Film poster research and pre-production

Film poster conventions

Do some generic research on film posters.

1) List the key conventions of a film poster.

• a main central image from the original media product
• Film posters are a form of promotion just like a film trailer. Because a film poster is a physical piece and is not a film piece, the posters can promote the film in a lot of different places. Known places for film posters to be seen are on big billboards, bus stops, on buses, underground stations and of course, around the cinema to show future film releases. Because film posters area physical thing, there is no limit on where they can advertise films. 
• Icons have an important role in film posters because audiences only have the one poster for them to understand the genre of the film, which will result in them either liking the poster or ignoring it. If the story/theme and most importantly genre are not clear in the film poster, there is a risk that the film will lose out on an audience
• Image Film posters always contain a main image which is what audiences, passer-bys and people see when the poster catches their eye. These can be either stills from the film, character shots but they always contain some type of iconography to reveal the film’s genre and something about the film. Images on posters portray the narrative of the film, so they have to be clear. 
• Title Film posters nearly always have the film’s title on it, because if not, no one will know what the film is called and would be able to find out more information.There are a few expectations of this when it comes to teaser posters (when the film hasn’t been made yet but the film has already generated a lot of talk) or because the film is so well known, that it doesn’t need the title.
• Directors, producers and actors - Usually the director and producer of the film is displayed, especially if the director and producers are well known and are the main selling point of the film (eg. big name directors like Steven Spielberg or producers like Tim Burton). If it is a big name director/producer, then the name is big on the poster, if not then it is still visible but not as obvious.

2) What makes a film poster instantly recognisable?

A film poster is instantly recognisable when is has an eye catching central image that links to the narrative and genre of the film; another element that makes film poster eye catching is the title of the movie being very clear, bold and memorable to the audience is drawn to it.

3) What are regarded as some of the best film posters of all time? Why?

Jaws is considered one of the best, if not the best poster of all time because is very simple, in terms of the whole poster consists of an image of a shark with a person right above. The most iconic poster of all time. Jaws’ terrifying image of the great white rising to devour its unwitting victim is a simple, yet inspired piece of visual marketing. From the ridiculously oversized beast, to its gaping maw filled with rows of jagged, uneven teeth, it’s is a viscerally terrifying image, one that struck fear into the hearts of swimmers everywhere and put people off beaches for a generation.

The image of Marlon Brando’s Don Corleone is certainly striking — his black tuxedo fading into the all-black background – but arguably, the star of this poster is the instantly recognisable ‘puppeteer’ logo, lifted direct from Mario Puzo’s book cover, and designed by legendary graphic designer S. Neil Fujita. In simple black-and-white, it tells us everything we need to know.

The most iconic logo in cinema? Without doubt. In fact, if you were to line-up the most recognisable iconography on Earth, it would probably make the top 10 – just after the Christian Cross, the American flag and Superman’s chest insignia. The ‘no ghosts’ sign was created by the film’s art director, John DeCuir, but the idea behind it can be traced to Dan Aykroyd, who referred to it directly in the film’s screenplay.

Recalling the trippy, dazzling lines of Saul Bass, this striking design for Duncan Jones’ debut comes from London-based AllCity, a creative agency who have churned out some of the most interesting and innovative posters in recent years (see also: La La Land, The Death Of Stalin). It’s minimal and pictorial, but still evokes the loneliness and paranoia that Sam Rockwell’s character faces in his lunar exile.

 
Film poster research - genre

Go back to the five film trailers you researched in your chosen genre (and additional films if you wish). For each film, find at least three different film posters for the film and analyse the following:

1) What conventions are the same on each poster for the same film (i.e. the film's consistent branding)?

They use the same fonts through out all posters to keep consistency within their film posters.


2) What differences can your find between the alternative posters for the same film?

Sometimes there is a difference in colour and setting to make it look different. Also, one of the posters usually has a simplistic/minimalist design where as the other one doesn't.

3) What target audience do you think each poster is targeting and why? How can you tell?

- Low key lighting
- Religion imagery 
- Demonic dark imagery 
- Synergy between all posters
- Minimal tag lines and writing on poster

4) What can you use from these posters in your own film poster planning and production?

Looking at these posters give me a better idea of where my titles, credits, slogans etc should be. This will help improve my poster.

Film poster plans

1) Create a spider diagram or bullet point list of everything you plan to include in your film posters AND all the ways you could target the three target audience segments outlined in the brief: fans of the genre, males, females. Make sure you also create a local film festival in order to meet this aspect of the brief.

Male:

• Use image of main character, as he is a male I am intending for this to appeal to a male audience as they may be able to feel they can relate more to someone who has the same gender as them - this would create more of an appeal.
• The mise en scene will be more graphic and intense as more violent imagery would appeal to a male audience - possible use of blood and gore, definite use of dark lighting, dark clothing, shadows 
• The shot I want to capture will be of the character screaming, showing distress and the sense of him being 'trapped' 

Female:

• I aim to use the female hero character in this film poster as I feel it will strongly appeal to a female demographic and would empower them as not being the vulnerable victim in a horror film, subverting typical genre conventions. 
• I think it is crucial to also use the main character in this poster to depict narration 

Fans of the genre:

• I aim to focus more on mood and an accurate depiction of horror genre through the use of setting and horror connoted imagery -  religion, shadows indicating spirits etc. 

2) Produce an A4 sketch for your first film poster, adding significant detail in terms of text and planned images (you don't need to draw the image if you don't want to - but must offer a detailed text-based description if not). Clearly label which segment of the target audience you are aiming for with this poster and where the poster will be displayed (outside location, magazine or newspaper etc.) Remember that each poster can either be landscape or portrait and also needs to link to the local film festival that will be screening the film (see details in brief above). When you have sketched the poster, scan or photograph it and add it to your blog post.

3) Produce an A4 sketch for your second film poster, clearly identifying the segment of the target audience this poster will be aiming at. Pay particular attention to details you will either keep consistent (to create a brand identity and cover the local film festival aspect) or change (to alter the target audience). When you have sketched the poster, scan or photograph it and add it to your blog post.

4) Produce an A4 sketch for your third film poster, clearly identifying the segment of the target audience this poster will be aiming at. Pay particular attention to details you will either keep consistent (to create a brand identity and cover the local film festival aspect) or change (to alter the target audience). When you have sketched the poster, scan or photograph it and add it to your blog post.

Photo shoot planning

1) Which of your characters will appear on each poster? If the characters will be the same on each poster, how will you differentiate the images?

- Mason Rodriguez
I will differ the images in term of how graphic they are as I feel that more graphic imagery will appeal to a male audience more than it may appeal to a female audience. In terms of the poster appealing to an overall horror fan audience I aim to use a less focused picture, possibly focusing more on setting and mood rather than character. 

2) What images do you need for each film poster? Write a detailed description.

Male - For the poster aimed at a male audience I am going to feature a close up picture of Mason Rodriguez (main character) 

3) Write a shot list for the photo shoot(s). Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture (medium shots, close-ups etc.) to give yourself flexibility when designing the posters in Photoshop later. Will the photo shoot be out on location or in school with the white backdrop and lighting?

4) What costume, props or make-up will you require for the photo shoot(s)?

-False blood
-Dark clothing (hooded jumper)
-Low lighting
-Pale make up