The document provides guidance on designing effective horror movie posters. It analyzes the structure and elements of a sample poster. The poster follows conventions like using a three-part structure with a large central image to draw the eye. It prominently features the title, actors, and release date. Effective horror posters convey a sense of fear through images and text that hint at the plot without giving too much away. The document stresses the importance of consistency across marketing materials like trailers and posters to build recognition of the film as a package.

1. By Jack Suddaby

2. The purpose of a poster is to advertise the film and
to also create a ‘buzz’ (interest) for the film. It is also
a good excuse to show of the stars of the production,
for example the actors or the directors involved as
this can help people establish a connection between
the actors/directors and the style of film. When it is a
horror poster, it needs to give fear to the audience to
grab the attention of the viewer.

3. Here is the main
focal image Here is the main title
which is of the of the poster, which
main antagonist, is clearly shown as it
this is a common is the only text on
convention of the poster, which is
horror posters, to in a darker shade of
show the main blue to highlight it
victim or villain, from the
to make the background, this is
audience have something I will
an impression on need to do in my
the film, i.e if the own poster, by
antagonist looks making sure the
scary, the film typography stands
might be out from the
background

4. This says the
release date, so
people know
when they can
watch it
Here is the star
system, showing
This is the
the directors old
main image
films to make you to
again, and it
watch this one
takes up the
entire poster,
the bottom of
the poster is
Here is the title
black which
which is in
gives a
conventional
simplistic
red, it is also
background to
the largest text
put the title
on the poster,
and the credit
to certify that it
block
is the title

5. Here is the first
This is the second
section in a
section where the
main focal image is conventional
shown, this is the three part
largest section and it poster. This will
is used to lure the have the tag
viewer in, to make the line, which is will
poster stand out. It reveal
often reflects the something about
main antagonist or the film, it is
the main protagonist often done
in distress through a
This is the third famous quote or
section which in horror posters
features the title of irony is often
the film, and the used
credit block, it will
also often feature the
release date

6. This poster is extremely
conventional because of the Here is the slogan
three part structure, but it which is conventionally
also forces you to look at the placed at the top of the
image, as it is in the center of page which often gives
the poster. Both the tag line a hint to what the film is
and the title are also like or is there to scare
extremely clear to see under you in this case.
a plain conventional black
background
This is the main focal
This is another small image of two girls
slogan which relates sleeping with a shadow
to the other films I between them, to
before this one was suggest something bad
released, again is going to happen to
building up your this small girls and they
recollection of the are asleep adding to
films. that ‘helpless’ feel. This
is also conventional
having a large focal
image in the center of
the poster.
This is the title and it
uses the same
typography as the other
This is
films as well as the same
conventional of
typography in the trailer,
film posters as it
this therefore builds up
says the release
an image of what the film
date, letting the
is and helps you
audience know
remember what this film
when the film
is about. It is also red
will be able to
showing conventions of
be watched.
horror.

7. The cropping of this
image is interesting as
Here is a strap or
the corridor forces your
tag line, which is
eyes to look down the
often a pun or a
corridor, to see the
suggestion of the
strange figure in the
plot.
center.
Here is the main
title, the colours fit
with the colour
scheme (green) it Here they are using
also fits with the the star system by
trailers typography stating who made
meeting the media the film, which gives
package the audience and
idea of what the film
may be like, so they
Again here is the main focal
go and watch it.
image, which has been used
in the centre of the poster, to
grab your attention, you can
see that it is horror from the Here is a camera to
conventional black’s and hint that the film will be
dark greens. The male figure based around this male
is also alone and looks figure filming, or some
scared, again conventional. kind of documentary,
In the background there is which also fits well with
also a small human like the trailer.
figure suggesting something And conventionally and
is there, not giving away the the bottom of the page
plot line but suggesting there is a credit block,
something is there, again to show who has made
another convention of horror the film etc
posters.

8. Here you see the Here you see a
star system again, small cutout from
as it shows all the the main black
main actors, background. This
which tries to image also
convince you that features from the
if they have good trailer, again
actors then the referencing
film will be good. between
The typography is packages. The fire
also in red under holds images of
black background other main
to show a horror characters which
contrast. can again use the
The main focal image is of star system to
the main character which is Using critics opinions
help sell the
conventional of a poster as it it helps the audience
movie.
often shows the main relate to how good
protagonist or antagonist to the film is, as if a
lure the viewer in. The critic who’s job it is to
person is also giving direct spot good films,
mode of address, which is have found this film
conventional of a poster as it good then it MUST
lures the viewer in, as if he is be. Or at least that’s
looking at you. the impression it is
trying to give.
Here is the main In the faint background
title which is there is an image of
conventionally at London city. This sets the
the bottom of the location, and helps the
page. It is also the viewer realize that this
same typography horror will be set in urban
that features London. The main
within the trailer, characters costume is
again building up also stereotypically
a connection owned by violent youths,
between all media with his hood up,
packages. showing connotations of
violence which relating to

9. A poster should be:
Artistic – It should get attention so the message is
delivered.
Focused – It should focus and communicate on a
single message.
Ordered – The sequence should be well-ordered
and obvious.
Must include film title, classification, leading cast,
distributors, directors, producers etc. Because I have
done some research into other poster designs I can
base my own ideas on my researched items.

10. I need to select major points from my trailer and
integrate them into my ancillary tasks, this includes
the typography and sections from the video it’s self,
this is conventional as it builds up an image of the
film as a package instead of different pieces of
media having little correlation with each other.