Short film posters

Explanation‘George Lucas in love’ film poster is not overly eye-catching. The rather banal and basic theme captures the essence of it being a reconstruction of Star Wars. The basic fonts create ‘short film’ vibe, it is not something in mass production, something to be appreciated, not gross millions. It lacks the ‘***** *insert quote from total film*’ that all feature films hold. However the proxemics and sizing of the characters on the front clearly gives us a character importance strata; we know who George Lucas is already.

‘Across the hall’ film poster appears to have been created by more of a professional short film team. The selective focus puts the film into perspective, we seem to have a clear impression of who the protagonist and antagonist are purely from the shot type. The text placing is something that appears to be a recurring theme throughout horror/thriller films. The walls and ceiling frame the fonts very well, particularly the acting credits along the ceiling.

‘I’m here’ uses some very effective photography that creates a romantic expression purely through the back lighting in the image. The close proximity of the two characters in the shot along with the close proximity of the films title reinforces this romantic theme. The second largest piece of font on the page is the creator short film, which is not usually as big on feature films which could suggest that it may be an amateur production.

Comparison

Short films as we know are a lot simpler and more condensed than feature length films which is clearly shown in the short film versions poster. The feature film leaves a fair bit of ambiguity that would be appealing to a wider audience and range of ages. The short film however captures the thriller genre instantly with the sly and uneasy photography. The feature film offers a range of photography and characters that the short film does not, there is a key focus of the short film, a clear attempt to capture the plot in one shot also. The police car in the top left of the feature film is one of the only subtle hints as to what the film could entail. It is clear that there is a lack of originality in the short film poster. Although they appear to have got a good poster with the resources they had, the lack of originality is often what causes short films to remain in a restricted, niche market. Thriller films as we know are a universally popular genre, and therefore appeal to both men and women. The attractive blonde woman on the feature film is arguably ‘eye candy’ for the wider audience. The use of the phone as the female characters key prop creates a ‘damsel in distress’ impression that is involved in almost every thriller film. The short film appears to be missing some of the key features that define the genre.

Genre defining posters

Many film posters are very typical to there specific genre. They display both photography types, colours and props that create a very cliché image

Angelina Jolie, an actress that is renowned for breaking out of female stereotypes in films, features in yet another brutal action film. The tattoos and shooting and the almost fiery sky in the background gives ‘Wanted’ a very typical cliché action film look that has been done one thousand times before. I have seen Wanted and it is a very thought provoking and interesting film. However I feel it’s genre somewhat consumes it here and gives it such a lack of originality. Sticking so loyally to the films genre does not do it any justice on this poster.

‘The Last House on the Left’ is yet another slasher film that is abiding to the conventional black-red-white theme that has been done one million times before. The grey scale effect on the house that would probably look charming and angelic in the light of day. If horror films did not give themselves such cliché advertisements then they would be more respected. Using a poster that is not remotely scary will create questions and entice the audience and that is what will make films want to be seen. When something is so obvious, the craving to see it is not there

Romantic Comedy films like ‘Definitely Maybe’ all follow a similar poster theme. The arrogant looking male is the centre of the piece showing rather a lack of expression. Whilst three other attractive giddy woman are featured above looking completely smitten for this man. The woman are always boxed off in separate boxes and there is always a white background. This basic poster style comes to define romantic comedies and nobody feels interested because it has all been done ten thousand times before.

Crime films all appear to follow the conventional black and white theme, fitting in with the corporate costume and décor. They all appear to branch off from one of the earlier and most renowned crime films ‘The Godfather’ and it’s famous two-tone cover. Many films now show no originality but just stick to the origins of their genre, clearly shown in this film poster from 2007.

As western is one of the original genres in film, it appears that now in 2012, when things films like ‘Django Unchained’ are made with western undertones, the typically western posters are unavoidable. Film makers seem to think that a film cannot be a western unless they are wearing cowboy hats and holding shot guns at all times. In films like Django where cowboys are by no means the key focus, even then does it appear that way on the film poster, sticking to typically western themes.