4 • Analysis Of A Film Poster

I feel nowadays film posters are becoming obsolete. Which is a huge shame because I Believe that they are still an amazing way to advertise a motion picture. But they are impractical for the institution, why spend money printing a film poster that only can advertise to one area and a limited number of people. It is much more cost effective for a film institution

to advertise there movie covering the whole of IMBD (internet movie data base) Where it can be viewed by millions of people who are actually searching for movies. But this means we get production companies with billions making rubbish banner ads like this like this...


So in order to write an effective analysis of a film poster I had to pick the right film. So I went Indie. 'Moon' is Duncan Jones directorial debut and is an amazing simple film. And I believe that the partnering film poster to this 2009 sci-fi is a testament to the trade of film posters.
The main themes from the film are loneliness, isolation, madness and rebirth. The design studio has created an image that explores these themes and stylistically took influences from sixties and seventies sci-fi. The poster was designed by 'All City Media'.

First I will be examining the posters use of colour and the connotations that each colour has. The main dominant colour in this poster is black this implies the denotation of space, but the connotations of The colour black relates to the unknown. Black is the absorption of all colour and the absence of light. Black hides, while white brings to light. Black is intimidating, unfriendly and unapproachable because of the power it exudes. It radiates authority, but creates fear in the process. All these perfectly relate to the film, we can now understand that this film will be frightening and will isolate our protagonist. Which links in well with the only element of humanity on this poster. Sam Rockwell, stands centre right on the poster in a white space suite with a red stripe down the middle. Standing surrounded by white rings.

 The white of his suite implies the connotations of completeness and pure, the colour of perfection. The colour white is purity, innocence, wholeness and completion. This already has already told us that this man in the hero of the movie, or the main protagonist. But there is something about his head movement that gives us contrast to his associated character which i will come on to later. Meanwhile the stipe of red on his helmet This colour is associated with our most physical needs and our will to survive. It exudes a strong and powerful masculine energy. Red is energising. It excites the emotions and motivates us to take action. It signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination. This now tells us the audience that this man needs to survive, that he is going to put into a situation that will cause him to dig deep, and fight against evil and persist. He is brave and powerful. It is a psychological survival movie. Which movies us on to the biggest aspect of this poster. The illusion of the moon. seventy white rings surround our character in a psychotic encompassing. We see this build up of isolation as this characters world is falling around him. It feels like one of those hypnotic spinning disks... 

This furthermore enforces the idea of the psychological challenges that this character will have to face. 

From the poster we also semiotics being used the big white circle and space suite instantly scream space!

Moving on now to the body position of the character. He is looking down and and his helmet is off, this helps us see his face and causes us to connect more personally to the character even though we have not even been introduced to him. But we have the connotations of him being a hero and white means goodness right? But contrast. look at his eyes, you can't this eye contact is broken the symbolism of a broken character. We have all these signs pointing to the character being a protagonist, and yet he does not make eye contact with us, this is amazing because the contrast really emphasises the fact that something has or will happen to this character to cause him to literally turn to darkness.

I believe this to be one of the most amazing film posters of all time, purely because of its blend of fine graphic art and deeply complex connotations.

Better than those big online banner Ad’s right?

Created By Henry Russell

Edited By Henry Russell

~ Sources ~

IMBD

YouTube

All City Media

Google Images

23rd September 2015

Hurtwood House