Poster Research

By Leah Chandler

Introduction & Contents • I have chosen the following option for my course work 1 x text poster, 2 x character posters

& 1 x double page article.• As a part of my pre-production I will be analysing key features of an array of text posters,

character posters and double page articles with aims of finding out key features, gaining ideas and

• The posters I have researched are all in some relation to the drama whether it is theme or genre. During conducting the research I considered genre, narrative and character types for my poster. I analysed key visual signifiers of each poster. I researched teaser movie posters as well as teaser TV drama posters as it as some movies related more to my genre and the genre I’m applying to the drama. When researching into TV drama posters I particularly focused on channel 4 posters

• The posters researched are the following ...Hackers – character poster The dirty little secrets- double page article

Utopia (channel 4)- Character posterThe promise (channel 4)- Character posterthe x files- text posterGracepoint- character posterThe teenagers- Double page article

Analysis of Hackers character poster

Type of shot /lightingTwo shots- Two of the main

characters are presented. Male and female closely positioned next to

each other suggests romantic entwinement. Low-key lighting is

used connotes mystery and that it is set during the night.

TypographyThe font used is a techno sc-fi type

of font. All the text is capitalized which attention gaining and

emphasis on what the text says. The color of the font is white which

heavily contrasts with the midnight colour palette primary used. White

connotes purity, innocence and creationism. The text appears

sporadically on the poster some of it is over the characters face

Colour palette Dark midnight colours

which connotes mystery the light looks unnatural

like it is created by a computer screen. Purple

connotes romance.

Intended audience Young people as it features two of the main characters being adolescences. It appeals to strugglers and reformers. Use and gratification to inform the viewer of when and where to watch and entertainment.

InstitutionThe poster tells the viewer the type of genre instantly that it is crime and sci-fi. It has quotes on it from the movie which implies the movie is about computerized-systems containing words such as ‘boot up’. The poster contains important information such as the main title of the film, who is staring in the

film and when the film is released.

Critical evaluationIn my personal opinion I feel this poster is a good poster as it contains all of the conventions needed of the poster and communicates effectively with the audience to where and when to watch the film and what the film is about.

Analysis of double page article ‘Dirty Little Secrets’

LayoutThere is one main image as the focus of this double page article. The title of the article is the biggest and positioned on the top left. Columns are used to display the lot of text. Slightly more text then images but appears as an equal proportion.

TypographyMany different fonts are used a more decorative and cursive font is used for the title which grabs the viewers attention. Hierarchy of text e.g. Content text is all the same size and colour, subtitles are the same colour and size. Certain bits of text such as subtitles are highlighted which grabs attention. Certain words are bold to entice the viewer. There is a quote featured to get the viewers attention “ I was tripping balls!” presents the article as provocative. Content text is easy to read

Colour paletteSimple midnight colour scheme is used. Black/dark purple is used in the background with white contrasting text. Red is used as subheading of text. Red connotes passion. Red with the lilac colour is very complementary and stimulating to the eyes. Colour palette matches the clothing of the main focuses. The lighting of the photos is balanced.

Type of shots/lightingDifferent types of shots are featured throughout such as medium shots and group shots. E ye-level angle used.Greyscale and one main photo in auto colour photos are used. The greyscale photos all the big main auto colour photo to be the focus. Picture is breaking the forth wall making direct eye contact to the viewer. Directly addresses and entices the reader.

Critical analysisI think this is a great example of a magazine article as it is easy to read, has a ‘fun’ layout, stimulating colour scheme and it gets attention. I believe it appeals to many audiences but certainly teenagers. I would apply some features from hear onto my own double page such as the columnisation.

Analysis of Utopia character poster Type of shot

Shows a eyelevel medium/full shot of the main protagonist which

shows his body language presents him as a uncertain character.

There is a cartoon of a series of characters featured running away from the character at the top full body sots of them which makes

the user think.

Colour paletteYellow is one of the main colours used throughout the poster (the background and protagonist costume). Yellow is an attention-gaining and provocative colour. Yellow connotes happiness and joy.Graphical features

The background is pure yellow and graphically inserted. Part of

the picture features cartoon characters which are graphically

Doesn’t connote locationFacial expression of character

looks insane/confused. It is thought provoking. Channel four

logo is present tells the viewer where to watch the drama. It

blends into the poster.

Typography There is certain text involved in a clear readable font stating the name of the drama and a short description and when to watch. The way the text is presented is iconic to channel 4 posters appearing on the bottom. It is highlighted black and the text is right which contrasts and draws attention.

Critical analysis Personally this poster confuses me

and I wouldn’t imply many of the features it doesn’t give much indicate to themes, character

types and what it is about. However there are certain

features I will include such as the channel 4 logo an d the way

channel four presents the typography.

Intended audience The intended audience is young adults as it is obvious it is about

certain subjects and there re indications of drugs and mental

health involvement. There is indication of comedy as well.

Analysis of The Promise character poster

Type of shot Two shots of the main characters faces close up. Two of the main characters are presented. Male and female suggests romantic entwinement. Low-key lighting is used which connotes mystery.

TypographyClear text featured on the bottom with a white highlight and black text which contrasts and draws attention to the text t the user and is clear to read. Reasonably sized and doesn’t cover up the main images.

Colour paletteA sepia type colour scheme is used which

indicates that is set in an olden time. Which indicates the drama could have a

historical genre.

Graphical featuresContains many graphical features such

as how the faces blend in with an establishing aerial shot of England

which indicates it is British-based

Critical analysisI like the graphical side of this poster how it has merged and built up the character close ups with an establishing shot as it gives many indications to the genre. The visual signifiers of it indicates what it is about that it is set pre-historically and war based.

Visual signifiersThe costume of the main characters the male

is wearing a costume that is typical to a soldier which indicates it is about war. The facial

expression of the characters connote sadness and confusion. Setting is great Britain.

Analysis of The X Files text poster Colour paletteA greyscale colour scheme is greyscale colours which is simple and easy to look at. Indicates the drama is about serious topics and aimed at an older audience. Black connotes negative emotions, death and professionalism. White connotes purity and innocence. The white is peaking in the middle of the screen. By mixing black and white it indicates that one of the concepts behind the drama could be good vs. Evil.

Typography The text is gradient of black and white it is white when it is darkened background and black in a white background which makes it clear to read. The font used is a typewriter font which connotes how serious it is. The x is in a circle. The circle connotes polysemic symbolism which means it means multiple things the circle around the x outlines the importance of the letter separating it from the other letters.

Critical analysisOverall I think this is a good text poster as it makes the viewer of the poster think however it indicates very little of the genre.

Insinuation This text poster tells the reader very little about the genre

other than the fact of how serious it is and how it is aimed at an older more serious audience.

Analysis of double page article ‘The Teenagers’LayoutHas one main big feature image which takes over the left side. Shapes are used throughout such as explosion multipoint stars. Columns are used to order text. Images have captions. In the middle there is a quote. Boxes are used to outline different bits of information.

TypographyHandwriting/cursive font is used makes it feel very informal and

welcoming. A clear font/stencil font which has a teenage feel. Text is outlined in blue and either black o white. Hierarchy of text is used. Title is in the largest font which draws attention. Content

text is a readable size. White text is used on dark backgrounds and dark text is used on white backgrounds.

Types of imagesDifferent types of images are present such as full body shots, high angled shots and medium shots. The main shot shows the teenagers looking careless which connotes the character type of them and the rock star esque type attitude. The lighting looks natural and daylight.

Colour paletteBright exciting colours are used. Bright blue is one of the main colours which is very attention getting colour and masculine. The main colours used are blue, black and white which is a very simple and effective.

Intended audienceThe intended

audience of the double page spread

is teenagers particularly music-

listening teenagers. The double page

spread has a masculine feel

towards it so possibly aimed at males.

Uses and gratification of entertainment.

People who might take an oppositional

viewing to this is feminists as

pornographic images of girls are present on the wall behind

the teenagers.

Analysis of Gracepoint posterType of shot

There are two types of shots merged together. The first shot is of a male three

point body shot created into a silhouette. The

silhouette is filled with a wide shot showing two characters walking on a

beach.

TypographyA clear and readableMain title is largest and white. Whiteness grabs viewing attention. ‘small town. Big secrets’ indicates mystery and has an enigmatic effect on viewer.

Critical evaluationIn my personal opinion I think this is a good poster for a TV Drama as it makes the viewer think It gives away a little narrative and genre. It is aimed at gene.

Colour paletteDull and natural colours are used

which give it a more mature look. It

makes it aimed at an older audience.

Visual signifiersCostume of main characters

present them as formal wearing suits gives the

viewer a hint of the professions held they look

like detectives doing detective work. Setting is

one a beach of some sorts exterior.

Conclusion • I have learned the key conventions between double page spreads such as featuring a

large main image, quotes, highlighted text, overlapped shaped, multiple images, columns to organize text, the text is justified and hierarchy of text (applying certain colours to certain text levels). It helped me come up with ideas to what I need to include in the double page spread. I could include things such as interviews, viewing information and conceptual ideas. I could also add visual things to entice the user such as a simple colour scheme, making certain words bold to add emphasis.

• For character posters I’ve learned about the different shots that can be taken to display the characters such as a two shot, close up and full body shot. Since my TV drama is channel 4 based I will use channel 4’s style of presenting text and logo onto the poster. I will add graphical features into my poster that I’ve learned from the posters I’ve viewed such as The Promise and Gracepoint.

• Typography has been one of the main features throughout which helped me gain insight to features of my text poster. Font is very important on a text poster as well as positioning of the text and colours used.

Image credit• Gracepoint http://

tennantnews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/video-new-gracepoint-poster-david.html

• The teenagers http://laurenwhelan41dotcom.wordpress.com/initial-research-into-mixed-genre-double-page-spreads/

• The x files http://www.kaileyck.com/ds106/minimalist-movie-poster/

• The promise http://josephernst.com/the_promise.htm • Hackers http://

www.moviepostershop.com/hackers-movie-poster-1995 • Dirty little secrets

https://prezi.com/uy0izf_n24tw/double-page-spread-analysis/ • Utopia http://collider.com/david-fincher-gillian-flynn-utopia-hbo/