Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis (Genre Specific Dark Fantasy 2)

I have decided to look at multiple posters for this film to enable me to see the different techniques employed to convey similar messages, and communicate the essence of the film. All images retrieved from IMDB.

Institutional Information
Horns (2013) is a dark fantasy horror film directed by Alexandre Aja, loosely based on a novel written by Joe Hill. The production companies involved were Red Granite Pictures and Mandalay Pictures. It is distributed by Dimension Films and RADiUS-TWC. It was first released on 6 September 2013 as part of the  2013 Toronto International Film Festival, before being released theatrically in the United States on 31st October 2013. The film made $3.9 million.

Synopsis
Following the death of his girlfriend, a young man awakens to find that he has devil horns sprouting from his temples.

Poster 1

This first poster uses softer tones to make the red stand out more, emphasising the devilish qualities of the main character. Green connotes nature and jealousy, linking to the rage the main character experiences after finding out he is being blamed for the untimely death of his girlfriend. The image also has religious connotations. The green links to the Garden of Eden. This association is substantiated by the snake, who in the Bible tempts Adam and Eve to eat the fruit they have been told not to consume them. Therefore it connects to the wider theme of good and evil.
The character's prominence in the narrative is shown by the close up of his face, as it immediately engages the audience. This strength and prominence is contrasted by the girl, who looks lifeless and weak, but innocent and peaceful. One character being positioned above the titles and the other below could be a reference to heaven and hell.
This links to the strap line, "love hurts like hell". Red also signifies love, as well as the danger that their relationship encounters. The colour of the typography (off white) could refer to how the protagonist's innocence and reputation has been stained, constructing him to be an anti hero.
With regards to the star system, Daniel Radcliffe's name is included as he is a well-renowned actor, best known for the titular role in the Harry Potter franchise. Hence he could influence whether the public go to see the film. However the promoting of him is softer, with his name in typography only slightly larger than the strap line, in keeping with the rest of the poster.

Poster 2

Poster 3

Posters 2 and 3 are predominantly grey. This is more conventional of horror and dark fantasy than the
first; it has connotations of unhappiness, ambiguity and darkness. The grey also emphasises the brighter colours, such as red (in both) and white (in Poster 2). The mix of white and red could refer to how a man who insists he is innocent has been labelled as guilty.
The typography in these posters are also what you'd expect from a horror film, especially the title. This is because the the font is more hectic; there is nothing neat about it. Stereotypically it is the type of writing that evil and extra terrestrial forces have. There is something other worldly about it which links to how fantasy films merge together aspects of reality and the imaginary. The second poster is the only one of the three to allow us to see the female character (presumably his girlfriend) properly. She is holding on to him. This could communicate both the tender nature of their love, and the fact that she is dominant in his life, almost pulling him backwards and pushing him over the edge (as does the blame he receives for her death).

All of the posters use direct address to hook the audience in and make the poster more eye catching and display the protagonist's powerful stature. The third poster definitely gives a more magnified view of his face, allowing us to see the anger in his eyes (usually red eyes are associated with possession). The monochrome colour of the rest of the poster makes this stand out further.
Religious references are furthered in this poster (Garden of Eden is mentioned in Poster 1) by the positioning of the text to make a crucifix shape. The text about "the devil" both subverts and substantiates the idea of religion. In folklore, devils have possessed "bad" people. However, a lot of the time (but not always) religions emphasise being morally aware and innocent. 
The last two posters also promote Daniel Radcliffe more strikingly, it may be directed at a more targeted group of people and possibly be promoting the film in different countries. The last two also advertise the film as being based on the book by Joe Hill whereas the first one doesn't. The decision to omit this from the first poster could be fuelled by it being a teaser poster (inferred by "coming soon" - they usually have less information) or the fact that the shared frame of reference is missing from the first poster's audience.

Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis (Genre Specific Dark Fantasy 1)

Institutional Information
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) is a dark fantasy film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The production companies involved were Telecino Cinema, Estudios Picasso, Tequila Gang, Esperanto Filmoj and Sentenia Entertainment.  It stars Sergi López and Maribel Verdú. The film is distributed by Warner Bros Pictures. It was first released in Cannes on 27 May 2006 and had a budget of $19 million, taking $83.3 million at the box office.

Synopsis
Taking place in Spain, 1944, Ofelia and her mother arrive due to the posting of her mother's new partner, a horrible army officer who is trying to end a guerrilla uprising. During her exploration of an ancient maze, Ofelia meets the faun, who informs her that she is a legendary lost princess and must successfully complete three dangerous tasks in order to claim immortality.

Film Poster

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) theatrical release poster

Genre

The genre of the film is dark fantasy. This is suggested through many elements within the poster. For example, the setting uses trees which are conventional of the fantasy genre because of the way they are curved. However, it is made scarier by the use of the colour dark blue as it adds more ambiguity.

Image and Characterisation
The main image is of a young girl facing a maze or clearing, with lots of trees, so we can infer that it is some kind of forest. The imposing nature of the setting characterises the girl as helpless and vulnerable, she probably looks quite shocked. If this is the case, she becomes the archetypal victim. As we are unable to see her facial expression our impression is based on inference. There may be an element of inquisitiveness, and the audience will want her to succeed. If she becomes a victim in the narrative, she will most probably become an object of sympathy for the audience. There is also an obvious full moon at the top of the poster. Moons are symbolic of goddesses, deities and other fantastical characters, connecting to the genre. A full moon connotes monsters and werewolves. This means the inclusion of a moon in the poster relates to both the 'dark' and 'fantasy' elements of dark fantasy.

Mise en Scene - Symbolic Codes and Conventions
The predominant colour is dark blue. This connotes mystery and darkness, linking to the darker element of the genre. It is also associated with night time, linking to the pathetic fallacy employed in the poster. Another colour used is green. This is a colour frequently used in fantasy films as it connotes nature - often these films have external settings. The fact that the plants are dark green provide a sense of sinisterness, linking to the genre. Brown connotes the earth. This links to the fact that most fantastical characters and creatures stem from real life in order to create verisimilitude. 


Mise en Scene - Costume
There is only one costume in this poster - that of the young girl. She is wearing a dress which has connotations of being feminine; it constructs her as a stereotypical little girl. However, the dress she is wearing is not a gendered colour. For girls, it is stereotypically pink. This may suggest that she does not embody all the archetypal qualities of a little girl. Alternatively, her dress could have been chosen for her with the intention of making her blend in to her surroundings - it is a similar colour to the stone. This makes what is in front of her stand out to a passer by or audience, reinforcing her vulnerability. Her socks are white, which adheres to the traditional "school-girl" look. Furthermore, this substantiates the idea of her being innocent.

Star System
There is no traditional star system on this poster. This may be because the actors are not very well known, and therefore they won't necessarily influence whether someone goes to see the film. It is also a Spanish film and aimed at a British/American audience. Cast members who are well renowned in Spain may not be known to them. However, the name of the director is included which may persuade an audience as he is likely to be well respected.

Typography - Title
The typography of the title is stereotypical to the genre as it is a serif font and bold to emphasise its importance. The serif element links to "Ye Olde English" writing that fairy tales often use. It is also the same colour as the trees; it is intertwined. This helps make it appear more sinister.

Strap/Tag line
The strap/tag line is "Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine". This is written in slightly larger typography than the line which informs the audience of the director, so it stands out. This suggests that it is important. The theme of good and evil is frequently explored in dark fantasy films. It also hints at key parts of the narrative, such as Ofelia - good - having powers that the evil does not.

Other information

Towards the bottom of the poster, there is other information. The block of text that is more difficult to read usually lists the notable individuals and companies that are involved in the film, for example the editors and producers. These are obviously worthy of being on the poster, but are likely to make less difference to whether the audience see the film, so it is not written as clearly. The rating is more evident, it is also in this section of the poster. This is probably because it gives the audience an idea of the content, and whether they can see the film/who to take with them. The film is rated R, meaning restricted. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see an R rated. The awards won by the film are also featured, demonstrating to the audience that it is acclaimed, and worth going to see. It gained official selection for Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival (all 2006).
There is also a review featured; "...a fairytale for grown ups". This is evidence of the positive reception gained, perhaps it was chosen because it captures the essence of the film.

Evaluation
Overall it is an effective film poster as it encapsulates the main features of, and draws the audience towards the film.

Ancillary Product Research - Poster Analysis 3 (Fantasy/Drama)

White Bird in a Blizzard (2014) is a fantasy/drama film directed by Gregg Araki. It stars Shailene Woodley and Eva Green and Christopher Maloney. The film is based on Laura Kasischke's novel of the same name. The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January 2014, before being released in a limited number of theaters on 24 October 2014. It is an independent movie, produced by Why Not Productions, Desperate Pictures, Wild Bunch and Orange Studio. It is distributed by Bac Films and Magnolia Pictures, and took $378,300 at the box office.

Synopsis
17 year old Kat Connors initially embraces her freedom after her mother disappears without a trace. However, her mother's disappearance soon comes back to haunt her.

Film Poster

White Bird in a Blizzard - (2014) film poster

Type of Poster

This is a main theatrical release poster. This means that it reveals more to the audience, such as the cast members.

Genre

In this poster, there are no iconographical elements to suggest the genre of the film to the audience. This may be because the film seems to cross boundaries between the genre, it could be classified as fantasy, drama or thriller. There is no definitive answer. Alternatively, the director may have thought that making the genre obvious wasn't that important to the promotion of the film. However, there are some clues as to the genre.

Character Representation

There is a focal image which shows one character, suggesting their prominence in the narrative. The character is female, perhaps the director wanted to subvert the stereotype of pivotal or protagonist characters being male. The mode of address is not direct which suggests she is distant - perhaps referring to the disappearance of her mother. The reference to a "bird" in a blizzard is interesting - it suggests that she is calm and beautiful in comparison to the blizzard, yet also "flies away" from the problem and becomes distressed. This reflects how Kat gradually becomes unhappy and wants answers about her mother's disappearance.

Mise en Scene (Symbolic codes and conventions)
The dominant colour in this poster is blue. This connotes cold temperatures and sombre moods, reflecting the hard hitting element of the narrative. Alternatively, it suggests tranquility. Kat could signify the eye of the storm, or only constant in the situation. The white connotes snow and bitterness - again suggesting the sombre mood. White also intensifies colours such as red (which signifies blood and love). As a result, it could heighten the emotions and actions that occur in the film.
It is important to note that white connotes innocence and purity - though Kat remains young, her innocence is quickly diminishing as she discovers unsettling things about her mother's disappearance. It could also signify her naivety in being young, as well as initially being happy about her new found freedom. The silver colour could also be there to add a hint of glamour - showing that it's a movie and conforming to the positive stereotypes of the industry. Silver has connotations of being second - it could suggest that the personal development of Kat comes second to finding her mother. This is something which, unlike her mother, is very present in her life. On the other hand, it could be interpreted as grey. Grey is a colour which usually has negative connotations because it is suggestive of something being lifeless. This could link to how her Mother's disappearance has consumed Kat, as well as the unfortunate possibility of her mother being dead.
The colours used are very effective because they have symbolism and link to the genre. The lack of bright colour suggests that it is a sombre film, yet conveys powerful messages about the characters within the film. These are associated with the impact of a loved one disappearing.

Star System
The star system is visible on the left hand side of the poster. The names of cast members are written in the same typography, which is the same size. This does not favour one cast member in terms of them standing out, it suggests they are all fundamental to the film. However, Shailene Woodley is listed first, and appears on the poster. This could be because she portrays a main character. It also allows the audience to match up the name to a face, making it more effective, they can realise who is in the film. Shailene Woodley is a prolific actress, having starred in blockbuster films such as Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars, both of which were also released in 2014. The same can be said for Eva Green and Christopher Meloni, who have starred in Casino Royale (2006) and Man of Steel (2013) respectively. Having the well known stars listed first is a widely used tactic for promotional posters as they are most likely to catch the audience's eye and make them want to go and see it.
The use of the word "and" before the name of the last two listed cast members suggest they are supporting cast, who obviously cannot be forgotten but they have less of a dominant role in the film. They may also be less prolific in the acting industry. However, sometimes directors decide to save the most well known name until last to surprise the audience. Furthermore, the intended use of the word could be to show that those cast members aren't all the film has to make it sell and get a good reception, other people's acting is good, too.
The director Gregg Araki is also included in the star system. He is closest to the film title, which could reflect how it is "his" film. The use of the indefinite determiner "a" suggests he is an experienced director and filmmaker as he has made more than one film.

Typography
The typography used is bold and sans serif. This could reflect how the film touches on sensitive topics or those which are not mainstream, and need to be discussed more openly like mental health. Director Gregg Araki could be saying that the film is making a bold statement. The sans serif font gives the poster an unpolished feel - we can link this to the fact that the film is mostly uncensored and Kat is characterized as someone with imperfections. The typography relates to the theme and mood of the poster because it is again bold. It can be linked to the fact that Kat becomes adamant about finding her mother and little things don't matter anymore. The colours of the typography have the same meanings as those discussed above in Mise en Scene - Symbolic Codes and Conventions.
Slogan/Strapline
The strap line is "I was 17 when my mother disappeared...". The positioning of it is effective, it is almost as if the audience are given a teaser of the beginning of the film. It also helps consolidate their understanding of the narrative. The ellipsis used helps to build up tension. Disappearances inevitably have many questions surrounding them, and the ellipsis helps emphasise this. The pronoun "I" shows that it is told from a personal perspective. This is an effective way of promoting it because the audience are placed in a privileged position, and this makes them more inclined to go and see it.
Other Information
The film festivals was exhibited at are shown on the poster. This gives the audience an idea of where it was exhibited (the poster is for theatrical release), as well as demonstrate that it has got very good recognition when you consider that it is an independent film. The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. This is part of a program funded by the Sundance Institute, and takes place annually in Utah, USA. It is a good platform for both international and American independent filmmakers and directors to showcase their work. It was also shown at the Deauville Film Festival in France. The rating for the film is R. In accordance with the Motion Picture Association of America this means Restricted. Those under 17 must be accompanied by an parent or adult guardian. This is helpful when promoting as it helps conceptualise a target audience and is indicative of the content that will occur in the film.

Evaluation
This poster is very effective in initiating audience interest, and fulfills its purpose of promoting the film. There are many hints to the to the narrative in the poster, but it is still cryptic which also helps build up anticipation. Despite Kat being a central character, the poster could be given another dimension if there was an illustration of her mother; her appearance acts as a catalysts for the other events that occur. On the other hand, I can see why ambiguity surrounding her character was sustained. 

White Bird in a Blizzard film poster can be accessed at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2238050/mediaviewer/rm1210958080

Ancillary Product Research: Poster Analysis 2 (Romance)

Institutional Information
The Back-Up Plan (2010) is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. It was produced by Escape Artists, an independently financed company. It was directed by Alan Poul, and is distributed by CBS Films. The film had a budget of $35 million and made $77.5 million at the box office. There are various posters for this film, I have chosen the earliest one from IMDB as this is where I have retrieved the other posters from. The poster I am analyzing is also included on Wikipedia. An image of the other poster is below. I am unsure which one is the official theatrical release poster.

Other version of film poster

Synopsis

Zoe is aware that her biological clock is ticking away and she wants to have a baby. However, she has not yet found anyone who she wants to have children with. She becomes artificially inseminated with twins, and meets her true love on the same day.
Film Poster

The Back Up Plan poster

Genre

The genre of the film is romantic comedy. There are many elements of the poster which suggest this, such as the smiles on their faces. This suggests to the audience that the mood of the film is light hearted, which is the case with the majority of comedy movies, they are supposed to make people laugh. The romantic element of the film is suggested through the gaze of the characters and the proxemics.

Image and Characterisation
The main image is of two characters, one female and one male. This conforms to the stereotype of romance films following a heterosexual couple. The female is using direct address to hook the audience. As she is the protagonist it could reflect how she is the domineering character, which subverts the archetypal female role. The male is gazing at her. As he is not looking directly at the camera, we could infer that he is a foil character, with differing qualities to Zoe, or that he plays a more secondary role. Alternatively it an be interpreted as he is an important character but is lovestruck. The close proxemics of the characters is suggestive of the romance that blossoms between them over the course of the film.   

Mise en Scene - Symbolic Codes and Conventions 

The colour white is suggestive of innocence and purity - showing there is nothing sinful or wrong about artificial insemination or their relationship. White is also a good background colour as it contrasts most colours, helping them to stand out. Therefore it makes it more eye catching for the audience. 

Pink is stereotypically a feminine colour, which could be indicative of the target audience. There is also a stereotype of romance films appealing more to a female demographic than a male demographic, perhaps because they find the narrative more relatable.It is a lighter shade of red, which connotes love and danger. This could convey that the narrative is less intense, but the characters experience similar emotions to a dramatic story - linking to both the comedy and romance aspects of the genre and film.
Black is symbolic of power. This could relate to how the back up plan and relationship become very powerful and prominent elements of her life. The colour black is darker than all of the other colours on the poster - this gives it a sense of permanency and sincerity, the characters do take situations seriously at time.

Mise en Scene - Costume

Jennifer Lopez (Zoe) is wearing a dress. This characterises Zoe as feminine (dresses are stereotypically women's clothes and are usually worn by them). There is also a feeling that she is "dressing to impress" as she looks quite sophisticated and formal. A negative stereotype of women who wear dresses is that they are too sexualised - the relationship between the pair is a key part of the film but she is not dressed inappropriately.
On the other hand, the man is dressed casually - this conforms to the stereotype that men do not care for their appearance as  much as women. It also helps the characters juxtapose each other, and could conform to the archetypal narrative of 'opposites attract'.

Star System
The star system uses the name Jennifer Lopez across the top of poster. This shows she has A-List status and may influence whether people go and see the film or not. It may also suggest that the other cast members are not as well known. As her name is at the top, it may be the first thing a passer by sees, and so could help to engage them with the poster.

Typography 
The typography used is bold for the words "The Back Up Plan" to communicate that it is the title of the film. This text is considerably larger than any other on the poster and as a result it stands out. It is also a serif font which gives it a sort of etched in look; this is interesting considering it is called "The Back Up Plan" - you'd expect the writing to look a little more spontaneous. However, this substantiates the idea of Zoe being an organised person with plans. The typography of "Not necessarily in that order"is similar to handwriting - and hence makes it more relatable.

Tagline/Strap line
"Fall in love. Get married. Have a baby." uses a triadic structure to have more impact on the audience. It also reflects the traditional views of society, and perhaps what is regarded as a social "norm". The asterix with 'not necessarily in that order' underneath suggests that the narrative of the film is not a conventional romance. It could also increase the tellability and how relatable the film is. This is because the unconventionality could make the film more interesting and heighten audience engagement. The audience may be able to relate more to the film because plans do not always work out in life, and the typography of this is made to look like handwriting. It also gives a sense of lightheartedness to the subject, linking to the comedy element of the film.

Other information
Towards the bottom of the poster, there is other information. The block of text that is more difficult to read usually lists the notable individuals and companies that are involved in the film, for example the editors and producers. These are obviously worthy of being on the poster, but are likely to make less difference to whether the audience see the film, so it is not written as clearly.As far as I can see the film has not yet been rated or no rating is visible. This could be because the film has no definitive release date (the director perhaps thought "coming soon" would have more impact) or that it was already obvious from the poster what demographic the film was targeting. 

Evaluation
This is an effective poster because it captures the essence of the film and key elements of the narrative are communicated. Aspects of the romance genre are evident, like the stereotypical pink colour that is used. Although the proxemics are effective, the relationship between the pair could be made more obvious through them being closer together. 

Ancillary Product Research - Poster Analysis 1 (Biographical/Historical)

Suffragette (2015) is a biographical/historical film starring Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter. It was directed by Sarah Gavron. The production companies involved are Film4, BFI, Ingenious Media, Canal+, Ciné+ and Ruby Films. It is distributed by Pathé and had a budget of $14 million, making $32 million at the box office.

Synopsis
In Britain - 1912, the growing suffragette movement has a lasting impact on working wife and mother, Maud. Tempted by political activist Emmeline Pankhurst, Maud joins a diverse group of strong willed women who fight for the right to vote. When faced with increasing police action the women do all they can, risking everything to advocate votes for women.

Film Poster

Suffragette (2015) main theatrical release poster

Genre
Suffragette is a biographical/historical film. There are many elements that suggest this because it is so fundamental to audiences' understanding of the narrative.

Image and Characterization
The image is of three women. One of the characters is at the forefront of the poster, suggesting her prominence in the narrative. However, because of the proxemics (the other women are standing just behind her), we can deduce that they are also important. The proxemics also give a feel of togetherness, demonstrating that women's suffrage was a collective movement. The use of direct address makes the poster more engaging, hooking the audience in. It also helps to characterize the women as tough characters, they are not afraid to make eye contact. Their stance shows that they are ready to fight and defend themselves, perhaps against the increased police presence. This hence subverts the stereotype of women being passive and dominated by their partners. The archetypal view of police officers is male, they are breaking out of their gender roles and standing up to them rather than being submissive. This is important because suffragettes were seen as out of place and rebellious, but they were fighting for a good cause.

Mise en Scene - Symbolic Codes and Conventions
The dominant colour in this poster is brown. This has connotations of working and industry, which allows us to infer that the women were of a lower class, making their achievement even more commendable. It also tells us a lot about society, it was not modern and very industrial. Brown is also the colour of the ground, suggesting that although what the suffragettes was radical, they had good foundations and managed to maintain the movement through a time of instability.
The title is written in pink which has connotations of femininity, as it is stereotypically a colour associated with women. This could suggest that despite subverting gender roles, they remain women and sustain stereotypical interests. In terms of the audience, this could appeal to the stereotypical female who wants to appreciate what the suffragettes have done for them. Women may find the situation more relatable than men, and their ancestors may have been involved in the suffragette movement.
Some of the text is a lighter colour, which connotes purity. This therefore links to the fact that they were willing to advocate a cause which would benefit society, working for the greater good. It also has an air of innocence about it, the ethics of the movement were not evil. However, as it is tainted brown, it suggests that they do not wholly encapsulate a stereotypical man's idea of innocence - they are not submissively staying within the gender roles of the time.
The colour blue is also used. This connotes coolness and sombre moods, as well as calmness and serenity. This links to how the suffragette's ideology was better received over time after the 'storm' of their actions had passed.

Mise en Scene - Costumes
The costumes worn by the three characters are stereotypical of the time, and are not suggestive of wealth or status. They help to communicate the genre of the film. The brown has connotations of grounding, as discussed in the above paragraph. However, despite being typical of the era, one of the characters is wearing a hat which could connect to her flamboyancy and willingness to stand out.
The rosette worn by the character at the forefront of the poster is suggestive of a collective group, showing that the suffragettes stand in solidarity for women. Rosettes also have connotations of winning, linking to the victory that the suffragettes eventually obtain.

Typography
The typography used is bold, making the poster more eye catching for the audience and hence fulfilling the purpose of promoting the film. It also substantiates the view that the characters are bold and powerful. The typography has a stenciled effect, this makes it look more stereotypically masculine - referring to the fact that women no longer wanted to be seen as weak. It also gives it a feeling of permanence - this connects to the lasting effect that the suffragettes have had on society, their efforts have not been forgotten.

Strap/Tag line
"Mothers. Daughters. Rebels." emphasises the idea that women can successfully have more than one role, they are not confined to the stereotypes of their gender. The full stop adds impact and give the audience time to digest what they are reading. In the poster, women are given multiple labels and these intensify to "rebels" which has strong connotations of liberation. This is what the women were trying to at least initiate, if not achieve. They were successful in making large advances for women in society.

Star System
The star system is included at the top of the poster. Perhaps it is positioned this way because for some people it could be the first thing they see when looking at the poster. Hence if they see well known names, they may automatically assume it is worth seeing. However, as it is not the main focus of the poster, the director perhaps regarded it as less important. The word "and" is used to show that none of the top billed cast members have been forgotten, maybe sustaining audience engagement as Meryl Streep is a well known actress, it could be seen by some as saving the best until last.

Other Information
Towards the bottom of the poster, there is other information. The block of text that is more difficult to read usually lists the notable individuals and companies that are involved in the film, for example the editors and producers. These are obviously worthy of being on the poster, but are likely to make less difference to whether the audience see the film, so it is not written as clearly. The rating is more evident, it is also in this section of the poster. This is probably because it gives the audience an idea of the content, and whether they can see the film/who to take with them. The date is also clear - this tells the audience from when they can see the film, and helps build up anticipation because there is a definitive date.

Evaluation
This is an effective poster because it conveys to the audience the feel of the movie, capturing the essence of the suffragettes through mise en scene and typography, especially.

Ancillary product research: Film Posters

What is the purpose of a film poster?
Posters are a way of promoting a film. They often introduce people to the star system (cast) and use direct address frequently to engage the audience. They investigate with different camera angles. If there are multiple characters, one character (usually the protagonist or antagonist) is at the forefront of the poster to suggest their prominence in the narrative. Posters can often be seen in cinemas.
Posters usually have a theme which is in keeping with the narrative, and other promotional methods used.
Teaser posters such as the one below help to start the build up of hype surrounding a film. They give a limited amount of information surrounding the film, yet use graphics to give a feel of the film.
The one below possesses: 

• Focal image
• Title

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) teaser poster

Conventions of main/full film posters:
These are usually for theatrical release. 

• Image - they usually have a focal image to hook the audience. This will have significance within the narrative. One large image is normally used because the posters doesn't need to be too busy or include minor details - this is unlikely to attract the audience.
• Titles - titles are nearly always included on a film poster - people need to know what film is being promoted. An exception to this would be if the film was so well renowned that you'd know what it was from an image, but this is seldom seen. The title is usually in a large font and bold typography to help the audience distinguish between the title and any other information. 
• Star system - the star system should be visible on the poster. If some of the cast or the director is well known , film posters often emphasise the star system. Cast and directors can be one of the main reasons why people see a film. Independent films with smaller budgets often cannot afford well known cast, so they do not put as much emphasis on this aspect as it does not mean as much to the audience.
• Awards and accolades- linked to the star system . Any significant accolades that the cast and directors  have been given are often included , as it shows they are competent and skilled in their area. 
• Views of others- the views of critics and others will appear on the poster, if they are positive. This could be through ratings (usually four/five star ratings), quotes or recommendations. 
• Nominations/awards- similar to cast and director awards , any nominations the film has received will be included as it demonstrates to the audience that the film is noteworthy. Therefore they should go an see it.
• Tag line- a tag line or slogan will often accompany the image to offer a summary of the film and create more impact. This also encapsulates the mood of the film, which often conforms to the genre .
• Release Date and other information- a poster will often indicate the release date of the film, so that the audience know when to go and see it. It may say a month and year, or simply 'coming soon ' to build up anticipation. The other information will include the rating/certificate of the film, so that those going to see it would know for whom it is appropriate.
• Institutions- the companies involved in making the film will be mentioned as it gives them more publicity, generating more revenue.

Into the Woods main theatrical release poster (2014)

The poster above conforms to the following conventions:

• Image
• Star System
• Indication of release date
• Title
• Institution 
• Tag/Strap line
• Rating
• Names of those involved in production of film

Decision
I have decided to make a main theatrical release poster as it will be a bigger platform for me to be creative and allow me to demonstrate more skill.

X Men: Days of Future Past Poster image can be accessed at: http://screenrant.com/x-men-days-future-past-posters/
Into the Woods Main Theatrical Release Poster can be accessed at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180411/mediaviewer/rm2952643584

Trailer Draft

Made using iMovie.