Generic conventions of a horror poster

1. Name of the actor is included which
suggests he is well known actor which
means some of the audience will want
Institutional information such as the
production logo is used to give
recognition to the company. This could
be aimed at film fanatics who will
purposely look for and see films
produced by a specific company as they
are drawn to it because of other films
they have seen by them assuming it will
be up to the same standards. This
information is placed at the bottom as it
may be the least important information
overall.
The choice of body language and shot
type, medium close-up, makes the
audience feel uncomfortable and
disturbed as there is direct mode of
address as you are made to look into the
characters eyes as they are staring at you.
This entices the audience by catching
their eye and attention. This also
makes the character seem relatable as
you are looking into his life and his story
through the film.
Mise en scene - The choice of costume
supports his unnerving approach. The
colour black suggests the darkness
within his character implying there is no
good to him. As black is represented as
being a dark negative colour, it gives a
cold feel enhancing the genre.
The title is set in a different font to the
rest and shows a fractured effect to
suggest the characters imbalance in his
personalities and how you don’t know
which personality you are going to be
encountered with.
The film name is specifically linking with
the idea of the main character having
multiple personalities and how they are
all in being but are split up and shown at
different times.
The lack of colour in the background
draws your attention to the figure as
there is no where else to look so you are
made to look at him.

2.
The cover of the poster is fragmented
representing the mix of personalities
within the character and how they can
cross over easily.
The tagline is used to give the audience
an idea of what the film is about without
giving away the full plot. Here it says ’23
distinct personalities,’ ‘the 24th is about
to be unleashed’. The word ‘unleashed’
suggests this personality shouldn’t be set
free as it is dangerous and should remain
where it was.
The positioning of the character is not
centred but placed to the left side of the
frame connoting his several personalities
and how they are all in one male’s body
and some you are unaware of. It also
makes the character the focal point as
you natural look from left to right so you
see him in your vision first.
Due to half the face being hidden this
could suggest the characters good side
is not seen as the other personalities
have taken over.
The release date of the film is presented
to show the audience when the film is
out so they can make sure to go see it.
It also specifies that it will be in
‘cinemas.’
There is a website link shown at the
bottom of the poster to give the audience
an opportunity to find out more
information about the film. There is also a
social media, Facebook, link making
people aware that they can find it on
multiple sites. This makes it easier for the
audience.

3.
The genre is displayed through the
language used, ‘The NEW
THRILLER….’ The director’s name is
also included as he is a well known
director. M. Night Shyamalan produced
and directed films such as; ‘After Earth,’
‘The Last Airbender,’ ‘Signs’ and ‘Stuart
Little.’

4. Contrasting facial expressions but
similar shot types
As shown here with the two posters, the
characters have contrasting facial
expressions.
With ‘Carrie,’ the girl looks as if she
holds two sets of emotions. In her left
eye, there is a pure tear running down
her face whereas the right eye has her
tear caught in blood. The left eye could
suggest she still has some humanity
within her, implying she doesn’t mean to
do anything harmful and that she feels
compassion and emotion for what she
has done. On the hand, her right eye
suggests pure evil as her tear is hidden
by blood, indicating no remorse.
Whereas with ‘Split,' the stern look on
the characters face suggests he is not
one to be friends with as he doesn’t look
inviting, he looks forbidding. There is no
opposing emotion shown implying he
has no feelings of compassion towards
his victims.