Short analysis of some codes and conventions used in the Book Of Eli poster.

2. The Layout/ Composition
Like a good poster should, this one
creates a sense of environment by
showing an establishing shot of its
setting. In this case a dilapidated
wasteland which is shown the centre
right of the portrait poster, in the
background. In the foreground we see
the main character of Eli. He takes
up the majority of the page and so is
the main image and the one of most
importance.
The title and other texts, including
the actors are places within the
boarders of his body in bold writing
to distinguish it from the dark and
dull background of his coat. From
other posters I have seen this one is
different in its layout. Instead of
making the character look small and
vulnerable, he is shown as having
power over his environment. Looking
down on it

3. Key Images/ ART
Key Images of this poster include;
- The shotgun, or weapon that Eli is carrying in his
rucksack. This tells the viewer that it is an action
movie, and that there will be action sequences and
destruction in the motion picture.
- Eli himself. He is presented in this image as having
power over his surroundings, the wasteland. This is
shown through his positioning on the poster and how
he is looking down upon the ruins of the city.
- The ruined buildings in the background, giving the
view a sense of narrative and environment for the
movie.
- The mise en scene of Eli. He is presented as clean, well
groomed and with a certain essence of style to his
dress. He wears a long coat and aviator glasses. And he
seems simplistic and average.

4. Key text and title block
Starting from the top we are given the
two leading roles in the movie. Eli,
played by Denzel Washington, and Gary
Oldman who plays the aggressor of the
movie. Like the tile the name is split
into two font sizes, the first names
being smaller and the last or surnames
being the larger. This is because the
surnames are what the viewer can
identify with and recognise as they are
more well known. The tile again follows
this with “The book of” being smaller
than “Eli” as Eli is the most important
in the text and also the most
memorable word.
Other important text includes the
slogan which basically separates the
main character from the rest of what's
left of civilization. And finally Believe
highlighting his name in a word could
suggest religious elements to the
movie and other hidden meanings.

5. Iconography
Much like the I am Legend poster
and The Road poster, and Oblivion,
all post – apocalyptic films. They
show the environment of the
earth, like destroyed buildings,
cars, streets etc. In this case the
level of destruction is very
sever, with building barely
recognisable and just reduced to
rubble.
This helps to create a code of
Enigma, as we want to know what
happened, why and when. All of
which draw people into the movie
more and will ultimately make
the chances of them going to
watch the movie, and answer the
questions a lot more likely.