A PowerPoint to demonstrate the ways in which film posters use media language to convey meaning and market their films.

1. Research into Film
Posters
Maddy Gould

2. Theatrical Poster
• Jesus imagery (cross) – heaven shining down (connotes penance) –
“redemption” – idea that he’s being relieved of sin
• His arms are open, could connote that the film is inviting
• Patheticfalicy – the rain conveys melancholy, but the sun conveys ideas of
“hope” and happiness (binary opposition)
• Actor photo is the main focus, suggesting the relevance of the character
• Typography is simple and effective, clear to read
• Star appeal with actor names
• Orange and red connote violent imagery – suggests target audience is an
older demographic
• Simple tag line draws in audience – Barthes’ enigma code

3. DVD Jacket
• “Nominated for several academy
awards…” –promote film as quality
• Includes the same tag line as the
poster – alluding the audience back to
the theatrical poster and giving it a
sense of consistency and familiarity
• The yellow background on the front
picture connotes more ideas of heaven
and “redemption”
• Mise-en-scene – the clothes the two
main characters are wearing show the
setting of the film: a prison

4. Teaser Poster
• Tagline implies a certain risk – “May the odds be ever in your favour” –
Barthes’ proairetic code (implies tension and narrative action)
• Indexical icon of the mocking jay – a fictional bird that contextually is a
symbol of rebellion – people familiar with the book will be aware of
this icon
• The mocking jay pin is on fire, connoting strong emotion, maybe even
violence
• “Hunger” could relate to the consuming nature of fire
• The poster uses a z formation so that attention is drawn to the
important bits (the tagline, iconic image, and the title
• The title conveys ideas of base need with “hunger” – further suggesting
that the stakes are high and that there is a risk

5. Theatrical Poster
• The indexical icon of the mocking jay – connotes rebellion within the context of
the film
• “the world will be watching” implies (unconsciously) the success of the film –
within context hints that the main characters are part of an event. This inspires
questions about the plot and the characaters (Barthes’ enigma code)
• The title conveys ideas of base need with “hunger” – suggesting that the stakes
are high and that there is a risk
• The faces of the two characters are innocent and pensive – as if children are
going to be subjected to this risk (Mise-en-scene)
• Important information (release date, title, tagline) is in yellow – since it’s in the
middle of the colour spectrum, it’s easier to spot and naturally draws the human
eye. This is the reason that most highlighters are yellow – it encourages
remembrance
• The arena looks large and grand, whereas the clothes of the protagonist are more
working class and practical, suggesting a theme of class divide in the plot

6. DVD Jacket
• The indexical icon of the mocking jay – connotes rebellion
within the context of the film
• Uses the same photograph as the theatrical poster – familiar
to the audience
• “Exciting and thought-provoking” – positive reviews
encourage people to buy the DVD
• Short blurb – typical of an YA film – people are more likely
to read something if it’s short and doesn’t drag out the plot
• Special Features – encourages people who have already seen
the film to buy the DVD for extra content
• The two main characters (Katniss and Peeta) are facing one
another as though they are in love, suggesting a romantic
subplot and encouraging people interested in romance to
buy the film

7. Teaser Poster
• The famous actors give the movie star appeal – Keira Knightley and
Benedict Cumberbatch are two very famous actors
• Having Cumberbatch facing away from the audience further connotes
the idea that he’s enigmatic, demonstrated by the tag line “The true
enigma was the man who cracked the code”
• The font for the title is Replica Bold (sans serif) – usually used for
graphic applications, like headlines and sign writing
• The lighting shining above Cumberbatch gives connotations of morality
• The image of the enigma machine gives a clue as to the plot of the film
• Serious slogan conveys the genre to be drama/thriller
• “True enigma” hints to the plot of the film – cracking the enigma code,
a famous code the Nazis had in WW2

8. Theatrical Poster
• Reviews from trusted critics, to promote film
• Half of Cumberbatch’s face is in darkness, alluding to the enigmatic
nature of Alan Turing, and relating to the theme of the film (the enigma
code)
• The mise-en-scene of how Cumberbatch is dressed suggests that the
film is set during the late 1930s/early 40s – during WW2
• The mid-shot of Cumberbatch gives the audience a more personal view
of Turing
• Combined with the suit, Cumberbatch is stood up straight, giving him a
sense of formality
• His hair is slicked back, as was the style of the late 1930s
• “Based on the incredible true story” – hyperbole
• Date the film appears in cinema, for audience information

9. DVD Jacket
• Reviews from trusted critics, to promote film
• Picture of people looking inquisitive/concerned,
suggesting the general mood of the film
• PG-13 – suggests that the film is suitable for families
• The angle of the front picture is straight on, alluding
to the idea that we’ll get an insight into Turing’s
character
• Quite a long blurb – typical of a biographical film