The poster analysis document discusses three movie posters - for Source Code, Source Code magazine, and G.I. Joe. For each poster, it analyzes elements like the main actors, colors, fonts, lighting, imagery and their purpose in representing the movie's genre and themes. It also summarizes the analysis of an article on Source Code in a magazine, noting the images and formatting used to depict the film. At the end, it reflects on lessons for designing effective posters and magazine articles.

1. The main feature of the
poster is the main actor
appearing from the
alternate time reality. This
draws all the attention to
him.
His is coloured a cold blue
reflecting the nature of his
character at the start.
The font used is a bold
clear font in the colour
red to catch the
audience’s attention as
contrasts with the rest of
the picture.
From this you can see
the integration of the
genre as the signifier of
the gun and the
mysterious mirrors add
intrigue and hint
towards the thriller
genre.
The lighting is central
towards his face as if
being reflected, the
bottom of the poster is
darker reflecting some
mystery within the film.
It includes the strap
line underneath the
movie title drawing
attention to this. It
also includes names of
directors and main
actors.
The audience gets a
shot of the actors head
and torso cutting him
off at the legs, this
shows a very dominant
presence on the poster
from this.
Source code poster analysis

2. Although there are no magazines with a
special on source code there were
articles within regarding it.
The main photo is of the main actor
from within the film looking like he is
very involved, this makes the audience
understand that it is a film that makes
you think.
The lighting is quite high lighting but not
overpowering simply bringing the actor
into the foreground mainly focusing on
his face and upper body.
There is another photo included of the
other two important actors who have
control over the source code machine
itself. This image reflects the military
standard and theme within the film.
They have a main quote that is the most
clear part of the text in a white font that
you can easily read over the background.
There is also a box at the top left
regarding more important information in
a smaller font if people wish to read
more.
Source code magazine analysis

3. G.I. Joe poster analysis
This poster shows
the good people in
warm colours such
as orange and
brown however
shows the bad in icy
white reflecting the
coldness of their
characters.
They almost all
have weapons
reflecting the
scenes of violence
and thriller theme
that will be present
throughout.
They are also split
showing one as
being higher than
the other and
therefore better if
not the good guys
and the bad guys.
The font is the same as
the first movie
remaining familiar and
the Title and
information is used to
separate the two sides
of the teams creating
the scene of an already
set up battle just
waiting to be
unleashed.
The lighting and
shadows are used
to reflect the
mystery needed to
be explored and
discovered. Their
faces are highlights
and the rest in low
light therefore
exaggerating the
light on them all.

4. G.I. Joe magazine analysis
Similarly this movie did
not have a magazine
cover however just an
inside story.
The background for the
entire article includes
two main characters
against each other with
guns, showing the
genre of thriller/action.
It is titled ‘American
heroes’ however it looks
as if it has been slashed
by a sword reflecting
some plotline within the
film.
It is obviously an image from within the movie as it does not look staged or otherwise. It
looks real and fresh from the movie. It also shows the highlights on each of the characters
from above and behind making the foreground shadowed as if what to come was unknown.
It has the font in white also reflecting the darkness of the background and is positioned at the
bottom of the picture as to see the characters faces but that the bottom part is not as
important.

5. Reflection
• From this if I were to do a poster I would make sure that
it included the main character in the poster and if
possible some other characters as well. From this I
would make sure that the font is a key thing making
sure that my movie’s title is known.
• For a magazine article I would include snapshots from
the film itself and include either the title of the film or a
title relating to the film to grab attention.