Purpose of a Film Poster

Film posters are designed to be used as a promotion mechanism, to

advertise that particular film. The posters are a traditional form of marketing
which can be put almost anywhere; for example bus stops, busses, train
stations, billboards, cinemas and many more. It is probably the cheapest way
of advertising for the film, and used to be the only form before trailers existed.
Its purpose is to give a mysterious sneak peak into what the film may be
about. It doesn't give too much away, however most of the time it consists of
showing the actors within the film, as a way of showing off to the audience
who may familiarise themselves with that actor.
Conventions of a film poster

Image: Film posters will always contain a image which is what catches the
audiences eye. The image may consist of a still from the film or a photo taken
especially for the poster; however it has to have the function of showing what
the films genre is. If the audience are confused about the genre then it
causes questions and may not attract the audience to be intrigued into seeing
the film.
Film title: The title of the film is always shown, as it allows the audience to
know and remember it. The title is the main identity of the film, in which
people can talk about and discuss. It also will give the audience further clues
as to what the film could be about.
Director and actors: The name of the director may be shown on film posters
but is not necessary. The reason it may be shown, is to allow the audience to
be familiar with the directors name, as they may be known for other films they
have directed; this then allows a wider audience to want to see the film. Also,
if the actor is a well known actor with star power, then the audience will want
to see their new film.
Quotes: Quotes may be used to show what others have said about the film.
Words such as Fantastic Mind-blowing will be used to prove to the
audience how good the film is and so convinces them into beleiving the
same. The Hypodermic needle theory could be proven in this situation, as the
quotes change the audiences perception of the film. For example, once
viewing the film, they may not have enjoyed it as much, but from seeing the
ratings and comments on the film, they will possibly look to find good parts in
the film which they can agree with.

Taglines: These may be used to give slight more information into the films
narrative and genre. It can sometimes question the audience, which pulls
them in to know about the film.
Date: The release date is important as it tells the audience when the film is
available for them to watch. Sometimes the date isn't shown and all that is
written is coming out soon, this raises questions and can get the audience to
do their own research into the film, which then means they are automatically
interested in the film and have an urge in watching it.
Roland Barthes: Theories
The Proairetic code: this theory consists of the idea that when not much
information is given to the audience, it doesn't raise questions, instead it
creates tension and suspense for the audience to predict what will happen
next. This works in particular for horror film posters, as it will allow the
audience to assume and think of themselves what the film narrative will
consist off.
Hermeneutic code: This is when a particular text on the media product is not
fully explained for understandable to the audience. It is a mystery to them and
so it automatically makes the audience curious to know more.
Enigma code: It pushes the audience to research further into the film, as they
will have many unanswered questions and seek to discover more. This will
lead them to look at sneak peaks of the film or even trailer.
Symbolic code: Symbols may be used on a film poster, which people will infer
and connote for themselves, helping the audience to think more of the film.

The Directors name is not mentioned, however instead the poster states From the director of saw and insidious. This
is told to the audience as they will be familiar with these two films and so this film will already have a loyal audience
who are a fan of the directors previous work. Also, the words Saw and Insidious are made more visible using colour
and font, this emphasises the attention.

The title is the largest

text on the poster
which shows its
importance. It is also
written in White,
which stands out in
comparison to the
dull and black
background. This
allows the audience
to read the title
clearly and
remember it. The font
seems to be simple
yet have a sharp and
powering feel
towards it; this
emphasises the
genre of being a
horror. In addition,
the release date is
not shown on here,
as a means of using
the Enigma code for
the audience to
research themselves
further and then feel
more drawn towards
the film.

The over all poster

follows the conventions
of a horror film poster,
as it manages to raise
questions with it
mysterious main image.
The dull colours add to
the understanding that
this film belongs to a
horror genre. However it
fails in showing what the
narrative will be about,
as the audience may
think this film is about a
doll when really it isnt.
The main image for this
poster would be ideally
fit for the film
Annabelle.

Based on the true case files of the Warrens is written just

beneath the title, to show the extreme importance. This is the
main selling point of the film, as it is based on true events. I
know from research which will link in with my Genre and
inspiration for film post, that audiences like films based on
true events, as it gives them more thrill and fright at the fact
that what they are seeing has happened before. So this is a
great point to include in the poster, as it will sell the film as
well as using the Enigma Code theory, as the audience will
now research into the case files of the Warrens which will
create more enthusiasm for them.

The main image is of

a girl sitting on a
rocking chair with a
doll on her lap. The
audience can not see
the girl which creates
tension. It can link to
the Proairetic code,
as everything in this
image seems to be
hidden and so the
audience will have to
infer for themselves. It
will also be linked to
the Enigma code, as
the audience will
research further to
know more of the film.
From personally
seeing the film, and
now viewing the
poster; I can see that
the films narrative
has not actually been
shown on here, as the
film is about a family,
whilst this doll shown
is only featured
temporarily in the film.
So to criticise, the
audience may be
expecting to see a
film about a doll, if
they havent seen the
trailer. This then can
lead to
disappointment and
complaint.

Similarly to the other poster, this one includes based on a true story. This is a common pattern used to really
draw the audience in by making them interested. It proves the Enigma Code theory as the audience will want
to research around this and find out who this happened too. However, unlike the other poster, this one does
not specifically give us a name or idea of who this is relatable too. Therefore it can also link to the Hermeneutic
Code theory as the text does not give full information; making the audience have an urge to want to know
more.

The directors name is

written above the title
but in the smallest font.
This may suggest he
isn't well known and so
it wouldn't be significant
to show his name in a
larger font. Also, the
release date is shown
in comparison to the
other poster. This does
not cause any Enigma
as it states the
information clearly. It
has been written in red
with allows it to stand
out. The release date is
questionable as to
wether the date is
appropriate for a horror
film or not. I personally
remember when this
film came out, I wanted
to go to the cinema to
watch it, however It
was released around
the time in when my
sixth form would start;
therefore I didn't have
the time. From my
audience research
post, I know that the
audience for the horror
genre are between the
ages of 15-25 years.
So the audience
between 15-18 would
most likely be in the
same situation as i
was. This would have
effected the film.

The main image is

strong in the sense
that the disturbing
look of it will be the
reason the audience
is attracted to it. The
hand coming out of
the mouth and
grabbing on to the
womans head, can
be linked to the
Symbolic code
theory, as the
audience will
connote that The
possession is within
herself. This allows
the audience to start
making assumptions
about the film and
want to see it even
more. However, this
could also turn out
negatively as the
audience will be able
to assume what the
film is about, and not
be as interested due
to the amount of
possession films that
already exist.

The title of the film is written in white to stand out in comparison to the more
earthy colours used in the main image. The font looks similar to the other posters
font, however it is more thin and tall; also there is an effect used where it looks
sort of scratched. This may be linked to the symbolic code theory as the
audience may infer that the scratches will be related to the film. The tagline
below the title says Darkness lives inside, this relates to the main image of the
hand coming out of her mouth. It further gives information to the audience.