Film Posters – Conventions by Genres (Part 2)

Sahara



·         Main Characters (Protagonist and “sidekicks”)

·         Glowing crescent which forms an “S”

·         Many People in the background (possibly enemies and villains)

·         Tagline: “ADVENTURE HAS A NEW DESTINATION”

·         Colours: Different shades of brown and gold

·         Title: Sahara 

This Sahara poster shows conventions of an action genre.  The poster shows a full shot other three people. The shot has a male standing firm and proudly with a male and a female behind him showing that he is the team leader out of the group. The shots connotes that the film is action based as the main character is standing firmly while if you closely there are many many people behind him in still motion. This shows that they are possibly after something he has of value which shows that it is possible an action adventure film.  In part of the background you can see a crescent eclipse which forms and “S” glowing towards the ground. This is gives some indication that the solar system may play an important role to the film. The tagline “ADVENTURE HAS A NEW DESTINATION” implies that the film is clearly an adventure film, and that it is not going to be in it’s traditionally location such as films being shot in the city with big buildings and busy traffic but rather more unconventional. Different shades of brown and gold gives and impression of earth, nature and masculinity, and also evokes high feelings of prestige, wisdom and wealth.

American Beauty



·         Close up of a females stomach – intimate

·         Rose

·         “....look closer”

·         Colour: Natural Caucasian skin with a red flower

·         Title: American beauty

The American beauty poster places a rather intimate visual display, due to the raw conventions used.  The poster shows that the film is likely to be a romance film. The poster uses an extreme close up which is initialled used to show the emotion and general reaction to a shot. Within the close up shot there are two main components that clearly stand out which are the close up of a Caucasian young women with a blossoming rose lightly held down with her fingers.  The female’s skin is covering the whole of the poster as a background dominating the poster; therefore this same female will dominate the storyline of the film.  The red rose is to symbolise love and passion in the film, therefore indicating to those who will see the poster that the film is likely to be a romance film.  As she is holding the rose it is like to mean that she is heavily involved in the love story line.  “.....look closer” tagline implies that there may be something more to the story that is not advertised, therefore urging people to find out more about the film and take an interest in it.