This document summarizes key elements of the website for the film "Orphan" that are intended to attract and engage audiences. It discusses how the poster image is used consistently to remind viewers of the film. Trailers are highlighted as providing more context to help audiences understand and decide if they want to watch the film. Details like the film title styling and use of red and shadows are examined for how they set an eerie tone that fits the thriller/horror genre and piques interest in the narrative. The layout, ads, and credits are also analyzed for how they inform audiences and promote purchase or rental options for the film.

1. http://wwws.uk.warnerbros.com/orphan/

3. By including the main image that was used
for the poster, DVD and advertisements,
the picture is connoted importance. For
example, the company have used the exact
same image, causing it to stick into the
audiences mind. So when they see the
photo again, it will remind them and also
give them similar feelings of when they first
saw it. Perhaps causing them to want t0
watch the film or buy to understand the
conventions. Such as the meaning behind
the shadows and her having another side to
the story or the choice of clothing that
wasn’t expected in 2009.

4. A trailer is typically the first advertisement a person will watch. As these show
much more meaning and actually establish to the audience if they would like
this type of film. Specifically if they do not understand the conventions the
poster, magazine or website. So, by automatically playing the trailer, the
audience are forced to watch it as well as seeing the poster and it’s conventions.
Such as why the soundtrack was used and the performance of the characters.
Developing their understanding as they are on the website, see the poster
photo and watch the trailer. Allowing the audience to have a well developed
knowledge of the film and therefore want to watch/buy the film.

5. The background is the exact same in the poster. Making the
image of Esther stand out to the audience, expanding on her
importance. Particularly as the background changes with the
lighting, as a high light is placed on her face, making the
background colour change to be lighter behind her and stand
out. Whilst still presenting the theme of having a hidden
secret through the shadowing. Through using the grey colour
all the way through each ancillary and main trailer, the sense
of danger and darkness is full developed for the audience.
Changing the tone of every piece to be negative.

6. The appearance of this is the exact same as the title given in the trailer. Therefore,
showing the same connotations. The writing is large, clearly standing out against the
background and other pictures. Which draws the audiences attention into it, as the
word Orphan isn’t typically a negative term in a thriller/horror. The type of font is not a
standard font, created by the designers themselves in order to display the connotations
they wanted to. In this case, to add an eerier feel through looking like a child has
painted this and therefore dripped. Yet, it fits into a horror/thriller because the paint
has dripped, causing a destructive creepy feel. Again, it also fits in with the secret of
Esther, as she hides her true feelings with drawings and paintings that when found
establish the idea for the characters that something is wrong with Esther. The colour red
connotes the three main themes in the whole film, danger, frustration and lust. As lust
drives Esther to perform danger once she cannot control her frustration. Hinting to the
audience about the narrative of the production and that they are in fact looking at a
thriller/horror film.

7. The question whether something is wrong with Esther or not is one of the
main questions of the whole film. Particularly seen in the trailer and
poster. As this question makes the audience want to know more and find
out if Esther is actually the antagonist – and thus, the effect of this on the
other characters. However, this is more of a statement, telling the
audience that there is actually something wrong with her and it’s their role
to find out what. Again, making them intrigued to want to find out.
Adding audience pleasure into the production.
The actual layout of the text is sans serif. Of which although the title
below pulls most attention, this supports the title and photo – adding
more information which will be read after. Being in bold and capital is as
if its wanting the attention of the audience, to warn them about Esther

8. The website does contain a lot of adverts for the own product. As if reminding the audience
that buying the product is an option, on DVD, Blue Ray, or by renting. By including these,
there is the ways a lot of people watch films. Even though watching online and streaming is
the main way of watching films now, especially for the target audience of this film. For
example, this film is available of Netflix, a popular streaming website in audiences from 15-
30. By also including rent and blue ray, it shows that the film is available for people who do
not watch films the typical way, which doesn’t exclude them.
The use of the two colours, red and white make each stand out. So, if they didn’t see the first
one, they should see the second one. As even though the colours oppose each other, they
allow each to stand out and play the same role. They also included a photo, which is a quicker
method of obtaining information from the audience. For example, if they are quickly visiting
the website.

9. This is mainly used for legal reasons but to also inform the audience
about the companies behind the products, if that interests them.
Although this is already on the company website, it does establish the
facts for the audience. It also allows the audience to find information
that isn’t shown on all the advertisements. For example, after the
company credits, the film doesn’t actually have any film titles about the
crew and actors/actresses. So by including this into the website, they
can find the information there when they’re seeking for information.

10. The page I print screened is a new tab off of the official Warner
Brothers website. This is now a more commonly used convention, as
the production and distributions companies gain recognition when the
audience seek the website. This is even more useful for low production
companies, which the Orphan distribution company ‘Dark Castle
Entertainment’ is. As audiences are then more likely to find other films
that the company work on that is in the genre of the film they are
already seeking. For example, Dark Castle Entertainment mainly works
on production of lower budget, horror and thriller. Which therefore,
the audience will be more interested in.