The document analyzes and compares the visual design elements of four different movie posters: The Dark Knight, The Devil Wears Prada, Sweeney Todd, and Black Swan. Some key design techniques discussed include use of color, placement of images and text, font styles, and inclusion of taglines or credits to provide context and attract audiences. Overall visuals and text are intentionally simplified or emphasized on each poster to clearly communicate the film's theme or tone.

1. FILM POSTERS
By Eleanor, Caitlin and Erin.

2. The poster for The Dark Knight uses two frames; with
the first clear, in focus, and the second blurred behind it –
this creates a mirror-like shot. The text ‘Why so serious?’
is clear on the poster, with it written in a red, blood-
like, writing. There is also a bloody smile
line, underneath the line of text, which is in line with the
image underneath it. The red shown in this stands out
against the blue colour design of the rest of the poster;
portraying the bloodshed included in the film.
Also, at the bottom of the poster the title ‘The Dark
Knight’ is written with the letters spaced out across the
width. The title is written with it’s logo of the bat, to
symbolise batman, this signifies what the film will be
centred around. The title is written in quite small, white
text which shows it quite simplistically – because the
poster as a whole is simplistic, it doesn’t need big bold
text to stand out. Whereas, the text ‘why so serious?’ is
bold to become easily associated with the film and that
line being it’s tagline.
The image is used as the background; with the joker
behind a landscape. The joker takes up a lot of the
poster, but only the middle of him isn’t covered by mist;
this could signify the mystery surrounding him. With the
prop of the gloves being in full focus, it shows him to
hide his identity. One of his fingers are reaching to the
bloody mouth line, as if he’d done it himself.

3. The poster for The Devil Wears Prada uses a
red, black and white colour design. With the
background being a simple white, the image of
the red shoe boldly stands out. The shoe is
cartoon-like, with the heal pointing into a
pitchfork, which is normally associated with
the devil; showing a link to the film title.
The title itself is placed on the right hand
side, beside the heel of the shoe, as if
explaining the image. It’s written in black text
to stand out against the red and white used
around it, with the words ‘Devil’ and ‘Prada’
bolder than the others. The letter ‘V’ in ‘Devil’
is written in a different font to the rest with the
line pointing at the end; as if it’s sharp and
dangerous.
In the top left hand corner of the poster, two
names are presented in the same format and
text. The second names of that actresses are in
red capitals, whereas, the first names are in a
smaller, black font – this allows the second
name to stand out to the audience; to draw
attention to those who like these actresses.

4. The Sweeney Todd poster has a very dark colour design
with a bold red being used in certain places to attract
attention. There is one image one this poster, which is
used as the background. The image is of a man sitting in a
chair, with the contents of the room around him; the chair
the man sits on is colour red whilst he holds the prop of a
blade – showing their connection.
The red signifies blood, this is demonstrated by the wipe
of red through the title ‘Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber
of Fleet Street’. ‘Sweeney Todd’ is written in a bold silver
to contrast with the black and red around it, whilst ‘The
Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, although bold, is written a
lot smaller. Above the title you see the text ‘Johnny Depp
is’, this is used to attract a wider audience of those who
follow his work.
Furthermore, above the title, in the centre of the
poster, we see the tagline ‘Never Forget, Never Forgive’.
This text is written in red to follow the colour design and
convey anger and blood that the film will include. The
tagline also gives the audience an idea of why ‘Sweeney
Todd’ is angry and what the premise of the film will be.
Below the title, a lot of text is given as small credits; of
those who are in, or worked on, the film. Which is
followed by a bolder text box of ‘This Chistmas’ to show
when the film will be released.

5. The Black Swan poster is quite simplistic in it’s layout and
follows a black, white and gold colour design for the text
whilst the background consists of a close up of a woman.
The image shows the woman’s face, with the background
black behind her. However, the make-up used on her face
shows her to have a crack down the left-side of her face;
portraying her as a china doll, as if she’s fragile. In the
right hand corner of the image, we see a white feather; this
links to the title ‘swan’ but contrasts to the title saying the
swan is ‘black’.
On the right hand side of the poster, in the small space of
the image, there’s a quote given as a review of the film.
The text is written in white, to stand out against the black
background; it’s included to assure the audience the film is
worth seeing.
The title ‘Black Swan’ is written in black towards the
bottom of the page, taking up the most of the width of
poster, with the lettering spread far out. The text is black
and bold and stands out against her pale skin.
Just above the title; three names are given of actors within
the film. Their names are displayed in a smaller size but
follow the same font; being black and quite spread out.
Furthermore, underneath the title, there are credits which
are written in gold to separate them from the main features
of the film. With the final line of this paragraph given in
black – showing what the director has also worked on, to
help sell the film to a wider audience.

6. The 30 Days Of Night poster follows a red
and black colour design through. The
background uses an image of a man
screaming, looking quite evil. However, the
image of the man isn’t very clear as he’s
shown in red and black. The features of the
man are outlined in black but most of his
body is also in black; therefore, the title ‘30
Days of Night’ is written on top of the image
in red, to contrast and stand out against the
black image. The title is written in quite an
abstract font, as if it’s been painted, with
gaps in the letters. The ‘0’ of ‘30’ has a red
dot in the middle; as if symbolising an
eye, this gives the idea of someone watching
others.
Also, in the bottom right hand corner, the
word ‘October’ is given in the same font as
the title but a lot smaller. This word is just
big enough to be red compared to the smaller
text given underneath it and on the other
side. Furthermore, the word is slanted as if
it’s been carelessly written.