Promo Journal by

Digital Media Course- my thoughts and feelings

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 06:25:29 UTC

At first impression, the idea of this digital media class provoked a sense of excitement, as this course and the outline will allow me to express myself in a creative manner through a variety of formats. However, I do struggle with more advanced digital media components such as coding and editing, but I am willing to learn how to improve myself in those areas.

80 possibilities for promotion

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 06:26:07 UTC

1. Mental health institutions (beyond blue, suicide hotline) -ask for permission from institution
2. A fictional or local concert or event
3. Adelaide's finest tourist attractions
4. A freelance photographer or writer who wants to exhibit their work
5. An upcoming novel that will change the world!
6. A new film that'll leave the audience on the edge of their seats.
7. Services towards climate change
8. A fictional fresh fragrance
9. A funky magazine
10. A wardrobe that you can fold up and take anywhere with you
11. A fictional musical artist or a band
12. Reusable makeup wipes
13. Uber alcohol; UberDrinks
14. Promoting yourself (a portfolio)
15. A fictional news company
16. A new game or a fun gaming website
17. A tasty, 5-star fictional restaurant
18. A laptop case and school bag in one for students!
19. UniSA
20. A fictional car brand or model
21. A dazzling clothing brand
22. An influencer or celebrity who deserves some recognition
23. Animal cruelty-free makeup tools
24. An instrument that isn't used often/ a fictional instrument
25. Support services for Ukraine in time of their need
26. Opportunities for those affected by the Brisbane floods
27. Awareness for homelessness
28. Fun cooking recipes for all ages to try
29. Promoting a particular job advertisement
30. A new robotic technology advancement
31. A fictional shoe brand
32. A fancy jewellery shop
33. A cool webpage
34. Domestic violence institutions
35. A sporting event
36. Educational program/s for underprivileged children
37. A course in a certain area (aka. journalism, psychology)
38. Road openings in Adelaide
39. Amusement park news/events
40. An underrated music genre
41. MDMA influence on young adults
42. Abortion help services
43. Family-owned business or company
44. A fictional 3D phone app
45. A chair that can transform into a desk
46. Hospital flexibility or health care support
47. Gay Rights support
48. Cures for cancer
49. Gardening tools or plants
50. The opening or closure of a fictional place
51. Road safety for young drivers
52. Prescription glasses
53. A fictional radio podcast
54. Fictional funeral company (dark colour palette)
55. Merchandise for a fictional brand
56. Children's toys
57. Health and fitness groups
58. Child development services
59. Recovery centres for addiction
60. Introducing a new, fictional form of public transportation
61. A political figure
62. Promoting student facilities
63. Historic education
64. Government welfare
65. Animal rights services (RSPCA) -ask for permission
66. Children's clubs/activities on weekends
67. Holiday arrangements to kick your feet back
68. Employment rates
69. Career pathways/ human development
70. Black Lives Matter movement
71. Cultural diversity
72. A new piece of exercise equipment
72. A cool talent show
73. Art tools to bring out the artist in you!
74. An artistic piece/art gallery
75. A sport or a sporting team
76. A news article
77. The development of social media or social media tools
78. Disability support groups
79. Outdoor activities for entertainment
80. Drug or alcohol related abuse

Promotional message

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 07:07:16 UTC

I intend on creating a promotional message that presents the harsh influence that MDMA has on youth culture; and how the drug can negatively influence the lives of young adults and their loved ones. By creating this promotional video, I intend to raise awareness upon the issue and help prevent the abuse of MDMA within youth culture.

Target audience

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 11:34:35 UTC

My target audience for the promotional video will be a niche audience of teenagers and young adults, typically those aged 17-21, who have either experienced the drug or have endured watching a loved-one undertake drug-related social and health implications. Through capturing this specific audience (the most common group of MDMA use), I hope to minimise the illegal consumption and abuse of MDMA.

I plan to capture the audience via exhibiting the colourful, dreamy aesthetic associated with MDMA in the beginning of the video. This should create a sense of relatability between the audience's age group and the video's visuals, drawing the specific group to view the video. To encourage a change in the audience's perspective of the drug, I will present a contrasting, dark appearance which demonstrates the harsh effects associated with coming down from MDMA. The video itself will be an experience that allows the audience to understand the potential influences and risks of the illegal consumption of MDMA.

Innovation: sources and critical analysis

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 12:26:11 UTC

Irina, M & Jason, MW & Rodney, JI 2012, ‘Antidepressant-like effects of ecstasy in subjects with a predisposition to depression’, Addictive behaviours, vol. 37, no. 10, pp. 1189-1192.

This source was useful for identifying the core reasons for MDMA consumption, with subjects enduring mood disturbances being the main reason why they resort to ecstasy to drown out those pre-existing thoughts and feelings. When research was conducted on the effects of MDMA on subjects with and without a predisposition to depression, it was discovered that "When drug-free, the WP (with predisposition to depression) subjects had greater mood disturbance and depressive symptoms than the NP (without predisposition to depression) group." (Irina M 2012, p.1) These results demonstrate the large jump from when one is on the serotonin-inducing drug in comparison to coming down to sobriety, creating more emotional distress and mood disturbances within the subject's thought patterns. Additionally, the consumption of MDMA as a way of "self-medication" can be very harmful if not prescribed, as unbalanced quantities can lead to hypertension, faintness and panic attacks. In sever cases, this illegal consumption could lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. This source highlights the harmful effects that MDMA can provide, specifically towards those undergoing a mental disorder.

Kate, MM & Michael, K & Peter, F & Jason, MW 2011, ‘Pill content, dose and resulting plasma concentrations of 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA in recreational ‘ecstasy’ users’, Addiction, vol. 106, no. 7, pp. 1293-1300.

This source focuses on the impacts associated with MDMA-use patterns. The source also supports the fact that the drug is consumed for pleasurable experiences, exhibiting the potential difficulty of the consumer reaching sobriety. According to the source, the drug is taken for "its pleasurable effects, such as euphoria, heightened sensory awareness and enhanced ‘closeness’ to others." (Kate M 2011, p.1) This information is useful to my studies, as this can help me to achieve accuracy regarding the presentation and behaviours of the actors within my promotional video. Additionally, the source covers the effects post-MDMA consumption, providing the reader with an understanding and knowledge of its influence. Some of the main effects associated with MDMA stated within the article includes: "nausea, teeth grinding, tremor, panic, hyperthermia, convulsions and even death." (Kate M 2011) This information will help me to accurately depict the effects from coming down from the drug.

Hysek & Cedric, M & Domes, G & Liechti, ME 2012, ‘MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions’, Psychopharmacology, vol. 222, pp. 293-302.

This source analyses the impairment of a subject's mental heath and overall functioning as a result of taking the drug. According to the source, after conducting research on the accuracy and overall reaction of subjects 160 minutes post-MDMA consumption, results showed that the "misreading of negative social information as being more neutral or positive may result in higher social risk behaviour." (Cedric M 2012, p.1) This information demonstrates that the stimulant provokes a change in the social behaviour of the consumer, impacting the impression of the consumer's surroundings, including friends, family and colleagues. I can use this information in my video to highlight the fine connection between the drug consumer and their surroundings, and how the drug can influence them both physically and mentally.

mclcy016 — 2022-03-04 12:36:25 UTC

_{Nast, C., 2022.}_{These pills are meant to cure your comedown. Science begs to differ}_{. [online] WIRED UK. Viewed 4/3/2022}

Promotional Video Research

mclcy016 — 2022-03-09 04:15:30 UTC

NSW Health, MDMA- Respect Your Brain, video, YouTube, July 6 2020, viewed 11 March 2022, .

This video uses information and facts to support their message against MDMA use. This creates a sense of credibility upon the audience, as it demonstrates that the creator of this video has done their research and then wants to project their message based on their findings. My video will be distinctive from this video because I will be using realistic figures and approaches to make my video feel more like an experience, rather than an educational piece. I will use the chronological order of the character taking the drug and then coming down from it as inspiration, as this storyline will encourage the viewer to understand (or at least think about) the consequences that come with taking the drug. Similar to the creator of this video, I will be researching into the symptoms of the illegal consumption of MDMA to create an accurate depiction.

Promotional Video Research

mclcy016 — 2022-03-11 06:16:46 UTC

Australian government, Ecstasy- you don’t know what it’ll do to you, video, Youtube, 2005, viewed 11 March 2022, .
This video is designed to show the potential health and mental complications and risks that can arise from taking MDMA. Putting the spotlight on these issues may provoke the audience to feel frightened or concerned about the possibility of having those same consequences, urging them to avoid the drug. This video is set in a party environment, showing the audience where and how the drug can be consumed; eg. spiking, mixed with drinks, peer pressure and for pleasure purposes. This brings out the awareness that the illegal use of MDMA is more common than we may believe. The dramatic editing approach to the video when the consequences are being exhibited helps the audience to recognise the harshly significant influences the drug can have on the body. My video will be distinctive from this video because I will be playing more with the visuals to exhibit a clearer message and relate to the audience.

Promotional Video Research

mclcy016 — 2022-03-11 06:23:26 UTC

TVC, Arbia Production House, Drug Prevention campaign, video, YouTube, June 26 2013, viewed 11 March 2022, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnS4W28eih0>.

This video explores how people from all cultures and lifestyles can grow up to the exposure of drugs. The use of children within the video creates a sense of pathos, as the audience is viewing these innocent, naive characters whilst the narrator explains what they grew up to consume. I can incorporate this idea in my video via exhibiting characters before and after illegal drug consumption, demonstrating the huge contrast in peoples characteristics and appearance as they undertake drug-related issues. The incorporation of sad music creates a sullen mood that ties in with the meaning of the video. This incorporation creates understanding and awareness upon the audience. I will consider what music I will use within my promotional video that correlates with the context and meaning, projecting a powerful message. My video will be distinctive from this video, as I will use a chronological storyline and go more in-depth about the experiences associated with MDMA.

Mind-map

mclcy016 — 2022-03-14 00:56:51 UTC

My mind-map demonstrating the long-term influence of the illegal consumption of MDMA; ideas to incorporate into my video adaption.
My video will stand out from others that are similar because I will incorporate research into my video via the depiction of the drug experience.

Video Treatment

mclcy016 — 2022-03-14 01:03:19 UTC

The video begins with the camera showcasing a table in the middle of a room. Up-beat music is playing, and the room is decorated with streamers, lights and balloons. The visuals are aesthetically pleasing.
A figure enters the frame and walks towards the table. As the camera zooms closer on the table, a sign labelled "Pay for pills and borrow happiness" is displayed. The figure, dressed in party clothing, approaches the sign. The camera pans on the figures intrigued face, and then cuts back to the table, in which a tray divided by money and MDMA pills has suddenly appeared. The figure's hand is shown placing money on the tray and picking up some pills. The figure consumes the pills, and the video quality becomes blurry. The surrounding lights become more prominent and the figure's hands are seen touching random body parts around the room. Suddenly, the upbeat music dies out due to being overpowered by a high-pitch sound, the lights and action is gone, and the camera pans back to the table with the sign. The sign now reads "You must give happiness back now". The figure, now dressed in darker clothing, is distressed. They break down in tears as their surroundings gradually go darker. The screen is now black.
The end.

(All experiences within the video will be backed with solid evidence and research to depict the effects of MDMA with accuracy.)

Attention

mclcy016 — 2022-03-25 06:09:10 UTC

I will craft my intended message by displaying the
sadness and depression associated with the drug. However, to gain the audiences' appeal in the beginning of the video, I will exhibit pleasing colours and visuals to appeal teenage viewers in particular.

Interest

mclcy016 — 2022-03-25 06:09:33 UTC

My video's target audience are young adults aged 17-24 because this particular age group is more prone to the nightclub life, where MDMA is commonly known and used within this environment.

Action

mclcy016 — 2022-03-25 06:11:30 UTC

My intended action for the audience is to prevent the illegal consumption of MDMA through informing others about the consequences of the drug and refusing to take, buy or sell MDMA.

Colour Palette

mclcy016 — 2022-04-02 08:23:07 UTC

mclcy016 — 2022-04-02 08:46:34 UTC

Colour Palette Examination

mclcy016 — 2022-04-02 08:51:08 UTC

To exhibit the true contrast of what it is like to experience MDMA vs coming down from the drug, I wanted to incorporate a variety of colours into my palette to explore the different stages and effects of the drug. The bright variety of swatches within the colour palette will entice teenagers and creates a relatability between that age group and the general colours associated within their life. Additionally, the darker tones associated with the two secondary colour rows will allow me to depict the darkness and sadness in the second half of the video, when the character goes into a depressive state and is harshly influenced by the drug.