Monday, 18 April 2011

Film Poster

A film poster is used to advertise a film and many studios often print several posters that vary in size and content. The posters that are printed are for various domestic and international markets. A poster will normally contain an image which will often feature photographs of the main actors. You can get a set of character posters which is for a film with an ensemble cast, each featuring an individual character from the film. The text of a film poster will usually contain the film title in large lettering which is mainly the biggest font on the poster. The text will also contain the names of the main actors that are starring in the film, along with the director's name and release date. From the three, title, actors, and director the film title is usually the one that sells the film. The actors who star in the film and who directed the film also plays a big part when selling the film. A film poster will also have a tagline which is a slogan that will anchor the poster. It is a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of the film. The audience is not encouraged to stray beyond the fixed layer of meaning that the tagline creates.

A film poster contains other elements to it such as stylized graphics which are usually used to create a background to form something that is significant to the film. Film posters also contain a montage of images which are usually individual images of each of the characters if the film has well known cast. It could also have a montage of images centred around the main character showing a number of images from the film. The credits on the poster are also centred usually in a diamond formation at the bottom of the poster below the main image. Mimicry is another thriving element to a film poster as it could be mimicking another film poster with a humorous version of the film which we have seen over the past decade with the scary movie franchise. Mimicry has other styles to it such as simply having two main characters opposite sides of the poster. Film posters also use images and characters to mimic a specific object that relates to the film. This use of mimicry can be very effective and eye-catching towards an audience.

Film posters are displayed in cinema's across the globe and outside of the cinema as well. You will find film posters on billboards in the street and at bus stops. These posters can also be found on the side of buses and in shops. Film posters can be used on DVDS as well on the internet, whereas the main film posters we see usually are coming soon posters which you will find at your local cinema. You can get other types of film posters such as a teaser poster which is an early promotional poster, containing a basic image or design without revealing too much information such as the plot, theme and characters. The purpose of this poster is to generate hype for the film. There are also remix posters that are posters that have been altered to change the intent of the original film poster. This poster often contains a political or comedic message, using the credibility of the film poster format to deliver the message of whoever is creating the remixed poster. Another film poster that you would see around would be a motion poster which is a more recent type of poster in which the poster is animated. Whatever type of film poster you see it can always suggest what the film genre is.

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