Producing The Ancillary Tasks- Film Poster Research

For one of our ancillary tasks I had to create a Film Poster to go alongside my short film and film review. The poster is to promote my short film, therefore using the same actors etc is essential to keeping the continuity. The poster needs to include persuasive techniques which will engage our target audience and make them want to watch our film. Film posters are one of the key roles of the financier and distributor.

Before I go on to create my poster I want to do some research into film posters, and then further research into film posters of a similar genre. This is to ensure I am ready to make my film poster, and that I am aware of all codes and conventions, so that mine will be realistic and professional.

Here I have collected some initial film poster images for my research. All theses films featured very high ratings and had a good promotional campaign before the release date. This is contributed by the quality of the film poster as there is evidential correlations between this and the number of people who go see a film after being drawn in by a promotional poster. As I have looked through some initial film posters I have started to develop some knowledge of re-occurring techniques, also known as the conventions and its importance on how it is the portrayal and exposed advertisement for the film itself. Below I have took two recent promotional film posters and analysed them. I have pulled apart all the aspects of the posters which I need to learn or develop for when I make my own. This also helped me learn a lot about why they include what they do and the effect it has on the poster as a whole leading on to the persuasive techniques:

After researching into initial film posters, I have established a clear knowledge of what is needed for my final poster. However to ensure that how I manipulate what is needed to fit my own film and its target audience, I have carried out further research below, of film posters of the 'Thriller' genre. The concept of genre marketing is proven to be a highly successful technique of persuading audiences into cinemas.

Above are four film posters, of recent films under the thriller genre. I really like all these four film posters and feel all are effective and interesting. They really portray the film in a perfect balance of an interesting plot and exciting twists. They also all show similar conventions, and as my film is also a thriller, I will need to develop these into my own work.
The first similarity that stood out to me was that all four posters, feature just one main character as the key picture. Which are all also dark and engaging, focusing on the characters facial expression, emotion or eyes. Creating a interesting and effective portrayal of their character or situation, for example the bottom left image reveals the character to be in despair or fear, hinting at the plot being in some way scary or dangerous for this character.
The second is that the name of the film, features as one of the main text's on the poster. And usually appear at the bottom of the poster. In a similar font colour to the image or theme of the poster. Conventional thriller colours appear to be black, dark greys, white, red and blue.
The third is the names of the actors featured and the release date. Typical conventions for all film posters. The names features mainly at the top, and also stood out. And the release date usually at the bottom, again standing out.
Effective tag lines are also used. For example on the top left poster, it features a tag line 'Adapt or die'. This is a strong indication to the genre and style of the film, being engaging to its target audience. Also revealing hints of the plot.
The final similarity featured within all four posters is the small print at the bottom of each one. Again a convention for most film posters. They usually feature any extra cast or crew they want to include or the production companies.

Below I have took my favourite poster of the four, and the one I feel is the most effective in portraying the genre and advertising the film, and analysed it. I have pulled apart all the effective techniques it uses and why this is effective.

After researching into initial existing film posters, then film posters of the 'thriller' genre I have now developed some strong ideas of what I want to do for my own and the knowledge of how to do it effectively. As I have worked in a group with my peer Abigail Stafford, we came up with the idea to create two complimentary posters for our film advertisement. This therefore lead me onto research into existing complementary film posters.

After researching into complimentary film posters, it soon became clear that it is an already used technique, especially within more modern times, as there is a growing range of media to advertise from. The poster idea has proves to be effective for many successful films including the ones I have shown above; Batman, Black Swan, Spiderman and Alice in Wonderland. I really like this idea and both myself and Abigail feel confident in doing this. We feel our styles can be portrayed through our posters, yet still complimenting each other to unite as one promotional campaign. After researching thoroughly into this, and concluding on a final design idea I now feel ready to begin the production of my film poster.