MOVIE POSTER ANALYSIS
INSIDIOUS
Year of Release: 2010 Director: James Wan Production/Financing Company: Film District & Entertainment One Principle Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins Films Origin/Info: First of a three part sequel. Synopsis: A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further. Denotation: The main image is taken as a mid-shot which shows the boy from the waist up. This enables the audience to see the clothing and NVC. The image being in the centre signifies its' importance and main focus. The colours are dark, including the red on the boy's pyjamas. The colours connote darkness which relate to the mood of the film. Behind the main image there is a large house and dark clouds. This connotes isolation as it is the only house in the image. |
Mise-en-Scene: The setting of the poster is clear and visible. There is a large house behind the main image with dark clouds surrounding it. This signifies a mystery that is covering the household (including the boy) that is causing a problem. The setting being natural makes it more realistic. The lighting is dark on the boy so that the font is visible and to make the boy look dark and dull. However, the lighting on the house is light and therefore gives a sense of bad and good. The NVC of the boy is serious. This is shown through his eyes looking directly toward the audience. His hair is partially covering parts of his face making him look mysterious. The boy being in his pyjamas signifies his childhood and innocence.
Typography: The title of the film is vertically in the middle of the image so it does not take the main focus off the main image. 'Insidious' is in a thin, white font apart from two letters; the S and I; which are both in red. The text is the largest on the poster and this is so the audience are able to clearly see the name of the film. Also, other films that are from similar makers, are presented on the poster. This is to give the audience an idea of how good the film is. The credits, which are placed at the bottom of the poster, are to give credit to those that helped producing the film but is not as important as the release date which stands more clearer.
Target Audience: Due to the concept of the film, this would be target at 15-24 year olds whom are interested in the horror genre.
Typography: The title of the film is vertically in the middle of the image so it does not take the main focus off the main image. 'Insidious' is in a thin, white font apart from two letters; the S and I; which are both in red. The text is the largest on the poster and this is so the audience are able to clearly see the name of the film. Also, other films that are from similar makers, are presented on the poster. This is to give the audience an idea of how good the film is. The credits, which are placed at the bottom of the poster, are to give credit to those that helped producing the film but is not as important as the release date which stands more clearer.
Target Audience: Due to the concept of the film, this would be target at 15-24 year olds whom are interested in the horror genre.
SINISTER
Year of release: 2012 Director: Scott Derrickson Production/Financing company: Alliance Films Principle Cast: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, James Ranson Films Origin/Info: First of a two part sequel. Synopsis: Washed-up-true-crime writer Ellinson Oswalt finds a box of super 8 home movies that suggest the murder he is currently researching is the work of a serial killer whose work dates back to the 1960s. Denotation: The image is taken through a wide angle as it is portraying the character's whole image and the background. The title is placed above the image so that it does not interfere with it. Also, so people are able to see them both clearly. There is not a specific focus on the poster but the audience will automatically be drawn to the red image as it is the brightest colour on there. There is a tag-line beneath the title which says "once you see him, nothing can save you". This stresses being afraid and portrays a cold mood for the audience. |
Mise-en-Scene: The poster does not have a known setting but has a grey, cracked background. This could possibly be a wall as the character is wiping their hand across it. The cracked background could connote that something is merging from underneath or that something is breaking/causing destruction. There is an image of a face which is splattered red on the wall. This connotes evil. There is no specific bright or dark lighting however the poster is not dark. The title has shadows behind each letter to connote the darkness that the film carries. The character has no NVC as their face is looking away but the red, splattered image has a wicked NVC. This is portrayed through the eyes and image itself. The character is wearing pyjamas and this therefore proves that it is a child. For this reason, the child's face is hidden, protecting their identity (child's innocence). There is a rope on the floor which connotes a sense of struggle and is also a common trait in horror films.
Typography: The title is in a black font which has a dark shadow. The letters also drag down which is similar to the image on the background. The credits are blurred at the bottom of the poster identifying the production companies. Logos such as Facebook and Twitter are also visible at the bottom to enable the audience to get further information on the film or anything else. At the bottom 'coming soon' is bold as it is the an additional important convention on the poster.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this film is 15-24 year olds.
Typography: The title is in a black font which has a dark shadow. The letters also drag down which is similar to the image on the background. The credits are blurred at the bottom of the poster identifying the production companies. Logos such as Facebook and Twitter are also visible at the bottom to enable the audience to get further information on the film or anything else. At the bottom 'coming soon' is bold as it is the an additional important convention on the poster.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this film is 15-24 year olds.
THE PURGE
Year of release: 2013 Director: James DeMonaco Production/Financing company: Universal Pictures Principle Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder Films Origin/Info: A two part American film. Synopsis: In the future, a wealthy family is held hostage for harbouring the target of a murderous syndicate during the purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalised. Denotation: The image is a close-up of the characters face though it is only showing three quarters of it. This is to signify its' curious NVC. The image being placed on the left side of the poster, is to ensure the audience do not see part of the face. The colours are distinctive as they are dark but a dark purple colour. This colour connotes wealth and royalty and links with the film synopsis. The effects of the poster are harsh and it portrays a hard focus. |
Mise-en-Scene: The lighting around the image is dark and portrays shade; makes the character look mysterious and cunning. This is signified through their NVC also; the grin and the eyes. The character is wearing a mask; this is obvious due to the eye sockets being deep; which connotes that they don't want their identity to be shown.
Typography: The title of the film is in a white font and stands out from the other fonts on the poster. This is because is it the larger and therefore the most important font, alongside the release date which is found at the bottom of the poster, under the credits. The tag-line is placed above the title and below the title - this connotes the feeling of being trapped/surrounded which relates to the film. The credits are at the bottom, blurred, including production companies and the director.
Target Audience: The targeted audience are 15-24 year olds, as they would be most interested in the film.
Typography: The title of the film is in a white font and stands out from the other fonts on the poster. This is because is it the larger and therefore the most important font, alongside the release date which is found at the bottom of the poster, under the credits. The tag-line is placed above the title and below the title - this connotes the feeling of being trapped/surrounded which relates to the film. The credits are at the bottom, blurred, including production companies and the director.
Target Audience: The targeted audience are 15-24 year olds, as they would be most interested in the film.