The document discusses how the main product (a music video) and ancillary task (a digipack) effectively combine symbolic elements and themes. A medallion symbol is used throughout both products to link characters and reinforce themes. Both products also share themes of war, isolation, and grief. Visual elements like costumes, color palette, shots, and typography are similarly executed to clearly connect the two pieces and ensure audiences understand they are meant to be experienced together. Maintaining codes and conventions from the main product allows the ancillary task to successfully promote and expand upon the core ideas.

1. 
How effective is the
combination of your
main product and your
Ancillary Task?
Media Evaluation Question 3

2. Symbolism
 In our main product, we decided to use a
medallion type symbol to link the main
protagonist with one of the other soldiers
in the video. The medallion also features
as the focus point of our digipack.
Throughout our music video we refer back
to the medallion to reinforce the idea of
our main protagonist being haunted. We
included it on our digipack so that
audiences could understand the link
between the two products. The medallion
is a symbol that we have used throughout
our whole project.
Screenshot from Music Video
Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

3. Themes
 The representation of soldiers as individuals and
warfare in general is made apparent in the
ancillary tasks which relates to the music video.
 The content within the narrative is also present
in the ancillary tasks with the main protagonist
mourning over the death of his fellow soldiers
(band members) for the inside covers of the CD
design.
 The back cover maintains the gritty, sombre
themes that are reflected through the location.
The particular shot used is featured in the build
up to the first death in the music video.
 The atypical representation of a pop band in the
music video is also made clear through the
content of the front cover for the CD design
through the soldier uniforms which follow on
the themes present in the music video.
Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)
Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)

4. Themes
 The poster also demonstrates a direct
link to the main product by including a
particular image that relates to the music
video. The themes of warfare and the
army are represented.
 The theme of isolation and certain
emotions are also incorporated by
positioning the characters in a certain
way which demonstrates this.
 The song ‘Ghosts’ by The Presets is also
represented in an abstract way through
the poster by including the sky behind
the characters, this enables the ancillary
tasks to link well with the main product. Screenshot from Music Video
Screenshot from Poster (Ancillary Task)

5. Palette
 Throughout our music video, the audience will notice that the palette is often
equally divided. When half the shot is dark and gloomy to give a war type
feel, the other half of the palette is bright, normally in the sky. This is to
reinforce the ongoing theme of ‘ghosts’ and ‘heaven’. On our poster, we have
used the same palette, with quite a dreary lower half to the shot, yet a
luminous upper half. This would suggest to audiences that the colour is a
constant theme running through our project.
Screenshot from Music Video Screenshot of Poster (Ancillary Task)

6. Costume
 Within Mise-en-Scene, the costume is
featured throughout our whole project.
Our music video, digipack and poster all
feature the same participants in the same
costume. The costume is army uniform
(commando) and is featured so
audiences understand the war theme of
the project as well as creating the link
that the ancillary tasks and music video
are meant to be together. There is one
point in our music video when the main
protagonist is wearing a suit rather than
commando uniform (as shown to right).
However we link this with our digipack
by using the same screenshot for the
inside covers.
Screenshot of Digipack (Ancillary Task)
Screenshot from Music Video

7. Cinematography
 The range of shots/shot angles that are present in the
music video progress into the ancillary tasks by
including different shots for each design.
1. The front cover includes a mid-shot of the band whilst
the use of the medallion is positioned as a close-up.
2. The inside covers feature a long shot of the main
protagonist mourning his former colleagues.
3. The back cover includes an establishing of one of the
locations in which the first death occurs.
4. The poster incorporates an extreme close-up of the
band walking towards the audience.
 The fact that we have included a range of unique shots
represents the same connotations as the main product
which, therefore, demonstrates an effective
combination between the two tasks.

8. Typography
 The typography we have used is represented through both our Main
Product and Ancillary Task. The text varies between the colours of
black and white, which sticks to the theme of our palette throughout.
However, the typography that presents ‘GHOSTS’ and ‘The Presets’
is consistently the same font throughout. This font acts almost as a
logo as it is eye catching in each product, and so audiences will easily
be able to establish the link between the products.
Screenshot from Digipack (Ancillary Task)
Screenshot from Poster (Ancillary Task)
Screenshot from Music Video

9. Conclusion
 To summarise, we have intentionally maintained particular
codes and conventions from the main product when
creating the ancillary tasks. This, therefore, allows the
audience to discover the links and easily understand what
the product is about.
 By incorporating the idea of symbolism, Mise-en-Scene,
themes, and cinematography it enabled us to produce
separate tasks which can successfully promote the main
product.

10. Conclusion
 To summarise, we have intentionally maintained particular
codes and conventions from the main product when
creating the ancillary tasks. This, therefore, allows the
audience to discover the links and easily understand what
the product is about.
 By incorporating the idea of symbolism, Mise-en-Scene,
themes, and cinematography it enabled us to produce
separate tasks which can successfully promote the main
product.