The document describes the process taken to design a movie poster. First, the main image was selected and effects were added to make it look like a still from a poor quality video, including decreasing saturation, adding gradient noise, and scanlines. Next, elements were added to make it look like it came from a video recorder, such as a viewfinder and "REC" sign. The movie title and production company logos were then included, along with a review quote and "COMING SOON" text at the bottom. A mask was blended into the background to hint at the film's monster and leave viewers wondering. The end result was a poster that fit horror conventions and promoted the film effectively.

2.  First, I selected my main image. I
had a small photoshoot with the
main character from the film
and selected what I thought
was the most appropriate
image from this for the poster.
 I felt that this was the best
because she was not using a
direct mode of address, instead,
looking at something which
seemed to be behind the
camera which leaves the
audience with a feeling of
unknown making them want to
know what is behind. It could
make the audience feel on
edge as it may make them feel
like something is behind them
too.

3.  The next thing I did was to
add some effects to the
image as I wanted to make it
seem like it was a still taken
from a poor quality video so
first I decreased the
saturation, this took away the
intensity of the colours.
 Next, I added a gradient map
which went from black to
white with a green tinge
which made the overall colour
of the image more like that of
a poor quality camera.
 Lastly I added noise to the
image by rendering clouds
and altering the opacity and
blending options to make it
more and less visible. This
made the quality of the
image appear worse.

4.  The next step was to make it look
authentic by adding a viewfinder
to the image, making it appear to
be taken directly from a still of a
video recorder. I tried to find a
pre-existing image to use for this
but instead decided to create my
own to best suit my own
preferences.
 I created one corner of the view
finder and then copied it three
times so I could be sure each side
was exactly the same after
aligning it correctly.
 I then added the battery to add
to the authenticity.
 After this I added a slight glow
effect to it to make it appear as if
it was from the LCD screen and
would be lighting up on the
camera and also to stand out
over the image.

5.  Next I added some
scanlines across the
image which would
make it appear to
have less quality,
again adding to the
authenticity.
 After that I added a
small “REC” sign with a
red „light‟ next to it to
make it look like it was
from a camera,
recording.

6.  Next I added the film title
using the BASE 02 font I had
previously downloaded in
preparation. I added a blur
effect to this to soften the
appearance and then a drop
shadow effect to increase
how much it stood out.
 To add to this, I then created
two more copies of the title
and placed them slightly
offset behind this first title and
decreased the opacity of
each. This gave the impression
they were reflecting it or more
shadows but added to the
eerie effect of the poster.

7.  I then used the Men In
Black Credits font to
type up the
institutional information
to go at the bottom of
the poster. I used the
conventions I had
found from pre-existing
products in this
element and tried to
create it to be as
realistic as possible.

8.  Next I added the review
comment and placed it
underneath the title in
contrast to my plan
where I had placed it at
the top. I felt it looked
better and more
appropriate where it is
now.
 I then added a
“COMING SOON” to the
bottom underneath the
institutional info, this was
something which ran
throughout every poster I
looked at during
research and so knew I
had to involve in mine.

9.  Adding production logos adds
to the realism of the poster as
it is something you would
typically find on a real
product.
 I chose paramount,
dreamworks and film4 as they
are highly acclaimed
companies, and then I added
rogue pictures as it is a lesser
known but still successful
company. I then added the
rating and the dolby digital
logo to make it look
professional.
 Finally, I added a slight drop
shadow and a outer glow to
all of the logos to fit in with the
theme and appearance of
the poster and to make them
stand out more against the
background.

10.  Another thing I had seen
on a lot of posters was
previous work of actors
or producers and so I
added some text at the
top which noted
previously successful
and popular horror films.
This is put in to attract
audience as if they have
seen these films, they are
likely to want to come
and see something else
by that producer.

11.  The final thing I added to
the poster was the mask.
 I tried to blend this into the
background as much as
possible. Although the
mask could be perceived
as to be there next to her
or not, it could also be
perceived as a face
coming behind her. This is a
part of the film as it is
something from the
“monster” and on the
poster it gives a fear factor
and a sense of unknown
and leaves the ausience
wondering what it is and
what significance it has
and therefore wanting to
see more.

12.  Overall, I am very happy with how my poster has turned out. I
feel it fits completely with horror poster codes and
conventions and matches great with my film and synergises
well with the rest of my promotional package.