The document analyzes the film posters for four movies - 127 Hours, The Rite, Identity, and Flight. For each poster, it discusses visual elements like composition, lighting, symbolism, and how they relate to the movie's narrative. It also examines how production details and actor names are used to promote the films. Overall, the analysis identifies how the posters communicate genre and key themes to attract audience interest.

1. General Film Poster Analysis
by Tom Chamberlain

2. 127 Hours – Biographical Survival
From the onset, I particularly like the contrasting sky
gradient, as the lower portion of the image appears very dark
and negative, while the upper third of the poster is positive
with a vibrant blue and cloudless sky. I think this image
reflects the narrative of ‘127 Hours’, as being trapped between
a rock underground is like hell, while being on the surface
generates a sense of freedom.
Furthermore, if we look at the technical construction of the
film poster in more detail, I have identified that the rocks and
the sky create an vase-versus-faces optical illusion of an
‘hourglass’ to suggest time is an important element in the film.
This links to my previous analysis of the sky, as the character is
slowly dying as he runs out of time.
A character appears to be pushing against two unmovable
rocks, showing both his mental and physical struggle In trying
to remain sane. I think the unique selling point of the film text
is the narrative, as the poster graphics highlight that it is ‘a
triumphant true story’ and from the same acclaimed director
of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. This convention has been used to
entice an audience, as many viewers choose to see films made
by a particular director, producer or cinematographer; in
addition the use of ‘James Franco’s ‘ name above the film title
has been used to create the same effect.

3. The Rite – Supernatural Horror
At first glance, the film poster uses the shape of a cross to
symbolize that there may be elements of Christianity and
religion is the film text. The male framed in the middle of the
poster makes the viewer feel intimidated and apprehensive, as
the stern facial expression showing the characters metallic
blue eyes makes the male seem very demonic.
I like the contrasting of colours between the protagonists grey
gaze, generating a cold and disconnected feeling, while the the
degrading cross allows the audience to establish that the film
text may be from the horror genre.
The close-up shot and full face lighting on the male looking
directly into the lens, makes staring at the film poster slightly
unnerving, as you feel like the character is looking through you
and not at you. The darkness behind the characters face also
creates a sense of mystery, as the lighting combined with the
graphic of the cross suggests that protagonist is
trapped, relating to the narrative as he specialises in
exorcisms, thus the process of expulsion of evil spirits.
Custom Serif typography has been used for the film
title, turning the lettering into gothic style text, as the
different serifs and flourishing make the text seem medieval.

4. Identity – Psychological Mystery
A minimalistic and interesting film poster that contains strong
hidden messages interlinking directly to the narrative and
script. The poster uses the idea of a single person having
numerous identities, as the fingerprints have been replaced
with different people. From this visual message, the audience
can establish the film may be from the psychological thriller or
drama genre; as this is a cultural code by using audiences
knowledge about mental illness; specifically multiple
personality disorder and schizophrenia.
The Bottom of the handprint graphic has a splash of the colour
red, connoting violence and bloodshed, indicating to the
viewer that there may also be elements of murder and horror
throughout the film text.
I think both taglines are used to create a sense of mystery, and
thus the audience becomes intrigued to watch the moving
image; as the word ‘secret’ denotes that hidden information
will be revealed in the film text.
I feel this film poster works exceptionally well to capture the
audiences attention, as the unique image forces the viewer to
spend a long period of time analysing the different
components that make up it’s design. In addition I personally
like the construction of the film poster, as it combines both
photographs and graphics effectively.

5. Flight - Drama
The films texts lead protagonist is framed in the centre of the
film poster, represented as a flight officer, as the style of his
jacket and badges on his hat are ideological of this profession.
I feel this image challenges viewers stereotype of black
males, as the character must be well educated to of achieved
his aviator status.
As the character is not looking directly at the audience, it
suggests he may be hiding something or lying, as the fixed
seriousness of his expression makes him appear highly
attentive. The rain in the mise-en-scene may link to the
narrative, as weather is a major external factor involved in
piloting an aircraft. The rain also connotes sadness and
nostalgia, possible emotions that the character may be feeling.
As the actors name is placed across the top of the film
poster, it is a clear indicator that this is the unique selling point
of the marketing product. There are no other significant
conventions that can be analysed, as the design is very simple
with basic sans serif font used for the film title, production
crew and release date. In collusion, I do not like that the
designer has solely used ‘Denzel Washington’ to promote the
film text, as I feel this is an ineffective to communicate to
audience that have no foreknowledge about the quality of his
acting, thus ability to entertain.

6. Project X – Teen Comedy
The film poster creatively frames a teen male laying on the
ground amongst empty drink cups and small blue
pills, representing youth culture as being unlawful as drugs
are illegal and irresponsible, as underage drinking also dilutes
inhibitions. The teen is also wearing casual clothing and
baseball shoes to suggest he is only of a young age, used to
capture the teen markets attention; as audiences can relate to
the hung over situation the character finds himself in.
The messages are mostly visual and not verbal, as the film
poster has few conventions to communicate to an audience.
On the other hand, the design does makes use of audience
foreknowledge by using intertextuality to link directly to a
previous box office sensation ‘The Hangover’. The name of the
film text and the tagline of ‘witness it’ makes the viewer feel
like the film is an unmissable event, and thus the viewer is
persuaded to watch something that will be unforgettable.
As the title is coloured white, it connotes purity and
virginity, possibly relating to the characters in the narrative. At
the same time, it also suggests a sense of innocence as the
male may not have taken drugs or been intoxicated before the
events in the film text took place; helped by the technical
construction of a high camera angle making the character look
very vulnerable.