The document discusses conventions used in horror film marketing including posters, trailers, and magazine covers. For posters, common elements are a large title, attention-grabbing main image relating to the sub-genre, a memorable tagline without revealing too much of the plot, and production details. Trailers typically show normality at first, then a disruption, followed by fast-cut intense clips, title/release text, and a shocking ending sting. Magazine covers feature the masthead, main film title and sell image dominating the cover with additional article photos and brief descriptions.

1. CONVENTIONS
OF FILM MAGAZINE FRONT COVERS, POSTERS AND FILM TRAILERS UNDER THE
GENRE OF HORROR

2. Horror Film Posters
 Title
Usually in a large and uppercase, the font may be distorted or distressed in
order to reflect the genre.
 Main Image
Used to fill the frame to capture the audience’s attention, featuring
elements of iconography to indicate the sub-genre and create interest.
 Tagline
Simple but memorable, while not giving to much away about narratives.
 Institutional Information
Provides details about the production and is normally presented at the
bottom. An example would be the poster for “Suspiria”.
 Release Date
Will the encourage the audience to immediately plan on seeing the film.

3. Horror Film Trailers
 Equilibrium
To demonstrate the normality and happiness of the situation, prior to any disruption taking place and to
create an early indication of the isolation of the location – that there is nowhere to call for help.
 Disruption
When the characters realise something has gone wrong.
 Fast Montage of Shots
A collection of short cuts to give he audience a sneak peek of the film’s most intense scenes.
 Title, Release Date & Straps
Information about the trailer given out through pieces of text displayed on screen.
 Sting
A sudden disruption to the calmness to the ending of the trailer, shocking the audience as a result. An
example would be the trailer to “The Conjuring” when a demonic spirit suddenly appears in front of one of the
main characters.
 Different Types of Sound
Mysterious music being played over scenes to build the suspense along with diegetic sounds such as screams
to emphasise characters’ fear.

4. Film Magazine Front Covers
 Masthead
Placed at the top in large font, the name itself being an indication of the genre that magazine is gearing towards. Established
magazines such as “Empire” may have it slightly covered as the magazine is easily recognisable even though the masthead has
been partially blocked off from view.
 Main Sell Line
Accompanies the main image of the magazine to reveal the title of the film being featured as the main image.
 Main Image
This will advertise the main article of the magazine, commonly featuring the protagonist/antagonist of the featured film that
audiences may recognise from the posters of trailers of the film, making them interested. This will dominate the front cover and may
have the image model partially covering the masthead to display importance.
 Feature Article Photographs
Important in selling the magazine to those who are not interested in the film being promoted as the main image.
 Other Text
Will accompany the feature article photographs to give a bit of information on those films as articles.
 Puffs
Included to draw attention to specific pieces of information relating to the magazine itself such a promotion or competition.