Film posters

Before creating a film poster i felt it would be useful to search for  film posters that incorporate similar themes to my film in order to identify common techniques used to reach the specific target audience. i decided to briefly analyse the codes and conventions of  film posters within two drama film posters with similar themes; isolation.

Common codes and conventions within film posters:-

• To have a focal picture that will entice given demographic of target audience.
• To display a large title that is easily read.
• Suggestion of the film genre.
• May use famous actors to promote the film.
• A tagline is usually evident on the poster.
• Age certification usually displayed.
• Coming soon or release date displayed.
• Directors and Production Company displayed.
• A website is increasingly displayed on film posters

I felt that each of these films were relevant to analyse as they all suggest a sense of isolation which was my groups focal point each of the following film posters are ones that I would personally be intrigued by, these posters remain interesting whilst conforming to the conventions of a drama film poster. Each of the following posters contains a focal picture that will invoke curiosity.

Poster one;- Identity

   














the main image is intriuging as it manipulates the idea of fingerprints to link directly to the title 'identity' as a fingerprint is unique to the individual and therefore what seperates them from others.The face within the palm of the finger i would interpret as the protagonist as he is constructed in the centre of the poster.The use of the fingers as silouttes of different people suggests he either suffering from multiple personality disorder or the other people that appear within the fingers are character subplots that relate back to the protagonist. The use of white as the background further accentuates the main image and gives it an almost 3d appearance. The main image shows a man with his mouth open which is suggestive of shouting, the combination of this and the use of red in the colour scheme suggests a thriller element or bloodshed. Identity conforms to most conventions of film however subverts the convention of having cast names on the poster. I feel this is intentional in restoring the idea of diagesis, the association of characters within the film with actors or actress could ruin the films intention.

Poster two;- The social network    

The subversion of typical film poster conventions is what drew me to this poster. The idea of the tagline text overlapping what is usually the most promonant and remembered part of a poster the image. This poster does not clearly display a large title it is constructed on the side of the poster, similar to a toolbar tab.This suggests that the film relies heavilly on other forms of advertising as the fact film doesnt need its title to be large oreasily legible suggests the film already has a high profile and the advertisement is therefore there to create further intrigue rather than create awareness.There is no release date or indication of when the film will be in cinemas.The absence of the director, production company and any age certification and 'star appeal' suggests the film doesnt need to association in order to be successful. The lack of knowledge is a tool to create curiosity around the themes of the film.The main image of the male alone is an indication that the film surrounds his hardships, in that sense it conforms to the idea that film posters often suggest the genre and narrative within the poster.

I would like to make posters similar to these two for my short film, these posters are both very effective in selling the 'idea' of the film in an inventive way.