Billboard poster layout designs

I have compiled  list of different features I like from various existing billboard posters from movies of a similar genre to my own. Based off of this and other research, I have made some layout designs using PowerPoint which give me a rough idea of how I will style my billboard posters.

Billboard poster analysis and conventions

I have briefly analysed some billboard posters using Thinglink. This will be helpful when creating my own poster and magazine as it enables me to look at the conventions in detail.



The following is an overall list of conventions found on billboard posters:

• Main image - containing the main character of the film. Usually just one or two models. Bold background colour often used to attract the audience and appeal to them. Subjects are nearly always using direct mode of address to interact with the audience and entice them, creating a relationship between the character(s) and the audience.
• The title of the film - placed in varying positions. Often put in the centre of the page and spreading across the width of it so that it is the main feature of the poster and stands out more than anything else. The style is either a clear, bold sans serif font or written in the style of the film's own house style.
• Actors' names - the names of the actors playing the main characters are usually placed at the top of the poster to make them clear to the audience and make them a key feature of the billboard poster. They are evenly spaced out and in a contrasting colour to the background. 
• Extra information - information included in posters is cinema/release dates, small print containing company names involved in the film, the name of the director, reviews from critics and slogans known from the film. 

Movie magazine front cover layout designs

I have researched various movie magazine front covers and made a list of different features that I like. I then created some layout designs for my film magazine front cover using PowerPoint. These are rough ideas that I could use for my final front cover and are based off of research I have done on popular existing products.

Movie magazine front cover analysis and conventions

I have briefly analysed some movie magazines using Thinglink. This will be helpful when creating my own poster and magazine as it enables me to look at the conventions in detail.



The following is a list of conventions found on the front cover of a film magazine:

• Main image - containing the main character of the film. Usually just one or two models. Solid background colour often used so that the cover isn't crowded and text will stand out and be clear. Subjects are nearly always using direct mode of address to interact with the audience and entice them, making them want to pick up and read the magazine.
• The masthead of the magazine - sometimes embedded behind the characters in the main image if the magazine is well known as the audience should know what it is called based on its house style. In a contrasting colour to the background colour. 
• Title of the film - the name of the film is normally in the centre of the page so that it stands out and can be seen and read easily. The style is either a clear, bold sans serif font or written in the style of the film's own house style. 
• Cover lines - a different colour is usually used for these to make them stand out and add contrast to the page. Typical colours are red, yellow or blue. Main cover lines will relate to the feature film that is shown on the front cover.
• Extra information - this will be about other features in the magazine including other films that are written about and possible competitions or incentives that could interest the audience. 

When researching I also compiled a list of specific features from magazine front covers that I like and may want to include in my final print product:

Audio licenses

Mobygratis.com license agreement:

I used a music clip from mobygratis.com for the present day scene in my film. I emailed the company asking for permission and they granted it providing I followed the guidelines shown in the agreement above. I then downloaded the clip and uploaded onto my trailer. 

SoundBible.com license conditions:

I used a siren sound effect clip from soundable.com which was edited into the 1940s bomb shelter scene in my trailer. Sound Bible clips are free and can be used commercially and for education purposes.