This document discusses inspiration sources for a mystery film project. It analyzes posters and themes from films like The Twilight Zone, The Savages, Submarine, Palo Alto, and Closet Space. Common elements that create intrigue include doors or spaces that leave the viewer wondering "what is behind/within," vulnerable or troubled facial expressions, and dark color schemes with contrasting bold text. These visual cues spark curiosity and suggest an unusual or uncanny story.

1. I’m starting with the classic Twilight Zone poster;
although it’s not a film, it’s where I got my original
inspiration to do a mystery film from.
This poster is engaging and exciting; it is clearly
a media product that will be energetic and that is
already shown in the diagonal positioning of
door, which enlivens the image. More over, doors
are things you walk into to get to a new room or to
enter a new place. That leaves an enticing
atmosphere; what is behind the door?
The undistinguishable setting that the door is placed within further
emphasises the feeling of wonder and curiosity because we do not
recognise such a place; is it space? Is it part of a dream? Whatever it is, it
looks intriguing.
Finally, the distorted, irregular typeface adds a sense of uncanny to the
image. It slightly ‘leans’ backwards, suggesting a mysterious story which
depicts the uncanny and ‘irregular’, ‘not normal’ life.

2. This indie film, the Savages, is a comedy/drama. I
thought it would be fitting because it has two main
characters like my film, is an indie film and also has
a similar genre (drama).
The fact that the image is depicted in cartoon
connotes that the story is not ‘normal’ and is
peculiar.
The vast amount of space above the two
characters suggests the struggle that they go
through in that they are rather isolated in the space.
It also suggests that they have a lot of decisions to
make; they have things on their mind.
The typeface is bold and rather passionate. It contrasts largely with the
pastels of the image behind it. This draws attention to the title
‘SAVAGES’, making it intriguing to the eye. It also lends an energy; without
the title, it would not be as engaging with the image alone.

3. Submarine is an indie film, a ‘coming-of-age-
comedy-drama’. I therefore think it’s fitting to analyse
this poster for my research.
We see the main character in the middle who is
looking upwards and outwards. This suggests his
youth and innocence, but it also suggests that the
story is exciting and dramatic too. It makes you want
to see what he’s looking at; what does he go through
in the movie? I definitely want to know.
The blue that he appears to be submerged in
suggests his vulnerability. It enlivens the image too.
The fact that it stops just before his eyes suggests
hope.
The fact that it is simple, geometric and rather open makes it inviting; this is
not a threatening film, it seems like this film is rather pleasant with the
satisfying red, yellow, white and blue which all go well together as the
primary colours.

4. Palo Alto is another drama indie movie. It depicts the
life of young adults much like my film.
The pink suggests her vulnerability which ties in
nicely with the look on her face as she looks into the
camera.
The bold white typeface over the pink wash image
creates an intensity; there is a sombre and uncanny
feeling that this story is unusual.
It is a cropped and close up image which gives off a
slightly uncomfortable feeling as we almost connect
with this female character; you feel like you’re
intruding her privacy.

5. This is not a film poster but it is the theme of my
film. I got my inspiration from shows like this and
the Twilight Zone because of the unusual,
uncanny and slightly fantasy style stories.
The overwhelming black of the poster is intense
and dark. In conjunction with the green wash of
the characters faces, there is an overall eerie
feeling that these stories are not your normal every
day stories.
The images of the characters faces are highly
contrasted which makes their eyes rather dark
and deep looking which further adds to the
mystery and overall sense of eerie wonder.
Despite the eerie feeling from the green and black, the broadway style
typeface tempers this. It gives us the idea that all is okay in the end, and
it is all fun and games. It also enlivens the image with its bold outlining,
colours and font. It’s very classic and inviting.

6. Closet Space is an indie short film. It includes a
closet which duplicates whatever the character
puts within it. This is therefore a very similar story
to my short film.
This image shows the main character looking
into the closet, with the title within it on the door
frame. This is enticing as we want to know what
is within the closet space.
The fact that her face is cropped within the door frame suggests that this is
a dramatic story with some struggles. You feel claustrophobic in the closet
space and uncomfortable; adding to the sense of danger but also mystery.