Common Codes and Conventions within film posters

1. Common Codes and Conventions within film posters Joanne Mullen 14H

2. Character image/ A List CelebrityUnique Selling Point Many movie productions will have a unique selling point which is commonly a high profile actor/ A list celebrity. As these well known people have already became likeably established within the celebrity world; this will increase the audiences attention to the movie. USP is an effective marketing technique used to gather the maximum amount of viewers for the film. George Clooney could be described as the Unique selling point for the ‘Descendants’ movie as he is the centre focus within this movie poster. Also his name is placed directly above the title making it visible to the reader that he stars in the movie.

3. Tagline/ Catch line A Tag line is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product (like a film), or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product. Some movie tag lines provide a hint to the movie's narrative, however provide very little knowledge to what the actual movie plot is about; therefore leaving the audience member hungry to see the movie. The ‘Taken 2’ Movie poster includes a tag line across the left third of the poster; in keeping with eye line of the reader. The tag line states “First they take

4. Main Image ‘The Grey’ main image covers maximum capacity of the poster, allowing the emotional/dramatic facial expression of the main actor; Liam Nesson to be observed interestingly. Close up images are often associated with movie’s of the thriller/horror genre as close ups allow the audience to focus on the character’s emotion, creating a dramatic effect for the audience. Depending on the type of movie genre, the main image can differ is size, however, the most commonly designed movie posters have an imprinted main image of a character or characters, taking up maximum capacity of the page. Studying ‘Media’ at A level, we have became aware as students that the main image/photograph you choose to imprint on your poster is the most important concept, therefore much thought and consideration must go into photo shoot planning when we go to create our own movie posters.

5. Film Title The title of the film is also another extremely important concept when it comes to movie posters as audience members need to become aware of the name of the movie if they wish to go witness it in the cinema. Titles are often imprinted in large fonts; commonly written in capital letters to allow the title to stand out flamboyantly on the poster. The ‘Bridesmaids’ title is imprinted on the top half of the movie poster in block, capital white letters. Commonly, film titles are written in capital letters to allow them to stand out vividly for the audience.

6. Colour scheme • Movie posters often have a certain colour scheme throughout which corresponds in parallel with the film’s genre. For example, if a particular film is produced around the genre of ‘Horror’, it’s movie poster will more than likely be composed of dark colours such as black’s, grey’s and blood curdling reds. A colour scheme can also be used to appeal to certain niche audiences, for example; a romantic teenage romcom poster may be created using light ‘girly’ shades such as peaches, pink and lilac's – which will automatically appeal to a feminine audience.

7. Billing/ Credit Block • Many movie posters will contain a billing/credit block at the bottom of the poster highlighting the key composers that developed the Movie, such as the: Publishing Company, Production Company, Film Writer, Star Actor’s, Music Composers, Costume designers, Editor, Production designer, Producers and Directors. Commonly, billing block’s are imprinted in a minimal font at the bottom of the movie poster in white block capital letters. Nearly every movie Poster I have viewed contains a billing block, therefore to enhance the professionalism and realism of my poster; I will develop a billing block, typical of modern day film posters.