The poster uses dull colors like black and grey to create an ominous and unsettling atmosphere. Symbols like an isolated house and a faded child's face in the background are intentionally cryptic. The central female figure appears insecure and is meant to draw the audience's attention. Quotes from critics and mentions of starring actors are intended to increase interest in the film. The tagline "All the children are gone, except one" leaves viewers with unanswered questions in a way that makes them want to learn more by seeing the film.

1. FILM POSTER ANALYSIS
Gabi Summers

2. THE AWAKENING

3. COLOUR
The main colours used in the poster for ‘The Awakening’ are mainly
a dull black and a light grey with a hint of white. The colour black
is significant of death and evil as well as mysterious, supernatural
and sinister. This could imply that there is something unknown in
the film as it creates quite a dark uneasy atmosphere. The dull grey
colour also emphasises this as they are stereotypically associated
with horror and bad happenings since the colours appear lifeless.
The colour white that is used slightly suggests some goodness
amongst all the dark; it is significant of peace and possibly could
represent hope in light of a dark situation.

4. SYMBOLS
In the awakening poster, there are a couple of main symbols. The house is in
the background plays a huge part in the portraying of the film. The house is
in the main focus of the image even though it is in the background, this
suggesting that the house holds some significance for the narrative. We do not
need any foreknowledge of the film to know that the house will be some way
included as the de-saturated, isolated old house automatically implies an eerie
feel in which we are at unease as to what will happen there and the locations
significance. As well as this, the child's face in the background of the image
holds significance as well, we are unaware of who the character is however, we
know that it will be symbolic to the film since he is almost hidden away out of
the poster, but still in focus.

5. FIGURES & OBJECTS
The main central figure in ‘The Awakening’ poster is the female. We can
immediately tell that the woman holds some significance for the film as she is
centrally directed on the poster, showing she is important as she is framed
directly in the middle of the poster. The fact that the woman is almost
wrapping her arms around herself however, suggests that she might be hiding
something and is perhaps insecure. The woman is represented
photographically in order to portray the expression on her face as well as
including the costume of the woman. Another object in the poster is the bent
in trees. These have been used almost illustratively in order to attempt to add
to the atmosphere and the story. The trees appear to be forming almost an
arched walk way behind the female, this implies that they are almost closing in
on her; suggesting that she is not safe. As well as this, the trees add to the
isolated and eerie setting seeing as there are no leaves on them, representing
the lack of life about.

6. AUDIENCE
I think the intended audience for the poster is any age range from around
teenage years. The poster creates quite a scary and eerie effect and
therefore, will not be suitable for children. As a result of this I think that the
poster appeals to any other audience as it is not specific what the film is
about meaning you cannot get a feel for the narrative to further categorise the
type of audience it is appealing to.

7. PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES
Persuasive techniques of the film poster are the captions below the title. This
is almost a cliff hanger for the audience as the phrase ‘all the children are
gone, except one’ leave the audience uneasy as we do not know what it means.
This persuades the audience to view the film as they wish to find out more. As
well as this, the actors and the critic reviews attract audiences towards the film
as they almost advertise the film and give it a unique selling point.

8. GENRE
In the poster, elements of the horror/thriller genre are mostly shown. For
example, the isolated house in the background is stereotypically an element of
this genre as it is symbolic throughout the film of an old, dark house in the
middle of nowhere that something is going to happen in. The female covering
herself also adds to this genre. We are unaware of her use at this point from
the poster but get the idea that she could be used as a detective or heroine as
well as being a female protagonist. The lack of colour in the
poster also links in with the genre since the dark and eerie
atmosphere often represents something supernatural or evil.

9. USP
The names of 2 acting stars are featured on the poster. This is a unique selling
point. The purpose of advertising the stars names is to appeal to audiences; if
a viewer see’s an actor they like advertised in a film they are more likely to go
and see the film and therefore meaning that the film is successful.

10. STAR EXPERTS
Expert critiques are quoted on the film poster as this reels the audiences in. If
the film ha been highly rated by professionals then people are more likely to
view the film as a lot of people base their opinions on what is said in the
media etc. Therefore, if critiques have rated the film highly and recommended
it then people are more likely to trust this and view the film. The reviews also
give the audience more of an incline as to what the film is about and as a
result of this, may persuade more audiences to see the film.

11. ATTENTION
The attention of the poster is more than likely gained from
the special effects. The faded out child’s face in the
background is not immediately obvious and therefore the
attention of the audience is gained once they notice it as they
being to see interest in the poster. The audience question
what the film may be about. Furthermore, the female
character featured on the poster will grab the readers
attention. The woman is portrayed as a female protagonist
which subverts typical film conventions. This will appeal to
audiences as it is something ‘different.’

12. TAG LINES
The tagline for The Awakening being ‘All children are gone. Except for one’
makes the audience feel slightly uneasy as it is slightly nerve racking. The line
has been used in order to create a cliff hanger for the audience. It does not
answer any questions or mention why there is one ‘child’ left but it leaves us
to question ourselves what the film might be about. This is used as a
persuasive technique so that audiences will go and see the film in order to
have their questions/theories answered.