4 film posters analysed: Stephen Griffin

Monsters:

Media Language:

• The setting is shown as a forest on the outskirts of a forest; there are clear signs of destruction showing that these characters are either escaping from this destruction, or venturing closer towards it. The use of props and décor further enforce the feeling of destruction, while showing us (by way of the sign) that the monsters are the cause of the destruction. The composition of the shot shows that the two characters are the centre of the story; and yet they are small in comparison to the forest: this gives the impression that they are inferior to the monsters and nature in general. This is further shown by the use of an extreme long shot of the characters; emphasising their predicament of finding themselves out of their comfort zones. The eye-level view provides us with an angle which can explore the character’s facial expressions clearly; with the eye-line match of the male meeting just above where we would be standing: perhaps telling us that the ‘monster’ is right behind us and in front of them.
• The colouring of this poster provides us with a great amount of background towards the story; we can tell that behind them lays a city which has been affected by the monster’s destruction. The colours in the city are lighter and brighter than when they get closer to the forest, with a darker colour building on fire and darkness either side of the characters. This lighting and colouring tells us that it will be even more dangerous the way that these characters are going (shown via body language), as it only gets darker the closer they come to the foreground.

Representation:

• We have a strong female character shown in the poster: her face is covered in dirt (make-up in terms of media language) instead of her face being clean to create a ‘doll’ character. We get the feeling that she isn’t a ‘damsel in distress’ and instead has rescued the male on a few occasions (her sweaty and matted hair compared to his windswept hair.)
• ·The male is represented as being weaker than the female, again by use of hair-styling- but also how his body language is much more relaxed- in a known dangerous situation- showing he has let is guard down and isn’t fully prepared to go up against what is coming.
• Another representation is that of the balance between cities and forests’, how they both can be easily destroyed by nature.

Audience:

• ·    The target demographic for this film would be a teenager aged 13 to 19, of any gender. This is due to the portrayal of a potentially strong female character, as well as the use of thriller (enigma codes and suspense) which particularly appeals to the teen demographic.

Narrative:

• ·     The plot is shown to be a ‘journey’ by use of media language; we are also told that these characters are escaping the (either soon to be or previously) destroyed city. We are told via a prop(the camera) that the man is a photographer, and we can tell that both of these characters have no business being in a dangerous forest- already creating a suspenseful situation.

Genre:

• ·     The genre of this film is a hybrid between science fiction (shown by the use of a ‘monster’) and a thriller- due to the enigma that these monsters have left us with.

Layout:

• ·    The layout of the poster shows the title truly bold so you know for certain what the film is about. The title is edited in a way so it looks like a ‘warning’ road sign; emphasising the danger that these characters are facing.  Above the title is a faint writing that shows the production company: Vertigo films- as it is a debut film perhaps they did not wish to ruin this poster with an unknown production company? Either way, the line is in centre composition and the spacing between each letter is semantic to science fiction films- effectively showing the distance that these characters are going to travel. On the bottom of the poster, above the credit block, is the tagline “BEWARE”, again, the letters spaced out. This is semantically involved in showing the dangers that the story entails.
• ·    The credit block itself is small, showing how little funding the film has received- and mainly consist of the actors in the film (Whose names are not shown on the actual poster.)
•      Below the credit block lays a website for viewers to go to; showing how this poster has a particular focus on the users of social media; stereotypically the target audience for the film (12 to 20 year olds.) The rating is shown just below the title as being a 12A.

Ce Lume Minunatâ

This poster provides a strong visual image of life in Moldova during civil unrest. We see a shoe on the ground, part of a costume for an unseen character. This abandoned shoe represents the people of the county- abandoned by their government and neighbouring countries as the Communist party ‘rigged’ the elections and led them to civil unrest. The setting is that of a runway- again, representing the people of Moldova and their desperate attempts to flee the corrupt government- hitchhiking on planes as a way to escape. The shoe itself is clearly battered, showing the plot of the story in a single instance- a journey. The shoe shows that the journey has been rough- the ‘make up’ effect of dirt and the battered, broken shoe. The composition of the shot allows the shoe to be centre frame; while the rest of the text shown on the poster is also aligned to the centre- emphasising the shoe itself. Through colouring and lighting we see that the sky is a deep grey with hints of yellow- almost as if there is a fire burning to the right of the shot; out of the poster view. This creates the feeling of imminent danger, and provides a short insight on the narrative plot as well- showing that the characters in the plot will be going through a dangerous situation. These all detail semantic codes for a thriller; telling the audience that this is a thriller film.

The lack of characters shown in the poster makes the poster much more personal; the viewer is met with an emotional reaction as we wonder what has happened to the owner of the shoe. Using an enigma in the poster it not only solidifies the genre of the film but also creates a sense of hope within the viewer; if they aren’t from Moldova than the viewer will hope that this situation is now long over and people will not be in any more danger. And if the viewer is in Moldova they will remember he pain that everyone went through, and remember the trials they endured and rightfully got through.

The age certificate is shown clearly as being 18+, shown in the same simplistic font used in the rest of the text- perhaps telling us that the plot is something that is simplistic, or so common, in Moldova that it doesn’t require any flashy text to tell a riveting story. This also attracts a more mature audience, those who want to see a proper narrative story and those who want to be thrilled by an event based on real life.

Through the layout of the poster we can see he large amounts of people listed on the credit block; however each of them are names and none are huge in the film industry- showing that this is an independent film (expected with a foreign film.) Both the director and the producer are shown at the top of the film poser; emphasising their positions in the making of the film.  By making their names capitals it emphasises them; giving past viewers the momentum they need to watch this film.

The Immigrant:

The background colours are that of the American flag, instantly recognisable. We know instantly that this is a man’s journey from Canada (the maple leaves as the stars) to America. He is obviously looking for work, any work, by the way his costume and props show him: his rake shows he is up for any kind of work, and his sunhat shows that he’s willing to work in the blistering sun. The plot is laid out for us instantly.

Through a camera angle; a low angle shot, we get the feeling that this man- even though his composition is small compared to the rest of the poster- he holds power over us. The composition of the poster shows him as being small to show that America is big and a bully, all in one- how it treads all over the little people to have its own way. While the angle itself shows that instead this man is bigger; and he is climbing to the top of the system- where his eye line is matching. This is a positive representation that most immigrants aim to live up to; people who want to work hard and earn their place in society.

The genre in this poster isn’t clear; it could be a social realism piece but it could also be a mockumentary- a comedy laughing at America’s view of immigrants. The background, with its broken walls making up the American flag, gives a serious impression so it’s likely that this is a piece of social realism. However, it could also be used to give the impression that America is already broken: a comedic view which would fit with the comedic genre.  

The title text, as well as the actors name’s, run parallel to the lines that make up the American flag. This slanted effect gives the impression of the not-straight thinking government, the corruption that occurs. Additionally, the effect makes the title even more eye-catching, and the audience will easily be able to see the title.  The title itself is bold, along with the lead actor’s name, to enforce the fact that the main character is a hard working- bold- person. The title is personified to reflect the character’s mood.

The title block at the bottom contains all the companies and groups that have assisted in making the film; 6 including the Levy Brothers, whom Josh Levy being the director of the film and Robi the producer. This shows the wide scale production that the film was; something typically used only for Comedy films. Additionally, below the title block lays a website link- which tells us that the target audience for this film are the young generation- whom rely on social media, and use social media to spread their news (ie: how good and ground-breaking this film could be.) Going further with the target demographic; it the title of the film itself will not appeal to most (if not all) old generation conservatives, so it’s most certainly aimed at the, generally, more liberal and open-minded younger generation.

Recoil: 

The film recoil is instantly eye-catching (something that all movie posters want to be) by the use of the main character being in focus on the side; the lighting and colours of this poster create a science fiction-esque feel. The main characters face is clearly shown; giving way to his frowning facial expression- it is very obvious that this character is in a lot of pain. Additionally, the costume that the character is wearing (with the addition of the title ‘recoil’) is very military like; perhaps telling us what the plot is likely about. Furthermore, the ‘O’ in ‘RECOIL’ is edited to look like a black hole from space- again, a plot point. From these key factors we get a good idea of the genre, a science fiction film, and the plot: this man has to face going near (or in) a black hole to rescue someone. From the edited picture, on the character’s shoulder there is another face-the person that the main character is meant to rescue.

Through the background of the film- the institutional white- we get an added on feeling of emotion connected to this ‘sanitary’ white. With this colour often comes a mental dysfunction; perhaps this character has suffered greatly and now remembers those details vividly, or perhaps he’s going through an already tough time. Either way, we get the impression that this character is going through a lot more than meets the eye- further enforced by the scientific drawings etched onto the background (which clearly mean something to people who know.)

This short film seems to have a demographic targeted to mature teenagers (15+), due to the editing It’s very retro and something that’ll appeal to the older science fiction fans, so perhaps up to the people of the age of 40. The title is also reminiscent to the old science fiction films ‘Total recall’ which could perhaps be an influence for this film; further enforcing the demographic.