research of film posters
TRANSCRIPT
Research of film posters
• Title of film is always in the centre, either the bottom or the top. However it’s always above the credits. It is usually the largest piece of text on the page, the font stands out from the rest of the fonts as it fits with the narrative of the film. This is the most eye-catching thing on the page other than the image.
• The credits are always at the bottom of the poster, this is usually a simple font, and the text is very close together. They are positioned in the lower third of the poster. Which doesn’t distract the audience away from the main image.
• The release date is always underneath the credits in a bold font that stands out. • Medium/close ups are commonly used, also long shots are commonly used. The image is
always framed in the centre. The character in the images tends to use direct mode of address, so the character is looking directly into the audiences eyes, this draws the audience in, as the audience want to know what the character is thinking and whats going to happen. Which makes the audience want to go and see the film.. The audience are able to see the facial expressions and body language of the character.
• The antagonist is usually the main image on the poster, the direct mode of address creates a sense of fear amongst the audience.
• Dark backgrounds are usually used on horror film posters, this fits with the genre. The dark, dull colours create a sense of mystery and danger. It creates fear and anxiety because the audience don’t know what could be lurking/hidden in the dark. Dark colours also give a sense of coldness.
• A lot of red is used on horror posters, red is associated with danger, but also blood. Which suggests that their will be some sort of violence that will occur in the film.
• The fonts used tend to very scruffy/rough looking, almost as if there has been some sort of interference from the evil presence.
• Some posters have the names of other films that they have produced. They usually put in films that have done well, and that have a good reputation amongst the target audience. So if they like that film, it will encourage the audience to go and watch the film.
• On horror posters they tend to use a child as the main image, in horror films the child is usually the most innocent and vulnerable character, so the child gets possessed and becomes the antagonist. This is very unrealistic, you expect children to be innocent and vulnerable, however on the poster they are portrayed as the complete opposite. Also objects like dolls are associated with young children, which can make the audience feel uneasy. As they see young children as vulnerable, they aren't able to look after and fend for themselves.
• High key lighting is used on the main image to make it stand out, this normally contrasts with the dark background that is used. The high key lighting allows the audience to see the facial expressions of the antagonists. Its like the protagonist is appearing from the darkness.
• There is usually a tag line on posters, which are in a big bold font. They link with the narrative of the film. It is usually a quote from the trailer, and it sticks in the audiences mind, although you get a sense of the narrative, it doesn’t give too much away. This makes the audience want to go and watch the film.
• The credits usually start with the production company, and list the producers directors etc… it also has the actors names. This is the smallest text on the poster. It doesn’t draw any attention away from the main image, and title on the poster.
• In the main image the character is usually wearing normal clothing, for example in the orphan poster she is wearing a dress with bows in her hair. This makes the audience assume that she is innocent and vulnerable. Which makes them fearful as they know that bad things are likely to happen to this innocent person. However they want to find out whats going to happen so it draws them in.
Layout/structure
The title of film is in the last third of the poster in the centre. This is the most eye-catching thing on the page other than the image. The title of the film is above the credits.
The credits are below the title of the film, they are aligned in a central position. They are in the last third of the poster.
The release date is underneath the credits, and its in the central part of the bottom third
Tag lines are placed at the top and bottom of the poster.
The website for the film, is placed in the centre at the bottom of the poster, in a small font.
The image is framed in the centre of the poster, a medium close up is used with a direct mode of address
The production companies logo’s are put at the bottom of the poster. On the right hand and left hand side.
Font choices and text sizes
The title is the biggest text on the poster, this is eye-catching and allows the audience to know that it’s the title of the film. The font used looks like girl has scribbles/carved the writing into the wall, its very scruffy and childlike. This fits with the genre.
The second largest piece of text on the poster is the main tag line. It helps the audience to understand the narrative without actually giving too much of away. It lets the audience know that something is going to happen to Esther
The font of the tagline is in a normal, bold font. It stands out clearly. Also its in white which makes the audience assume that Esther is innocent and pure.
The release date is in the same font as the tagline, however the release date is smaller that the main tag line as it's not as important. However the release date is in bold as it needs to stand out, so that the audience know when they can go and watch the film.
There is a rhetorical question next to the release date; it's in the same font as the release date. However it's in a different colour, the red contrasts with the white tag line. The red connotes danger, blood and evil, whereas the white connotes innocence and purity. This stands out as it's in a bold font and in capital letters.
The credits on the poster are smaller than the title, tag line and release date, this is so it doesn't draw any of the attention away to the main image and title. The credits are small and very close together, although they are in capitals it's they are quite hard to read. They are white, so the theme is maintained throughout the poster.
The website for the film is in the same font as the tag line and the release date, so they have maintained the font throughout most of the poster, however it is one of the smallest pieces of text on the poster.
Media language/Mise-en-scene and shot typesA medium shot has been used on this
poster, this helps to show the characters facial expression and body language. She is positioned in the centre of the frame. Also you can see clearly that she is a child as the audience can see what she is wearing from the shot type. Also direct mode of address has been used, which makes the audience more connected with the character, which makes them want to go and watch the film
High key unaturalistic lighting has been used on her face to contrast with the dark background. This suggests that what happens to ester isn't natural which entices the audience to go and watch the film. The dark lighting in the background fits with the genre of the film; it's as if the character is appearing from the darkness, which makes the audience feel anxious as they don't know what else could be in the darkness.
The green background fits with the narrative of the film, green usually connotes envy. This suggests that at some point in the film Esther is likely to be envious. Therefore the background gives away some of the narrative.
The character is wearing very childish clothing; she has a dress on with bows in her hair. The dress is green; the green is used again to show that this character has a streak of jealousy in her. Which makes the audience intrigued as to what is making her so jealous, which encourages them to watch the film. The bows in her hair suggest that she is only still very young, this suggests that she is vulnerable and innocent, therefore making the audience sympathise for her. The bows in her hair are black which suggests that there is a sense of mystery about her, and also a sense of danger and possibly death. This can make the audience doubt her, because although she is wearing childish clothing, the colours suggest that she isn't as innocent as you would think.
Esther is wearing what looks like school clothes, which suggest she is still very young. However the dress that she is wearing, isn't very modern, its very old fashioned. This suggests that she may be a bit old before her time. This contrasts with
Typical information in credits
• The major production company • Other production companies associated
with the main one• The actors/actresses• Costume designer• Music by• Co-producers• Editing by• Production designer• Director of photography• Executive producers• Produced by • Story by • Screenplay by • Directed by
Layout/structureThe title is in the centre of the poster, It's in the lower half of the poster. Also the title is tilted in its side. It's the most eye catching thing on the page
The tag line is just underneath the title, just to the right. The text is a lot smaller. The tag line, gives the audience an understanding of the narrative, letting them know that it's about the house being haunted.
On the insidious poster they have included previous films that they have already produced, that have a good reputation. This encourages the audience to go and watch the film, because if they liked the films mentioned, they will like this film.
The credits are below the title of the film, they are aligned in a central position. They are in the last third of the poster.
The release date is underneath the credits, it is in the centre. It's larger than the credits and stands out more; this encourages the audience to watch the film.
The website address for the film is underneath the credits in the centre.
The production company’s logos are put at the bottom of the poster. On the right hand and left hand side.
The main image of the boy is in the framed in the centre of the poster, a direct mode of address is used, this makes the audience feel like they know the character better and have a connection with them.
The background is an establishing shot of the house. This suggest to the audience that the house is a key part in the film.
Font choices and text sizesThe title of the film is the largest text on the page; it's the most eye catching part of the poster other than the main image. The title is sideways on the poster; this is unusual and suggests that things in the film aren't what you expect. Everything isn't in its exact place.
The font is in a large, bold don't that's fits in with the genre. It has a very futuristic look to it. The white suggests that the boy is innocent and vulnerable; however the S and I are in red, this suggests that there is danger and blood/violence in the film.
The films that they have also created are in the same font as the rile, however it's not in a bold font. Also it's a lot smaller than the title. Also it's the right way around, it's not sideways. The better known film is larger than the other one. This is to encourage the audience to watch the film, as the name of the films catch their attention.
The tag line is in the same font as the title, however it's not in bold. It's a lot smaller than the title and the other films they have produced.
The credits are in a smaller font, they are very close together. This is so that it doesn't distract any attention away from the main things on the poster (the title, the main image). Although they are in capitals, they are quite hard to read. They are white, so the theme is maintained throughout the poster. The website for the film is in
the same font as the tag line and the release date, so they have maintained the font throughout most of the poster, however it is one of the smallest pieces of text on the poster
Media language/Mise-en-scene and shot typesA medium shot is used as the main
image of the boy, it is framed in the centre of the poster. This allows the audience to see his facial expressions and body language. You can clearly see that the antagonist is wearing. A direct mode of address has been used, the boy is staring at the audience, this makes them feel unsettled. You can clearly see that the character doesn’t have any type of facial expression,. You’d expect a child of the characters age to be happy, however the boy is the complete opposite.
Low key lighting is used; everything is very dark and not naturalistic. The dark lighting is used because it fits on with the genre, it sets the mood. It gives the poster a sense of mystery and danger, encouraging the audience to go and see the film. The dark background, suggests that its night time and that most of the film might be based around the fact that things happen in the night. This makes the audience feel nervous as people don’t tend to be afraid of the dark, and whats in the dark.The character in the main image is
wearing night clothing, he is in a dressing gown and the majority of it is red. Red is associated with danger, and blood, suggesting that there will be violence in the film. The boy looks young, this makes the audience sympathise for him, as they see him as vulnerable and innocent.
The character in the main image has very dark makeup, for example, underneath his eyes are very dark. This makes him look like there is some sort of evil presence inside of him. Also the darkness creates a sense of danger and mystery.
The background is a long shot of the house; this suggests that not only the boy, but the house is a key thing in the film. This gives the audience an idea of what the film is about. It also gives the audience a chance to relate to the character, as it seems very realistic. It looks like an ordinary family home. This makes the audience even more sympathetic as they are aware that this could be happening to them. In the background you can see that in the sky it looks like there is a storm, this suggests that things might take a turn for the worst.