WHY rather than WHAT

I am producing 2 media products for set brief 5. My aim for this online promotional campaign is to raise awareness health campaigns such as anti-vaping. This is because our generation has normalised the issues within this topic as it has become increasingly popular since 2003, with 68.1m people using e-cigarettes in 2020. I would like to discuss the dangers further including some of the serious health risks and life-threatening issues that come with it. This will be emphasised through this campaign in hope to inspire others to quit vaping and realise it is not a healthy alternative to smoking.

I decided to take up this brief because I have interest in the topic of Uses and gratifications media audiences. Specifically, Katz and Blumler’s theory of active and passive consumers. This is because the theory highlights that the media is motivated by needs and goals of audiences, in which my topic of vaping effectively links to as it is becoming increasingly popular. Barthes ideas on semiotics also communicate with my campaign because I feel that today’s society has been affected by e-cigarettes significantly, which will allow me to identify the myth that vaping is a healthy alternative to smoking. It is important that I have a target audience in mind, so the product I am creating will target teenagers between the ages of 14-18 as I believe these are the most common ages to begin vaping. Essentially, these ages are also effective because they are known to be more conformative than other ages, meaning it is likely they do not know the damage they are causing to their bodies, and they are only choosing to take up vaping because it is a popular activity of teenagers.

In terms of Rubicam and Young’s theory, I am targeting my product towards the “aspirers”, as people in this group seek status, and will generally consume products that reflect their status and reputation. The aspirers are likely to take up this habit due to wanting to be impressive to others without considering the affects that come with vaping, specifically people within my target audience due to ‘trends’ in this age group. Therefore, my objective is to allow this category of people to see the harm they are causing and prevent continuing their addiction into adulthood.

In terms of uses and gratifications I am aiming to create products that provide information about today’s society and the social norms that have been brought upon teenagers, as well as to connect individuals together through a greater awareness of the social issues. Therefore, my aim is traditional media with a new form aimed at younger people. I will ensure that the style and register of my products and videos will reflect the professional products I have looked at- The Real Cost E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign. In addition, I use TikTok everyday as it is a popular social media platform among young people, therefore I have first-hand insight on how other messages are presented, so I will be able to create a successful video that will attract the target audience.

I am producing 2 media products, that show a coming-of-age film (the shift), for set brief 3. The media products include three movie posters and three 45-60-sec TikTok videos promoting a coming-of-age movie. These media products vary in traditional and digital marketing strategies which ensures maximum audience as it guarantees that individuals who don’t use the media will still be aware of the movie and people who use media, will also have acknowledge of the movie. This is because the fascination within the film industry and how films have such depth when it comes to signs is something that often intrigues audiences. I also find it captivating how snippets of films can manipulate the audience to watch the film. I chose this brief because I believe that the exploring and enhancement of knowledge through semiotics will guarantee audience engagement through my 3 videos but mostly through my 3 posters. I enjoy the whole concept of being able to build meanings through signs and I’ve always had a fond for guessing what small details or signs in films meant and often found myself searching for answers. I am hoping that this NEA will help me explore these ideas and create meaning and profundity to the movie.   

I think it is important that I set a target audience, so the audience I have in mind will be teenagers who are mourning or envy their younger self’s or more specifically audiences who fit the profile “adventurers, “virtuoso” and “architect”. In terms of uses and gratifications, I’m aiming to create products that explore a feeling of sadness towards growing up. This is because the characters in my film will show the sorrow towards growing up. Growing up and expressing how you feel about it is something very common. Therefore, my aim is to give comfort to those who miss or are grieving their younger selves and wishing they could be children again and to reassure them that feeling like this is completely normal. So, my film is about the heartache towards growing up. I have enjoyed watching films that discuss these issues as it gives me more understanding. The movies that have a huge influence on my media products are the movies, “13 going 30” and “to all the boys I’ve loved before”. I love how the first movie I mentioned shows a contrast of two different people in two completely different life stages and for the second movie, I like the poster format especially the fact that it is from Netflix. I will make sure that the mini videos I produce have the same type of vibe and scenery. I will also make sure it looks professionally produced with quality videos and aesthetics. Films discreetly use semiotics, and I will reflect this in my videos.  

I want both of my productions to connect in terms of content and representation, so all my characters will be the same in the videos and the posters, however in the videos, there will be different scenes, but they will still somehow relate. E.g. keeping the same characters as in posters. I will also use consistent branding, such as the name of the film to ensure consistent iconic and indexical signs.  

I will create 2 media products for brief 4. I have chosen this brief because I have always enjoyed music and especially the visual component as I find it fascinating. I took this brief up because I am interested in narrative theory and seeing how music related media have their own narrative. For example, I really like Todorov’s theory that in every media product, the characters go through stages. They start in an equilibrium, something disrupts it, and they resolve the conflict, creating a new equilibrium.  

The target audience that I will be aiming my products at will be teenagers that enjoy music. This will be 15–21-year-olds who enjoy the visual and textual components to music and who enjoy reading about and discovering new aspiring artists. In terms of Young and Rubicam’s Psychometric profiles, my target audience will be the explorer’s. This is because they like to discover new concepts and genres of music. In terms of Katz and Blumler’s Uses and Gratifications theory, I aim to create products that target people who want to seek media to fill emotional experiences and escape their ordinary lives. I enjoy reading the NME music magazine so I will ensure that the style, tone, and flow of my magazine matches that of NME’s style. I enjoy their style because of its busy front covers and detailed content. As for my music video, I am influenced by self-directed videos by artists. This is because it shows their own story through a video that is created exactly how they envisioned it.  

I want both my music video and my magazine to be linked in content and representation. This will look like my magazine and my music video both featuring a sponsorship. I will consistently reinforce the branding for the sponsorship through out the video and have specific articles based on the sponsorships. I will ensure that throughout my products, my indexical signs are consistent and provide the correct meaning that I want to put across.