Movie poster analysis and conventions

I have created a collage of movie posters which represent different genres and eras in which they are set and were made in.

I have also made a list of the different conventions of movie magazines based on research online and from my own analysis of movie posters (shown in previous posts).

• Main image in the centre of the poster expanded over the whole page. Usually shows main character(s) and, depending on genre, they could be looking at the camera (direct mode of address), each other (likely in a romance movie poster) or into the distance (shows mystery). Often uses bright colours and contrasts with the colour of the text on the page. 
• If there is just one or two characters used in the main image, a tight frame is often used with a close up shot to make the model stand out and show that they are important.
• If there is a large cast or a lot of main characters or notable actors that the marketing producer may want to showcase, a hierarchy style formation is often used going from the most well-known actor or lead character in the very centre to less well-known cast members or characters surrounding the main focus model. This can entice an audience as it gives an idea of who is who in the film and also catches their attention to a star-studded cast. 
• Films often have a house style that is represented in the poster. This could include a colour scheme or a logo used as the title of the film. This helps the audience associate the film with specific features shown throughout marketing products (e.g. magazines, billboards, posters, merchandise, etc.). In the posters above, "The Fault In Our Stars"' title is written in a blue and white chalk style font which is now well-known and widely associated with the film. When people see that font or style they immediately think of the film. This is the main purpose of marketing a film, to make it well-known and noticeable to an audience. 
• The title of the film is usually in a bold, sans serif font so that it stands out and is clear and easy to read. The colour of the text is often the same to the rest of the text on the page to make the poster consistent and it usually contrasts with the colour of the main image or the background colour of the poster to make it eye catching so an audience can easily notice and read it. 
• Film posters nearly always contain the film's date of release to DVD or cinemas, the lead cast members' names, the name of the film and some small print highlighting information about copyright, companies or names associated with production, etc. These features are all vital for making the audience aware of the film, who is in it that they may want to see and where and when they can watch the film.
• A poster may also contain reviews by critics (often one or two-worded quotes or star ratings), who the director is and what else they have directed (from the makers of...) and/or a small slogan or quote relating to the film that again can be associated to the film.