Research of Horror Film Posters

• Film title tends to be at the bottom of the poster (bottom third) – underneath the main image, but above the credits. This is so it doesn’t detract from the image, yet it is still clear enough to be seen as it’s an important aspect of film posters.

• Commonly used shot types are medium/close ups; to show the emotions of the characters. A long shot may be used to create a distance between the audience and the antagonist.

• With the antagonists, the film poster creates intrigue by mise-en-scene, e.g. costumes, like a mask from ‘One Missed Call’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw’ . A sense of mystery is also created by the camera positioning or lighting as it will put the antagonist in darkness or make them look far away.

• Lighting is usually low key/dark as most horror films have lots of night scenes to make the scarier, however it is lighter and shines on the character in the image to make them stand out/be the central focus.

• The film title is in the largest text and clearest font/colour to stand out. The font tends to look gothic/handwritten/untidy. Links in with the theme of the film, they never have ordinary, plain fonts.

• Dark, plain colours are used in film posters. Red/black are the common themes as they connote blood and evil. Whites tend to be used for supernatural/psychological thrillers.

• Font and background colours contrast so the text is easily seen.

Generic Conventions of Horror Film Posters

• Release date tends to be at the bottom of the poster - not as important as the image which is there to attract you.

• Tagline/caption can be anywhere, however it is usually below the film title. Usually intriguing and creates a sense of mystery to draw the audience in.

• Credits at bottom and in the smallest font – least important to the audience.• Images could be of the antagonist to make it look scary. May be looking at you to add to the

effect.• You could have the image of the protagonist looking vulnerable/scared so it’s easily relatable

for the audience. These tend to be the close ups/medium close ups as they show the reactions/emotions of the protagonist, to show their weakness. E.g. ‘Let Me In’ – the protagonist is in the foetal position and in ‘Drag Me to Hell’ the women is screaming, showing how scared she is of the antagonist pulling her down.

• Production company is at the top of the credits, ‘presents’. Then goes on to mention the producers and director involved, then the people involved with the music and cinematography etc. sometimes followed by the actors. The film company logos may be shown at the bottom of the credits. These conventions could draw in audience members who enjoy the work of people involved in the making of the film.

• The poster images usually show the antagonist with their weapon choice, which implies violence/gore (E.g. in ‘Texas Chainsaw’ – he’s holding his chainsaw).

Generic Conventions of Horror Film Posters

Lighting is usually low key/dark as most horror films have lots of night scenes to make the scarier, however it is lighter and shines on the character in the image to make them stand out/be the central focus.

Film title tends to be at the bottom of the poster (bottom third) – underneath the main image, but above the credits. This is so it doesn’t detract from the image, yet it is still clear enough to be seen as it’s an important aspect of film posters.

With the antagonists, the film poster creates intrigue by mise-en-scene, e.g. costumes, like a mask. A sense of mystery is also created by the camera positioning or lighting as it will put the antagonist in darkness or make them look far away.

The use of weapon, direct mode of address and proximity could insinuate that you are the next victim – adds to the film’s scare factor.

The film title is in the largest text and clearest font/colour to stand out. The font tends to look gothic/handwritten/untidy. Links in with the theme of the film, they never have ordinary, plain fonts.

Font and background colours contrast so the text is easily seen.

Release date tends to be at the bottom of the poster - not as important as the image which is there to attract you.

Examples of generic conventions

Tagline/caption can be anywhere, however it is usually below the film title. Usually intriguing and creates a sense of mystery to draw the audience in.

Credits at bottom and in the smallest font – least important to the audience.

Images could be of the antagonist to show what the film is about – psycho killer/supernatural/monster etc. make it look scary. May be looking at you to add to the effect.

Production company is at the top of the credits, ‘presents’. Then goes on to mention the producers and director involved, then the people involved with the music and cinematography etc. sometimes followed by the actors. The film company logos may be shown at the bottom of the credits. These conventions could draw in audience members who enjoy the work of people involved in the making of the film.

The poster images usually show the antagonist with their weapon choice, which implies violence/gore (E.g. in ‘Texas Chainsaw’ – he’s holding his chainsaw).

Dark, plain colours are used in film posters. Red/black are the common themes as they connote blood and evil.

Analysis of specific horror films similar to our genre

Reviews used as the tagline gives the implied narrative - ‘catfish’.

Use of weapon on the film poster implies violence.

Medium close up shows the emotions of the character . The facial expressions give off the impression that the image is of the protagonist as they look defensive and scared.

Blood on the poster again implies that there is violence and bloodshed in the film.

Medium close up allows the plane window to be seen – shows where the film is set.

The film title ‘panic button’ gives the implied narrative as the word ‘button’ makes it sound electrical and may have something to do with computers/online activity going wrong.

As well as the film’s title itself, the font used for the word ‘button’ is what makes me think something goes wrong, as it looks bloody and disturbed.

Low key lighting is used to make the film appear it’s set during the night time as are most horror films – scariest/most vulnerable time.

The protagonist is in the light to make them stand out and maybe imply their innocence.

The fact that you can’t see the antagonist in the image possibly suggests that they don’t know who it is.

Tagline gives a sense of intrigue to the film, which suggests that it’s a mystery horror.

Film title emphasises the fact that the protagonist and antagonist don’t know one another.

A-list celebrities to entice people in to watch the film. Helps promote it.A close up shot is used to

show the frightened emotions of the protagonist.

The way she’s standing behind the doors makes it seem as though she’s trapped; this increases her vulnerability towards the antagonist. It also looks as though she’s hiding from the antagonist, which suggests that she’s the protagonist.

Low key lighting makes the image look darker and more sinister due to the connotations of darkness.

Looks like a reflection – implies that he’s watching her.

The use of the word ‘perfect’ is an oxymoron as it’s calling the antagonist the ‘perfect’ whereas we obviously know that he is the enemy and most likely dangerous.

The fact that his image is reflected on cold, steel doors suggests that he is a cold, hard man – making it clear that he is the antagonist.

The plain colours, image and lack of blood/gore implies that the narrative of this film is a thriller

The mise-en-scene of this image again implies that he is the antagonist as he is wearing plain, black clothes, which are commonly used for the antagonists.

The warmth and colour of her skin is another convention which suggests that she is the protagonist and the plain, dark character is the antagonist.