal to them. Also, using mode of address, the producer would assume the magazine targets both male and female children, therefore uses multi colours to appeal to this audience.
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