This document analyzes the conventions used in a film poster for a psychological thriller genre. It notes that the poster uses conventional layout and design elements, including an image showing a dominant antagonist overpowering the protagonist to create tension. It also includes typical text elements like the film title and names as well as setting and lighting choices that convey an eerie and mysterious tone expected for the genre. The document concludes that the poster effectively utilizes established genre conventions to represent the psychological thriller film.
2. Dark, mysterious image
The layout is conventional as
it uses the hotspot areas, and
follows conventional layouts
of posters, therefore leaving
an organised poster with the
necessary items on the page.
Low angle shot showing the
character’s dominance and
showing he’s overpowering
the other character – giving
a sense of tension and
danger
Contrasting text with the
background – to make it
stand out and look eye
catching
Conventional costume –
showing one of the
characters in a suit which
compliments the shot type
– emphasising his power
and dominance
Also using conventional
props, such as a gun,
which is conventional of
the genre.
Using a muggy setting –
giving an eerie feel to the
poster therefore setting a
conventional theme to the
film overall.
Using correct
representations – Showing
the protagonist as week
and an antagonist as
powerful, creating tension
and mystery.
Having the image shot take
place in an everyday
location, which looks
conventional anyway, but
also gives hints towards the
film, showing that the
setting of the full film is
within everyday society.
Use of a bold font that
stands out – to show
power and dominance
– giving a sense of
danger
Contrasting text with
the background – to
make it stand out and
look eye catching
3. Including an image that
relates to the genre
Including the
protagonist’s actors
name
Including the film title
Including the
film slogan
Including release
information
Including a
blocking bill
4. Overall, my film poster is conventional
of the psychological thriller genre as it
contains all the conventions of the
form, such as including an image that
relates to the genre, for example,
mine shows the protagonist being
overpowered by an antagonist.
Not only this but I’ve included the film
title, a slogan, a blocking bill, release
information and also the leading
actors name, all of which is
conventional of the form as well as the
genre.
The fonts used are bold and large, as
well as contrasting with the
background, which shows a strong
and bold representation of the film,
portraying mystery and aggression,
which are all conventional traits of the
genre.
5. Contrasting colours with
the background, in order to
make them stand out,
which creates a more visual
and bold mood, therefore
being conventional.
Including an image that
relates to the genre – Showing
the antagonist is a strong
posture, in amongst a dark
background to show the
mystery and tension that
surrounds his character.
Using a black background
makes it looks more
mysterious, as if the
antagonist is standing within
the unknown, and standing
strong, showing he’s powerful
and it conveys a mysterious
tone.
Including dark lighting to
represent the dark
psychological thriller
genre, and conveying the
mystery that surrounds it.
6. Including other films
featured within the
magazine
Including a
large masthead
Including
captions
Layout- The layout is
conventional, as it isn’t
cluttered, yet it is still full
of content, which appeals
to the target audience,
and therefore, and it also
follows the route of the
eye, whilst placing
interesting contrasting
colours within the
hotspots to gain
attention.
Including other films
featured within the
magazine
And information that’s
catchy and sets up
what is in the
magazine
Including the issue
number, date and price
Including a large image,
relating to the featured
article.
Including other films
featured within the
magazine
Including the featured
article, and making it the
biggest item on the page
after the masthead
Including a bar code
and distribution
company logo
7. Overall my magazine cover is
conventional, as it includes all the
vital elements that a magazine
cover in general includes. As well
as including contrasting colours to
make the information stand out,
especially by using red and black,
which connote danger and mystery,
in contrast with the yellow and
white.
It’s conventional because the image
used is a typical shot and it shows
the antagonist as looking bold and
fearless, which is a conventional
representation of any antagonist
within this genre. So overall my
magazine cover meets the
conventions.