LIAM WOODGATE

Poster genre research

AbductionTarget audience:The target audience for this film is likely to be in the 16-24 age range, based on the style of the poster. Firstly the text is all easy to see and read in a white font that fits with the style. The poster is quite bright while also maintaining a grey and gritty feel. The presence of a weapon in the character’s hand and the faint outline of a helicopter connote violence which fits with the age range that has been outlined.Characters:There is only one character in this poster and he appeals to the target audience, he may be holding a weapon, but his clothes suggest he is just the average person caught up in something he doesn’t want. However he is in a generic “action movie” pose while sliding down the window of a skyscraper connoting a heroic quality and raising multiple questions for the audience. The character himself isn’t obscured so we don’t ask questions about him specifically.

Genre:The genre of this film is likely to be an action thriller with some criminal elements possibly. It is foremost an action film judging by the pose of the character and how he is sliding down the window of a skyscraper. Questions that would be raised are: Who is this man? Why is he sliding down the side of a skyscraper? These questions are what make it a thriller as it isn’t exactly obvious what is going on, are we looking at the protagonist, antagonist or even just a minor character. The name of the film brings the crime aspect in, as the word “Abduction” is a term in criminology and allows the audience to guess what might be the plot or the basic motivations of the main character.Conclusion:This poster is quite good in that it raises questions and intrigues the audience while also impressing them at the same time with the visual imagery.

TakenTarget Audience:The target audience for this film would likely be in the 18-24 age range and there are aspects of the poster which show off the target audience. Firstly the titles are prominent with a large and pointed font that is easy to read and see, the quote is faded slightly to show the protagonist. The gun is placed over the text to give it an important role and to draw attention to it. The dark colours also appeal to the target audience because it draws intrigue into the film, it is visually pleasing with the orange of the title’s contrasting with the black and white theme.Characters:The only character on the poster takes a central role behind the test while the weapon he is holding isn’t behind the text. The character is presented as dark and mysterious as he is turned to the side and his face is shrouded in darkness so we can’t see it and the clothes he is wearing blend in with the background making some other parts invisible also. The character has been portrayed in a tense manner which makes the audience feel on edge as it is difficult to tell if this is the protagonist or the antagonist.

Genre:The genre for this film is crime/thriller, this is because the presence of a weapon connoting violence and fear and the way the character is shown in the poster raises intrigue and questions from the audience. The word “Taken” implies some sort of kidnapping or capture which would make up the crime portion of the film. The dark colours and the contrast between orange and black make up the genre as well, orange can connote caution or approaching danger.Conclusion:Overall this poster is quite effective in portraying the characters and text in a way that conveys the genre back to the audience as well as drawing them in at the same time with the obscurity of the main character and the prominence of the weapon. As it is a crime/thriller it is relevant to my production which also shares similarities in the name, “Taken” implies something or someone has been stolen, while “Ransom” implies similarly but that there is blackmail or something on a deeper level going on.

Shutter

Target audience:The likely target audience for this film would be those in the 18+ age range mainly based on how horrifying the poster itself is. The colours used and the text used connote fear and danger for the audience. As horrifying as the poster is, it also raises intrigue and gives the audience questions that they will want to find out what the face is and what it will mean for the plot of the film in the long run.Characters:There is only the face of something that can not be described properly, it looks like a ghost or demon. Perhaps the point is to make it so that it is difficult to discern exactly what it is so that the audience is able to question that. The character lacks eyes and looks horrifying to create an air of terror surrounding the character presented and the whole idea of the film.

Genre:The genre of this film is likely more horror than thriller based on the subject of this poster alone, but the name “Shutter” is less nuanced and doesn’t exactly carry the same feel that the main body of the poster does which could make up the thriller element of this poster.Conclusion:This poster is quite effective at creating a horrifying image for the audience and for raising intrigue for the audience, however there is a slight disconnect as the name doesn’t carry the same horror that the picture does and therefore creates a bit of a difference. Using an image that is horrifying surprises the audience by making them quickly aware of what the tone of the film will be and they will no doubt ask questions like “What, or who, is that thing?!”