This document analyzes several film posters and discusses their visual elements and how they are used to convey information and intrigue audiences. The posters analyzed employ techniques like shadowy figures, ominous typography, vulnerable characters, and references to true events to create atmospheres of fear, mystery and suspense that draw viewers into the horror genre worlds depicted. Common themes across the posters include the use of dark colors, low-key lighting, ambiguous threats, and vulnerability of female characters.

1. Film Posters Analysis Melissa Turner

3. The image dissembles the 2 previous movies being on a hand held, or video camera. The image is in night version suggesting its dark and nighttime which is an icon of danger and is normally in horror movies when the supernatural force attacks. The mise en scene of this image shoes two girls happily sleeping in bed. You can tell that their ages is around 6-8 because they are in adult beds, the music notes on the wall and images behind suggest they are normal children enjoying hobbies.

4. The high angle shot gives the perception that we shouldn’t be watching. The Light coming from the left hand side also indicates that they are scared of the night so something will happen to them. The shadow in the middle is what your eyes are drawn too as it is directly in the middle showing whatever it is is watching over both of them. We are only able to see the shadow as a result of the light. The first time you see the image you don’t partially notice the shadow which is a very effective part of the poster as it relates to the plot about is there something there or are you just imagining it? From the size of the shadow it is shown to be of adult size but you can’t see what it is.

5. The typography of the poster makes your eyes drawn to the ‘Paranormal 3 activity’ because of the colour red. The shadow behind it also makes it appear to be a type of illusion and the fuzziness of it could resemble the camera flickering during the film. The ‘3’ is a different colour but emphasizes its part of a sequel. The typography suggests that some answers will be given about the other films by the word ‘discover.’ It makes you want to go and see it and find out. The typography font is clearer than the title and the use of full stop creates a pause and makes you wonder what the movie will be about.

6. The tag line of ‘It runs in the family’ links to the other films being that they were sisters. The overall dark colours of the movie poster immediately thinks to the horror genre. The paranormal activity is also on a slant suggesting that everything isn’t always straight forward. The date and time appearing on the image reinforces the hand held video camera idea. It also makes the audience feel as though they are intruding on a families secret and that they shouldn’t be watching. The typography being typed across the poster makes you feel like you are not meant to see this footage.

8. This poster is very dark and the light is only aimed at the phone and the arm. The arm has more muscles than females and is quite hairy which suggests that it is a man, also by the nails being short it suggests that it is a man. H is holding a phone with correlates the title being about a stranger calling. The typography is bright red colour which could be an icon of blood, as it fades to the black background which looks as though it is running, which is also blood like. they are all in capitals. The poster includes a website and what date the cinema is showing the film making the audience aware of when to go and see it.

9. The main image of a phone is black but your eyes are drawn to the screen as there is a woman screaming on it. This indicates them to be the victim as horrors are conventional made so that a vulnerable female is targeted. The colour of her top is also red which correlates with the red writing. The typography is bright red colour which could be an icon of blood, as it fades to the black background which looks as though it is running, which is also blood like. they are all in capitals. The poster includes a website and what date the cinema is showing the film making the audience aware of when to go and see it.

11. The mode of address is direct as the image is of a woman screaming directly at the camera which is again a horror convention of a female being vulnerable and being targeted. The lighting is low key and in the dark which adds to the horror mise en scene. The use of ‘REC’ also suggests we are getting an insight into something that we normally wouldn’t experience which makes you want to see it more. The typography for this poster is the same as the text that appears on the camera (rec) a computer generated font which is the same one used on the trailer. The use of full stops on this poster give pauses and makes the point clear such as ‘no evidence.’ The ‘until now.’ is a cliché of some supernatural horrors. It makes the audience want to see the evidence.

12. The poster includes a website and a tease of when to expect the trailer in the hope that it will make the audience want to go and see the film. The title ‘Quarantine’ is is capitals drawing our attention to it and has a green line through it like the camera turning off and is the same colour that is over the image. The house style colours are very simple used on this poster which makes it effective. The main two are green and black and then a bit of red. This works well as they are all dark colours emphasizing the dark and supernatural feeling the film should bring to the audience.

13. The poster looks very un-natural as they look connected which links to the title and the hands looks as if they are trying to escape but they can’t. The image is taken through the glass so you can’t see why the people want to escape from. You can make out the face screaming suggesting pain which is reinforced by the blood stains on the window. The house style and the masthead writing is written in old style font suggesting a creepy haunted house or old fashioned idea. The writing at the stop makes the audience ask questions are who's flesh is who's fantasy? Making you want to see the film.

15. The long shot and low key lighting reveals that there is showing watching her in the background. This is dramatic irony because the audience know that there is something there whereas the stereotypical vulnerable woman doesn’t. The lighting is also focused on the woman so at first you cannot see what’s in the background. The rooflines uses 2nd person to make you feel part of the film. As if you will be part of the horror. The writing is in a white font so that you can easily see it and it correlates with the white mask. The tag line “inspired by true events” makes you feel scared because you plays on your mind that something could happen.

16. The capitals letters of the tag lines and rooflines whereas the masthead is in lower case. ‘the strangers’ makes you question who are the strangers, the is no mode of address it is very ambiguous. The typography has light shinning through them. The actors names are above the title but do not particularly draw your attention because they obviously want the plot to appeal to you rather than the actors. The location being in a house suggests that something is invading her security. The fact that it could happen to anyone. It is where you would normally relax whereas in the photo the creature has invaded into her security making her appear vulnerable.

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