Film Posters
Film Poster Conventions:
Film posters are a form of promotion for the film. Because the poster is a physical thing, it can promote the film in several different places, i.e. at bus stops, billboards, buses, and at the cinema. The aim of a poster is to catch peoples eye, and make them interested, and thus encourage them to watch the film. There are many conventions to a film poster. You have:
Image:
There is always a
main image on a film poster, which is what
catches the audiences attention. They can be of a single image of the main character, one with the main cast, one with the shot from the film and finally one with iconography to reveal the genre of film. If the image is a central shot of the main character, it will automatically let the audience know that this is a character of significance. i.e. the protagonist or the antagonist. From the image on the poster you can see what genre the film is. i.e. the second 'The Hobbit' poster is the image of all the Dwarves in the film, and from this the audience can tell the film is a fantasy film. Also from the colouring of the poster the audience will be able to tell the genre of the film. For example with the first 'The Hobbit' poster, its bright, and in the background you can see the rolling hills of the shire. Someone who is familiar with 'The Hobbit' novel will be able to tell automatically that the film is fantasy, and even someone who isn't familiar can see from image itself that the film is fantasy.
Title:
Film posters almost always have the title of the film on it.
Teaser Trailers are the exceptions. They often come with a
tag line, and are mainly used with well known films. There is a risk that if it was a less known film audiences wouldn't know what film was being advertised. The
Tag Lineof a film can connect the film to the audience, and can emphasise what the film is about. They are memorable to the audience, so when they think of the tag line they will think of the film. Posters also advertise the
director, actors and producers this is another key element which will help to sell the film. With 'The Hobbit' it was directed by Peter Jackson. Peter Jackson is associated with the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy; and because LOTR's was so successful because Peter Jackson directed it, promoting that he had directed The Hobbit would make audiences want to see it. Specifically on The Hobbit posters it says 'From The Director of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy'. By using the word 'experience' gives the connotation that the film is going to be absorbing and is going to be a film that the audience needs to watch. The list of actors is usually at the top of the poster or located at the bottom; The use of a well known actor is important when promoting a film, because it will spur the audience to go and see the film. Also by saying if an actor is an award winner or nominee will help encourage the audience to see the film, as the actors talent has been recognised, and it indicates that the actor will give a good performance. The
date of release is very important when it comes to a film poster. It tells the audience when the film is going to be released in cinemas. When it's a teaser trailer, the poster will often come with
coming soon. On both The Hobbit posters, the date is mentioned and in a place where the audience will see it, and because it's in main focus gives the connotation that the date is important. More often than not there is the
small print at the bottom of the poster, with the information about the: director, actors, producer, production company, soundtrack, screenplay, a link to the website,
rating, and images of the production company. That print is small so it doesn't take the attention away from the main image of the poster. The
rating is an important part of a film poster, as it lets the audience know if they can see the film. Depending on where the film poster is released will vary on what the rating says. If released in UK the rating can vary from PG, 12, 15 and 18, but if the poster is released in America there rating system is different, with things like PG-13 and R, and with the addition of mentioning what the film contains i.e. Strong Language, Drug Use and Violence.
Film Trailers
Film trailers all follow the same general codes and conventions. They all start with:
Production Logos:
The majority of film trailers start with the production companies logo. Featuring this logo can often help the film trailer as if previous films produced by the company were good, it would encourage the audience to see this film. It also helps give an idea of what type of film they are advertising, i.e. if you see the Film4 logo at the start of the trailer it tells you the film is probably going to be British.
Film Title:
The film title is in every film trailer, and is featured at the end of the trailer, so you remember the title of the film. The
font, colouring, and
backdrop also gives a hint of what genre the film will be.
Rating:
Depending on when the trailer is released will depend on whether or not a rating has been shown. If it is a teaser trailer, instead of a rating it will simply say TBC, which means the film hasn't been rated. This is
common to the way the film posters have their rating systems advertised. Also through the rating of the film, the audience can guess what type of film / genre is being advertised to them; For example if the film is rated 15+, there will be a higher level of strong language, violence, sexual scenes, and possibly drug use.
The use of
Social Media:
The use of Hashtags, Website URLs and Facebook pages are becoming increasingly more popular when it comes to the advertising of a film. It is now usual to see at the end of a film trailer #........, and whatever the film is called. This is a great and free way to promote the film, because if Twitter users see the film trailer and enjoy they can use the hashtag to express their views, and see if other people thought the same. Also by the use of social media sites means that people from all over the world can see and become interested in the film.
You also get things like
the introduction of characters. It gives the audience a chance to see what actors are in the film, and if there is an actor they like they will come and see it. The Hobbit trailer itself introduces each of the 13 Dwarves, which matches its poster. The trailer also gives a
brief outline of the story line. By doing this it allows the audience to see what
genre the film is,
what the story is about, and whether it appeals to them. It is often the best clips from the film put in a trailer, whether its scenes with the most action, or suspense; to again encourage the audience to come and watch it. There is also
background music playing over the trailer. Depending on whats happening in the scene, i.e. an action fight scene, it will help create anticipation, sets the pace, and helps create the atmosphere that is trying to be set. The background music can also help to promote the film. For example with the second Hobbit film 'The Desolation of Smaug' Ed Sheeran released the song 'I See Fire' which was played during the end credits. By writing this song, Ed Sheeran helps promote the films release and the film helps promote the song as its played during the end of it. What makes the song more successful, is that it contains quotes directly from the film itself. Also the song in the first trailer, is one that was written in the original novel, thus helping to appeal to those who had read the book, to come and see the film.
Like the film posters, the film trailers displays names like:
actors, directors and producers. But only the director was hinted at / mentioned during The Hobbit trailers.
For such a big fandom that The Hobbit holds, the release date is very important as a lot of people will be anticipating it. First it was released that the film was coming out in December, and then with a specific day in December. The specific date is usually released a few weeks before the films release giving the big audience time to see it.
Movie Magazine and DVD Front Cover:
