Film Poster Sketch Idea Evaluation

1. SKETCH IDEA EVALUATION
Film Poster Planning

2. Idea 1
Composition
The layout uses the rule of thirds, in which
the page is split into a grid and the leading
details of the piece are placed within the
central grid area. This is effective in
directing the viewers attention to the
central image and to the film’s title, these
being the leading areas of importance
within the piece.
Central Image
The placement of the central
image draws inspiration from ‘The
grudge film poster , and presents
an effective Medium close up shot
of the film’s leading protagonist.
The character’s fearful expression
is effective in conveying the
vulnerability of the protagonist
and the surrounding emptiness f
the background (of which shall be
coloured in a solid black), is
effective in emphasising the
isolated state of this character as
well as foreshadowing the demise
at the hands of the antagonist.
The bloodied wrist, in which the
message ‘It's you’ can be read,
reflects the concluding scene
within my teaser trailer, thus
forming synergy between the two
products.
The appearance of the bloodied
message is also effective in
signalling the form of the
antagonist (this being sinister
messages) as well as conveys the
strong theme of threat and danger
within the film; conveyed through
the portrayal of a rather sinister
injury.
Text
The title of the film is important in
informing the audience of the name that
they should associate with the film. Above
this title is the name of the leading actor,
useful in corresponding with the central
focus of the image.
Within the lower left corner of the piece,
the presence of the tagline “Her future is
written in blood” is effective in teasing the
audience and producing informative hints
regarding the narrative. The word “future”
suggests that something of significance
shall await this character, in which through
the word “blood”, possessing dark
connotations of violence and danger, it
can be inferred that this “future” shall likely
be a dark and unwelcomed one.
The piece also includes the film’s release
date, allowing audience’s to anticipate the
films upcoming release and a social
media link (allowing the audience to
interact with further promotive additions to
the film.
The billing block shall be used to credit
the leading creators and actors within the
film.

3. EVALUATION
 Strengths
-The piece includes conventional text elements of which are frequently applied within film
posters; thus forming a media text that is identifiable as a film poster.
-The tag-line is effective in foreshadowing both the dark themes within the narrative, as well
as hinting towards the form that the antagonist will take (these being darkly “written”
messages).
-The use of the rule of thirds has resulted in a good balance of poster content throughout
the composition of the piece, as each gird area shall be filled. Allowing for no areas to
feel incomplete.
-The use of a medium close up is effective in creating a visual impact as the character
appear close to the viewer, effective in inciting a sense of unease within the audience as
the protagonist’s terrified expression suggests that danger is near (effective in hinting
towards the dark and eerie intent of the antagonist).
-The text ‘It’s You’ upon the protagonist's forearm links directly to the concluding frame
within the film’s teaser trailer (creating synergy between the products).

4. EVALUATION
 Weaknesses
-The margins of this design lack consistency, and will
thus need to be lined up correctly regarding each
element of text if this is to be the final design choice.
-A large proportion of this design shall consist of a solid
black background, thus making the piece seem slightly
empty in places.

5. Idea 2Composition
The layout has taken inspiration from ‘The Woman In
Black: Angel of Death’ poster in which the piece
adopts a less frequently used landscape orientation;
effective in providing a composition that is somewhat
new and fresh for viewers.
Central Image
The central image features the protagonist in this characters acts as the
leading focal point of the piece. This central position is effective in
conveying their importance to the narrative and their lone presence is
also effective in conveying their isolated and vulnerable state.
The use of wide shot is effective in making the protagonist seem rather
small in which this is effective in conveying their lacking strength in the
face of the film’s antagonist.
This antagonistic presence has been conveyed through a range of
sinister texts written upon the walls of Eve’s home, and the presence of
these scrawling's throughout the composition is effective in connoting a
sense of restless energy as well the dominance of the dark presence
within the film.
The frightened expression of the protagonist is effective in conveying
their vulnerable state in which by placing their hands upon their face,
this is effective in conveying the pain that the antagonist inflicts upon
the character's mind (reflective of their intent to torment the
protagonist).
Text
Similar to ideas 1 and 3, this piece includes the film title
(allowing the audience to associate the film with a
name), social media links (allowing audiences to interact
more deeply with media texts promoting the film’s
release), release date (allowing audience’s to anticipate
the film’s oncoming release), billing block (crediting
leading creators and actors) and the tag-line “Her future
is written in blood” (the effects of which are stated in
idea 1).
In addition to this, this design also includes the
production logo and name of our group, effective in
providing further credit for the creators of the piece.
Also, within the central image, further pieces of text
include a range of messages written upon a wall, this is
effective in conveying the form that the antagonistic
presence within the film shall take. The sinister style of
these messages is effective in conveying their dark
intent towards the protagonist.
The language used within these messages includes
declaratives, such as “They’re Near” and imperatives,
such as “Look up”. The simplicity of these phrases is
effective in inciting a sense of enigma into the piece and
the intent of the messages is uncertain. The use of
declaratives is effective in conveying a rather cold
atmosphere in which the words are void of opinion and
thus lack a sense of warmth or humanity.
The use of imperatives are effective in exerting a sense
of authority in which the dominance of the antagonist is
conveyed through their issuing of orders for the
protagonist to follow.

6. EVALUATION
 Strengths
-The piece includes conventional text elements of which are
frequently applied within film posters; thus forming a media text
that is identifiable as a film poster.
-The tag-line is effective in foreshadowing both the dark themes
within the narrative, as well as hinting towards the form that the
antagonist will take (these being darkly “written” messages).
-The use of a wide shot effectively emphasises the dominance of the
antagonistic presence over the vulnerable protagonist ; effectively
foreshadowing the protagonist's dark and unfortunate end.

7. EVALUATION
 Weaknesses
-The composition of the piece lacks balance in which some
areas of the piece appear rather empty and lacking a
purpose within the poster (i.e. The upper right corner, of
which is void of content).
-The central image, although effective in presenting the
protagonist as small and vulnerable, lacks impact , in which
the wide shot instead conveys a sense of emptiness, slightly
decreasing the overall excitement of the piece; in which the
terrified expression of the protagonist lacks impact as the
viewer seems to be at a rather safe distance away from the
dark happenings within the piece.

8. Idea 3
Composition
This layout uses the rule of thirds,
in which this piece is split into a
grid and each area filled evenly
with content. This is effective in
creating for a poster in which the
visuals are equally distributed
throughout the piece, effective in
establishing a satisfying balance of
components within the poster.
Regarding the placement of each
element this has taken inspiration
from the film poster for ‘Insidious’.
Central Image
The central image of this piece
features the leading protagonist of
the film, in which their lone
presence conveys their
significance to the narrative as well
as conveys a sense of loneliness
(connotative to the isolation that
this character succumbs to after
falling prey to the antagonist).
Regarding the character's facial
expression this conveys a
concerned demeanour in which the
character's direct gaze is effective
in riling a sense of sympathy within
the audience in response,
emphasised by the character’s
injured cheek.
Regarding this injury this takes the
form of the message ‘They're
Near’;, of which the message is
effective in inciting a sense of
eeriness within the piece as this
suggests that the protagonist is not
truly alone.
Regarding the rather hostile
expression of the protagonist, this
is effective in conveying the
paranoia that sets within this
character as they begin to fall
victim to the word of the antagonist.
Text
This design also conforms to the conventions
specified within ideas 1 and 2.
Regarding text unique to this design, this
includes the engraving of ‘They’re Near’ upon
the cheek of the protagonist. This use of a
declarative is effective in conveying a rather
cold and emotionless phrase, in which the
words convey a factual tone, void of
expression. This is effective in conveying a
sense of eeriness, in which the words used
lack any sense of human opinion or warmth.
This cold tone is effective in reflecting the dark
will of the antagonistic messages, of which the
danger this presence is conveyed through the
bloodied form in which this text has been
presented (in which blood possess rather
negative connotations of violence, threat and
pain; foreshadowing the protagonist’s fate).

9. EVALUATION
 Strengths
-The piece includes conventional text elements of which are frequently applied
within film posters; thus forming a media text that is identifiable as a film
poster.
-The central, rue of thirds layout is effective in providing a sense of equilibrium
upon the page in which each area of space has been used equally; allowing
for no unsatisfying areas of emptiness.
-The tag-line is effective in foreshadowing both the dark themes within the
narrative, as well as hinting towards the form that the antagonist will take
(these being darkly “written” messages).
-The focal point upon the protagonist, directly corresponds with the film title (this
being the character's name) and conveys the significance of this character
within the film’s narrative.

10. EVALUATION
 Weaknesses
-The hostile expression of the protagonist, although effective
in conveying their distrust/paranoia towards others,
presents that character as misleadingly strong, in which
their true vulnerability as a character lacks a coherent
portrayal.
-The message ‘They’re Near’ was not featured as a blood
wound within the film’s teaser trailer but was instead written
in blood upon paper, thus presenting a lacking consistency
in reflecting the content of the film’s other promotive
products.

11. IN CONCLUSION
 Within each design idea conventional text elements have be used, in which the
creators/actors are credited, the film release date is granted, the title of the film is
present, social media links granted and a tag line; providing a teasing hint towards
the narrative's dark end and the form of the antagonistic presence within the piece
has successfully been portrayed.
 However, regarding my choice of the most effective poster I believe this to be idea
1. This is because idea 1 possesses a strong composition, in which the rule of
thirds has been conformed to in order to allow each action of the piece to be
dominated with some form of poster significant content. Also the central image is
the most impactful of the three, in which the medium close up is effective in inciting
a sense of unease within the viewer as they are brought into close proximity of the
danger of which the protagonist evidently fears.
 When re-creating his design however, I shall need to made sure that the margins,
in which the text is placed are maintained with consistency (presenting a slight
change that should be made to the design).
 Regarding the reasons as to why 2 and 3 were not chosen. The composition of 2
seems to be the most weak in which the landscape format resulted in a large
amount of unused space resulting in a poster that appeared incomplete.
 Regarding idea 3, although the composition was effectively distributed with
balance of the rather hostile expression of the protagonist made for a rather
misleading representation of this character, in which they could be mistaken as the
film’s antagonist rather than simply distrusting and paranoid (as was the intent).
 Thus, for these reasons idea 1 shall be the design that my horror film poster is
based upon.