Generic conventions of horror film posters

1. Generic Conventions of Horror
Film Posters

2. All of these horror film posters follow very similar generic conventions. The images used on all of them
are of women, women are stereotypically betrayed at being vulnerable and weaker than a male figure
which is why they are used as the victim.
Most film trailers have a main image where the model is staring straight into the camera. This shows the
model is important to the film as they are right in front of the camera. Usually there is only one figure on
a horror film poster, this creates a feeling of loneliness and exposure.
All of the film posters have dimmed or shadowed lighting to make it trickier to see the models faces. The
dark lighting creates mystery as we cant fully see the models face.
All of the posters have a title at the bottom of the page which is the largest text out of everything (tag
lines, cinema release date, cast members).
The posters all have a tag line which is usually at the top of the poster, this is the first thing you will read
on the poster as people usually read top to bottom. The tag line gives a small insight into the film.
The colour red is a generic convention of most horror posters, the red colour shows danger and blood
which is a warning about the film. Darker colours which are used show danger and darkness.

3. Title
The title of the horror film poster ‘Scream’
is the largest font on the entire poster, this
is because it is the most important piece of
information. The title is shown in a bold
font in the colour white which contrasts
against the black behind it. The title is on
the front of the poster so that it is
recognised easily when it is on the self.
Titles on horror posters are generically
made to look bold so that they stand out.
They are also made in a font which relates
to the film. Some posters are made with a
scratchy font, some of stitches as well as
being made with knives, blood and other
gory objects.
The title is coloured either with a plain
colour or in red which signifies book and
danger. The plain colours show no
happiness or brightness and are just dull.

4. Main Image
The main image on a horror poster is
almost always of a female looking
directly into the camera. The image
generically looks as if they are
desperate for help, that they are
venerable and that they are alone.
Horror posters generically have the
model looking directly into the camera
to show that they are the films main
character and that they are the ones
who are important to the film. There is
generically only one person on the
front of a horror poster as again, this
creates a feeling of loneliness.
A lot of horror posters have effects over
the image to change the look of them.
This image has been changed to black
and white, taking all colour away from
them.

5. Review
At the bottom of the film poster is a
review of the film, the review is
generically a good one so that it
entices customers to buy the film. The
review is generically from a well
known magazine or newspaper which
customers can trust.
The review is usually at the bottom of
the poster as this isn’t an important
piece of information. It only needs to
be read once the customer is close to
the poster and is reading it properly. It
is there to go along side everything
else and give a bit of positivity about
the film if everything else on the
poster doesn’t entice them enough.

6. Lighting
The lighting on horror film posters is
generically made darker to
demonstrate mystery and
unknowingness. The gloomy colours
and shadows form a fear of the
unknown and make the viewer want
to know what the film is about. A lot
of posters have the models face half
in darkness to keep their identity
secret, this makes the viewer want to
watch the film so their identity is
revealed.
Horror film posters usually lack colour
as they don’t want to come across
looking bright an vibrant. If the poster
is full of colour. Black is also used on
horror posters as it displays tragedy,
horror and death.

7. Notable People
People who were involved in the
making of the film and have paid a
huge part in it are named
underneath the title. The notable
people text is a lot smaller than
the title as it isn't as important.
People usually recognise the title
name rather than who produced
or edited the film. The colour of
the font is grey which doesn’t
stand out against the background
very much as it doesn’t need to be
seen. Notable people are
announced on the poster so if
people are interested in who the
film was made by they can view it.
However, it is not an important
part of the poster therefore it isn’t
in large.

8. Tag Line
A generic convention of a horror film
trailer is to have a tag line which gives a
small insight into what the film is
about. The tag line doesn’t give too
much away yet it makes the viewer
question what happens in the horror
trailer. It leaves the viewer on a cliff
hanger.
Tag lines are stereotypically located at
the top of the horror film poster and
are written in a clear font. Viewers will
read the horror film poster top to
bottom therefor the tag line will be the
first thing to be read.
Stereotypically, the tag line cant be too
long or else it will take up too much
space on the film poster. They are
usually 8-12 words.

9. Characters
The characters names are typed right
underneath the film title as people like
to see who is in the film. If someone
they like is featuring in the film then
they are more likely to buy it.
The sub text is usually put directly
underneath the film title so that the
viewer can read all of the text at the
same time. Whilst reading the title
viewers can also read the text below
as it is so close. The names of actors
and actresses are spaced out a good
distance so that they are clear to read.
If the viewer likes the actor or actress
and wants to watch them in the film
they may be more enticed by this
rather than the films genre. The
characters are generically put on the
front of film posters.