Ancillary text research - Film posters

After researching film posters, particularly from the genre of period drama, I have discovered what needs to be included in a film poster.

What Goes on a poster?

• The key to selling most films is the inclusion of a star actor/actresses or director
• These tend to appear along the top of the poster
• If the director isn't that well known but has directed a famous film use the name of the film to attract attention

Title

• This should be the text that catches the attention of a passer by the most
• Consider working with the title by shaping it or giving it a glow

Tag line

• Make sure the font is different to ensure it stands out from everything else on the poster
• It can appear anywhere on the poster
• It is the slogan for the marketing campaign for the film
• It's aim is to give anchorage and exposition to the viewer

Institutional Listing

• Traditionally appears at the bottom of the poster
• It's usually difficult to read due to small text
• It usually includes: Costume designer, Producer, Executive producer, Co-producer, Editor, Production designer, Director of photography, Music composer, Screenplay, Director, Casting
• It usually begins with Distribution company presents Production companies, a film by Director, principal cast 4-7 names "Film title"
• The names that appear in the institutional listing appear twice the size in CAPS than their title
• Website addresses appear under the listing
• Production logos are place either side of the institutional listing

Reviews

• These are used to advertise the success of your film and what the experts think of it
• They usually have the name of the paper/magazine that has rated it, the star rating and one word that sums up their opinion

Release Date

• The type of film that this poster will be for is likely to be an 'indie' due to the low budget so it might not be released in all cinemas so it may be useful to put 'out on.............. ... in selected cinemas'

Things to remember...

• Make sure the genre is clearly signified in the design
• Appeal to the target audience, use star names and their image and use appropriate language
• Demonstrate use of technology
• Signify tech relationship between the main characters and give exposition to the main plot
• Create narrative anigmas
• Make it eye catching as it is a marketing strategy