Poster Research - Dom

Below are some film posters, analysed for the common traits of a successful independent British film poster.

• Narrative: The skeleton coming out of the closet, and the 2 charters looking away ( at the audience) suggest that the story will revolve around the theme 'skeletons in the closet' saying. this could imply that they are digging out their own past secrets or other peoples.
• Genre: The expression on their face, saturated colour of images, graphics on background and the title font all suggest that this film could be a mystery. Also the expressions on the characters faces and the facial expression also suggests an element of comedy (this is backed up by the reviews).
• Representation: The characters are dressed in suits and one is carrying a briefcase. You could associate this with a business man or a detective. It could even be a cross between the 2. Their facial expressions and semi hunched body language also shows their your 'hard-nosed detective'. thus they represented in a sort of semi serious fashion. Class, social status etc is a bit hard to identify, but simply by judging on the costume I would say middle class. In terms of gender the 2 men are main characters. In a way they look like salesmen/ sale partners. In a way this stereotypical.
• Audience: target audience could be readers/listeners of Total Film or Radio 5.  Maybe those interested in detective/mystery films, but want  a more "light-hearted" film. The age is probably 15-55 male and female. The audience are likely to us social networking, as there is a Facebook group.
• Film Language - There seems to be top lighting which distorts the characters a bit but mainly, in my opinion, is similar to an interrogation light, enforcing the idea the film could be about detectives, or investigators of some kind. Maybe private investigators because of the non official uniforms.

 Notes about poster

• Actors main focus of the poster. Actors are in character, their names are relatively small. 
• Colour scheme of orange and blue, actors very saturated, complimentary colours.
• Actors are looking at audience, in front of closet, suggesting mystery; they are looking around almost to check if anyone is watching.
• skeleton coming out of cupboard, initially associated with horror/fantasy, yet faces and body languages of actors suggest comedy: black comedy? or more fantasy/comedy?
• the background is graphic, bulls eye brings attention to the two characters with the cupboard in the middle, making us think of 'skeletons in the closet' saying.
• reinforced by title over image, title large font and stands out from other colours
• awards, nominations and criticism at top
• Box credits and film sponsors below title, below this are tour dates for what looks like independent cinemas or other film festivals (including the mention of its success at the Edinburgh film festival)
• website and social media page at bottom.
• tag line under title, gives us an idea of what its about.these are the 2 main characters and the film is something to do with 'skeletons in the closet' i.e secrets that they find out about potentially?
• 'A film by' is above title, could be a selling point for a renowned director etc
• no certification rating on here

5 Key Concepts 

• Narrative - The tear in the characters face could suggest that the character goes insane or maybe has multiple personalities. It could also suggest that there are 2 characters: the one most frontward being the antagonist and the more backwards being the victim. This is suggested by the serial against scared facial expression. Themes could be a murder story or a kind of similar concept to 'The Shining'
• Representation: Looking at the poster, I find hard to see if the character most backwards is a man or woman. If this was a woman, then as mentioned above regarding victims etc, it would be conforming to stereotypes i.e the women being the victim and the man being the attacker. The man in front is represented in a  cynical and very stern manner with the facial expression and costume (suit), once again being stereotypical. You could argue that their is a sort of female side of the character, but this is unlikely because of the red tint over the whole image
• Genre: I would first expect this film to be a horror/thriller. This is because of facial expression of the characters and the overall red tint suggesting danger and semantic codes. Moreover, I am lead to think that this film is a psychological horror
• audience: Because of the suggested horror/thriller  genre I would expect the audience to be older maybe 15 upwards. the poster also suggest a complex psychological theme. Male and female are included in target audience.
• Film language: the close up of the character/s show their scared/stern emotion/s. The black background aided with top lighting on the both frontward and backwards images distort the faces of the characters also suggesting this film could be a horror and that the front character is cynical

Notes About Poster

• Title obvious, in white stands out from rest
• font is similar to something from  a classic horror movie.
• title suggests film is not modern
• once again tag line is under title.
• Two characters on the front suggested to be main characters
• for me, the tear in the middle of the characters suggests that it could be the same character potentially this characters goes insane, has dual personalities
• sinister look on front characters face suggests horror/thriller and scared look reinforces this, i.e the other person is the victim
• or as mentioned, possibly 2 personalities of the same character
• the red tint to the whole poster gives a horror feel 
• once again awards and criticism are towards side/top of page.
• box credits below title  at bottom, with sponsor at bottom as well
• Target audience readers of the telegraph and empire: 
• production company, directors etc are mentioned before the title: all wordings have a logical flow to them
• The red could potentially suggest a dark room used for photographic editing. 
• low key lighting also gives us an impression of a horror/thriller
• the filter over the poster, is similar to when you look at a newspaper really close and you can see the 'printed dots' that make up the image. I'm not sure but i think was more the case in earlier newspapers, suggesting the film is pre 2000. 
• clothing also suggest this film is based pre 2000, maybe 60-80s

 

 

 5 Key Concepts

• Narrative:  The male characters facial expression looks angry and frustrated, and the woman characters facial expression looks confused and troubled. This could suggest the the male character loses his temper and does something drastic. this could be murder? The tag line suggests this. The film seems to be set in rolling hills of Yorkshire which isn't the stereotypical place I would expect a killer to be! This is appealing to the audience and want them to find out more.
• Genre: Initially I thought that this film was a drama, because of the setting in the background and the 2 male/female characters. However, with a further look and a read of the tag line, you could think that it was a thriller. Also, the costume of the characters if very 'friendly' with the 'happy camper' badge. The dog in the background also suggest comedy. This ironic theme suggest that the genre is a black comedy. the reviews on the side also suggest that this film is a black comedy.
• Representation: the 2 characters seem to be at first your normal holiday maker going camping. this is suggested by the use of clothing and props. The facial expressions however tell a different story. What I noticed is that the male character is in front of the female character with a more stern and angry look (the women looks a bit confuse), suggesting he is in control/more dangerous.
• Audience- People who can relate to the stereotypical person who goes camping/caravanning .This is because when the characters are maybe shown as killers, it adds comedy to the situation considering the stereotypes associated with caravanning: i.e the quiet holiday maker! the audience will also be those who are looking for a 'black comedy' like Hot Fuzz for example
• Film language: the use of colour  makes the poster vibrant, not only eye-catching, but is ironic considering the tag line. The mid shots of the 2 characters allow us to see their costume and facial expressions. the 2 combined makes this film seem more like a comedy, due to the fact they don't really match.