1. Points drawn from
film poster analysis

2. Through the analysis of three horror film
posters I have gathered sufficient
information to gain a wider understanding
of the codes and conventions of a horror
film poster. Below are the main aspects I
took note of:

3. Film posters are used to advertise and inform
audiences of a new film. Therefore all posters
should use Bulmer and Katz theory of Uses
and gratifications by consuming the poster as
‘information’ as to the title of the new film and
release date. Other information can also
include film ratings, institutions website, small
print information about the production
company or any other institutions associated
with the film etc. Institutional information is
usually presented on posters of high-budget
films.

4. Secondly, From my research I found that
posters will generally use an establishing shot
of a main location from within the film, or a
close up/mid shot of the main protagonist(s)
and their facial expressions As the main
image. This enables audiences to have a clear
view of the characters and/or their
surroundings in addition to the type of film
which is being advertised.

5. Posters are generally constructed with a higher
image to text ratio. Although text is needed to
inform audiences with information such as the
film title and release date. Most codes and
conventions should be clear to see within the
image itself as well as adhering to the horror
genre in order to attract audiences.

6. Whatever the colour the background
the font colour and size used must
stand out for it to be read clearly by
consumers. Font size varies on a
poster. The title of the film is usually
seen in the largest font size on the
page in order to stand out amongst
the other text…

7. …The second largest would be the release
date, as for audiences wanting to watch the
film the release date is a crucial piece of
information. The type of Font style used on a
poster is also very significant. Font can signify
what genre the film is and also what the film
may be about.

8. The release date of the film is
generally presented at the bottom of
the poster to stay in the minds of
the consumers as its the last thing
they will see. Being placed at the
bottom of the poster also suggests
its not a particularly seasonal such
as Halloween, Winter or Summer.
Whereas if the release date was to
be at an exciting time of year then it
is likely that the release date would
be an additional focus point of the
poster.

9. Whilst the main image and film title are used
to appeal to the audience taglines are used to
sell the product with context in hope to
persuade and interest the audience into
watching the film. Taglines generally are only a
few words, short sentence or rhetorical
question directed at the audience for
enticement.