2. Horror Film Poster
This horror film poster is similar in genre to my film trailer as it features a post-apocalyptic setting. The images
used in this film poster are conventional to the Post-Apocalyptic Horror genre as it features a powerful threat
running towards the camera which signifies an overwhelming enemy contrasting to the weak protagonist seen
below. This is a conventional aspect of the genre which generally creates a sense of fear and danger which
will appeal to the film’s intended audience. The costume on the antagonists are conventional as they are
ragged and dirty which signifies them as zombies which are a conventional threat in most apocalyptic horror
movies. The isolated location is conventional as it connotes that there is no help which generally creates a
dark and eerie tone that is most prominent in the Post-Apocalyptic Horror genre.
The large sans-serif font uses a white colour scheme which is bright and attractive and contrasts with the
black background to make it all the more eye-catching to the target audience. This is conventional of film
posters as it clearly broadcasts the most important information. The film’s title is most visible with the
conventional name, ‘Out There’ which connotes a terrifying unknown presence which adds mystery and fear
which are conventional to the horror genre. It also leaves the audience questioning what this unknown terror is
thus intriguing the audience. After this element of text, the tagline, ‘Some things are best left forgotten’ is the
second largest element of text which also emphasises the feeling of an unknown presence which further
appeals to the target audience and is conventional to the genre.
The colours of black and white are conventional colours of the genre as the black background connotes death
which is a conventional theme to the Post-Apocalyptic Horror genre and adds to the conventional dark tone
that the poster is trying to create.
The layout is conventional as it uses the route of the eye in order to show the key information to the target
audience. The image of the antagonists also help draw the audience in and clearly identifies them as
dangerous which creates intrigue and horror. The layout is also uncluttered which eases the audience in and
sparks interest towards the film which is conventional of a film poster.
3. Horror Magazine Cover
The images used on the front cover of this horror magazine includes the main image and the featured articles on
the left third of the magazine cover. These are all conventional uses of images as they clearly show interesting
information that will intrigue and appeal to the target audience. The main image is conventional as it features a
skull which connotes death and is a conventional aspect to the horror genre. The smaller images depict the horror
film icon, Jason Voorhees, who is conventional to the horror genre as a whole and someone who horror fans would
instantly recognise thus garnering audience attention. The use of blood is prominent in the images which is also a
conventional element to the horror genre.
The typography used is conventional to a magazine with the use of a large red masthead that is eye-catching and
appealing with the conventional red colour further attracting the target audience. The text is mainly sans-serif which
add to the boldness of the magazine which identifies important and conventional information relating to the horror
genre. The text of the main article is significantly larger with it reading ‘The Evil Dead’ which is a conventional film
to the horror genre which will attract a much larger audience. The font is also much more unique signifying its
significance in the magazine which is conventional in attracting the horror audience.
The layout is fairly ordered with various information placed in significant places such as the left third of the page
which is conventional of a typical magazine. The layout also uses the route of the eye as the first thing you see is
the masthead followed by the main image which is conventional to the genre and the majority of film front covers
as it relates to the title below. At the bottom of the page, extra things included in the magazine informs the target
audience with information such as reviews, interviews and more which would attract attention and appeal to the
target audience.
The colour scheme used consists mainly of red, white and black colours. These colours are conventional to the
horror genre and are eye-catching to the target audience. Also this range of colours have been used and placed in
the way they have in order to contrast and make the text stand out more and the more important text to do so
more. The front cover is much more visually pleasing and conventional because of this.
4. Conventions that I have identified
Overall, from analysing a horror poster and magazine front cover, I have identified conventions that are good to include within
my own ancillary products such as:
Film Poster
Conventional colours such as red, black and white to attract target audience
Conventional imagery such as isolated locations, antagonists and weak protagonists
Uncluttered layout, film title and intriguing tagline
Magazine Cover
Main image relating to horror genre and main article
Ordered layout- route of the eye
Various images relating to the horror genre
