Film Poster Terminology and Features

Main ImageThis image is the focus of the poster

Secondary ImageThis will reveal certain things about the film such as the setting or any extra characters

TitleThis is the name of the film

Intertextual referencesThis links in with other media forms e.g.. Social media

TaglineA short sentence which reveals a small part of the film.

BillingThe names of the main people that were involved in the film in some way, be it actors, directors, producers etc.

Company LogoThe people involved in the production of the film

Colour Palette Image may have been manipulated to have a certain tone or shade to it.

CreditsA list of people involved in the film.

Main Image

The main image in this instance is Leonardo DiCaprio's face up close while he is holding a match to reveal his face more. This main image will draw in an audience as he is a very famous actor and people who like his previous work will be interested into watching this. The match works well as it connotes mystery and also danger which is both included in the film.

Secondary Image

The secondary image in this reveals where the film is set which in this film is shutter island. Islands will make the audience feel like there is little or no escape , it has a Guantanamo bay feel to it. The island is black and white and has a sinister look to it which adds mystery to accompany the main image.

Title

The title of this film is placed just under the image of the island which is called shutter island so it explains where the film is set through the title of the film. The colours used are orange and a darker shade of orange which makes it looks like flames which will connote danger for the main character because of the way it is organised.

Tagline.

The tagline is used to draw attention of the reader and it will make them anticipate the film, it is a small bit of information that will give away a small part of the film or the general plot without giving away too much information. The tagline ‘Someone is missing’ has a sense of enigma which will leave the audience asking questions and will then attract them to watch the film to find out who is missing and what happens in the film.

Billing

The billing is the important people who were involved in some way such as the directors/ producers etc. in this poster it has Leonardo DiCaprio just above the title which will draw attention to the film as he is a well liked actor and has a huge fan base.

Company Logo

The logo is very small and is on the bottom right hand corner next to the billing. As it is small it isn't very important in attracting the audience but some may like the company and see the logo and may go see the film partly because of the company.

Credits

The credits on film posters are at the bottom of the poster and the font is slim and hard to read, this is because the information written is not important and will not increase interest in the film. This is also why they are placed right at the bottom of the poster.

Colour palette

The colour palette on this poster in mostly dark and the only colours used are oranges which connote danger. This tells the audience that the film is not an upbeat film and it also shows mystery as it is dark and can hide things.

Intertextual References.

When the companies add an intertextual reference it gives the film an opportunity to be spread all over social media to increase attention a lot, as this film was made before twitter and facebook it doesn’t have those references but it does has a website where there will be things such as forums and exclusive interviews.