Film Poster Research- Imogen Salmon

Brighton Rock

Representation

• Low-key lighting is used on the characters faces, this is particularly noticeable on the man's face, with half of his face shadowed. This suggests that he is perhaps a noticeably darker, more sinister character. Also his posture standing upright, looking directly into the camera, tilting his head slightly downwards, suggest he is looking down at others, he strives for authority. He is standing in the middle and in front of the other female characters, suggesting they have a lesser role, following traditional views of male dominance, showing a contrast between masculinity and femininity in the 60s when gender equality was continuing to thrive.
• The characters are positioned alongside one another, suggesting there are relationships between them, they are all in formal wear, therefore signifying their relationship may be formal only (for work). This is particularly with the older woman character, as she is buttoned up, as if she wouldn't open up to the other younger characters.

  

  Example of low key lighting.

• However the young man and woman both have unbuttoned coat, this may be a signifier that they could have a more personal relationship, or simply that they follow the fashion for the young, in this 60's era having buttons undone, a particular type of shirt and coat collars up. The dark clothing and upturned collar on the man also suggest his 'dark side' as this is often a signifier for a man involved in conflict, and it is a symbol for status, also known to look 'shifty' as if trying to cover their face, perhaps involved in crime. 
• The way the middle-aged woman has her arms positioned as if she is moving suggests she is a hand's on character, she appears independent, wearing a bright red coat and matching lipstick, looking ahead, but not directly at the camera. Appearing to be a good character, perhaps the problem solver, as her facial expression suggests she is worried, frowning.  
• The young woman on the right is looking across at the other characters, she is looking over as if in jealousy or just in a nervous position. She is also positioned slightly cut out of the frame, suggesting she is submissive to the characters beside her. 

Example of an upturned collar.

Narrative

•   Elements of good vs. evil following Levi Straus's binary oppositions theory, with opposites of lighting, both genders and colour vs. darkness is used, conflicts between these elements suggest crime will be a prime factor of the films plot.
• The background image of the pier is positioned in a canted shot, this suggests the setting of the film is one of uncertainty, it is not straightforward, it's a place of crime.This is enforced with the time of day being at night (when most crime and dark happenings occur), dark clouds above the image of the pier signify a storm, as if it is yet to occur in the film and is brewing at this moment in time.
• Also the well known history of Brighton seafront during the 60s suggests what the plot of the film may involve. There was a significant rise in youth gangs in this era, with a high crime rate and drugs being a prevalent problem, the seaside city was one of poverty and crime.

Genre 

• The text 'Thrilling' alone indicates immediately alone without the image that the genre is a thriller.
• The image with the lighting and stern facial expressions of the characters as mentioned earlier also suggest this genre.

Audience 

• Using a character played by Helen Mirren, an extremely well known british actress, who has won a range of awards such as 4 BAFTA's and an academey award for best actress would attract another whole audience, perhaps fans and those interested in her work. 
• Also using the text 'from the producer of Atonment and Eastern Promises' suggests this film is going to be as good and as big as these films, with the same quality producer. This will attract the audience who enjoyed both Atonment and Eastern Promises. 
•  Reviews from 'The Times', 'The Guardian', 'The Daily Mail' etc all suggest the target audience, suggesting readers of the newspapers should watch the film, middle class, well educated adults.
  

Media Language 

• The text is written in a sans serif font, across the poster the text is made simple and clear to read, also written formally, suggesting its older audience. It is displayed around the main image of the characters and above the pier. This positions the text against the dark background of the clouds.

Dead Man's Shoes

Genre

• The text including words such as 'disturbing', 'gripping' and 'thought provoking' suggest the genre of a psychological thriller, the thriller element being disturbing, as they often involve death, crime and gore, and the psychological element relating to mental factors making it thought provoking.
• The title 'Dead Man's Shoes', suggests there is death in the film, this is reinforced by the image of a man/two men (as it is unclear if they are the same person) with various propps which indicate violence, an axe and a gun.
• The colour scheme using red, black and white is simple and effective, the colour red connoting blood, death and danger, against black signifying the darkness.

Narrative

• A journey is suggested by the background of a man mid-stride looking forward as if he is heading somewhere, on the horizon there is simply the outline of trees and no other sign of a human, it is a rural setting.
• A murder is suggested through the propps of weapons, these are made prominant by having a background of red against both weapons of a gun and an axe, making them stand out, suggesting this is significant to the film and there is violence. These weapons suggest action, following Roland Barthes action code.
• The main image is the silhouette of a male character holding an axe, his identity is not shown, perhaps this being a element of the film, remaining a mystery to who he is.
  

Representation

• Masculinity is represented, using weapons, and the clothing the men are wearing, trousers and a jacket, also the rural setting walking/ standing alone shows independence, a common trait in masculine characters.

Audience

• The audience is suggested by the genre of the film being a thriller, the audience is likely to be those who enjoy this genre, and over the age of 15 due to the age rating, it is likely to attract the male audience due to the character profiles, weapons and gore suggested.
• The text 'A Film by Shane Meadows' is written in a different, handwritten font this stands out from the other text, to attract the audience who like Shane Meadows' other work.  

Media Language

• The low angle of the main image of the man, suggests he is authoritative, standing over the camera, however his hand is held out in front of him, as if to help someone, this may suggest that the character is not all bad.
• The font sans serif, displayed boldly across the poster, slanting upwards, again suggesting a journey, perhaps moving on from an event.

The Imposter

Narrative

•  The framing of a corridor opening to what appears to be an airport due to the 'Flight Information sign' suggests there will be a journey in the film, he is travelling somewhere, the rucksack also suggests this.
• The dark image in the foreground, with low key lighting, and a mysterious figure contrasts to the background image of figures facing forward in high key lighting, perhaps representing normality and how this mysterious character is darker than this, and disrupts this perceived equilibrium of normality.

 

Representation

• His costume, wearing a hoody (hood up) and a rucksack, suggest he is a youth. 
• Identity appears to be a common theme among the poster, the way the character is positioned away from the camera suggests his identity may be kept hidden, or uncertain. This creates enigma immediately to the audience, following Roland Barthes enigma code.
• This is supported by the title 'The Imposter', an imposter is a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, and the hooded figure is clearly hiding his identity in this image, proposing he is the imposter.  
• Also the fact his hood is up, suggests he is hiding his identity to others too.
• The outline of people in the background facing towards him, suggests he is being looked at, an odd one out?

Audience

• The audience is likely to be those interested in watching a serious film, documenting a real-life occurence, therefore this is likely to be a mature audience of 18+.
•  There is an award displayed on the poster from Sundance Film Festival, this festival supports independent film artists to be recognised, therefore those interested in independent film companies would be attracted to watch this film, through displaying this.

Media Language

• Using one main image with the a character positioned centrally taking up the majority of the poster, suggest he is the main character in the film.  
• He is in focus and the background is not, suggesting his importance.
• The white text is positioned around the image against a dark background, both making it clear and the image more prominent.  

Genre

• The colours used, with dark colours in the foreground and light in the background suggest a conflict between good and evil perhaps, using Levi Strauss' binary opposites. 
• The title font has text written vertically on it suggesting it is a secret code, this is a common connotation of thrillers, relating to enigma codes.
• The font is sans serif, suggests it is a serious film, this signifies the documentary element of the film.
• The tagline relating to deception follows the common theme of conflict, this occurs in films involving crime.