POSTER ANALYSIS

W I T H P O S T E R S F R O M B O R AT, L I F E O F B R I A N A N D T H E J E R K

BORAT Borat is a satirical comedy that is rated 18 by its regulating institution. It targets a mature audience falling roughly into the age range of 30-40 years old. It targets the socio economic group A-B in its comedic references as it mocks the diplomatic relations and contrasts between America and smaller Eastern states such as Kazakhstan. The film’s promotional poster has a striking layout that attracts its audience’s attention to the main character in the centre. By doing this the mocking aspects of Mise En Scene such as make-up and props are emphasized to reflect the ways in which the narrative will mock Kazakhstan’s morals and culture. The layout also emphasizes the title which carries weight in terms of meaning and representation within the narrative. The title has taken the form of a traditional Kazakhstani name to emphasize again the mocking nature the Kazakhstani culture will be represented by. In making the title stand out Fox have ensured that their targeted audience recognise the use of tradition and culture and compare it to their own. Maybe even encouraging the mocking of the character and his name before being exposed to any sort of developed character profiling.

The title oddly continues in a much smaller font under the main label stating ‘Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan’. This continued title defines the mocking nature of the narrative as it embraces a lack of grammatical sense to portray the stereotypical notion that Kazakhstan is an uneducated country and cares little for significant errors in translation. The graphic design endorses this notion as it appears folded and printed on a dirtied colour. Representing how little respect the country has for official products such as this mockumentary, particularly as folding paper can be associated with carelessness whilst the colour could be considered ‘grubby’.Overall then the poster effectively communicates the main theme and ideologies of the narrative in order to entice its targeted audience and encourage them to watch the film.

LIFE OF BRIANThe life of Brian is a satirical comedy that targets an older audience who are un-associated with religion in any form. Their targeted audience fall into a more mature age range of 30-40 years old who are targeted through the use and context of the comedy. Whilst Python Pictures have targeted a socio economic group of A-B as these are the classes most likely to have a deeper understanding of the contextual debates surrounding religion and its use of symbolism.Python Pictures encourage audience interaction in their use of layout. Having a tab in the bottom right corner that reads ‘Honk if you love Brian.’ Encourages audiences to get involved with the films narrative and therefore encourages them to want to see the film. Again the title is made to stand out in an overly dramatic manner to emphasize the mocking of the main character and his lifestyle. Suggesting ironically in its significance how insignificant the character would be in contrast to the rest of the world.

Python Pictures have also ensured their reputation as a producer and distributor of films is recognised. The producing credits are displayed in an attractive font that convinces audiences of the films quality and loyalty to the rest of its series.The style of animation also represents the style of cinematography in which the film is shot. By keeping a consistent style Python Pictures have reflected the setting of their narrative and represented the nature of life during the Roman Era in a mocking way. The chaotic environment of the image would suggest a lack of sense amongst the characters represented and therefore a lack of significance also. Finally then this poster effectively appeals to its targeted audience as it engages involvement and interest so that the audience are encouraged to see the film.

THE JERK The Jerk was produced and distributed in 1979 by Universal, initially rated 18 the film follows the story of an idiotic character struggling to make his own way through life in St Louis, America. The film targets an audience falling into the age range of 40-50 years old living well within the socio economic class boundaries of A-B. Aiming to idolize a clown character Universal have targeted its audience with a sense of sarcastic humour, creating therefore comedy out of the struggles many lower class people face in life.The films promotional poster makes less of a conscious effort to draw attention to the main character but more to the caption and bright backgrounds, suggesting the character’s insignificance in this way could prompt audience’s to think selflessly as the character who is in clear need of help is ignored.

Mise En Scene is used efficiently to represent the character as a fool and nothing more. With his trousers by his ankles and useless props the man is made to look helpless however not to demand the audiences sympathies, more in fact to provoke a sense of mocking from its audience. The caption reads ‘He was a poor black sharecropper’s son who never dreamed he was adopted’. The use of sarcasm within the caption represents a sense of ridicule as the poster portrays the complete opposite character to what is being described. The audience therefore are bound to recognise a sense of stupidity or idiocy when reading the caption that could truly be considered to mock the narrative alone. Questioning thoughts are therefore provoked amongst an audience who may feel much more intrigued to see the film after consuming this form of promotion.