The document summarizes the analysis of cross-media advertising for a slasher film project. It examines how the trailer, magazine, and poster were designed to work together to promote the film across multiple media channels to their target audience of 15-25 year old males. Each product incorporates consistent branding elements like font, color scheme, and imagery. The analysis finds the products effectively follow genre conventions and would fit in well with existing slasher film marketing.

1. HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE
COMBINATION OF YOUR MAIN
PRODUCT AND ANCILLARY TEXTS?
BY BEBE HENDERSON

2. CROSS-MEDIA ADVERTISING
The definition of Cross-Media Advertising; to advertise the same product
through several different types of media.
We will be releasing our products via; television, internet, newspapers,
cinemas, billboards, shops etc.
The combination of our trailer and ancillary products are very important
because together, they manage to entice a wide audience. Once seeing
the products (probably at different times), they will automatically realise
that they are all advertising the same film. I would say that the poster and
magazine are critical in setting the right impression, as this will give the
audience an incline into what the film (and trailer) will be like.
When looking at cross media advertising in comparison to our products,
you can see that this has been done to a very good standard. For
example, we have used the same; font, actors and colour scheme
throughout all three products. Therefore we are showing that our
products are consistent, but are also making the film recognisable –
almost like a brand.

3. CROSS-MEDIA ADVERTISING
The ‘Slasher’ genre has a very specific target audience of mainly
males of around 15 to their mid-twenties, (our target audience is
15 to 25 year olds who are predominantly male) and because of
this producers need to advertise their products in a way that will
be easy for their target audience to access them and become
involved. One of the best ways to advertise to a younger
audience is to do it through social networking. The five films I
analysed in research and planning all had a similar viewing
audience to our film. One of the ways they advertised their films
was through Facebook (see on next slide). This way, their
audience - who probably use social networking on a day to day
basis - will be able to interact and find out more about the film
they are interested in.
As producers of our film, we knew that creating a Facebook
page would be the next step in advertising ‘The Last House’ to
our target audience.

5. COMPARISON
OF TRAILER

6. COMPARING OUR TRAILER TO
OTHERS Film producers
and studios are
always introduced
first.
Equilibrium at
the beginning
of the trailer.
Pretty, blonde
female is always
featured in a
Slasher trailer.
Masked or
mysterious
villain is a vital
convention.

7. COMPARING OUR TRAILER TO
OTHERS The ‘Lionsgate’ film
studio is the first
thing we see.
Equilibrium at the
beginning of the
trailer with
children trick or
treating.
Pretty, blonde girl
is introduced as
the protagonists
sister.
Mysterious villain
wearing a large
hat covering
three quarters of
his face.

8. COMPARING OUR TRAILER TO
OTHERS The Last House compared
with Halloween ll, Prom
Night and Scream 4: Both
showing the used of knives
in an incredibly violent way.
The Last House

9. COMPARING OUR TRAILER TO
OTHERS The Last House compared
with Scream 4, A Nightmare
on Elm Street and Texas
Chainsaw Massacre:
Teenage protagonists – they
are always most likely to be
the victims.
The Last House

10. COMPARING OUR TRAILER TO
OTHERS
Prom Night The Last House

11. SUMMARY OF TRAILER
Overall, I would say that our trailer is very conventional and
wouldn’t look out of place when compared with an existing
media product. I believe that all of the main conventions have
been applied to the trailer.

12. COMPARISON
OF MAGAZINE

13. COMPARING OUR MAGAZINE TO
OTHERS
Our Magazine Front Cover Fangoria’s Magazine Front
Cover

14. COMPARING OUR MAGAZINE TO
OTHERS

15. COMPARISON
OF POSTER

16. SUMMARY OF MAGAZINE
Our magazine is almost an exact replica of the ones I have
analysed – not only does it apply to the main conventions of
a magazine, but it also applies to conventions needed within
the Slasher genre, such as; a dark colour scheme, ‘spooky’
font and a dark, mysterious image.

17. COMPARING OUR POSTER TO
OTHERS
Our Film Poster Prom Night’s Film Poster

18. COMPARING OUR POSTER TO
OTHERS

19. SUMMARY OF POSTER
Out of the three products I have created, I personally think
that the poster looks like the most professional product. If
you were to place this poster next to a real-life media poster,
(i.e. Prom Night’s poster), then it would not look out of place.
I am incredibly happy with how the poster has turned out.