The document discusses conventions used in film posters. Horror posters typically use minimalism and focus on eyes to convey a sense of being watched. Action posters usually show characters holding guns at climactic moments. Comedy posters use varied colors and mid to full shots. Drama posters hint at settings through images. Posters are shown in public places to gain audiences and use images, actor names, titles, release dates and taglines to attract, credit and inform viewers. Conventions vary slightly between genres but maintain similarities within subgenres like action/horror emphasizing mysterious main characters and death. The most prioritized poster features are the film name, actor names and release date. Some posters challenge conventions through alternative color usage, atypical character placement

1. Film Poster Research
By: Annamaria Noto

2. Horror posters
o All the poster use the idea of minimalism and simplicity, as four of them have a
face in focus and close up.
o The majority all have a focus on eyes, conveying a sense of being watched making
you feel unsettled.
o The colours; black and white are mainly used, with some red.

3. Action posters
o All the posters show the main character/s holding a gun.
o Most of them seem as though the characters are at a climactic point, where all the
action is about to take place.
o The colour black is mostly used, with a couple of other colours.
o No close ups/ extreme close ups like in horror posters, instead action posters use a
mid shot.

4. Comedy posters
o Various colours are used that make it look more lively.
o Mid shot – full shot is used to show the full image/setting.
o The image tends to be different to fit the storyline of the film.

5. Drama posters
o The setting of the story line is hinted at through the images e.g. The Revenant
shows a cold/wintery setting in a forest.
o Dark colours are generally used.

6. What are the different types of film posters?
Teaser Film Posters – These show
minimal details and little information
for the early promotion of the films.
Character Film Posters – Using a main
character (typically a well-known actor) attracts
a mass audience.
Main Film Posters – this poster includes all
relevant information about the film e.g. release
date, social networking and character names.

7. Where do film posters get shown and
why?
Film posters are usually found in
places such as:
• Billboards
• Public transport (e.g. on buses)
• In cinemas
• The posters are in locations that
are exposed to a large number of
people which allow for the
potential to gain a mass audience.
• The posters are large in size with a
bold font and minimalistic action.

8. What is the typical size of posters?
• The standard poster size is
called one sheet (27 by 41
inches) in a portrait format.
• Bus stop or subway posters are
typically 40 by 60 inches also in
a portrait format.
• Billboard posters are 24 sheet,
246 by 108 inches normally in a
landscape format.

9. Does the appeal/attraction of a trailer differ to that of
a poster?
• Posters create enigma codes through the image, use of MES,
bold font and slogans. This intrigues the audience and leaves
them with questions.
How are posters appealing/attractive to the
audience?
• The attraction of a poster differs to that of a trailer as it is
aimed at and accessed by a wider audience as it is advertised
everywhere.

10. What are the conventions?

11. Main image
Where?:
• The main image occupies the whole poster, and the person or object in focus
is in the centre.
Purpose of main image:
• So that the audience know who the main character/s are.
• The audience know who the main actor/s are in the film – a well known actor
attracts a mass audience.

12. Actor names
Where?:
• The actor names are usually at the top of the poster or near the film name.
They tend to be in capital letters and be more or less the same size as the film
name.
Purpose of actor names:
• To give credit to the main actor/s.
• To attract the fan of the actor/s if they are well-known.

13. Titles/credits
Where?:
• The credits are usually placed at the bottom of the poster, and is in small print. The
titles can be anywhere (towards the top/bottom or in the middle) and the film title
is the largest text on the poster.
Purpose of titles/credits:
• To give credit to the most important people involved in the overall production of the
film.
• The director’s name and quotes from critics are usually in a more noticeable place
on the poster, and tends to be a larger font size. (A certain director may have a
certain style which will appeal to a certain audience, and positive quotes from
critics will attract a larger audience).

14. Release date
Where?:
• The release date is usually placed at the bottom of the poster, under the
credits. But it is a slightly larger and bolder font than the credits.
• (On a teaser poster the release date says “coming soon”, but on the main
poster the actual date is specified.)
Purpose of release date:
• So that the audience know when the film will be released.

15. Tagline
Where?:
• The tagline is usually at the top or bottom or on the side of the main image.
It tends to be in quite a large and bold font, but not as large as the film title.
Purpose of the tagline:
• To create enigma codes and intrigue the audience as the tagline must be an
important message in the storyline of the film, or the main message/moral
to the audience.

16. What is the difference of conventions
between different sub genres?
Romance Drama
• The poster usually shows the
couple which the plot is based
around.
• The main characters fall in
love and issues/problems
occur prohibiting the
relationship.
Action Drama
• The poster usually shows the
main character. Darker colours
are used.
• There normally is a car chase.
• Usually someone gets killed.

17. What are the similarities of the
conventions in similar subgenres?
Action Horror
• The main character is
usually a mysterious and
often a male.
• Someone usually dies
Crime Horror
• Again, the main character
is usually a mysterious
male.
• Again, someone usually
dies.

18. What are the 3 most prioritised
features?
1. Name of the film
2. Name of the main actors
3. The release date

19. Summarise how your film posters
reinforce conventions
• Conventions and stereotypes  reinforced through MES. For example,
through costume, make up etc. The lighting and colours used
emphasises the horror genre. E.g. Red - has connotations of danger
and is often symbolic of blood (which is typically associated with
horror.) Black – symbolic of darkness which limits the your ability to
see – makes the audience vulnerable. Placing the audience in a
vulnerable state is typical of t horror, as horror plays on society’s fears.

20. How do some film posters challenge
the conventions of film posters?
Bold colours typically
associated with horror are not
obvious e.g. black and red.
Instead more subtle shades
are used with minimalism.
The main character is
not the main focus of
the poster, and also
not in the centre.
The main actor’s
name is not on the
poster.
The tagline is in
very small font,
when it is usually
not much smaller
than the film title.