The document analyzes three horror film posters, noting similarities in their design conventions. Common elements include the use of three main colors, positioning the title in the center third of the poster, featuring one main image, and not always including film characters. Deconstructing the individual posters revealed they create moods of danger, mystery and isolation through colors, lighting, fonts and positioning of images and text.

1. Film Poster Deconstructions... By Hollie-Jade Higgins

3. There are 3 main colours used on this poster; Red, Black and Silver/ Grey. The use of red symbolises a situation of danger, blood and violence. Red is also an attention grabbing colour that may help to attract the viewer. The use of black signifies evil, fear and unhappiness, the use of black on the females clothing signifies power and depths of the unknown. The Silver/ Grey used on the swords represents security and reliability- this indicates that the female character is a good character ‘the hero.’ The splattering effect of the blood is used to reinforce the title of the film ‘Blood The Last Vampire.’ The blood also draws the eye across the poster This looks like blood dispersing through water, yet ironically looks rather feminine. The fact that the blood is curling around the sword indicates a killing. The main character is looking directly into the camera showing that she is bold and brave, this look also shows her to be determined. however, as her hair is slightly covering parts of her eyes it also shows that she may also be shy. The zombies are only allocated a small area of the poster, where as the main character is a lot larger this signifies that the girl is very powerful and a force to be reckoned with. The zombies are also positioned between 2 swords giving the audience with idea that they will eventually all be defeated. This idea is backed up by the fact the zombies are stood by very large tower buildings which also emphasise how ‘small’ the zombies are. The female character is wearing a military style jacket which enhances her ‘strength’ The stance of the female character shows that she is ready for action. However, her head is slightly lower that her back which shows that she may be slightly ashamed. There are various camera angles that have been used on this poster; a medium long shot has been used to show the main character, however a close up has been used to show the front sword. An extreme long shot has been used to show Tokyo and the zombies 1 3 4 5 6 9 10 Through out the poster all texts are in capitals, except for the website details. A serif font is used which signifies ‘continuing’ and no end. The largest font is on the Title which shows it is the most important information on the poster, the second largest is the release date!

4. There are 3 main colours used on this poster; Black, Red and White. The use of red symbolises strong emotions, danger and aggression. Black is the colour of night and of evil, it signifies mystery, fear and unhappiness, black can also signify bad luck or misfortune. White is a pure and sacred colour, white is the colour of angels and the gods. White is also a sterile colour. The house looks very isolated and run down, with long grass and creepy trees surrounding it. The setting creates an eerie feeling and it almost likes like a house of horror. 3 4 6 9 10 The lighting used behind the house is dark and gloomy and looks like there could be a storm which adds to the creepy feeling of the setting. The title uses all serif capital letters, the positioning and variation of sizing of the words is positioned almost in a crooked house shape. The word ‘HOUSE’ is made to clearly stand out amongst the bleak blacks and greys of the poster as it is red, the lettering of house has blood splattering coming from it which signifies death within the house. House is also the largest of all the words on the poster, this teamed with the only image being of a house shows that the house is an important factor in the film. The white parts of the title have been slightly splattered with red blood, this connotes something pure and innocent being stained or ruined. The Positioning of the imagery and text is used to enhance the feeling of isolation of the house. The vast amount of black that is used on the background signifies no way out.

5. 1 4 2 3 10 There is no ‘real’ colour used on this poster, it is very organic and natural, the naked body teamed with the plain white signifies a new life/ new start. The way in which the body is positioned makes it look like it is leaning on something.. For support? Like a child leaning for support through its first steps. The scratches across the mans body bring the attention of the eye across the poster to the film title. The scratches signify depth with in the film as well as tell the viewer that there may be violence. The Title is shown underneath the skin of the man perhaps this is replicated in the film ‘someone/ something getting under his skin’ which often signifies being angry. There are dark patches below the letters which signifies mystery, The previous credits and ‘award winning director’ are important in the marketing of this film, which is why it is positioned at the top. The fact that the body is naked signifies the person being exposed and unprotected which gives an element of danger, it also signifies being uncovered. This poster doesn’t really tell the viewer what the film is about, this is part of the enigma code designed to make viewers watch the film to find out the mystery.