Ill Manors print: branding

BILLBOARD

• What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc..)?

The first key convention includes a central image of the producer of the film, Ben Drew. This makes the audience aware that he is influence the decisions made in the film and enhances his star image. The title of 'Ill Manors' on the billboard is the same font for everything the brand promotes, such as DVD packaging and posters, so the audience can easily identify the brand through its consistency. Also, Plan B's name is written next to the central image to show how he's taking charge to make this film and experience in the film industry, as well as the music industry.

• What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

The title is firm, not that sophisticated to employ how the film is urban and low-budget. The colour scheme is in black and white to promote a serious tone, the black connotes a mysterious and fearful feel whereas the white presents a cold feeling, together both colours reflects how the film is a story about events which may turn out to be sinful.  

• What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

During the production process Plan B wanted to present life in a different context by promoting the realism of the suburban areas which are not highly regarded in society. Plan B's intentions in making the film are associated with portraying the lifestyle the youth lead. He specifically focuses on 'chavs' and hood-rats in general and wants to show the audience the style of life these young adults carry out and a justification for the actions in events such as the London riots. He wanted to present how the youth a misunderstood but didn't want to glamorise violence at the same time. The image of Plan B integrates with the intentions of the film which was to portray more of the working class, this has successfully been done through his posture which seems relaxed. In general, central images tend to look directly into the reader's eyes however Plan B has contradicted this norm and decided to be enticed into looking at the ground to show how disregarded the working class are which he represents himself as he was raised in a working class environment. 

POSTER

• What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc.)?

The first key convention is the central image of Riz Ahmed, one of the main characters, who heavily drives the plot in the film. Ben Drew may have chosen to put Riz Ahmed on there to portray his ghetto character who comes across as ignorant when following the rules in society. There is also a tag line, which is a direct quotation from the beginning of the film itself, to emphasise a particular message which in this instance is to show how the working class kids are a "product" of the the environment they live in, which translates to the fact that society impacts the lives of teenagers. The release date is displayed at the bottom of the poster to create excitement before the film's release and to make people aware so they can promote the film's release through word-of-mouth. The background of the image is of a council estate area to illustrate the area where the working classes are raised in. The background uses dull, monochrome colours to create a sense of dreary and lifeless feel. The dark shadows in the image promote the dark reality the teenagers have to face daily in order to survive in their community.

• What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

Half of the title is the same font as the usual brand identity to deliver that consistency and makes it easily identifiable. The title is slightly covered in a cartooned type of puke coming directly out of Riz Ahmed's mouth, This symbolises how the working class are desolate about their lifestyles and ultimately makes them sick that society ignores them. The other half of the title, which states the word "MANORS", is written in yellow to demonstrate a sense of impatience and critsim. Usually yellow represents optimism, however this print advert contradicts the usual meaning to create irony that there isn't any opportunities for the youth as they are secluded from society. The word is written is a way to show erosion and Riz Ahmed seems to be puking on the word "MANORS" to reiterate how there is no order for the youth. 

• What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

When making the film he wanted to present how taking away opportunities for the youth will lead them to take part in drugs and violence as that is there only way out. Plan B gained a "clear sense" of what he wanted to promote and this was a clarification as to why the youth are seen as negative and this is down to the fact that society tends to alienate this group. The poster seems to be photographed in the suburban areas of London and Plan B decided to film in East London where he originally grew up to show the experiences he faced when growing up. Also, he wanted to create a low-budget film to help promote the grim reality the youth live up to in the suburban areas of London.

MAGAZINE REVIEW

• What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc.)?

The use of a variety of different images from the film itself gives the reader an insight into what the film may be about, the audience almost get a preview. The title is placed in the centre right beneath one of the actor's who seems to be practising how to threaten someone with a gun to display how there are no "manors" involved because of the use of weapons and gang violence which presents negative imagery. There are many review quotes, especially from Ben Drew himself who clarifies how hip-hop is associated with the film massively. The reviews prompts the audience to make a decision whether or not to watch the movie. 

• What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

The actors in the images help to make the film identifiable, especially the one of the producer himself (Ben Drew) which helps to raise awareness about his own film, this enhances his star image and credits his own brand identity to create a film which utilises his own talents (rappers) to help narrate the story. In this magazine review the colour scheme looks more professional to help attract more sophisticated people from the ABC1 demographic to watch the film in order to educate and inform them on a visual justification as to why the youth from working class backgrounds may behave carelessly. 

• What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

In the DVD extras video, Plan B wanted to show the audience what the youth will result in (drugs and violence) if they have no place in a society and society is mainly concerned about politics rather than the lives of teenagers. The main central image of Riz Ahmed in the magazine review helps to reinforce this point.