1) Film posters typically feature a large central image that represents a key moment or the main protagonists of the film. This helps attract audience interest. 2) Additional text provides more information about the film's genre, plot points, or actors to further intrigue viewers. Font choices and placement of text elements are important for legibility and impact. 3) Camera shots of actors, lighting schemes, and color palettes are carefully selected to represent the film's tone and subject matter, helping viewers understand what to expect from the movie. Standard inclusion of production details unifies the marketing of the film.

1. Codes and
Conventions of a
Film Poster

2. ImagesThe main aspect of any
film poster will be the
main image. It will usually
be a large image which
represents, either a
certain point in the film,
or is a separate image of
the main protagonists.
Although some film
posters do not have an
image of their main
characters, and might
perhaps only have the
logo i.e. the Jurassic
Park film poster,
usually without an
image, the poster is
less attractive and is
less likely to gain an
interested audience.
This particular poster I have
chosen, which I think shows the
use of an image on the front well,
is ‘New Moon’ from the Twilight
Saga. Although it could be argued
that the main protagonist is the
female character shown here
(Bella), throughout the rest of
the films we begin to see that
there is more emphasis on the
lives of three characters, of which
the story line revolves around.
Therefore, this would be why the
film company have chosen to
include an image where all three
of the characters are present,
instead of it just being the female
character. Not only does this
make it more interesting, but it
also helps to clarify who the main
actors are, which for some
people, would be the main
interest
Also, the image which has been
chosen for this particular
poster, is also very important as
it helps to highlight the type of
genre that the film is.

3. Typography
When looking at codes and conventions of film posters, it is
clear that typography is a key aspect. Not only does it help
to give a reasonable amount of information of what the
film might actually be about, but it is also enable to entice
the audience in, especially if what is written is of interest to
them.
With this particular film poster to the right, we can see that
it is from one of the Harry Potter films. As the Harry Potter
films are such a widely known and popular film/book
series, not a lot of information would need to be added, as
people are more likely to know about the details of the film
anyway.
However, the clearest bit of typography present is ‘The
Rebellion Begins’. This almost symbolises the start of a
whole new drama within the Harry Potter series, which
looks interesting through this writing used. Furthermore,
the fact that it is a simple piece of writing also adds to the
dramatic effect that the poster gives, as it is almost
suggesting that there is nothing more to say, and the only
way to find out what happens, is to see the film- a good
piece of advertising.

4. Camera Shots
Camera shots- which links into the images used- are also very important when it comes to
creating a film poster. From research, typically a film poster will usually have a close up, or mid
shot of the main protagonist. As you can see from the ‘Shutter Island’ poster, a close up of
Leonardo Dicaprio is used. The close up of his face, is quite menacing and filled with mystery,
which could also symbolise what the film might be about. By using this type of camera shot on
the front of a movie poster, it entices the audience in even further, as it makes it more
appealing and attractive to the eye. This is particularly true when a famous actor is used on
the front of a poster. Dicaprio for example, is an incredibly well known and popular Hollywood
actor, therefore, by using him on the front of the poster, fans of his will be more inclined to
see it, as they are able to see that he is being portrayed as the main character.
On the other hand, shots, such as those you
can see on the Avengers poster to the left,
are typically going against conventions of
the types of camera shots used. Although
having said this, this type of shot is
becoming highly used when it comes to
action films, where more than one character
is wanted to be highlighted. This is
particularly so for the Avengers film, as it is
a film where all of the great and well loved
Avengers characters come together within
one film.

5. Lighting/ Colour Scheme
On any poster, the lighting used by the editing crew, will be
highly worked upon, until the precise lighting has been
found to accurately represent the film. In particular, the film
127 hours, which is displayed on the left, is a film about a
man who is rock climbing on his own, and falls into
dangerous trouble, whereby his arm becomes caught
between a rock and a cave wall. Like the film title suggests,
the character was stuck there for 127 hours. Consequently,
the lighting used on this particular poster complements the
story line very well, as it looks to be a sunset/sunrise, which
represents the amount of time he was there for.
Therefore, without the appropriate lighting and colour
scheme, a film might be very hard to advertise and sell. The
colours and lighting need to be appropriate for the genre of
the film being shown, as other wise it effects the audiences
perception of the film. For example, a typical convention of
a horror film poster, will be that the lighting and colours
used, will be very dark and gothic, symbolising danger and
mystery. On the other hand, a romance film poster, will most
likely include light colours, typically red and pink which
symbolise love and romance.

6. Witten Language & Title
Written language and the title on a poster are also possibly
the most stereotypical conventions used on a film poster.
They provide extra information about the film company,
more than the film being advertised. For example, this
written language will usually, if not always include, the
directors name, the producers name, all of the main cast and
also the production and distribution company that has been
used. There may of course be some other information used
as well, but this is the generic information most likely to be
present. The most important convention of a film poster, will
probably be the title of the film. This is such an important
aspect, as otherwise it would be very confusing to an
interested audience, as they would not realise what film is
being advertised. Not only this, but it is also a name/title
that will appear on all media products to do with this film,
meaning that it is very important in the advertisement of the
film. Furthermore, the title of the film, will most likely be
incorporated into the genre or story line of the film. Within
Harry Potter for example, the title is written as if it were a
lightening bolt (the same lightening scar that the main
protagonist is born with on his head). Within Inception,
there is a strong element of danger, which is why the title is
in red, as this is what it connotes the most.