The document analyzes magazine and film posters for the movies Suicide Squad, American Horror Story, and The Conjuring. For the Suicide Squad magazine cover, it notes the use of pink and green colors that symbolize themes in the movie. It also discusses elements like the bold masthead and tilted movie title. For American Horror Story, it summarizes the use of the color red, close-up image of Jessica Lange, and a teaser line that asks a rhetorical question. For the film posters, it describes elements like the dark background and highlighted tear on Annabelle, the disturbing mask on a girl for Smiley, and the unsettling doll and isolated woman on the rocking chair for

1. Film Magazine Research

2. Magazine cover 1: EMPIRE
The magazine contains only secondary colours (green, pink, white
and black, along with a silky goldish colour). These colours create a
retro style to the magazine, making it look extremely eye catchy, and
fun to look at.
The colour pink is associated with fun, which links to the Joker's
character also the whole idea of the Suicide Squad. The colour
green also symbolises safety, which foreshadows the storyline of
the Suicide Squad. The colour green is positioned in the centre of
the magazine cover, contrasting with the colour pink standing out to
the viewers eyes, giving the magazine cover a sense of energy
which also goes along with the pink colour which throws a sense of
playfulness and liveliness. The background has a smokey effect with
both the shades of pink and a reddish orange which exaggerates the
heat, referring back to the film, foreshadowing to the viewer that it is
going to be full of excitement and fire.
A close up shot of the Joker dominates the magazine cover of Empire. The Joker is
positioned in the centre of the magazine, with the main focus being the mouth that is
drawn onto his hand. The Joker seems to have a cross expression, which contrasts
with the massive smile drawn onto his hand, which portrays his complex character to
the viewer.
Masthead - very bold, and behind the main figure - showing that the main figure is the
key focus.
The masthead is bold, and is also pink (a secondary colour), it also gives the viewer a
funky bold vibe, making the magazine look almost fun to view. The main header
contrasts with the dark background making it stand out and look bold. The Joker’s hair
is green, and it overlaps the masthead, the green hair is the most appealing and bold
aspect of the magazine, further grabbing attention to the magazine name.
How would I use this - The ideas that I have gained from this poster is firstly, the way
they have used a bright colour such as green that contrast with the rest of the colours,
I would use this when creating my magazine, as I would want my main image to stand
out and be the first thing a viewer's eyes are drawn onto. Another element I would use
in my magazine is the bold masthead, and I would use a colour that contrasts with my
background like the Empire magazine did, as I believe as a viewer of the Empire
magazine I admired the bold masthead greatly, as it took my attention instantly.
Reference to header underneath - The header underneath is the title of the film,
‘Suicide Squad’, it has a different font to the Empire masthead, this indicates that the
films name is the important element of the Magazine. The writing is in white, which
looks as if it glows of the magazine, on top of the dark and funky colours. ‘Suicide
Squad’ is rotated slightly, looking wonky and funky, foreshadowing the films storyline.

3. Magazine cover 2: Paracinema Magazine
Masthead - The main header is a bold font, and also the largest writing on the magazine. The
color of the header is yellow, a primary colour, that contrasts with the rest of the colours on the
magazine. This is effective because it automatically grabs the viewers attention as the header is
bright and bold and the most appealing bright thing on the magazine. The selling line beneath the
main header is written in a much smaller writing, and the font is different also it is white writing.
The selling line being small and less attention grabbing lets the viewer notice the main header
first. Also having small writing further draws the viewer in as it gives them the need to take a
closer look and take their time to read the magazine.
The girl, who seems to be the main figure is placed in the middle of the magazine, the
background being edited lowkey, while her face is highlighted. This gives the sense that the girl is
dangerous, the viewer can also see this through the red scars on her face along with blood on her
white clothes (white connotes innocence, blood suggests her innocence is damaged and she is
evil.). The girls eyes are yellow, which links to the main header, her eyes along with the main
header contrast with the background, this is highly effective as when a viewer looks at the
magazine they stare her in the eyes which can make them feel uncomfortable. The image is
chaotically painted, this makes it look nerve-racking, and further connotes the theme of horror.
How would I use this - I particularly like the design of the magazine, I like how the girl is the centre
focus, she is placed in the middle, her face is the key highlight with the intention for her face to
stand out instantly for the viewer. When creating my magazine I would try using colours that
contrast over each other like this magazine has in order to highlight elements to the viewer to
create a certain mood. For example, maybe make the eyes of the dolls in my magazine like this
magazine has highlighted the eyes of the girl which is making me as the viewer feel on edge.

4. Magazine cover 3: EntertainmentMasthead: The masthead is clear, bold and simple. It is giving a clear indication of the magazine cover title.
‘Entertainment’ is written in a bold font, stuck right at the top of the magazine, indicating that it is the main focus, coming
before the actual film it is promoting. The writing is in red, this goes with the theme of the TV show, red being a primary
colour, also it connotes death and mystery, this is foreshadowing the storyline of the ‘American Horror story’. The writing
also contrasts with the background, making it stand out even more, also suggesting that the magazine title is the most
important aspect on the magazine.
Stap line: The strap line is eye catching for the audience, as it uses words such as ‘Winners’ to attract the audience,
which is highly effective as it may indicate they can win something.
Image: There is an enlarged close up of Jessica Lange who is a character in the TV show. Her facial shows a glimpse of
a smirk, making the audience feel as though the next series is going to be stirring. Her smirk also connotes mystery and
unease on the events that will be occuring in the TV show. Her face is highlighted, showing that she is important, she is
wearing red lipstick, red connotes mystery which further creates suspense. The fact she is wearing red lipstick shows
she might be an important character, because the primary colour red also connotes power. She is dressed in black,
which emphasises that there will be ghostly events, as black connotes ghostly beings and death. She is wearing a
headscarf, which can suggest there will be hidden secrets in the show.
Layout: The layout of the magazine is fairly simple looking, the writing are revolving around the image, making it easy for
the audience to follow around the page. The user access of the magazine is good.
Teaser: Addresses the audience using the pronoun ‘you’ referring to the people reading directly, The teaser also uses a
rhetorical question ‘You thought last season was scary?’ this makes the audience feel excited on the new season, and it
is an effective technique to use. ‘Wait till you enter Asylum’ hinting that the next season is going to be even better, and
more chaotic possibly. This further excites the audience making them feel inpatient.
How would I use this: I can use the element of a leading teaser line in the way this magazine has, as the use of a
rhetorical question is a highly constructive way to draw the audience in. I also like the use of red and black in this
magazine, and I believe such a theme would work well in my magazine as it would link to my storyline.

5. Film posters Research

6. Poster 1: AnnabelleThe background is dark, creating a sense of
mystery and ghostly feeling, as the viewer does
not know what is behind the darkness. The colour
black connotes evilness and death along with
mystery, this is an effective colour as it
foreshadows the storyline of Annabelle. The
constant use of black and red further indicate
danger, and the lack of white indicates the lack of
hope within the film.
The tear on the doll Annabelle foreshadows to
storyline suggesting that if the blood of the women
did not drip down onto Annabelle then the whole
chaos would have not occured. The viewers eyes
are drawn onto the tear, as it is placed on the
highlighted sections of the dolls face, this is an
effective way to highlight a detail that you would
want the viewer to see. Furthermore, the main
image is a close up of the doll Annabelle. The
poster is only revealing half of the dolls face, this
can suggest that this doll has two sides of her, two
views of her, the first being a innocent china doll,
the second being a possessed object, that is evil.
The dark shadows on her face further emphasizes
that she is evil, her eyes particularly being very
intensely dark because of the shadow is a sign of
her darkness. Annabelle is in the spotlight, with
darkness behind her, this connotes the lack of
innocence she has and that she is closer to the
evil.
Title: The title is in capital letters, which dramatizes the title Annabelle, setting a mood on the audience
instantly, as the colour of the title is red, foreshadowing the deaths and bloody events that would take
place in the film.
Tagline: ‘Before The Conjuring there was Annabelle’. This tagline almost promises to the audience that
Annabelle has been saved for later, a sense of ‘best till last’. This tagline, suggests that Annabelle is a old
story, making it seem more fearsome.
Reference to previous film: The poster includes reference to a previous film, revealing that Annabelle is a
franchise of The Conjuring. This is an effective way to advertise Annabelle, as if the audience were a fan
of The Conjuring they would know that Annabelle is going to be just as good, they would have high
expectations from it.
How would I use this in my poster: My film
also involves dolls, therefore this poster
relates to my film. I will use the style of the
poster, I like how it looks simple, yet
intimidating. I would like to take the idea of
a black background, with the faces of the
dolls for when I make my poster. I would
also try creating highlights and shadows on
my dolls face like Annabelle, as it creates a
evil look.

7. Poster 2: Smiley
The use of a blonde haired child is effective, as being
blonde connotes innocence and purity, which suggests
that this child is innocent and is going to be a victim of
an evil event or cause. The mask placed on the girl
contrasts with her innocence, as the mask has a hair-
rising effect on the audience, it has an awkward
looking smiley which most commonly has a frightening
effect and connotes evil. The smiley face on the mask
looks like it has been cut off, and sewed back together,
this suggests that the film is going to be violent and
unpleasant, the sewed wounds further suggesting that
there may be torture or murder involved possibly. This
distressing mask being put on a little girl has a big
effect on the audience, as it makes them feel
uncomfortable and worried. The use of a little girl is
powerful, this is because in most horror films kids are
victims of the evil, this foreshadows the storyline to the
audience.
The background is dull, and the use of
brown and black makes the background
look rough and dirty looking, which
suggests that the film is going to be
unpleasant and discomforting.
The header is written in capitals to make it stand out,
and the title of the film being ‘Smiley’ refers back to the
main image, which suggests that the film is going to be
about this mask. The font is very sharp, this refers
back to the wounds on the mark, creating an effect an
on edge effect on the audience making them feel
uncomfortable. The title being the primary colour red
connotes danger and death, this may be suggesting
that the girl is in danger.
The tagline: ‘Evil wears a smile’ shows that
the girl under the mask is innocent but the
evil is dominating her and taking advantage
of her, and she is a victim of this evil
source, this makes the audience feel bad
for the girl and also makes them feel
worried as she is only a child. The mask
also forces a smile on the girls face,
suggesting the girl is actually terrified which
further adds to the evil thoughts within the
film.
How would I use this: I would use the
idea of having a close up image on my
poster as I think this is a good way to
intimidate the audience and create
suspense. I would also use the idea of a
red title, as this contrasts with a dull
background and suggest there would be
evil events.

8. Poster 3: The Conjuring.
Main Image: The main image dominates the entire poster, being
centered in the middle of the poster, grabbing the viewers
attention instantly. The image showing an isolated women, on a
rocking chair with a china doll that is looking back at the viewer,
this already makes the audience feel on edge. The women
looking isolated suggests that people want to stay away from
her, which further suggests that she may be evil which makes
the poster even more creepy. The women face is not revealed,
suggesting her face is being hid, or maybe that the doll is her
eyes and ears, controlling her which foreshadows the storyline of
the Conjuring and the role of Annabelle. The womens face may
be hid from the viewers to make them believe she looks unusual,
this is a creative way to keep the viewers guessing, which adds
to their curiosity.
Annabelle’s face although it looks small on the poster, is the
main focus of the poster, this shows how effective the doll is and
the importance of it in the poster. The doll is smiling, which
suggests that there is a supernatural presence in the image, as
dolls are not alive and cannot smile, meaning the doll actually
moved its head on its own and smiled further emphasising the
presence of a supernatural being. This makes the audience feel
nervous. The doll is scratched and has marks on its face, this
foreshadows demonic events this has a fearful effect on the
audience. Furthermore, the doll is almost staring off the poster
and at the viewer, this is a effective way to give the audience the
shivers. The fact that the doll is looking at the audience and the
women is faced away, suggests that in the film this doll is going
to be controlling humans and maybe possessing them, this may
be the reason of her evil smile.
Mise-en-scene: It can be seen that both the doll
and the women are wearing white, this may
suggest that the women is innocent, however the
link between her and the doll is cursing her, and
there is something supernatural going on
between the two of them. Rocking chairs are
usually an element of a horror genre, the
audience can almost imagine the chair rocking
slowly, which creates a hair-raising effect.
Rocking chairs are ancient, suggesting that
whatever is wrong with the women can be
unfortunate curse which creates suspense.
Masthead: This stands out the the audience as it
is bright and white contrasting with the dark
background. It does not take all the attention of
the viewer, as the main image is made so that
the viewer is more concerned with the disturbing
intimidating image rather than the masthead.
Tagline: ‘Based on the true case files of the
warrens’ this adds the most scare to the
audience, and may be the biggest reason on why
they would want to watch the film after seeing the
tagline and the poster image. The fact that this
story is real would make everyone curious but
still horror struck, this is a good sell line.
Background: The background is
another terrifying aspect of this poster,
along with the main image, as it
makes the viewer feel uncomfortable
instantly due to the blood looking
marks/scatters on the wall. It almost
looks like the darkness of the walls
are stretching down onto the women
which gives the audience a chilling
feeling.