This document analyzes the codes and conventions used in a film poster for the romance/drama movie Titanic. It discusses several design elements of the poster including the central placement of the title and tagline, the use of the rule of thirds to position images, and the inclusion of the main characters to portray the romance theme. It also notes other common poster elements like the director name, actors, release date, and distributor logo. Overall, the poster follows standard conventions to attract audiences and sell the film through memorable visuals and key information.

1. Film Poster
Research
Codes and Conventions
Abii Birkett

2. An example of a film poster
from the romance/drama
genre. As my film also falls
into the drama category the
conventions used within this
post may be applicable to the
poster I make as part of my
film trailer.
The middle of the boat
align with the separation
of actors illuminating a
central line in the middle
of the image and
highlights an almost
symmetrical pattern
either side.
The title is the largest piece of
text on the poster – the
center of attention.
Short and memorable tag
line to help sell the movie.
Rule of thirds has been
used horizontally to
position the images in an
artistic and anesthetic
manner.
The main image includes two
separate images with a
feather fade to separate
them. The choices of
photographs reveal the main
narrative of the film which is
crucial when trying to sell it to
a mass audience. The image
of characters Jack and Rose
(helped by being well known
actors) portrays the romance
theme with the boat
representing the drama.
Mentioning other films
that the same director
has also directed – like
‘Alien’ – used as a selling
point.
Here they have included
all the information that
follows the copyright
guidelines which states
the films title, director,
actors, editors, producers
along with others
involved and sponsors.

3. Positioned at the very top
of the page for immediate
attention and part of star
marketing – so those who
like the actors may decide
to watch the film despite its
narrative.
Info about the film aligned
centrally – matching the
strip of text at the top. The
tagline in all capitals with
full stops for poetical
emphasis.
Main image aligned to the
right of the frame with the
subjects hair filling two
thirds of the left strip. The
subjects eyes have been
edited with an increase of
saturation to blend with
the darker blue
background. The eye
contact is very striking and
draws the viewer in quite
dramatically.
They have included their
own website for the
audience to visit for more
information. In addition to
this they have added the
‘Universal’ company logo as
they produced and
distributed the film.
‘The Musical Phenomenon’
stated on the poster as a
selling point as it refers to the
long running
Broadway/Westend musical
of the same title. Either side
of the three words are two
small dividers that are the
same style as the main title
and colour of text so as to
blend in. They lengthen the
visual strip element and even
out the text, stretching the
line out just beyond and
below the main title.
Release date included in
full words (not abbreviated
numbers) to show crucial
information for the
audience.

4. The rule of thirds has been
used in this poster with the
main action taking place in the
center and additional exciting
images either side.
3D in bold letters to
emphasis its existence
and encourage the
audience to watch it in
this format.
‘Coming Soon’ in the
same colour as the title to
stand out and inform the
audience of its release.
House Colours:
-Yellows
-Gold
-Blues
-Black
-White
Renowned directors, Spielberg
and Jackson, name dropped to
attract a wider audience.
Written in white to stand out
from the background blue.
The poster shows the action animation
graphics – implying it is targeted towards a
younger audience of children with the
dynamic movements and elements of fire to
entice them and persuade them to have an
interest in the movie.
Additional names are mentioned
beneath the title including Edgar
Wright and Steven Moffat who were
also part of the production process.