Spring Breakers and Juno

1. POSTER AND WEBSITE
ANALYSIS
Maddy Thomas ~ Media Studies A2

2. SPRING BREAKERS
The poster of the film Spring Breakers reveals four young teenage girls with an
extravagant-looking man. The fact that the girls are all clearly young, and they are
wearing next to nothing renders them vulnerable and naive as they are stood with a
man holding a gun. The man’s gun represents
his power over them and perhaps an insight into the themes of dominance, crime
and violence. This threat very much contradicts the happy looks on their faces, thus
highlighting their need to look happy, but perhaps a covering up of a more sinister
story in which they are forced to fake their true feelings. In addition, their bikinis,
tongues out and dyed hair all represent rebellion and provocative behaviour which is
common for teenage girls’ representation within films. The man is clearly wealthy due
to his extroverted, colourful shirt, sunglasses and rings, suggesting they were lured in
through gullibility by his superficial wealth. One of the girls is also holding a gun,
implying they are dragged in to the world of crime on their adventure during ‘Spring
Break.’ Also, the bright pink and purple lighting of the poster, alongside the strobe-
lightish text reading the title of the film, connote a club-like setting and a party with
flashing lights, thus reinforcing the wild lifestyle they lead. Moreover, his powerful
stance contrasted to their bending down emphasises the characters who possess
inferiority and those who are more in charge, thus conforming to gender stereotypes
of dependence and sexism. This is reinforced in their sexualised costumes and
poses. The young aged characters immediately eludes an implication of a teen film
in which young people could relate to and feel part of a community or common trait
with characters. Furthermore, the tag line reads
‘A little sun can bring out your dark side.’ This rather foreboding catchphrase
reinforces the inference that their contentment is covering up what they truly feel
which is most likely inferior and fear. It also highlights that people aren’t all they seem
and many things on the surface have a more sinister side, perhaps warning young
people not to be naive.

3. JUNO
When looking on the website, this was the main image/cover
photo displayed. The fact that the girl is sat on a big chair,
surrounded by other characters suggests she is overwhelmed
with decisions and encounters different characters, thus
situations through her journey throughout the film. Her tatty
clothes, yet pregnancy imply a financial struggle in terms of
teenage unwanted pregnancies, which is rife among young
people. The quite childish font in which the title and cast names
are written further highlight her naivety and immaturity in bringing
up a child at such a young age. The confused face of the boy
who is the implied father, again suggests cluelessness and
irresponsibility when it comes to children. The adults in the
background may represent the order in her life, whether it’s her
supportive parents or helpful adopting family. The girl’s posture
on the chair is frigid and stiff as she clings to the arms of the seat,
reinforcing the fact that she is uncomfortable desires the help of
others. Moreover, the bright colours of orange, yellow and green
used are suitable for a teenage audience as they stand out as
eye-catching. Lastly, on the website, the poster is shown where
the girl is standing profile to the camera, thus emphasising her
pregnancy as the main focal point throughout the film.
and green used are suitable for a teenage audience as they
stand out as eye-catching. Lastly, on the website, the poster is
shown where the girl is standing profile to the camera, thus
emphasising her pregnancy as the main focal point throughout
the film.

4. WHAT I WILL TAKE FROM
THIS…
Spring breakers is a teenage drama which follows the life of four girls who experiment with crimes such as
robbery and drugs, who then face the consequences of their actions in prison. They’re misled on their holiday
and face many problems involving violence and sexual inferiority.
Juno is a teenage drama which surrounds the debate of unwanted teenage pregnancies and the struggle of
this burden upon young people - the mother and the father of the child.
Themes prominent in the two films and my trailer:
Drama (family relationships/emotions)
Thriller (excitement/danger)
Teenage life (responsibilities/duties)
Drugs/crime/violence (rebellion)
Isolation (leads to rebellion/abandonment from society)
Romance (love involvement)