Conventions of a
 documentary poster.
 I have come across several websites and slide shares that tell
     you the conventions of posters in general, however not
  specifically the conventions of a documentary poster and so I
thought to create my own slide-share outlining what conventions
                      I have found. By Holly.
Conventions for a poster in general


  To be eye-catching and captivating
  Have a focal picture that will intrigue
  Display a large, readable title
  Suggestions/hints of film genre
  Use of famous actors to further promote it
  Attract a target audience
  An evident tagline
  Age certification
  Coming soon or release date
  The film’s website


Now onto conventions specific to a
documentary poster…
Poster’s Genre


An indication into the poster’s genre, either through
the image used (not wholly giving it away), text such
as in ‘Ever since the world ended’ writing ‘A post-
apocalyptic documentary’.
Quotes from review’s/documentary


 Most of what is on a documentaries
 poster is to entice/promote the film
 and make the viewer want to see the
 it. Quotes/Ratings from review’s and
 quotes from the documentary itself
 are no exception.

 The Last Cigarette (1999) 
Director’s name

The director’s name is often on the poster somewhere in a
noticeable size and font connoting their importance and
establishment. Michael Moore very conventionally features his
name on his posters which acts as his Brand Name and draws
more attention from the other names/producers on the page. It
is also so fans of Michael Moore’s others recognize his brand
and so go and see the documentary.
The documentaries awards


Their awards given by well-established
organisations/film festivals (i.e Sundance) and
institutes adds an impressiveness to the
poster, encouraging a viewer to go and see it (as it
was good enough for a prestigious award!).
Captions


A caption that creates enigma, sparks an interest or
entices the viewer into wanted to see the
documentary within revealing too much, sparking
their curiosity (human nature to be curious) thus
further peeking interest.

Conventions of a documentary poster

  • 1.
    Conventions of a documentary poster. I have come across several websites and slide shares that tell you the conventions of posters in general, however not specifically the conventions of a documentary poster and so I thought to create my own slide-share outlining what conventions I have found. By Holly.
  • 2.
    Conventions for aposter in general To be eye-catching and captivating Have a focal picture that will intrigue Display a large, readable title Suggestions/hints of film genre Use of famous actors to further promote it Attract a target audience An evident tagline Age certification Coming soon or release date The film’s website Now onto conventions specific to a documentary poster…
  • 3.
    Poster’s Genre An indicationinto the poster’s genre, either through the image used (not wholly giving it away), text such as in ‘Ever since the world ended’ writing ‘A post- apocalyptic documentary’.
  • 4.
    Quotes from review’s/documentary Most of what is on a documentaries poster is to entice/promote the film and make the viewer want to see the it. Quotes/Ratings from review’s and quotes from the documentary itself are no exception. The Last Cigarette (1999) 
  • 5.
    Director’s name The director’sname is often on the poster somewhere in a noticeable size and font connoting their importance and establishment. Michael Moore very conventionally features his name on his posters which acts as his Brand Name and draws more attention from the other names/producers on the page. It is also so fans of Michael Moore’s others recognize his brand and so go and see the documentary.
  • 6.
    The documentaries awards Theirawards given by well-established organisations/film festivals (i.e Sundance) and institutes adds an impressiveness to the poster, encouraging a viewer to go and see it (as it was good enough for a prestigious award!).
  • 7.
    Captions A caption thatcreates enigma, sparks an interest or entices the viewer into wanted to see the documentary within revealing too much, sparking their curiosity (human nature to be curious) thus further peeking interest.