By Jack Suddaby

Poster Conventions

The purpose of a poster is to advertise the film and to also create a ‘buzz’ (interest) for the film. It is also a good excuse to show of the stars of the production, for example the actors or the directors involved as this can help people establish a connection between the actors/directors and the style of film. When it is a horror poster, it needs to give fear to the audience to grab the attention of the viewer.

Purpose of a poster?

Here is the main title of the poster, which is clearly shown as it is the only text on the poster, which is in a darker shade of blue to highlight it from the background, this is something I will need to do in my own poster, by making sure the typography stands out from the background

Here is the main focal image which is of the main antagonist, this is a common convention of horror posters, to show the main victim or villain, to make the audience have an impression on the film, i.e if the antagonist looks scary, the film might be

This is the main image again, and it takes up the entire poster, the bottom of the poster is black which gives a simplistic background to put the title and the credit block

Here is the star system, showing the directors old films to make you to watch this one

Here is the title which is in conventional red, it is also the largest text on the poster, to certify that it is the title

This says the release date, so people know when they can watch it

Three Part StructureHere is the first section in a conventional three part poster. This will have the tag line, which is will reveal something about the film, it is often done through a famous quote or in horror posters irony is often used

This is the second section where the main focal image is shown, this is the largest section and it is used to lure the viewer in, to make the poster stand out. It often reflects the main antagonist or the main protagonist in distress

This is the third section which features the title of the film, and the credit block, it will also often feature the release date

Here is the slogan which is conventionally placed at the top of the page which often gives a hint to what the film is like or is there to scare you in this case.

This is the main focal image of two girls sleeping with a shadow I between them, to suggest something bad is going to happen to this small girls and they are asleep adding to that ‘helpless’ feel. This is also conventional having a large focal image in the center of the poster.This is the title and it uses the same typography as the other films as well as the same typography in the trailer, this therefore builds up an image of what the film is and helps you remember what this film is about. It is also red showing conventions of horror.

This is another small slogan which relates to the other films before this one was released, again building up your recollection of the films.

This is conventional of film posters as it says the release date, letting the audience know when the film will be able to be watched.

This poster is extremely conventional because of the three part structure, but it also forces you to look at the image, as it is in the center of the poster. Both the tag line and the title are also extremely clear to see under a plain conventional black background

Here is the main title, the colours fit with the colour scheme (green) it also fits with the trailers typography meeting the media package

Here they are using the star system by stating who made the film, which gives the audience and idea of what the film may be like, so they go and watch it.

Here is a strap or tag line, which is often a pun or a suggestion of the plot.

Again here is the main focal image, which has been used in the centre of the poster, to grab your attention, you can see that it is horror from the conventional black’s and dark greens. The male figure is also alone and looks scared, again conventional. In the background there is also a small human like figure suggesting something is there, not giving away the plot line but suggesting something is there, again another convention of horror posters.

Here is a camera to hint that the film will be based around this male figure filming, or some kind of documentary, which also fits well with the trailer. And conventionally and the bottom of the page there is a credit block, to show who has made the film etc

The cropping of this image is interesting as the corridor forces your eyes to look down the corridor, to see the strange figure in the center.

Here you see the star system again, as it shows all the main actors, which tries to convince you that if they have good actors then the film will be good. The typography is also in red under black background to show a horror contrast.

Here you see a small cutout from the main black background. This image also features from the trailer, again referencing between packages. The fire holds images of other main characters which can again use the star system to help sell the movie.

Using critics opinions it helps the audience relate to how good the film is, as if a critic who’s job it is to spot good films, have found this film good then it MUST be. Or at least that’s the impression it is trying to give.

The main focal image is of the main character which is conventional of a poster as it often shows the main protagonist or antagonist to lure the viewer in. The person is also giving direct mode of address, which is conventional of a poster as it lures the viewer in, as if he is looking at you.

In the faint background there is an image of London city. This sets the location, and helps the viewer realize that this horror will be set in urban London. The main characters costume is also stereotypically owned by violent youths, with his hood up, showing connotations of violence which relating to horror.

Here is the main title which is conventionally at the bottom of the page. It is also the same typography that features within the trailer, again building up a connection between all media packages.

A poster should be:Artistic – It should get attention so the message

is delivered.Focused – It should focus and communicate on a

single message.Ordered – The sequence should be well-ordered

and obvious.Must include film title, classification, leading cast,

distributors, directors, producers etc. Because I have done some research into other poster designs I can base my own ideas on my researched items.

Creating my own poster

I need to select major points from my trailer and integrate them into my ancillary tasks, this includes the typography and sections from the video it’s self, this is conventional as it builds up an image of the film as a package instead of different pieces of media having little correlation with each other.

The Youtube link I used to help me edit my final poster background