Film posters are used to promote films through eye-catching visuals and information. They typically feature an image from the film to catch viewers' attention and portray the narrative. Titles are usually included to identify the film, unless it is already well known. Popular directors, producers, and actors may have their names prominently displayed to attract audiences. Additional information like quotes, ratings, awards, and release dates are sometimes included to further sell the film. The overall goal is to pique interest and hype for the film through the poster.

1. Film Poster
Codes and conventions

2. What are they used for?
*The main purpose of a film poster is
similar to a film trailer, to promote a
film. A film poster is a physical type of
promotion which means it can be
promoted in different places, for
example billboards, busses and even
in the underground.
*A film poster has to be eye catching
so it catches people’s attention, so
they are interested in what the film
has to offer.

3. Image
*Main image to catch viewer’s eyes
*A still from a film or character shots
*They always contain some sort of iconography, to suggest the
film’s genre.
*The image usually portrays the narrative of the film.

4. Title
*The majority of film posters have titles on them
because if they didn’t then people wouldn’t know
what the film was called and therefore wouldn’t be
able to find out any information about it.
*However, if the film is well known then the title
may not be added because the producers may want
to reveal half of the information to tease the
audience to increase the amount of hype towards
the film
*Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull
(2008) didn’t require a title because the iconic hat told
the audience that it was a new Indiana Jones film.

5. Quotes, Ratings &
Recommendations
*Once screened, the promotion
team of the film re-create posters
to include positive reviews,
ratings, feedback and
recommendations.
*Helps sell the film to audience
as usually well known papers/
companies write about them.

6. Directors, Producers & Actors
*If the director or producer are popular their
names are likely to be displayed in a large font
on the movie poster because it is likely to be
the main selling point of the film. For example
Stephen Spielberg is a popular movie director
However, if the director or producer are less
well known then their names are still likely to
be on the movie poster but in a smaller font so
it’s not as obvious.
*Regarding the actors of the film, their
names are either at the top, bottom or
placed at a random section of the poster.
Similar to the director and producers
names how popular the actor is depends
on how big their name is displayed.

7. Awards
*Similar to reviews, if a film is still being advertised during award
season and then the actors or members of the film team get
nominated for an award, then the poster can include these.
*If an actor or member of the production team has been previously
been nominated or won an award before then this can also be
included on the promotion poster.
*This can add to the selling point of the film
because the audience will recognise the award
winner or nominee and expect the film to have
high standards.

8. Taglines
*Used to emphasis a point about the film and hints for the audience
on what will happen.

9. Dating & Extra Information
*A date on the film posters allows the
audience to know when the film is out in
the cinema. The date could either include
the exact date (day, month and year), just
the month, the season or just ‘coming
soon’. The date released for the film
depends on if the film will be known and
whether or not the promotion company
think the film will benefit from an early
date.