Audience and Institution Practice Essay

Assess the importance of marketing in the media area you have studied.

During the release of Walt Disney’s Snow White, the announcement of a first full-length animated film brought a surplus of profit from paying audience members and had competitors shook with the idea. Similarly, Nintendo released a game called Animal Crossing: New Horizons which was released closely to when the pandemic outbreak took place. Both companies were able to make a success of the finished product by marketing the product through specific circumstances.

Prior to the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Walt Disney Company was trying to build a reputation for itself to become successful in the long run. At the time, no other company thought of the idea to make a full-length animated film to be shown to the public. According to Becky Pitt from the company Geek, the competitors were skeptical of the announcement of a first full-length animated film thinking that not one person would want to sit through a whole movie. However, when it came the premiere for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs many people and certain celebrities, such as Charlie Chaplin, came to support the animated film. By having Walt Disney leak the news of creating a never done before full-length animated film, the audience will be marketed a product that is new and unheard of. When the film was marketed as something that is new, the audience will give the film a chance and experience something that is different. As a result, the film became a huge success and allowed for the Walt Disney Company to remain in business. In this case, marketing the film in a different light was what made the company become successful for the future.

In another case, the Nintendo company released a game called Animal Crossing: New Horizons which, in the end, became a huge success. The company released the video game sometime in March which was close to when the pandemic outbreak hit its peak. The sales of the video games depended on word-of-mouth marketing since it was the common people who were recommending the product through social media platforms such as YouTube. As of now, The New York Times deemed Animal Crossing: New Horizons to be a game that is suitable during the time of the pandemic. Through the recommendations made by people, the game continues to make sales and profits for the Nintendo Company. The Animal Crossing game became a big hit through word-of-mouth marketing which later caused popular newspaper companies, such as The New York Times, to report a story on the game. In this case, it was vital for a word-of-mouth marketing strategy to be present and carried out to build the gradual success of the video game.

Overall, both the Walt Disney Company and the Nintendo Company relied on marketing to build the success of the finished products that would be presented to the wider audience. Marketing allowed for the Walt Disney Company to survive and remain in business, as well as have the Nintendo Company make profits off of the new game Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Practice Extract Game of Thrones

   Within the extract, the message was conveyed through the conversation that took place amongst the characters presented. The character’s actions were settle and not much action was taking place, but the conversation was the key element that carried on the moment. By the end of the extract, the main message was carried out to indicate that not everything is guaranteed, anything is possible. The dialogue, in the end, was what made the message be stated clearly so the audience could be mindful of the situation.

   First off, the overall theme was at first being build up to the moment the characters meet and have that conversation that set the tone for the rest of the scenes. In the beginning, the extract showed two guys sailing on a boat heading towards the final destination. The establishing shot sets up for what the two main guy characters will face briefly within the next couple of scenes. The establishing shot, as well, serves its purpose as to inform the audience members that the two main guy characters sailed on a long journey and is finally reaching their last destination.

   Next, when the two main male characters arrived at their destination, a bank, the building was seen not being heavily decorated with any pieces of furniture besides the long table in the center accompanied with three high chairs and right across is two small benches. The set design for the bank suggests that nothing in the room is deemed significant besides the table located in the center. The table is where the two main guys meets up with the bank officials and carry out a conversation that is vital for the scene. By having the bank be nearly empty, the audience members could solely focus on the table that will be accompanied by characters that will explain the situation further. When looking at the chairs/benches around the table, there was three high chairs to signify that the three bank officials is higher, in status, than the two male characters that arrived. The two male characters sits on the two small benches that is located right across the three high chairs; the two small benches indicate that the two males slightly have less of a title within the bank.

   Then when it came to the actual dialogue that took place, the conversation between each character builds up the idea that nothing is guaranteed in life. Between the two males and the bank officials, the conversation was solely based on the topics of history, power, and money. In the eyes of lord Stannis, one of the two males, the bank owes him money that is rightfully his because of the power he holds. Through the bank’s eyes, the money and power belongs to a different king ruling a different land. The dialogue shows the contrasting views of both sides, neither trying to comply with the other. Lord Stannis’ right hand man ended the conversation by defending his lord’s title and birthright stating that as long as lord Stannis stands the war on power is not over. The extract ends on that note creating the theme that anything is possible and that nothing is guaranteed.

   The extract displays that each character holds different values and thoughts which either create conflict or harmony. Not one idea presented by the characters is the official value, each new thought leads to a new conversation. Lord Stannis could not be guaranteed power and money by bank officials who believes a different king is entitled to that same power lord Stannis is after. In the end, the central theme of anything is possible, nothing is guaranteed is what made the scenes come together in the extract.

Our Group's Movie

This is the final version of our group's movie titled Operation T.N.T. Everyone in the group contributed to the making of the final product. Me and Melshida both played as actors in the film, while Rejoice was the camera man and the editor. Each person, as well, made sure each prop and costumes were appropriate for the film. For the final task, our group was more organized and planned out every detail referring to how we will film, where we will film, and what days. At first, our group was able to film most of our movie in one remote location with only about two or three scenes missing. Later on, when the word of the pandemic began to spread our group was lucky we were able to find a library that was still open and filmed the last remaining scenes for our film. Originally, our group planned to record our last scenes in Broward College's library, but due to the pandemic the school closed and our group had to look for a different location to film. Although a few circumstances came in the way, our group was able to overcome the obstacle and finish the last scenes of our film. Our group has come a long way from the start which was the filming of the commercial.

From the beginning of the school year, our group filmed a commercial that talked about the programs Fort Lauderdale High School offers. In the commercial, our group was new to how the camera works and our group didn't know how to be natural in front of the camera. As of now, when the making of the movie began our group was able to plan out the camera movements, angles, and the transitions we wanted to incorporate. Additionally, our group was more familiar with the features of the camera and how to properly use it. The actors for the film were more relaxed and natural in front of the camera, nobody was too shy to do anything. It is safe to say, the group did improve on certain areas when looking at the finished product of our movie. From the making of the commercial to the final task, our group did show some form of improvement over the past months that has passed by. As the finishing touches are made for the final task, I looked back from the beginning and realized that it has been one long journey our group has experienced. In the beginning, I originally wanted to conduct all the projects by myself, but now I was glad I was able to be a part of a group. Being a part of the group helped me grow and develop, not as a filmmaker, but as a student in general.

The CCR For Our Movie

The CCR was recorded in the same library the last scenes of the film took place. With that in mind, the CCR was recorded first before the last scenes of the movie was recorded. Our group was able to book a study room so that no other person would be distracted or that no ruckus would be made by us recording. While recording the CCR, there were a few times we had to retake the shot since we were thrown off a bit and we didn't extend our responses to the fullest for each question asked. By the end, we made sure that the CCR was at least fifteen minutes long and that each question asked was responded with the most fullest answer possible. How we set up the CCR made it appear as if an interview was taking place. Rejoice was behind the camera recording the CCR taking place, and both Melshida and I were the respondents of the questions being asked. Melshida and I alternated between each question to make it as fair as possible. Once when the CCR was finished, our group went straight to recording the last few scenes our movie was missing. Overall, our group was able to finish everything we needed for the final task and the CCR in one day.

While recording the CCR, I was able to respond to the questions that was directed towards me with a lengthy response. As the questions were being directed, I sometimes had to think ahead on how to respond and when it came to me then my response would flow out of my mouth. At first I was a bit nervous on how I will handle answering the questions, but once when I got the hang of it my response then came naturally to me. For certain questions, I had to stop and think about the answer I wanted to give; once when I know for certain how to respond the words come together naturally. While I was responding I try to make eye contact with the interviewer, the cameraman, and the other respondent that was sitting next to me. I wanted my appearance to seem as natural as possible. When it came the time for Melshida to answer some questions, I was respectful and didn't interrupt her train of thought, I let her speak until she was finished. When the interviewer would then go back and ask for my intake of the same question I would acknowledge Melshida's response and then give my insight of the questions. All in all, the recording of the CCR was an interesting experience; the experience allowed me to become more comfortable in front of the camera and to know how to formulate a response as the question is being given. The CCR was an excellent method of developing social skills for any event that would occur in real life where interviews would be given.

Our Group's Commercial

This is our group's very first project we did for the AICE Media Studies class. The commercial was shot at our school at Fort Lauderdale High School. Conducting the commercial was our group's very first attempt at knowing how to act and handle the equipment. The making of our commercial allowed for our group to get familiar with how to operate a camera and edit the raw footage. As a group, we decided to base the commercial on Fort Lauderdale High School and its programs offered. We decided to use only one actress within the commercial and have a voice over be the narrator. For the attire, we decided for the actress to wear the Fort Lauderdale High's spirit shirt to match the theme of the commercial. Because the commercial was our group's very first project, everyone was still getting used to being in front of the camera and knowing how to operate the camera itself. After conducting the commercial, our group's experience will only get better when more projects are dealt with hands on. By the time the music video comes along, our group should slightly get better and show some improvements.

By being able to improve within the music video, it goes to show that everything that was taught in class is being grasped and put into motion. By showing improvement after improvement, not only would our group know the material, but they would know how to apply it to any project. This is the exact reason why the commercial was conducted in the first place, it is to show where you stand in terms knowing the materials given. Setting a foundation will allow for the individual to know exactly their strengths and weaknesses and how to combat them. Each assignment's main goal is for the group or person to prosper and grasp the knowledge that was handed over. Looking back at the commercial, there were parts that could have been better. But our group will take the experience we built during the production of our commercial and imply it to the music video and the final task. Between each project, our group's knowledge and experience will grow slowly overtime and combat those weaknesses established during the first project. Overall for a first project, our group was able to deliver a decent commercial talking about our school and its programs. For the music video, our group will learn from the commercial and make room for improvements during the production of our second project.

Our Group's Music Video

This was the final product of our group's music video; this was the second project our group conducted, the first being the commercial. This project helped our group, as a whole, perform better for the final task and enhance the visuals of the movie. Since the music video came right after the commercial, our group was able to adjust to knowing how the camera works and how to be comfortable in front of the camera. For the music video, originally, everyone was supposed to meet up with each other to have the scenes recorded. However, plans kept popping up and interfering with our scheduling, so I decided to record most of the scenes and Melshida recorded the scenes where a movie and popcorn started to appear. Rejoice took the job of editing the music video together to make the final product. It was a relief every team member could pitch in on their own to make the music video happen. Everyone brought in something different to the table and, in the end, our music video still pulled through. Although our music video could have been altered in a different light, we were still able to deliver the assignment on time and actually provide a music video in hand. The music video taught our group to manage time more efficiently for the final task and to plan out every detail as to where, when, how and why each element is the way it is.

Realizing how much effort goes into a music video, the final task will require each of us to give it our best shot. The music video has prepared my team members and I to do more better when recording and editing the final task. Our group will schedule days in which recording could take place and the backup days in case anything were to come up. Our group will also plan out how the dress attire will be for each subject in the film and the props that will be used during production. Finally, the locations will be determined for the final task according to distance and time. By the end of our journey, our group should see improvements between each piece of film going from the commercial and ending with the movie. Each project should show a slight difference between one another and showcase a glimmer of improvements. By the time the final task will be published, the movie should show an immense amount of improvements within each specific area. Camera techniques should be met, props and costumes should be used, a script should be made, and an idea should be the portrayal. Overall, the music video will set us up for improvements to be made while in the making of our final task.

We Overcame The Obstacle And Recorded

As mentioned before, our group was at a temporary halt for meeting up with each other due to the outbreak that occurred. However, we found a library that was open and met up with each other. Our group's plans paused temporarily until one of our group members, Rejoice, found a library that was not only open but as well had a study room where we could record freely. Our group met up with each other on Tuesday, March 17th at Sistrunk Boulevard within the African American Research Library. Our group was able to rent a study room in order to record first the CCR and then the last remaining scenes of our movie. First, our group recorded the CCR which was supposed to stand between twelve to fifteen minutes long. Rejoice, one of the group members, recorded the whole segment while me and Melshida answered the questions in length. The whole CCR was orchestrated in an interview style where my sister asked me and the group members the questions that goes with the CCR. The video recorded for the CCR had to be done twice since there were moments where we were sidetracked and had to redo it to make it seem like it was a serious interview session. Right after our group finished recording the CCR we began to film the last remaining scenes of our movie.

To start off, the very first scene our group recorded was the part where it shows two phones on the table and one of the devices receives a message from the kidnappers. This particular scene had to be done twice since Rejoice recorded the scene sideways with her phone and everyone later agreed that the scene should have been recorded with the phone straight up. Afterwards came the scene where my character, Brooklyn, runs inside the study room to warn the other friends about the kidnappers and their missing friend. This particular scene was recorded twice since everyone was caught off guard during the first take. Next was the scene where one of the friends was researching where their missing friend could be. This particular scene was supposed to fulfill our missing eye match and low angle. For the last few scenes we did not use as much props as we did for the first filming session. The only props we used for the last few scenes were the books provided within the library and our cellphones for the shot with our phones in it. As for the costumes/attire, I wore the same exact sweatpants I wore for the first filming session and I brought with me the matching sweater. In the end, our plans were temporarily at a halt but we were able to find a public library that was open and record the very few scenes we needed along with the CCR to accommodate.