Codes and Conventions of Film Posters

• Written Language - there is always some sort of text on a film poster, it can include positive reviews that the film has received (which will help create more of an interest), the written language may also feature the names of cast and crew members that worked on the film. This can be done to entice different actors and directors fans to go and see a film, for example if the name 'Tim Burton' is featured on the poster for 'Alice In Wonderland (2010)' then fans of his previous films such as 'The Nightmare before Christmas' and 'The Corpse Bride' may be interested. There may also be a tagline, which is usually snappy and will help create a buzz, for example the film 'Alien' had the tagline 'In Space, nobody can hear you scream'. Another part of the poster may be a short description of the film (describing the genre or mood of the film).

• Typography - certain words on film posters appear larger than others, usually the title will be much bolder and larger than the rest of the text on the poster, take the poster for 'The Wolf of Wall Street' for example. The text 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is not only the largest text on the entire page, it has a yellow box around it, and it is all in upper-case letters meaning the title of the film (and the nickname of the lead character) is the most significant feature of the poster. The names of the films lead actor 'Leonardo DiCaprio' and director 'Martin Scorsese' are also quite large, showing the films cast and crew are a major part of the poster.

• Photographs and illustrations - most posters contain a combination of images and text, with the image taking up much more of the page than the text does. Images can be used to introduce characters (and show how significant they are) create drama or comedy, or show the style of the film that is being advertised. For example I have included the poster for the upcoming 'Dumb and Dumber too' and the original 'Lucy' poster it parodies. The parody image is used to show the contrast of a comedy film to other film genres, and already creates a visual joke before the audience has seen the film, this can create an expectation of the style of comedy the film will include. Other ways that images can help advertise a film is through backgrounds, for example a film where a character is standing in front of a space-style background will show that the film is probably a sci-fi.

• Lighting - another convention of film posters is the type of lighting that is used. Different coloured lighting can help create moods for film posters, posters that feature colder, darker colours are more likely to be associated with the horror genre, brighter or more relaxing colours may be associated with more upbeat films such as romantic comedies.Whatever type of lighting is used, it is always necessary to create a certain mood for a poster.
• Camera angle and shot - camera angles and shots will show characters and objects of significance, or even create certain narratives within posters. Photos of characters with a straight on angle usually show the films main protagonists or antagonists. 
• Colour scheme - connotations are created through certain colours, the colour red will make the audience associate different moods such as anger or passion, however it could also be used to advertise horror films with the association of blood and gore. Colour schemes also give a certain identity of a film, the colour scheme on the poster may also be used for the films website or credits.