Horror Poster Analysis

Friday the 13th (Image to be added)

The main image takes up the whole poster by having the main character in a long shot. The antagonist complied with the rule of thirds which is a common convention in film posters. The audience’s attention is immediately attracted to the antagonist because he is in the middle of the poster and this will strike fear into the target audience because he has a weapon and is a dark scary killer. The antagonist wears a mask to seal his identity which intrigues the audience because they want to know what’s behind the mask. This masking of

the antagonist links back to the horror genre because it is common for antagonist wanting to hide their identity to strike fear into their victims. The black clothing is stereotypically linked to the horror genre and this is to blend in with the darkness of the night which makes it easier to sneak upon people. The background behind him is forest like show a rural location for the film, which is common in horror films because in the woods people are very alone and there is no help. This background has been edited through the use of Photoshop because the forest background has a misty darkening effect which does not look natural. This could connote something happening in the film that is unnatural, dark and dramatic.

The title has been placed in the central column of the rule of thirds near the bottom of the poster in the lake water. It has been placed against the dark lake water to make it stand out against the main image but at the same time not over power the poster. The colour of the typography is very effective because its bright red against the dark lake it makes it stand out. The red links back to the horror genre because it could be seen as blood which is a common horror genre convention. The typography being capitalised makes it look more important, stands out and looks very effective. The masthead references to a specific date where people believe bad things happen on that date which is a superstition and it is heavily enforced by horror films.

Drag me to hell (Image to be added)

The main image has been placed in the middle of the poster across the rule of thirds taking up most of the space on the film poster. This has been done so that the audience’s attention is attracted to the striking image because it is the main selling point of the film. The women looks as though she is being dragged down to hell by the hands around her but she is putting up a fight, the audience will link the flames rising up are coming from hell because of the stereotype they have been given within the past. This has been edited through the use of Photoshop to create a dramatic image that the target audience will remember thus will go to see the film. The idea of the devil coming out from the underworld reflects the horror genre to the audience. The hands around her have been carefully made up through use of make-up and editing to create the dark and devil hands to reflect the horror genre. The dark sky behind the women emphasize the darkness and importance of the situation. Darkness is also a key fear factor in horror films as it creates the idea of the unknown. The houses behind her add to the background effect of darkness and her isolation. She is screaming within the main image to make it look as though she is going to put up a fight but also to show her pain and resistance into the darkness which is common is horror film posters because the audience then sympathise with the main character. The editing of this image is dark and grey to comply with the overall mise en scene and to fit in with the horror genre.

The masthead of this poster reads the title of the film ‘Drag Me To Hell’. The title has been placed in the central column of the rule of thirds at the bottom of the poster. This has been done as to not take attention away from the dramatic main image which is the film’s main selling point, but still big enough to inform the viewer. The typography chosen for this title is very effective due to the scratched out effect it looks as though the fire is starting to burn the masthead away and bits have flaked off. This certain typography has been chosen to convey the horror genre to the audience as it gives the target audience the idea of the burning and makes them feel unease. The masthead has chosen the word ‘Drag’ to show there will be a fight within the film but also as used the word ‘Me’ to make it personal for the audience which will make it eye catch for the readers because they will feel like they are being spoken to directly. The word ‘Hell’ immediately tells the target audience that the film is of the horror genre as the audience will automatically be making links to the devil which are conventions of the horror genre. The colour of the typography is white which fits in with the colour scheme but also it shows that innocence is being lost to hell/the flames.