10/04/12 - Completed movie poster

27/03/12 - Making the poster

This is the final image we decided to use for our film poster, which is from the second photoshoot.

After the image was opened up in Adobe Photoshop CS4, the brightness and contrast was adjusted to make the orange/yellow background that was created naturally by the lights, brighter and more vibrant. We had tried to make the entire background a similar colour throughout the entire poster by using the Clone Stamp, but as it was the first time we had ever used the tool to create the effect, we accidentally made the banister behind the abductor appear pasted above the actual banister.

We managed to remove the banister from the background but we still wanted to make the entire background similar throughout, with the dark orange at the bottom blending into the pale yellow at the top. We tried using the paintbrush tool but that would have taken too long, so we tried to use the Clone Stamp again on the left side of the poster.

 

As you can see in this picture, we eventually managed to use the Clone Stamp to make the background fade into each colour on both sides, and removed all of our previous mistakes.

Next, we added some text to the poster. The title and the slogan from the film trailer were placed over the top of the image. Using the Ink Drop tool, we grabbed the dark orange colour from the left side of the poster and found a version of it that could be seen clearly against the background. Following our research, we kept the slogan white and bold so that it would not distract from the main title.

We went onto our film trailer as if we were going to edit it on the programme, but selected the text that we had used at the end of the trailer so that we could place it at the bottom of the poster. It contains the usual information regarding copyright and who was involved in the making of the film. This is something that we have seen on many movie posters before. This text was also kept white as it is rarely in any colour other than white or grey, so as not to distract from the poster itself.

The completed poster!

We finished creating our poster, but felt that the slogan underneath the title was not dramatic enough for a thriller film. After changing the slogan to "An innocent walk home becomes a game of cat and mouse" makes the film appear slightly more dramatic, which could help draw in our target audience. We also extended the bottom of the poster, making it longer so that the white text could rest at the bottom in the orange space instead of over the shoes.

19/03/12 - Editing the film poster

Here is a printscreen of the image that Jeni opened in Photoshop CS4 to begin the editing process. After changing the brightness and contrast, the image developed an orange glow that was similar to the one used on The Sixth Sense poster we were trying to imitate. She also tried to blur some areas to blend in some of the harsher lines. We may retake this photo so that the legs of the abductor are more in the centre of the poster so that they can be focused on more. We also ensure that the window cannot be seen in the background, as it distracts from the image and lessens the impact it could have.

This poster is what we have taken inspiration from, as it is simple but also effective. By using only the one image with the number 6 in an orange glow around the dark, unidentifiable body, and the simple white text used for the title, they have created a poster that draws the audiences attention. It is an image that sticks in your mind, which is why we have used similar ideas when trying to create our own film poster.

19/03/12 - Poster text research

We used The Sixth Sense poster to help us create and develop our own poster, so we looked at the text used on the poster so that we could use a similar one. We have decided to use the font Weathered SF on our poster as it is also used in our film trailer, and so we thought that it would be appropriate. To ensure that our movie poster followed the normal conventions, I thought it would be helpful to research into poster text. This could help us with ideas on how to present the text, like what effects we could use and what colours.

The text used for The Sixth Sense is the one that is also used in the film, and it is written in a bold font that looks wavy and bumpy, almost mimicking the appearance of a ghost, linking into the movie itself. They have also decided to keep the text one solid colour, making it easy to see and bright on the dark background.

On this poster for the movie SALT, the text is kept very simple. The only colour used is white, and the only effect is the shadow of the words behind the text 'SALT' placed over one image of the main character.

The only things they have mentioned are the date it is released in cinemas and the website to visit that will offer information on the movie. By keeping the text minimal, they make sure that the audience is drawn in as they could glance at it and still recieve all of the vital information. The Sixth Sense poster also doesn't have a lot of information presented on it either.

The only information presented on the poster for the movie Orphan is the slogan, "There's something wrong with Esther" placed above one simple image of the main character, which is a line one of the characters may say in the film. The name of the film is in the same text used within the film itself, which is also a similar technique used by The Sixth Sense and the SALT poster. Underneath the title is another slogan that reads, "Can you keep a secret?" which also links to the film.

We will use these techniques when creating our own movie poster:

• Use the same text that is used within the film trailer for the movie poster
• Keep the colours simple, but ensure they link to the image
• Place a short slogan beneath the title of the movie
• Only use one image that is of the main character/the abductor and place the text either above or on top of the image

19/03/12 - Initial poster ideas/photographs

Jeni drew this rough sketch of a potential film poster we could create for our film. The design is simple and follows a similar design to The Sixth Sense poster (on the left) we drew inspiration from. That poster also has a minimal amount of text, mainly focusing on the image by adding an eery orange glow around the image. We plan to try and use a similar effect on our own image.

 

Here are the images we have considered using for our film poster, which show the abductor in the film trailer in his last pose - standing in the doorway near 'Lily' who he has kidnapped. We will reshoot these images so that we can get a clearer, and perhaps lighter image that we can edit. After retaking the images, we will edit them to add the orange glow around the image.

After talking with the rest of the group, we all decided that using a picture of the abductor walking up the stairs which can also be seen in the film trailer, would not have the same effect as the image of him standing still in the doorway. As a result, this idea was abandoned.

14/11/11 - Ancillary tasks - Film poster research

As we have been encountering a few problems with filming, we decided that we should start our research for the ancillary tasks: a movie poster and a front cover to a magazine.

I decided to contribute to the groups research, and indepently chose four film posters to analyse, so that I could then show them the research as well. As all three of us have previously looked at the film trailer for Taken, I thought it would be a good idea to include a film we all vaguely knew. I also chose to look at the film posters for, Source Code, I Am Number Four, and Eagle Eye. All of these films seem to feature many of the same components, which can also be seen in similar posters.

Taken: The trailer features an image of the main character in the background, with the light highlighting certain features, like his expressionless face and the gun in his hand. The main information is bold, jumping out at the reader. The title of the film is in bright orange and a block font, as is his name at the top. The two main colours used on this poster are black and orange, and this allows us to understand who is involved in the film and what it's called, without us having to stop and search for the information. If the information is presented in a clear and concise way, then the reader is much more likely to remember it. The use of the quote that is placed over the image gives us a sense of what the movie will involve - a man who has lost his daughter to kidnappers.The poster is fairly simple in that the image is simple and effective, while the text is presented in a clear and bright way, allowing us to gain the main information quickly.

Source Code: This poster uses many of the same elements as the previous one, as the title and a quote related to the movie are presented in a bold and clear way. The colour scheme is also fairly similar, as there are really only two main colours used - grey and red. Although there are a few tiny splashes of other colours like blue and orange, they are pale and seem to almost blend into the background. The main character is presented as important to the movie, as they are in the centre of the poster while images possibly relating to his life fly around him. This feature is used on the ground as well, as photographs that may relate to his life are scattered around. The use of the photographs scattered around him in a random fashion help to convey the confusion and chaos his life contains, and grabs your attention as you wonder why they are important. The names of the actors involved within the film are presented in a clear font above the title of the movie, giving the information to the audience quickly.

I Am Number Four: The poster uses an effect that is similar to the one used on the 'Taken' poster. The main character is framed by black, while the other main colours used are yellow and blue, with white highlighting the date of its release on the black background. Using only a few colours means that certain bits of information become more prominent, allowing us to see the valuable information immediately. The title of the movie is in a bright and bold font, in block letters. Putting this over a black background makes it eye-catching. The main characters hands are glowing with a bright blue light, drawing attention to the fact that this thriller movie may involve fantasy powers. The use of the yellow and orange behind him reminds me of a fire, which could possibly be an important element of the story. Out of all of the posters, I feel like this one is the most effective. It is not covered in different colours, while the colours that are used enhance the features that are already there. The information is presented in a clear fashion, and the use of the image shows us who is an important person within the movie.

Eagle Eye: This poster also sticks to using few colours, choosing to use black, white and red. Text on the poster does not seem to be an important feature on this, like it is for 'Taken'. The name of the poster is also presented in a clear and bold font like the others, while a quote relating to the move has been placed above the names of the actors. Using the pale red colour allows the white text to be broken up, as if all of it was white you may be less likely to read it because it would seem like a big clump of information. Pictures are used on this poster to get across the nature of the film. The images depict two people who appear to have shocked and worried expressions on their faces, while another image shows one of them running and looking cautious. Using these specific images could make the audience wonder why they are running, creating interest. All of the images overlap each other, as an effect has allowed them to almost fade into the background so that you can still see all off them.

Main features used:

A bold, sometimes colourful title, which is usually shown on a black background. If a colour is used on the title, then it usually has a link with an image or another part of the poster.

A quote that relates to the movie in some way. For example, the 'Taken' poster featured a quote that the father says downt the phone to the kidnapper at the beginning of the movie. Quotes are also usually in white or a colour that does not distract from the rest of the poster, and tend to link to something the main character has to deal with within the film.

The images used on the posters seem to show the main characters from the side, rather than straight on. Although this does not apply entirely to the poster for 'Source Code', the poster shows the main character running, rather than standing head on. Additionally, the images tend to show a mid-long shot of the character, except for 'Eagle Eye', which features a close up of their faces.

The names of the actors are also included on the poster. They are usually in a clear font, so that finding out what celebrities are featured in it. If they are coloured, the colour used is usually incorporated on the poster somewhere else, creating a link.

Information regarding the release date and who was involved in making the film is placed at the bottom of the poster. It also usually tells us what company sponsored the making of the film, and information regarding copyright.

When creating our own film poster, these are some of the features that we will consider using ourselves.