code and conventions of film posters

1. CODES, CONVENTIONS AND ANALYSIS

2. WHAT ARE FILM POSTERS?
Film posters are a form of promotion just like a film trailer. As film
posters are physical rather than a films, they can promote a film in lots
of different places such as billboards, bus stops, on buses, underground
stations and many more.
Every poster, no matter if it’s a film or a product, promotes something,
so the aim is to catch peoples eye for them to read the poster. As my
film is a horror, I will be looking at other posters under this genre to
help me when creating my own.

3. IMAGE
Film posters always contains a main image, and it is what catches the
audiences and passerby's attention. Some common images found on
movie posters are stills from the film and character shots, with features
to reveal the film’s genre and something about the film.

4. The dark colours in this film
poster suggests that the film will
have dark themes. The light
behind the main character
suggests that he is the hero
character that will solve
problems and ‘save the day’.
All the characters around the
middle character are portrayed to
be his friends as they are standing
as one unit, together. They are also
portrayed as brave characters, with
a strong posture and facial
expression, they are shown to the
audience as being strong.
As Harry is in the middle of the
image, the audience knows that
he is the main character.
Standing above his name also
shows this.
Harry is holding a wand, this
suggests themes of magic and
science fiction to the audience. For
audiences that didn't’t already
know what Harry Potter was about,
they would get some sort of idea is
they saw this film poster.

5. TITLE
Film posters almost always have the films title on it, otherwise no one
will know what the film is called and wouldn’t be able to find out more
information. Few film posters don’t include film titles as some are so
well known, they don’t need a title. Films such as Harry Potter Deathly
Hallows part 2 and Anchorman 2 do not have film titles on their posters
as they already have a large audience fan base t recognize the sequels.

6. TITLE
The film titles font on a film magazine varies depending on what film
and genre it is. The title usually matches the themes in the film, for
example a paranormal genre film may use a glitch type font, in the
colour black or red. It will usually tell a lot about the film.

7. The transformers title
has a blocky, bold
font. It also has a
picture behind it to
make it seem similar
to metal. This tells
the audience that the
film will have themes
of the future and
maybe even robots.
This film posters title
takes up the majority
of the poster. It tells
the audience that the
film is about a hero
that might have gone
to war or been through
some struggles as the
colours of the font
seems dirty and
muddy. It also seems
scratched and worm
out.

8. DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS AND ACTORS
The director and producer of the film are usually shown on film
posters, especially if they are well known and are the main selling point
of the film, for example Steven Spielberg. The more well known the
director/producer, the larger the font.
Actors of the a film poster are normally listed at the top or bottom of
the poster. If the actors are well known, they will have a larger space on
the poster to sell the film. If the film have a smaller cast, only the main
actors will be shown on the film magazine.

9. Leonardo DiCaprio
is a well known
actor, so by
advertising he is
the lead in the film,
attracts audiences
who have
previously liked
some of his films or
him as an actor. As
he is a well known
actor and has done
a wide variety of
films, audiences
knows that they
should receive a
good performance.
Steven Spielberg is a
world famous
director, that has
directed the likes of
Jaws, Schindlers list
and the BFG. By
putting on the
poster that it is a
Steven Spielberg
film, it attracts his
fans as well as a
wide audience that
know of all the
awards he has
achieved for his
work.

10. OTHER FEATURES
Once the film has been screened to critics, the promotion team of a
film can re-create posters to include positive reviews, feedback and
recommendations.
This quote is from the
prestigious, well known UK film
magazine, Empire. As its from a
recognised company it is an
important quote to sell the film
as it is known as reliable.

11. OTHER FEATURES
Like reviews and positive feedback, awards and nominations help
advertise the film. When the team or actors are nominated, posters can
include these details to help advertise the film.
The main character of Black
Swan had been nominated
for an award, so has been
recognised as an achievable
and talented artist. Because
of this, audiences will
expect her acting to be
talented, and the film to be
good.

12. OTHER FEATURES
Taglines are a very important feature on a film poster. They emphasize
a point about a film as well as hint to the audience the storyline. The
aim of a tagline is to be memorable for audiences, so that they can
remember and link the film with the tagline. Some examples includes
Monsters Inc. (2001) ‘You won’t believe your eye’. Forrest Gump (1994)
‘Life is like a box of chocolates…’. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003_
‘One ring to rule them all’.
This tagline is one of the
main features of this film
poster. It tells the audience
about the themes of the film
and suggests danger with
the red font.

13. Here is some inspiration that I am going to use for my film poster. As my film idea has the theme of an
alter ego just like Jekyll and Hyde, I thought how they portrayed this on their film poster was very
effective. As it is a horror, like Horns, I think that I will use a darkish background to reflect the themes in
my film. I also liked the lighting they used on Daniel Radcliff's face as it shows him to be almost hiding as if
he's embarrassed or ashamed by who he has become. Sweeney Todd is another film poster that I want to
take inspiration from. I like the reds and dark colours they use to suggest danger, as well as the lighting on
Johnny Depp's face as it makes him seem dangerous and mysterious.