To understand the codes & conventions of film posters

Codes & conventions Codes are the signs and symbols that create meaning (fonts, colours, images) Conventions are the accepted way of presenting certain elements (names, dates, credits)

Codes & conventions of film posters What are the codes and conventions (typical features) of film posters? What can you expect to see on every poster?

Codes & Conventions of Film Posters Film title (font, colour) Tagline Release date Production blurb Main image Main cast

Codes & Conventions

What are the connotations of the following : The two guns, and the ways they are held The approaching train The character looking down The character’s back facing the audience The clock “Time Waits for One Man” The tagline is a play on the phrase “Time waits for no one”

What other information are you able to gain from a film poster? Extra Information What other information are you able to gain from a film poster? Genre Narrative Audience Setting/location

Poster Assessment Using your knowledge of media terms, analyse the following poster in detail Write your answers using: Denotation Connotation Signification Effect on the audience

D.C.S.E. Exemplar Paragraph The character featured in the poster is standing with their back to the audience, connoting unfamiliarity and possible danger. Since most posters feature a character making direct eye contact with the audience, the poster’s choice of featuring a character looking away signifies it is a potential villain, since they are looking away from the audience and towards oncoming danger. As a result, the audience would be intrigued to not only see the outcome of this event, but also to find out more about the featured character.