Understand the purpose of audio visual promos

Understand the purpose of audio-visual promos

Trailer Analysis

This is a Kong skull island final trailer, that was distributed across the use of social media. The purpose of this product is to inform potential audiences with interests, as well as the fact that the product can also be used for the purpose of selling another product to potential audiences, this product is the movie itself, since this product is the trailer of it.

Who are the audience for the this promo?

This product aims towards those of ages above 14, since the product portrays violence within it, because of regulations, they cannot show it appropriately to younger ages. There are no specifics in gender targets. Since the show has no relevance to any gender specifically. Kong skull island has no specific aim in location, however they aim to globalise their product to increase their viewership. This product also does not provide a specific aim on ethnicity.

What would they expect from it?

Since the product itself is a reboot, fans would expect, it to have similarities and recognisable plots from the previous versions of movies. They would also expect some of these types of information to appear on the trailer promo product.

What generic codes and conventions does the promo use, and how does it appeal to them or meet their expectations?

One convention that they have used, is the use of social media. From the 4 seconds in, there can be seen on the bottom side of the visual a text saying "#KongIsKing". The purpose of this was to start a trend by informing the hashtag to audiences and the public. This would then influence them to start using these hashtags on their social medias, this would eventually lead others to also find out about the product, increasing the viewership. This was a good convention and a good use of screen time, as it promotes the product through the use of a modern creation, called social media. This would appeal to many, as a lot of the public in the current days have a connection to social media, so the majority would be able to to relate to what this text in the trailer means. 

Even though the film product itself consists of violence and action, they have used a different choice of music to fit in with the visual promo. With this they have also provided short scenes of characters, having conversations with humour. This shows that even though the film is of sci fi and action, it also has slight humour, which some of the audiences may like. This also shows that the film itself is more unique and is not just as what the audience expect of a reboot film product. This can appeal to them and meet their expectations, this appeals to many, as in order for the audience to enjoy it has to appeal and show its product in a way that the audience can enjoy without predicting or expecting what could happen. As more movies come out, and more are watched, it gets harder for filming companies to make something unique for the audience to enjoy, so achieving this level, could leave a good impression on the audience. This convention is also good as its covering a wider area of genres and not just in general genres like Action and Adventure, this would increase their viewership.

Another good convention use is that throughout the visual promo, they have also shown short pieces of clips of the action scenes, to get their audiences on edge, even when its just a trailer. The purpose of this is so that audiences are left with curiosity and are more interested to actually watch the film product to see what happens. This appeals to them as they are able to see what is visually going on and the dilemma that the characters are currently in, the only part that they are left out on is how it will go or how it will end. This also meets their expectations, as  even within a trailer, the promo has to properly showcase the film product, if it fails to do that, it will not meet its viewers expectations leaving them with uninterest in the film product. This means if it does end up intriguing the majority of the audiences, giving them a reason to be interested in the film, it has succeeded in its role and met its expectation.

How does it appeal to them through technical aspects?

The trailer promo appeals to its audience, through its use of various of props and visual fx. Since the film product's genres consist of Action, Adventure, Sci fi and Fantasy. The trailer can also be seen with each of these elements. The trailer consists of actions between soldiers and King Kong, fighting with bombs and gunfire. Various camera angles are used even closeups to portray how large King Kong was compared to a soldier, this can be seen around 1 minute in. 

What does this visual product convey?

The visual product conveys a narrative meaning, showing soldiers and scientists, finding out about an island that was hidden away in the middle of an ocean. It shows humour, showing that they are human, making them more relatable. It conveys actors being shown in the majority of the scenes.

Gameplay Walkthrough Analysis

This is a gameplay walkthrough of a new coming game called Stray. This media was distributed through physical events as well as being pre recorded and distributed across social medias such as YouTube. The purpose of this product is to showcase the game, with the use of some game play. It is trying to create and push an interest in potential buyers and the audiences, it does this through entertaining them with the game, giving teasers and showing how it will be like. This is also a form of informing the audience of its launch and release. This also counts toward gaining an audience for selling their product, since this gameplay walkthrough is dedicated to selling another product, which is the game itself. Since this is a walkthrough or a gameplay it educates them on the knowledge of the game, showing teaser of what the game is and what the could do.

Who is the target for the audience?

The target for this audience, are those interested, in playing video games that are story related or have an adventure type theme. Its a game that simulates and portrays a future, where most figures seen are robots. It also contains elements of puzzles. Its aimed for those above ages of 16. With no specifics in genders. Locations are targeted to where they can distribute. This product aims to breakthrough mainstream since it is an indie game.

What would they expect from it?

Since the product is of indie genre, most viewers of the audience would expect the game to be more unique, and niche than other general main stream games. This walkthrough product itself, is expected to showcase how the actual product itself will play out. Showing a short walk through of the game.

What generic codes and conventions does the promo use, and how does it appeal to them or meet their expectations?

One generic code that this visual promo, uses is narration. There can be heard a narrator speaking over the footage explaining the current scenarios and what is currently happening. Another good convention is that the walkthrough has combination of cinematics and cutscenes that are used to help promote the product in terms of quality. It meets their expectations through the use of visual quality and as well as gameplay. Walkthroughs tend to show off the game meaning it would show it in a spot of the story where it would seem the most interesting, which is also what been done here. There are a few shots of city areas as well as other sceneries implying that the viewers when they get this product can also do the same things.

How does it appeal to them through technical aspects?

It appeals to them using sound effects as well as tension build ups as it can be seen various times where the animal is being chased, as well as moments where it build tension on its scenery.

What does this visual product convey?

This visual product conveys a game play of a product. It conveys this on different social media platforms. It uses narration, to narrate and explain the current scenes. It is narrating a cat that is adventuring, there are moments of tension and suspense, which can relate to the audience and engage them into its content which makes it effective in conveying what it needs to.

Ident Analysis

This is a famous Ident made for 21st Century Fox. The purpose of this media is to inform the audience that what they are about to watch is being presented by 21st Century Fox, which is a method of providing credit to the organisation, since viewers may not know. This is informing them. The ident itself is done through an animation showing a theatre like area with a huge text saying "21st Century Fox", this ident is more unique and colourful. This is to not only inform the audience but also entertain them as it does not show a simple normal visual. This ident can also be used for the purpose of entertaining.

Who is the target for the audience?

This has no specific target in terms of age, since it is an ident to simply alert the audience of who owns the product. There is no specific target in gender. It is meant to target those interested in the current film being viewed since it is one of the very first things that they will see when watching a film product of 21 Century Fox. There is no specifics in location or ethnicity.

What would they expect from it?

The audience and viewers will expect the ident to clearly specify the company name as well as showing something that makes it unique recognisable. It is also an animation or visual that is meant to entertain the audience even for a few seconds.

What generic codes and conventions does the promo use, and how does it appeal to them or meet their expectations?

A generic code that's used within this ident as well as many others is the audio and ident music. Since normally idents have music that is unique to them, and is recognisable only cause of them, this has also been done here. This way even without visuals audiences will be able to recognise the sound and understand where it is from. 

How does it appeal to them through technical aspects?

The visual itself uses animations and visual FX, this is to present the ident in a more entertaining method. This will appeal to the audience as they are entertained by the visual. 21st Century Fox have also created other versions of the same visual in order for it to relate to what they are watching.

What does this visual product convey?

This visual product conveys, an animation without any use of actors. It shows a cat wondering through a futuristic environment seeing robotic figures. It also contains an audio narration explaining what is happening. It conveys how the game works and how it might be played, it teases through the use of Easter eggs and certain visuals. It contains cinematic to help end off and start the walkthrough which eventually transitions to the gameplay. 

Music Promos

This is a promo of a song made by the artist known as The Weeknd. The actual music product name is After Hours. The visual itself in this is not the actual music product, but a teaser to it. The purpose and aim for this is to promote to sell another product, which is the actual song product by the artist. The purpose of this promo is to also give a quick to teaser to fans and those of the audiences that are interested, which also portrays it to be a form of entertainment. Within the promo itself, there are visuals that will also appear on the actual product itself, the purpose of showing some off the visuals is to inform the audience of what the actual music product is. It does this by showing a theme, a clip of visuals as well as a short clip of the music. This product is used to alert those that the product is out and that they can listen to it. This will drive more viewership as it will alert those who may like the product informing them that it has released.

Who is the target audience?

The target audience, would be those interested into the genres and themes of swirling and ominous electro house composition or those who are already interested media that "TheWeeknd" creates.

What would they expect from it?

The audience will expect a teaser of the song itself, this will be visuals as well as effects. It is expected to capture their attention, which it does meeting that expectation. It would also need to fit in for the theme of the actual product, which it does as the same themes and appearances on the product being promoted.

What generic codes and conventions does the promo use, and how does it appeal to them or meet their expectations?

One convention that's been used is the teaser of the product. They have used short clips of the product itself to interest the audience, and show them what it is or could be. Having a distinct theme means it can be more unique and different which can stand out to the audience although it may not appeal to all.

How does it appeal to them through technical aspects?

It appeals to the audience through technical aspects, through the use of themes and colours. It uses red visuals as well as props with the primary colour of red. This is to attract and portray a theme. It also uses various visuals, close ups, and shots of a city/road. This can appeal to viewers of the audience from cities. Within the visual itself it shows a deserted city where the only noise is what the main character in the visual is making. This can relate to a lot of viewers since many viewers from city areas have a lot of noise when they prefer it to be more silent. It also portrays a visual in which the character is free and able to do what he wants, whereas in reality its more constrained and people aren't as free to do what they want, because of society's expectations or because of physical restrictions like crowds and tourism within cities.

What does this visual product convey?

This visual product conveys visuals and transitions of a character wandering while singing. It has a few teaser shots of them in props of red clothes on a red themed deserted street, as well as a shot in a red themed car, with a close up on the character or singers face. 

Comparison: Which is the best audio visual promo product for promotion?

Movie Trailer: Kong Skull Island

Out of the 4 audio visual promos. Kong Skull Island's trailer has shown to be the most effective in terms of visuals and its technical aspects. The reason it has proven to be the most persuasive promo out of the 4, is because it had covered wider areas in terms of genres and interests. This means that it was able to capture the attention of larger scale of audience with a variety of interests. It has also shown its uniqueness to the audience and viewers, making them more interested in the actual product. Even though the actual film product itself is full of violence and action, it also conveys forms of humor in the trailer, to intrigue the audience, that it was not just a general action/adventure genre. Whereas the other promos are more specific and do not really cover a large range of interests in the audience.

The gameplay walkthrough of the game Stray, although it contains a lot of cinematics and narration, did not cover on interests of the audience other than the game itself and the sci fi thriller genre that it exists in. This means that only users with an interest in this product initially would watch this promo product. Compared to Kong Skull Island, this product can capture attention from the audience with the use of its choice of music that may be recognised by the audiences. It uses different shots in the trailer to inform the audience of the various genres it could be in. This may interest those already with an interest in these genres.

The ident 21st Century Fox is an ident that has been recognised by many viewers and has become a famous ident. The ident itself contains an entertaining visual that can attract the attention of the audience, with the use of sudden music played by an orchestra. The purpose of this is to alert the audience that the film is about to start, as well as the presenters of the film. However the difference between this promo and the movie trailer of Kong Skull Island's, is that it does not target members of the audience, but only was made and showed to the audience for the purpose of alerting them. So it would not matter if they are interested with the ident and what it shows or what they could hear. Compared to Kong Skull Island's trailer, this promo also has a similar entrance however it expands upon it to keep the audience engaged, with the use of dialogues from the movie itself as well as various scenes, while not revealing too much. Weeknd's After Hours music promo is also another good example of a promo, since it also just as Kong Skull Island's trailer, has a good use of visuals as well as the audio from the actual product. It shows scenes that would interest the viewer into the product more. As well as providing texts explaining that the product has been released in a distinct red font. Kong Skull Island also does the same, however it also offers social integration into its trailer and actual product, using the hashtag feature. This is to help increase popularity and make their product trend across social media platforms to let more potential viewers know. This means that with those texts they are attempting to start a trend on social media to cover more audience and potential interest viewers. Whereas the After Hours music promo only attempts to cover the viewers currently watching the promo, alerting them that the song is released. Which is why I have come to a conclusion, that out of the 4 promo products i have chosen and researched, Kong Skull Island's trailer had the most effectiveness in promotion , because of its various use of features such as social integration and the use of technical aspects to cover different areas of genre.