There are three main types of film posters: teaser posters, main posters, and character posters. Teaser posters contain basic information like the stars and release date to intrigue audiences without revealing much about the plot. Main posters provide more details about the production, stars, and distributors. Character posters focus on highlighting one or more of the main actors, especially if they are a major selling point. Consistency across different marketing materials like posters and trailers is important for building familiarity and recognition with audiences.

1. Film poster types
L/O: to be able to identify different types of film posters and consider
questions that film posters create amongst an audience

2. Starter
• Explain the difference between these posters. Think about purpose.

3. And these….

4. Teaser posters
• This poster contains basic information to tease the audience. It often
does not indicate much about the plot, but may have a picture of the
stars, the name of the film and release date.
• Sometimes there is also ‘expert’ quotes or ratings
• Bigger the film, less info (audience can fill the gaps) esp sequels
• More enigmatic (more mysterious to draw audience in, so they want
to find out more)

5. Teaser
posters

6. Main poster
• This contains information about the production personnel, the stars,
tagline, website, social media, and the distributors.
• Production = who involved in making of film
• Distribution = who financed, marketed and released the film

8. THE MAIN BITS
• Who is TA and how have they targeted that particular audience?
• How does the poster signify the genre/subgenre?
• What does the written text communicate?
• What clues are to the narrative? (what about the story is being
revealed?)
• What are the narrative enigmas?

11. Character posters
• To highlight or feature the main actor or actors
• When actor is USP (unique selling point) of the film
• Often more in rom coms, comedy and dramas

12. 3 types of posters
• Teaser
• Main
• Character (can be teaser or main)

13. Consistency
• Consistency is
important in the
marketing of films
• Between posters
and other posters
• Trailers and posters
• This is for familiarity
for the audience
• So they can
recognize the film
and the ‘brand’
• Keep this in mind,
you might create 2
posters for your
task!

14. Key Concepts
Genre Narrative Representation Audience Media Language
Is the subgenre
clear?
What are you trying
to tell the audience?
What are the
enigmas?
How do you
represent your
characters and
places?
Who is the poster
aimed at?
How do you create
meaning for
audience?