How Effective Is The Combination Of Your Main Product & Ancillary Texts?

COMPARISON TO INDUSTRY STANDARD.

I placed the title below the image much like on the “Mirrors” beneath the image to make sure the image was the most dominant part of the poster. Unlike most horror posters I opted for a white color for the title font unlike the mirrors which is in red, red imitates danger and blood though my font is white to show purity and innocence being endangered by the clearly outline red blood spatter around the letters. Mirrors is a subject of sadistic voyeurism much like the word Tormented where the audience will sadistically watch the victims being hurt and violently possessed. The Dates are both placed at the bottom, Mirrors was released in

the summer, this when most teenagers will be able to go the cinema as this will be during there summer break, I opted for a Halloween release as it’s known as a horror festive holiday, this will increase the popularity of visitors wanting to watch a horror movie on a day which deems appropriate.

I chose to use a tagline with a rhetorical question to not only make the audience think but to also target the audience by using “YOU”. Much like in the poster for “Let Me In” – I also go inspiration for the tagline for my poster from that title. It both poses a question of letting Caroline into your life/house as well as the demon into you.

The credits are also placed at the bottom as this is conventional for most posters.

I decided to add a strapline of “From the producer of…” as this will give my film more credibility much like the Mirrors poster which has “From the director of the hills has eyes” this will boost popularity among horror movie fans to watch the featured movie.

The Image.The close up of the woman's face is to show the horror and shock on her face, though the image is nearly consumed into blackness, you can still clearly see her mouth Is wide open in a gasp and her eyes wide with shock and horror, the whites of her eyes contrast with the blackness of her wide pupils, Pupils dilate to allow my light in when a room is filled with darkness, they also dilate when someone is really fearful, this expressions show’s her vulnerability – the person in this poster is clearly the victim this invites the audience to view the film to see the this villain who is so terrifying too this young woman.There isn’t much of a background other than the blackness is slowly consuming the young woman, this depicts loneliness and the darkness represents the acts of the villain being evil and controlling.

The CreditsThis shows information of the people involved in the making of the film, producers, directors, actors etc. The production logo ensures loyal film members to come watch this film because they know this film is a big budget creation from a credible production company,

The TitleThe font is red in colour which conotates danger, blood and passion establishing this as a violent movie with a sense of gore or murder. The two r’s are mirrored making a reflective effect this not only relates to the plot and the word itself it shows that’s 2 sides to everything , a reflection if you would. The two r’s also seem to face each other this can also donotate a kind of of conflict.

The DateA summer release is the height of movie releases, this means as well as ensuring a lot of people will go see it because its during summer breaks and among a lot of other great movie releases, it also means it will have a lot of competition from other high budget movies.

The Strapline“From the director of ‘The Hills Have Eyes’” / “A film by Alex Aja” gives the movie credibility from loyal movie fans who like this director as well as horror fans, this will increase popularity for the film – this conforms to Barthes pleasure of text of knowing the films sub-genre and wanting to see the horror played out.

The FranchiseThis version of the movie is a English/American remake of the south Korean film “Into The Mirror” which was realised in 2003, film fans of the original will also want to see the remake so this will enable more popularity from loyal original film fans.

The ImageMuch like the ‘Mirrors’ poster this is a close of a girl, this is to show her emotions/expressions – her eyes are wide with her right eye showing white which contrast against the blackness of her dilated pupil, the other eye is completely black to show her transition of her becoming a demon. I got this idea from the Horror TV programme “Supernatural” , When a person becomes a demon there eyes turn fully black.

(Dean Winchester – Supernatural)

The red around the mouth on the lips suggest blood and a sign of violence either its blood spatter or cannibalism as the blood extends onto her teeth. I also decided much like the “Mirrors” poster to surround the subject in darkness to show the darkness engulfing her, it also poses a question is she the victim or the villain – the image will make the audience question the character.

The DateThe date is placed at the bottom as its iconic on most horror movie posters, I decided the release date should be Halloween as it’s an iconic horror based day, this will entice the audience to want to watch a horror movie on appropriate day such as Halloween which is all about horror and disguises and the unknown.

The TaglineI chose a rhetorical question to entice the audience to come see it and watch it for the verdict as well as targeting the audience by using the word “YOU”- it’s a direct statement, I placed it under the title t make sure it didn’t take attention away from the image or the title but leaving it fully white to be a vehicle and contrast against the black background. It conforms to Barthes Pleasure of Text as the question will make the viewer want to watch the film to see the verdict and make a verdict of there own.

The Image Continued.I heightened the contrast and exposure onto the red around the mouth to make it more richer in colour and to contrast against her pale skin as well as the lack background, I made sure the top half of her face was dissolving into the darkness like she’s being engulfed by evil.

The TitleI chose to put the title under the image, as I wanted to the image to be most dominant and make the audience question the character. I still wanted to title to be quite dominant so I made it capitalised (iconic for most movie posters) and I made the font white to not only contrast against the dark background but to also suggest purity and innocence I used a red outline to show danger and violence conflicting with the innocence also by using the smudge tool, I created a blood spatter effect. I got this idea from the ‘Let Me In’ Poster title which also has a blood spatter effect: it shows blood and gore must be a major prop used in the film.

The CreditsThe credits is where people who have worked on the film are recognised by the consumer – it is also a place to put credible production companies. On mine I used “Paramount Pictures” which is one of the biggest budgeted production companies – it is also known for distributing and producing the Paranormal Activity franchise this gives my movie credibility and ensures loyal movie fans will come to watch my film.

The Strapline“From the Producers of ‘The Haunting in Connecticut’” – this ensures loyal movie fans will go watch the film – as its linked to another successful paranormal film; I chose to do it in a plain white font much like the credits and tag line to stand out against the black background but in a much shaper font than the credits to grab the audiences attention – I placed it at the top to ensure it was one of the first pieces of text that would be read.

MarketingI would market my film with this poster being placed on Bus Stops, on buses, on the underground, promotional posters used in cinemas etc. – this will ensure an advertisement that will reach wide audiences as it will be seen by those going to the cinema and using public transport.

COMPARISON TO INDUSTRY STANDARD.

ImageBoth images are mid shots which look directly down the camera: looking at the viewer – this will invite the reader to read what’s inside and we catch the eye of passers bye.

Cover lineI decided to not break conventions and place the cover lines on the left side third so the reader can see clearly on shelves what else is in the magazine. This will help sell the issue unlike the cover on the right which decided to use both the left and right sides.

The BannerThe Banner is placed at the top of the page the “Special Preview/Possessive Exclusive” matches the colour yet still stands out on the dark background. I chose to write “Possessive Exclusive…” as it relates to the plot of my trailer and “That will leave you screaming” both conotates excitement but relates to fear in horror terms.

The Film TitleBoth covers placed their title just below the image to give the cover image more dominance over the cover. Though having the title still capitalised to ensure it is seen. I decided to highlight mine with an outer glow to make it convey more importance and attract the eye.

The Extra Cover LinesThese are both placed right at the bottom or on the right hand side these feature exclusive previews of content inside – this provides an incentive for readers to purchase the magazine.

MastheadI used the same and original masthead as all empire magazines. Embedding the issue number, date and pricing inside the ‘M’ as this is convention to the magazine.

Picture ReelBoth include insights into the film/films from images used on the picture reel – this is shows the reader gets exclusive images from the films.

The MastheadThe price, date and Issue number of this publication is placed between the ‘M’, this is conventional for all Empire Magazine covers. The small font of this means that its not very important or noticeable to the readers. It ins one of the last things that the reader will notice. The bright red “empire” with a bold white outline not only correlates to the colour scheme but is very eye catching.

The ImageThis image is a mid shot of the main character “Sherlock Holmes” this is show not only that his face is central to the cover but also you get what era this film will be set in from his costume. Readers will be attracted to this cover because of the direct eye contact from Robert Downey Jnr. The scrapes and scratches on his face highlights that the movie is an action adventure movie. The Use of sunglasses give him a cocky and “cool” aspect to his character: this creates humour and hero like persona for the reader.

The Picture ReelThese show exclusive images that may be exclusive to the magazine, this will entice the reader to buy the issue. The film reel effect is also relevant to the film themed magazine.

The BannerThe banner font colour blends in with the grey/blue and white theme. This banner provides incentive information about what the magazine has to offer in this case advice on “10 films you must see before the years out!” It’s a special Preview, this will help sell the issue as the reader is getting something they cant get anywhere else.

The Film TitleAlso in the grey/blue colour scheme so blending in well but by being capitalised in bold with a black outline shadow shows the importance and dominance over the issue, its ensuring the reader knows what the cover feature is about. The word “rebirth” ensures people know that this film is a remake which will be more unique and more exciting as previous actors who have played the prestigious detective.

Cover linesThe cover lines invited the reader to take a glimpse at the articles inside . The white and yellow on “FIRST LOOK” ensures an importance for the reader to view as it’s the brightest colour on the page. The cover lines are placed both on the left side third and on the right to make the reader grab the magazine to reader more on the front cover.

The MastheadThe price, date and issue number of the publication is positioned between the ‘M’ this in conventional on all the Empire Magazine covers. I chose to use the conventional red colour as it not only is conventional to the magazine but it also correlates to the red, black and white colour scheme.

The ImageThe mid shot ensures that the face is central to the cover, this accentuates the glow of the golden light onto the face to show the glow of the red eyes – this allows a black background for the cover lines to be easily and equally based around the cover image and also be clear enough to read. The red glowing eyes illustrates that the character is inhuman and this is a sadistic feature because of the red resembling blood and violence. The expression is solemn and is showing a glare – the eyes are direct this will attract readers to the front cover.

The BarcodeI positioned the barcode on the bottom right in a vertical position. A barcode is essential this is to be scanned in shops and helps with inventory

The PuffThe “Essential 2013 preview” is corresponds to the red and white theme making it blend in but stand out against its black background.

The Picture ReelThis gives the reader exclusive insights and images from the film. The film reel effect relates to the film based magazine..

The Cover linesThis offers a glimpse of the articles inside, this is placed down the left side third to allow them to be seen from shop selves. This will help sell the magazine as it gives insights into the magazine. I chose Robert Pattinson, Star Trek II & Supernatural as these are relate to a horror, Star Trek is more Sci-Fi but I wanted to broaden the audience. Stark Trek II is a new film that will be released later this year.

The Film TitleI decided to put it under the cover image so It didn’t take away attention from it but ensure that the title still stood out. I put a red glow around the letters making the ‘O’ even brighter to correlate to the glowing eyes. The Cast and behind the scenes feature offers exclusives as well as What happens next? To the reader.

The BannerThe red and white font colour blends with the colour theme enabling that it also stands out against the dark background. This banner provides incentives to the reader who will purchase this magazine. I chose “possessive exclusive” as it relates to the plot of the featured movie and “That will leave you screaming” as this resembles both fear in horror terms but excitement, this will excite the reader to buy and read on. Its positioned at the top to ensure its visible to readers.

BRANDING

The ColourI used a Red palette for both my film poster and magazine. Red is a notorious horror element it depicts blood, violence, fore and is associated with the horror genre. The Sharp white fonts on both mixed with ominous glows represent the paranormal/ ghost aspect of my trailer. I opted for a dark vs. light element on both of products because it suggesting that only you as person can turn your light out – the light source is a candle which gives a natural and golden flow unlike artificial lights. This also accentuates the redness of the blood on the poster., making the colour more richer and eye catching.

The FontI used the same font on both the poster and the magazine cover but I played with the effects differently on each one. I decided on the poster blood is going to be more present so I wanted a blood spatter effect to take toll while on empire magazine (who are quite strict on gore) I decided to go for more of an ominous glow to show the ghost./demon aspect rather than the gore. Both fonts, where stretched and where also bold, sharp and capitalised to ensure an attraction to the poster.

The ImagesI wanted the main protagonist/ villain in the image. Just like the font choice I decided I wanted the image on the poster to resemble more horror and gore compared to the image on the Empire Magazine, where I knew I needed the image to be more reserved and containing no gore because Empire doesn’t allow a high amount of gore on there covers - I wanted the protagonist/villain to be centre and looking directly down the camera so when the readers pass the magazine on a shelf the character is making direct eye contact with the reader; enticing them to buy the issue. My Poster image is from a low angel to make the villain/protagonist seem more powerful. I wanted to use gore to resemble the horror genre : the blood around her mouth is a deep red, I got this by increasing the contrast and decreasing the brightness on the background of the Image to ensure that the blood is a main focus of this image. I also did this to eyes of the image I used for the magazine cover, by selecting the iris’ and increasing the exposure and contrast, decreasing brightness and adjusting the colour levels to create a red with white reflect effect gave the image a supernatural/paranormal affect. Both look directly into the camera to cause an eye catching effect.