The document analyzes the key signifiers used in horror movie posters to convey the genre to audiences. It discusses two posters, for the movies Scream 4 and The Strangers. For both posters, it notes the use of dark colors, close-up shots of masks or the killer's face, and titles written in fonts that stand out from the poster and draw the eye. The main images are centered to attract attention and leave questions about identity and the threat posed. Taglines are also used to entice audiences by hinting at the story in a disturbing way.

1. Analysing Print Products
Scream 4Jacob Stephenson
& The
Strangers

3. Scream 4
First Thoughts..
When looking at the poster, you can instantly tell
that it is representing the horror genre. The key
signifiers which prove this are;
• the colours which appear to be dark and
mysterious with a huge contrast from the main
image helping it stand out.
• The main image which is centred and catches our
eye instantly and appears eerie and distorted
• The shot which is a close up of the mask –
showing it is a main character

4. The main image within the
poster is centred and takes up
most of the poster. Due to the
simplicity of the poster, the
The title has been written in
image has to have a huge effect
a font that stands out and
on the audience. The image
contrasts with the rest of the
shows the mask of the main
poster. It is placed just below
killer within the movie and it is
the image as the eye will be
in a deformed and evil way. It is
attracted to the main image
white so it contrasts with the
but then look below at the
black background and stands
title which stands out. It is a
out. It proves to the audience
huge contrast compared to
that the movie is within the
the poster as the poster is
horror genre and it seems to
dark and this is white with
have a shadowy effect used to
the 4 being in red to
make it appear ‘3D’. Because we
symbolise the death and
can only see a side view, we
initially, blood. The title
have a question of identity on
looks very modern but
top of us as we are wondering
proves that it is in the horror
why the mask is used and what
genre due to the font and
it is for. Because it is a
colour.
sequel, there will also be a
following.

6. The Strangers
Like the poster of Scream 4, we can easily tell from
this poster that the genre is horror. Key signifiers
are used such as;
• The main image which instantly drags us in and
also uses masks to do so
• The colours which are dark and neutral and work
well together
• The shot which is a medium shot of a group that
appears to have two people under their power

7. The title is written in a very distorted font A tag line is included to entice the audience
which stands out and it is placed below in further and it helps feed the audience the
the main image so it is one of the main story that tiny bit more. It makes us ask the
eye-catchers. It is coloured very bright question why? This is vital as the audience is
and the font makes it appear like it is getting included in the drama as it addresses
literally flashing out at us. It has a shadowy us by including ‘YOU’. It shows that it can
effect included. It follows the horror happen to everyday people.. It is direct and
theme and blends in with the colours of short and snappy leaving us wondering. This
the poster. It is of a harsh font and it is also tag line adds to the horror theme as it is
what is expected of a horror genre’s film scary and brings a personal element in
poster.
The two main characters’ names are included below the title and it is in a place
where the audience will see it directly. This is used as the actors are a unique selling
point for the movie and bring in a huge following that support the specific actors.
For example, ‘Liv Tyler’ will have a fan base willing to watch the movie just because
she is in it.

8. The main image is the first thing that us as an audience are attracted to. As it is centred
and very bright in contrast to the rest, we are drawn to it and shown straight away its
eerie effect on us. It makes us scared and this draws us in. From the image we can see 3
people hiding their identity by masks – this makes us really spooked out by it as we can
see they are in front of two people who are ‘looking’ at them. It appears as a show to
them but we still sense that it is torture etc. The 3 people stood up are dominant and
seem to be ‘evil’ as we can’t see their full identity.