Textual Analysis of a scary movie poster
The main image used may have been used to represent the victim (last girl theory) or may have been used to represent the killer(s). What makes the main image even more of a mystery is the fact that we are not able to see an image of the face. In my opinion it is blatantly obviously that the image used is of a woman – we can tell this by the structure of the body and the hair length. The female is pressed against the glass which connotes her being locked outside – needing to get inside for survival or she wants to get inside in order to murder the people inside the house, this also helps to add emphasis on the title ‘the uninvited’
The title is written in white writing, the font appears to be condensed against the glass windows and looks like its sliding diagonally to the bottom left of the page. Unlike most movie titles/heading the writing doesn’t exactly STAND OUT and grabs your attention. It is possible this was done purposely so that potential audience members will be pay more attention on other details (the main image, colour scheme etc). Also no capitals letters have been used in the title, this also adds to the idea that in this case the heading of the movie is the least important. The font used for the title seems ‘weak’ which can also be used to describe the body language of the main imagine pressed against the glass.
The colour scheme of the poster creates a dull and life-less atmosphere which adds to the ‘scary movie’ theme. It connotes the feeling of loneliness and isolation. The colours chosen are another signal of the horror genre to the target audience because they are very dark and gloomy colours. The poster consists of three colours but different shades; white, grey and black. The background of the poster is misty white and grey and the setting appears to be in a forest/woods, it also appears to be winter because the trees are bare. It also helps to give guidance to the audience that the film will be based on these themes (loneliness, isolation, mystery etc…)
The use of the tagline in the middle of the poster is intended to arouse audience curiosity and to give them an idea of the story before they actually see it. The benefit of having the date in bold at the bottom means that the audience will know when it comes out and therefore they won’t miss their chance to see it. In most movie posters, the tagline is placed underneath the title so is the second thing the target audience reads, but in this case the tagline is above the movie title and has been placed in the centre of the poster which connotes its importance. In this very case the tagline may be more important than the movie title, hence the reason for this. The text also fits in with the white grey and black colour scheme.
At the very bottom of the poster, on the left hand side shows that the movie was due for release in January. You could say that this poster aimed to tease its audience and keep them on the edge by not giving a specific release date for the film. This tactic of teasing the audience captures their interests and curiosity in the film from an early stage and also helps to involve them in the distribution process as they are forced to continue looking for a specific release date.
The title is written in white writing, the font appears to be condensed against the glass windows and looks like its sliding diagonally to the bottom left of the page. Unlike most movie titles/heading the writing doesn’t exactly STAND OUT and grabs your attention. It is possible this was done purposely so that potential audience members will be pay more attention on other details (the main image, colour scheme etc). Also no capitals letters have been used in the title, this also adds to the idea that in this case the heading of the movie is the least important. The font used for the title seems ‘weak’ which can also be used to describe the body language of the main imagine pressed against the glass.
The colour scheme of the poster creates a dull and life-less atmosphere which adds to the ‘scary movie’ theme. It connotes the feeling of loneliness and isolation. The colours chosen are another signal of the horror genre to the target audience because they are very dark and gloomy colours. The poster consists of three colours but different shades; white, grey and black. The background of the poster is misty white and grey and the setting appears to be in a forest/woods, it also appears to be winter because the trees are bare. It also helps to give guidance to the audience that the film will be based on these themes (loneliness, isolation, mystery etc…)
The use of the tagline in the middle of the poster is intended to arouse audience curiosity and to give them an idea of the story before they actually see it. The benefit of having the date in bold at the bottom means that the audience will know when it comes out and therefore they won’t miss their chance to see it. In most movie posters, the tagline is placed underneath the title so is the second thing the target audience reads, but in this case the tagline is above the movie title and has been placed in the centre of the poster which connotes its importance. In this very case the tagline may be more important than the movie title, hence the reason for this. The text also fits in with the white grey and black colour scheme.
At the very bottom of the poster, on the left hand side shows that the movie was due for release in January. You could say that this poster aimed to tease its audience and keep them on the edge by not giving a specific release date for the film. This tactic of teasing the audience captures their interests and curiosity in the film from an early stage and also helps to involve them in the distribution process as they are forced to continue looking for a specific release date.
Textual Analysis of a Movie Front Page Cover
The website of the magazine (empireonline.com) is included underneath the magazine’s masthead. This is included so that the audience can find out more information about the company or about a particular article released; this would also be a good reason as to why the date and issue number located on top of the letter ‘M’ in the masthead is printed on the front cover of the magazine. Also if someone new perhaps wants to subscribe to the magazine they may used the wed address provided on the magazine to find out whether the magazine company is reputable. Also, including the date, issue number, price and web address makes overall makes the magazine look professional.
The release date, issue number, price of magazine and web address are all placed around the masthead but in much, much smaller font than the masthead. This is done so they do no obstruct or steal focus away from the masthead and main image. Usually they are the last things that the target audience realise on the magazine, which is what intended because the main image and masthead are supposed to grab the interest of the target audience firstly. The price in the final piece of information they look at but at this point they are so engaged in the magazine they are willing to pay £3.80 for the magazine.
The barcode is positioned in a traditional style. It is placed in a vertical fashion on the bottom left of the magazine, this is also done to so it does not obstruct or steal focus away fro the main image or anything as important. Majority of the time the barcode the barcode is necessary for the sale of the magazine and therefore it is a requirement which helps to promote its professionalism.
The menu strip placed at the bottom of the magazine front cover gives the audience some sort of guidance as to what they can expect to read in the magazine. The names/topics have been carefully selected and only the most appealing features of the magazine’s content make it onto the front cover. In this example, the menu strip a very well known producer and director has been used, this will help to appeal to a wide range audience that familiarize with him.
The main image used corresponds with the cover line used ‘You and who’s Golden Army? – Hell Boy 2’. This makes the magazine the magazine look more professional because everything is related which makes it easier for the target audience to read, understand and familiarize with. The person featured in the main picture is also the main character in ‘Hell Boy’ (the film being advertised) which helps to attract the audience because it indicates that the feature is about the film and the role the actor is playing and not about the life of the individual.
The main feature of the magazine is the main image of ‘Hell Boy’. The main picture is very bright and colour and this helps it to stand out. The main image is red and the background of the magazine is black which is another factor that helps it STAND OUT and grab readers’ attention. Using the tactic of a dark background and bright image gives a 3D illusion which would help to appeal to the target audience. Furthermore, the character is in front of the masthead which gives him importance over anything else on the entire magazine front cover. This also helps to indicate that the magazine is so well known that they do not feel the need to make their name more noticeable than anything on the cover.
The release date, issue number, price of magazine and web address are all placed around the masthead but in much, much smaller font than the masthead. This is done so they do no obstruct or steal focus away from the masthead and main image. Usually they are the last things that the target audience realise on the magazine, which is what intended because the main image and masthead are supposed to grab the interest of the target audience firstly. The price in the final piece of information they look at but at this point they are so engaged in the magazine they are willing to pay £3.80 for the magazine.
The barcode is positioned in a traditional style. It is placed in a vertical fashion on the bottom left of the magazine, this is also done to so it does not obstruct or steal focus away fro the main image or anything as important. Majority of the time the barcode the barcode is necessary for the sale of the magazine and therefore it is a requirement which helps to promote its professionalism.
The menu strip placed at the bottom of the magazine front cover gives the audience some sort of guidance as to what they can expect to read in the magazine. The names/topics have been carefully selected and only the most appealing features of the magazine’s content make it onto the front cover. In this example, the menu strip a very well known producer and director has been used, this will help to appeal to a wide range audience that familiarize with him.
The main image used corresponds with the cover line used ‘You and who’s Golden Army? – Hell Boy 2’. This makes the magazine the magazine look more professional because everything is related which makes it easier for the target audience to read, understand and familiarize with. The person featured in the main picture is also the main character in ‘Hell Boy’ (the film being advertised) which helps to attract the audience because it indicates that the feature is about the film and the role the actor is playing and not about the life of the individual.
The main feature of the magazine is the main image of ‘Hell Boy’. The main picture is very bright and colour and this helps it to stand out. The main image is red and the background of the magazine is black which is another factor that helps it STAND OUT and grab readers’ attention. Using the tactic of a dark background and bright image gives a 3D illusion which would help to appeal to the target audience. Furthermore, the character is in front of the masthead which gives him importance over anything else on the entire magazine front cover. This also helps to indicate that the magazine is so well known that they do not feel the need to make their name more noticeable than anything on the cover.
Textual Analysis of Teaser Trailer
FINAL DESTINATION 5 - (Running time 2:09)
I have chosen the film 'Final Destination 5' to analyse as my movie teaser trailer (2011) The movie features several charatcers and there is not a specific ain character, some role are just featured more than others. Throughout this trailer there are many different camera shots and camera angles, there are many close-up shots and this allows the audience to see the fear on the woman’s face as she becomes more panicky and fearful. There are also many quick cuts in the trailer, this helps to emphasize on the pace of the trailer. In the beginning of the trailer the atmosphere is calm and as the trailer goes on the peace speeds up, getting faster and faster as a result of this is creates an excited but yet tense atmosphere. This will attract and appeal the target audience because they would want to know what is going to happen next. Changing the pace in a teaser trailer is very important because it helps grip the audience, also the teaser trailer is one of the most influential way of marketing so it needs to be exciting to make people want to come and watch it in the cinema once the film is released.
The use of inter-titles is used for this trailer to give the target audience general knowledge of what is going to happen and also provides them with hints and clues as to what is going to happen next. As it says ‘The rules have changed’. Which tell the audience that unlike all the other final destination films, this one has a certain twist and is going to either change something that all the other films have in common or add something completely new to it.
I have chosen the film 'Final Destination 5' to analyse as my movie teaser trailer (2011) The movie features several charatcers and there is not a specific ain character, some role are just featured more than others. Throughout this trailer there are many different camera shots and camera angles, there are many close-up shots and this allows the audience to see the fear on the woman’s face as she becomes more panicky and fearful. There are also many quick cuts in the trailer, this helps to emphasize on the pace of the trailer. In the beginning of the trailer the atmosphere is calm and as the trailer goes on the peace speeds up, getting faster and faster as a result of this is creates an excited but yet tense atmosphere. This will attract and appeal the target audience because they would want to know what is going to happen next. Changing the pace in a teaser trailer is very important because it helps grip the audience, also the teaser trailer is one of the most influential way of marketing so it needs to be exciting to make people want to come and watch it in the cinema once the film is released.
The use of inter-titles is used for this trailer to give the target audience general knowledge of what is going to happen and also provides them with hints and clues as to what is going to happen next. As it says ‘The rules have changed’. Which tell the audience that unlike all the other final destination films, this one has a certain twist and is going to either change something that all the other films have in common or add something completely new to it.