The document analyzes and summarizes three film posters: 1) The poster for Shutter Island uses conventions like the main actor's photo and information on roles. It effectively conveys the horror thriller genre. 2) The La La Land poster depicts the iconic dancing scene but leaves out some conventions. It aims to portray the film as unique. 3) The Inception poster follows conventions with colors, roles, and a memorable visual that identifies the action/adventure genre.

1. Researching film posters
JAMES THOMPSON

2. ANNOTATING SPECIFIC FILM POSTERS:
FILM POSTER FOR SHUTTER ISLAND
Title of the
movie in big
font
Picture of the
main actor
Information
such as the
actors and
director
Eye-
catching
colours to
attract
attention
Release date

3. Analysis of Shutter Island poster
 The poster for Shutter Island shows a big picture of the main character of the film,
Teddy Daniels, who is holding up a candle and has a look of bewilderment on his
face. Below him is an eerie picture of the island itself, bathed in a blue light. I think
the poster is effective, as it is clear from looking at it what the genre of the film is
(horror thriller) and also uses pictures from the title (the island).
 The poster makes use of the conventions typical to film posters which I picked up
on in my last post. These include a photograph of the main actor, the title of the
movie in big text, information such as who the main actors are and who directed
it, and an array of eye catching colours (which in this case include blue, orange
and black).
 This proves that the poster for “Shutter Island,” is representative of movie posters
in general, and is effective in it’s aims (it’s primary aim being to attract an
audience).

4. ANNOTATING SPECIFIC FILM POSTERS:
FILM POSTER FOR LA LA LAND
Title of the film
in big font
Eye-
catching
colours
Photograph of the
main actors
Text stating main
actors. No
information on
other roles
however

5. Analysis of La La Land poster
 The poster for La La Land depicts the two main characters dancing on a lit pavement. It
is based on the scene in the film of the same nature, which is perhaps the most iconic
scene in the whole film. I think for this reason the film poster is effective, as showing an
iconic scene from the film on a movie poster is a good way of communicating to the
audience the type of film that the movie is.
 The poster, on the whole, does stick to movie poster conventions, however not as
closely as the poster for “Shutter Island.” It does follow poster conventions, such as
eye-catching colours and a photograph of the main actors, however other poster
conventions are left out, such as a release date and the names of the writers and
director (the director is mentioned however). This may be to portray the film as being
different and unique.
 Overall I think the poster is successful in it’s aims, and despite subverting a couple of
typical poster conventions, is fairly typical of movie posters in general.

6. ANNOTATING SPECIFIC FILM POSTERS:
Film poster for Inception
Title of the film
in big font
Photograph of
the main actors
Release date
An array of eye-
catching colours
Information
such as
actors,
writers and
directors

7. Analysis of Inception poster
 The poster for Inception shows all of the main characters of the film, stood side by side
with a street leaning vertically upwards clearly visible behind them. I think the poster is
effective as it makes the genre of the film identifiable (action, adventure), as well as
looking appealing.
 Like the film poster for “Shutter Island,” the poster for Inception abides by typical film
poster conventions. For example there is an array of eye-catching colours, including
light blue in the centre contrasting with the dark blue and red colours that can be
found at the bottom. There is also information such as the actors, writer, and director,
and the title of the film is given in bold letters to catch peoples attention.
 Overall I think the poster is very eye catching, and is therefore effective at being
memorable and also catching the attention of people who may walk past it.