1. Charlotte Page &
Jamie Whitbread
Ancillary Task
PosterDevelopment Diary
This development diary evidences the
construction of our poster.
Firstly, we changed the colour of the
background to black using the paint
bucket tool. We have chosen to use
black for the background as this colour
connotes the idea of the unknown, and
an element of fear that will help to
advertise our poster as a horror.
To start our poster, we began with
typing and arranging where the text is
going to be positioned. This started with
creating the title of the film, Ancestors.
Using the Free Transform icon, we used
this to change the shape of the font
slightly so that the lettering is spaced
out a little more and shape is slightly
different.
The font chosen for the title is quite
simple as from our secondary research
we found that simplicity can help make
a poster appear bolder and more likely to gain attention, as the text is readable
and does not over-crowd the poster.
Using the paintbrush tool, we chose to add a black
shadow around the side of the text. We did this not only
to create an eerie and tense atmosphere but so that the
text does not appear harsh against the black
background. This is why we decided to use a grey colour
for the main title, as white appears too bright. We have
also used this technique for the release date, added a
shadow to add to the ghostly atmosphere. We added a
red ‘O’ to the text as this connotes evil and becomes
symbolic of the dolls red eye that will be the main image
of this poster.

2. Charlotte Page &
Jamie Whitbread
For the image, we firstly resized the image as the original was a mid-shot of the
doll yet we were planning to use a close-up shot of the doll’s face, like we did in
our mock up designs as we thought that this was successful for creating a tense
atmosphere as the consumer is drawn in to the dolls eyes. To do this we used
the crop tool and the free transform tool to resize the image so that it focuses
just on the dolls face.
Also, using the brightness/contrast tool, we adjusted these levels slightly so
that the shadows that had already formed on the doll in the original photo
becamehighlighted and emphasised. Like with the text, we used the paintbrush
tool to add a shadow effect around the dolls face to make it appear like the doll
is floating in some way.

3. Charlotte Page &
Jamie Whitbread
With the dolls eyes, we have edited the colours. One eye we have
changed to red to connote the idea of the evil within whereas the
other eye we have kept as blue to show no immediate threat as this
is associated with innocence however this could also portray a
negative side as blue can connote something that is cold and chilling.
Overall, this reflects how the doll has two different sides, a good and
a bad side. We did this by using the sponge tool to remove the
original colour from the eyes. On a new layer we changed this layer
style to soft light andusing the paintbrush tool we have painted one
eye red and the other eye blue. As the layer had been change to soft
light, it made the colour opaque, making the eyes naturally look that
colour. The screen shot below shows the image of the dolls eyes
before and after.
Below are screen shots of the very original image of the doll alongside our final
image that we have manipulated using the tools on Photoshop.

4. Charlotte Page &
Jamie Whitbread
For the slogan, we have downloaded a font from the Internet called Buttons the
Bear as this style has child-like feel which makes it seem innocent which is quite
sinister when placed with the image and so this connotes the dark and unknown
side to this film. Again, with the slogan, like the image and the title, we have
added a shadow around the text to add a ghostly feel.
For the release date, we have applied this same technique of adding shadows. We
have chosen to have the release date as October 2013, as this will fit in well with
Halloween, the time when horror films are most popular and so our film is going
to most successful at this time and attract wider audiences.
For the production details, which appear at the bottom of the poster, we
researched what font, many posters that are used in the film professional
industry. After carrying out some research, we found that this font is known as
Steel Tongs, so we downloaded this online and have used this to type our
production details. This will not only help our poster to feel more professional
but to gain a sense of verisimilitude, as it looks realistic.
Some of the details include director names, actor names, production companies
and music artists. Since we have written our script for the trailer ourselves many
of these feature our own names.
Underneath these production details, we have included various company logos,
as this is another convention of film posters to give credit to those other
companies who were involved. We have made these logos ourselves using the
tools on Photoshop including the shape tools and text boxes. We did this to give
our poster a more professional feel as quite often companies are recognised by
their logo.

5. Charlotte Page &
Jamie Whitbread
With the production details, we have included the age
certificate of the film so the consumers know who the
target audience is. Since this is a horror film, we have
included details of the kind of content audiences can
expect so that audiences can be aware of what kind of film their watching.
Our poster fits to the rule of thirds with the eyes of the doll crossing the inter-
sections of the grid. This will allow the consumers eye to meet the eyes of the
doll as these gain attention from the use of the rule of thirds.
The overall style of our poster has been influenced by
some of our secondary research which gave us
understanding of what is to be expected of a film poster
and its conventions. For instance, a theorist we found
particularly useful is Matthew Carpenter who states in
his article that there are ‘7 Elements to a Great Movie
Poster.’ Some of which include attract the audience’s
attention, we have done this by contrasting the black
background against the pale face of the doll which allows
the eyes to appear brighter and bolding, gaining the
attention of the consumer.
Another tip given by Carpenter is to create a
specific style, a look that is consistent with the
film. Our poster should be helping to promote
the trailer in which for our product to be
identifiable as consistent house style needs to be
put in place. We have taken this advice and made
all three of our media products consistent by
ensuring that on this poster, our magazine cover,
and our trailer has the same style title as the font
used and the red ‘O’ can be seen as symbolic for
our products across platforms.
Other useful advice that we have found from an
online source suggests that white space should
be used and clutter avoided. We have taken this
advice and simply kept the image to a minimum
by using just the doll. This allows our poster to
have a cleaner design and appear more
organized. By doing this consumers are not
distracted and their attention is directed towards
the doll.