The document discusses improving film posters based on feedback. It describes changing the photoshoot location from outside to indoors in a dark room to better reflect the horror/thriller genre. It also recommends simplifying the actress's costume. Details are provided about renting a studio for the photoshoot. Instructions are given for shooting close-ups of the actress with a scared expression in the dark room under red lighting. Draft posters are shown incorporating these changes, and further feedback on the draft posters is discussed.

2. Following on from doing my draft posters I have realised what I need to improve on,
and have learned what will make an effective film poster for my story. Even though my
drafts looked like professional posters and some good conventions were used
effectively, the overall feedback was that it did not evoke the theme of
horror/psychological thriller. A lot of people said some of the drafts looked like posters
for an action movie or even an arthaus indie. In addition, my peers said I should
practise creating billing boxes and layouting as some features looked oddly placed on
the page.
With the above points in my mind, I decided that the first step I would take in order to
improve on my drafts is completely change my idea for the Photoshoot – instead of
shooting the main actress Lux played by Olivia outside, the shoot should be done
indoors, in one of our main filming locations, the dark room (see next slide). Not only
would this evoke our genre because of the poignant and generic colours (reds/blacks)
but would also completely reflect the film title ‘The Dark Room’.
Secondly, the Mise en scene should be changed too – the actress’ costume should be
simpler without any props or sunglasses like the drafts, so the audience can focus on all
the information on the poster instead.

3. In order to film in a dark
room, we hired City of
Westminster College’s
studio facilities for £20
an hour, and managed
to use their dark room
and apparatus for
filming and for the
poster & website photo
shoot.

6. Shoot date: 03/03/2013
Item/model: Olivia Boren (as the main character, Lux in a dark room)
Shot types/angles/distances: Close up shot of her face with worried/scared facial
expressions (evokes tone of horror). Preferably at a high angle to inferiorise her
character (makes her look like a victim and instantly puts audience on her side)
Macro, flash and lighting: No flash, only natural dark room lighting (red lights will
illuminate characters face) Camera is at least 1.5 metres away to prevent over
exposure.
Background: Dark room background (red lights shining onto walls/machinery/pictures
hanging)
Positioning on poster: Model’s face either on the right or left side of picture framing
so text can go around it.
Details of editing: Pictures effect from Instagram (so poster looks modern and
appealing) with colour grading to be changed on Photoshop.

10. One thing I did do effectively in my poster drafts that I thought I
should continue for the final poster, was editing the pictures using
Instagram effects. This is because it makes the
poster look modern, contemporary and appeal
to the eyes of audiences.

11. FINAL POSTER DRAFT 1

12. FINAL POSTER DRAFT 1
Star ratings and reviews
Included similar work from
known director so audiences
familiarise themselves with
the genre of the film
(psychological thriller/horror)
Main actress featured
in poster
Big and bold film title, with
sinister and dark shading
to indicate theme of horror
Background of a darkroom
reflects title
Main actors’ name
Billing box (font used called
universal accreditation)
Logos include production
company and distributor

13. FEEDBACK FROM TEACHER &
PEERS ON FINAL FILM POSTER
 Consider playing with the size of the stars, so there's an emphasis
on the words above them, rather than the stars and particularly
on the name of the reviewers.
 Font billing box a bit pixilated - Consider resizing
 Warner bros logo AS WELL as Dolby digital? – should have only 1
distributor
 Maybe include when the film is coming out (Date of release)
 Really good shading on the title.
 Effective use of brushes (on top of actors’ names and shading on
film title)
 Tone of horror/thriller evoked very will via use of colours (red &
black) and grunge fonts

14. FINAL POSTER DRAFT 2
Changes made from feedback
given:
Size of stars diminished, and
review words and reviewer names
increased in order to enhance the
film’s credibility.
Grammar point: ‘s’ added to the
end of ‘director’ since there are two
directors and producers (my partner
Kitty and I)
Date of release: Instead of adding a
particular month to indicate date of
release I just included a ‘coming
soon’ . This is because I find it more
eye catching and persuades
audiences to find out more and when
exactly it is coming out so they can
watch it.
Logos: Warner bros logo taken out
leaving only the film rating, distributor
(Dolby digital) and production
company (St Marylebone)