MOVIE POSTER

CODES AND

CONVENTIONS!

CODES AND CONVENTIONS A film poster, just like a teaser trailer is the promotion of a film that is due

to be released. They can be found on buses, billboards and buildings etc. They usually involve an image of the main character, with a release date, social media icons and the slogan from the actual film.

ICONS Icons normally have an important role within a film poster. If an

icon is included in a film poster, it will usually be a popular actor who stars in the film with a big following from fans. This instantly makes the film more popular because if your favourite actor is in the film you will most likely watch it.

IMAGE The image on the film poster is probably the most important part. It is

usually a close-up of the main character in the film, usually very dramatic and very photoshopped. When people pass by the poster the first thing that will catch their eye is the main image, it is what will draw them into reading it. There will always be some sort of iconography to reveal the film’s genre.

These are two different film posters that I have taken from Google images. One has a picture of the main characters, with a dull backdrop symbolising the genre of the film whilst the other one just has an animated hand coming up out of the black ground symbolising a horror genre. Both images are effective in revealing the genre and both show just how important the image is.

IMAGE CONTINUED…

Both of these images are from very different genres of film and we can tell this by the images in both. With the dead silence one, we can see very clearly that it is of a horror genre due to the close up shot of the creepy doll with its finger over it’s mouth telling us to be quiet. And we can tell that Juno is a comedy by the silly outfits that both actors are wearing, the baby bump and we can also tell what age they are by what they are wearing and how they look which makes their situation more comic. A picture can be very important for a reader in determining the genre of the film and these two movie posters really convey that to us.

TITLE Film posters always have the film’s title on them. The title is very useful in

order for the reader to learn what the movie in the poster is called. Sometimes however the film may not have been released yet, however there has been so much talk and anticipation surrounding it that it does not need to have a title on the poster as people will clearly know what it is from the image.

For example, this poster for avatar has no title or information but is simply a teaser to show the audience what is to come. Avatar is a popular film with a huge fan base so this poster alone would create hype and anticipation alone without a title.

However in most films the title is an important aspect and not many film posters are created like this one.

TITLE CONTINUED… The title of the film is extremely important in determining the genre of the

film or giving something in the film away to tease the audience. Here are a few examples of film posters with great titles;

In the hangover movie poster the title automatically reveals something to do with alcohol which is usually of a comic nature and the Slavery sucks title automatically lets us know that this film is probably tragic if slavery is involved.

DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS AND ACTORS! Usually the director and producer of the film are displayed

somewhere on the movie poster. It is important for the reader to know who the director is because if they have watched previous films directed by this director and liked the films, they will want to watch the film in the poster to see if it compares to their other work.

The actors within the film are usually listed at the top or bottom of the poster, this just involves the actors who play the main characters, this is important because if good actors are cast in the film it will make their fan base want to watch the film.

The producer of the film is usually listed at the bottom of the poster, for example, Warner Brothers or Lionsgate! This is important because if these production companies have produced creditable films in the past it will automatically create a good reputation for the film that is being advertised.

DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS AND ACTORS CONTINUED…

Actor’s Name

Director’s name

Producer’s name

QUOTES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND RATINGS! After the film has been released producers can recreate the posters to

include ratings, reviews and quotes from the film.

Here is an example from the Film Marley and me, it has been given four stars out of a possible five and a review telling the reader briefly what is included in the film.

WEBSITE Usually a film poster has social media

icons, links and websites that you are able to visit in order to find out more about the actual move, for example, genre, actors, storyline, plot etc.

COLOUR SCHEME Usually movie posters have a very

specific colour scheme in order to portray a certain genre or mood, here is an example:

This film poster consists of reds and blacks and whites, this is probably to create a sense of mystery. Also the fact that we cannot see the woman’s face but she is shaded by a dark black shadow creates further mystery within the film poster.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF ADVENTURE MOVIES!! The genre that I have decided on is adventure, I want to

explore the codes and conventions of a typical adventure film poster such as divergent.

TYPICAL ADVENTURE FILM POSTER

Unrealistic imaging to demonstrate fiction rather than fact.

Huge title for dramatic effect.

Blue colour scheme

Names of producers, directors etc. This is important as a good producer or director will more than likely deliver a good film which is good advertising for the film.

Names of Cast, this is important because it lets the audience know who is involved.

MOVIE POSTER MONTAGE