Advert Evaluation

Advert Evaluation

1) What was the task you were given and who was your target audience? As the audience wasn't typical of the product how did you manage to sell it? What was the name of your brand? We had to create an engaging advert that is aimed at the younger generation and anyone who is facing bullying or abuse in school environments, and are scared to speak out. The overall message is to help those there are scared of speaking out - to reassure them hat they aren't alone and there are others in the same position. We wanted to show a sense of realism and teen lifestyle examples. So based our charity advert on 'Childline' and the clips shown in the advert display the hurtful name calling words bullies have said to them (and they have been labelled with). Words such as 'loser', 'ugly' and 'fat' are written in a pen ink up the children's arms and neck. The characters have been affected by the abuse they've been given and are starting to believe it themselves. Illustrated are the contact details, in order to show a support team that can be offered for the teens that need help. The advert will be plastered on Tv, in-between programmes that are likely to be watched by the younger generation. The trusted volunteer work is branded as the 'Teen's Trust' - alongside the letters "AJEL" - the initials of each of our names: Anjelica, Jonah, Ella and Louis. 

2) Who did you work with and how did you divide the research, planning, filming and responsibilities?
As suggested on the instructions we divided the roles individually but together planned how the advert was going to be presented. We worked to our strengths, which is how we named the responsibilities against the members in the group. Jonah edited the film clips and inserted them into 'premier pro' in order to craft the advert. Anjelica featured in the advert alongside Louis to show the kinds of people who were victimized. Louis and Jonah took it in turns to film the action. I was the blogger. For me this meant planning the storyboard of scenes - what was going to be included and the overall message of the advert and charity. My role was to research three similar topics of charity adverts and to analyze the language, audience and representation of them. 

3) How did you plan your sequence? 
When planning the sequence, we randomly filmed the actors in different settings to show the effects - such as the words written on their body. We used the lockers, the corridor, classrooms and stairwell to use as a setting. Using a basic storyline of two teenagers in school and the effects of the abuse, it is clear to the audience the kind of things that people are called and how people deal with the bullying. For example, people think they are alone originally and they become introverted. Then they start to realize that there are other people going through similar things and that by reaching out to someone - or asking for help - that there is someone there that can listen and support you. Ensuring we used a variety of camera shots to build the suspense that engages the audience into watching more. The close up shots show the actors emotions and the long shots emphasize them feeling alone.

4) What research and planning did you undertake?
As the blogger, I undertook research of three similar adverts. I decided to choose 'Save the Children' campaign, 'Childline' and John Lewis' Christmas advert. As a group, we looked at how the adverts displayed different emotions and the language used to influence the viewer. Using controlled silences helps to create the dramatic scenes. The key things within the adverts were how the producer would portray the language audience and representation.
 
5) What was your initial feedback? What did others say about your production? How successful was your sequence?
The initial feedback was positive and people said that it made them feel sorry for the teens in the advert - which was the overall aim. It needed to be relatable, using real life examples, to show that after watching the advert and seeing support the charity are offering - people will contact them. Feedback we received stated that it was clear and the camera shots were effective.

6) Identify what went well and with hindsight what you do to improve/do differently.
In my opinion, the shots filmed were effective and clear, with a good message streaming throughout. If we were to re-do our sequence, I would have suggested we included a more descriptive voice-over on the footage. Or filmed more scenes of the characters with more hurtful words and feelings displayed on a whiteboard or over their body.

7) What have you learnt from completing this task (groups skills, communication, compromise, using your initiative, creative input, production skills, editing etc)
Working as a part of a team produced difficulty, ensuring ideas are compromised, what looks good and doesn't. However, our group worked well as a team with good communication skills when using visions for what we wanted the charity advert to stand for. Together we used our initiative and creativity to make an advert that was engaging and portrayed bullying as well as something that would be remembered by the audience. I have learnt that the different settings can make the advert more interesting. And the more practise of editing the better it is to use the software - which I was finding easier.
 
8) Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing your future productions? 
This task will make the learning more significant because we were able to experiment with different ideas and filmed different shots, followed by the editing which enabled us to put everything together. I will be more confident in participating in the group activities, because working as a part of a team makes me feel more comfortable - knowing there are more ideas and skills that can improve our product as a whole.