Scream Poster Analysis

Scream 4

Scream 4 was released in 2011 and is the fourth scream film to be released; the first was released in 1996. All of the Scream films have been produced by Americans. The scream films have always been within the horror/mystery genre. By looking at the poster it looks like it would attract males and females between the ages of 15-30. It has a 15 certificate and features a predominately female cast, it also features two final girls; therefore it would appeal to both sexes, rather than more of a male audience.

The mask is the iconic part of every scream film, they have used the iconic mask for their fourth scream poster, but they have shaped the end of it into a knife. This could suggest that the fourth film will be even more gorgy. The knife could also be a representation of a phallic symbol, and also the dark background is used as a pathetic fallacy for night. The black background also brings a sense of mystery to the main image, it doesn’t give any information as to who the victim/s are, it gives a clue as to how they may be killed. The black background also helps to bring your attention to the selling line, title, date of release, and the main image.

The tag line suggests that their audience would have watched the three previous films and would therefore know what to expect within a typical scream film; ‘New Decade, New Rules’ suggests that it will not follow in the footsteps of the other three scream films. The colours, image and selling line suggests that the film is within the horror/mystery genre. The use of the colour red suggests that there will be lots of blood, which is a typical aspect within the horror genre, and the colour white could link to the overall film being packed with mysterious scenarios, reflecting the other genre that the film is linked to. 

Alien Poster Analysis

Alien

Alien is within the horror/sci-fi genre and was released in 1979, and is an American and English Produced film. By looking at this poster it looks like the target audience would be males between the ages of 25-30 years old.

The title is very spaced out, this could be a representation of the infinite amount of space there is in outer space. The font is also very easy to read and is very basic; the font doesn’t take the attention away from the main image, but it contrasts with the black background therefore it still stands out, just not as dominantly as the main, central image.

The tag line contributes towards what other genre this horror film is linked with, it also suggests the location in which the film is based in. The colours also link to this; green is predominantly with alien like creates; therefore incorporating this colour into the poster gives the audience information as to what other genre it links into.

The image could represent a planet or an egg; the crack could also represent the birth of extra-terrestrial life, or the destruction of a planet. The black background could represent outer space; it allows the title, tag line and image to be the most dominant aspects of the film poster. The use of a black background also connotes sense of mystery into the poster. The colour green and the use of an egg as the main image are iconic to the science fiction genre.

Sinister Poster Analysis

Sinister

The film sinister was released in 2012 and is an American and English produced film. By looking at the film poster it looks like it would attract the a female and male audience between the ages of 12-35. This horror film contains aspects of other genres such as mystery and thriller; these are reflected through the main image and overall feel of the image.

The main image on the film poster could represent that the killer does not kill anyone him/herself, but uses a second hand source; in this case he/she possesses a young blonde person. The image drawn in blood looks inhumane; this could suggest the killer is not physically human. The tape at the bottom of the poster could be an important factor within the film; it could contain something that relates to the main plot of the narrative.

The comment at the top of the film poster names two iconic horror films, this could suggest that it will not be another failed horror film, by publishing that the director also directed two other films that have been successful suggests that this film will follow in their footsteps. The selling line also reflects how the monster operates, it also suggests that the audience will be terrified; for example, it could suggest that you will not sleep properly after seeing the film.

The colours suggest that this film will contain a lot of blood, which evidently results in lots of killings. The use of the off white colour brings a more mystery side to the image, also the secondary killer is drawn onto the wall, and therefore it makes him seem mysterious. The selling line suggests that this film will be a thriller.

The main characters clothing suggest that she is an innocent victim in the film; the colour white usually connotes innocence. Her blonde hair would also suggest that she is very girly, and isn’t very intelligent; this is the norm for horror conventions and character stereotypes.

The cracks within the background of the poster and the floorboards at the bottom of the poster suggests that it is going to be set in a house, it also suggests that it is going to be set in an isolated location, which is an iconic aspect within horror films.

Trick 'r Treat Poster Analysis

The film Trick ‘r Treat was released in 2007 and was produced by Americans. This horror film is also a comedy and a thriller.

The image suggests that children may be involved within this film, or that a child’s toy has been possessed. The mask over the child’s head suggests that it is not human, but when looking at the hands it suggests that it once was. The image shows that the protagonist is in an enclosed, isolated location, this could suggest that the film is a thriller.

The overall colour of the poster is red, it ranges from dark to light, this could also suggest that the film will be a thriller. The colour red is iconic within horror films, but the image and slogan suggest that the horror film has other genres included such as aspects of the thriller genre. When looking at the image I cannot see anything that would relate towards the film containing comical aspects, this could be because they wanted the film to be a serious film, rather than a film like Scary Movie.

The title looks like it has been burnt into the paper; this could suggest that fire is the main element within the film.

The selling line rhymes, this could be a reflection of a nursery rhyme and therefore link children into the plot. It could also suggest that the main protagonist is a child and is the one of the main characters within the story line.

Although it looks like we are looking down on the protagonist in the image, he/she is holding a very strong posture, therefore reflecting confidence which is a trait of a good killer.

The font used for the title is quite thin, but the colours help to make the title one of the main focal points on the poster. The font could be thin to suggest someone dragging their nail down a wall, or someone burning it into a wall using a thin utensil. The font used for the selling line is quite authentic and bold, this could reinforce the confidence within the main protagonist. 

Dawn of the Dead (1979) Image Analysis

In this scene from Dawn of the Dead (DOTD) (1979) the audience see that Stephan (Flyboy) challenges his original stereotype of the male hero. Stephan is represented as a good looking television reported that can fly a plane. The audience find out in this scene that he cannot use a gun correctly, and nearly shoots Peter. Stephan’s gun is a representation of his masculinity, which is pretty much non-existent in this scene. A medium shot is used in this scene so that the audience concentrate on Stephan’s facial expressions, and Rogers’s ability to shoot perfectly; this could also be considered as an expressionist angle because it shows how Stephan is confused and shocked, whereas Roger is calm and relies on his own ability in order to save Peter from getting attacked. Thomas Schatz’s “Genre Theory” is relevant in this scene, as well as many others, DOTD (1979) is represented as a horror/action, the guns are a signification of an action film, as well as the slow to quick montages that are used in this scene, as well as lots of others.

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Image Analysis

This image from Dawn of the Dead (DOTD) (2004) brings forward continuing rise of feminism that was touched upon in the original DOTD (1979). The characters do not comply with their stereotypes; for example, Ana has blonde hair, and turns out to be the final girl, the final girl stereotype is that they have black or brown hair and are more masculine than feminine. Although Ana is blonde, she has a tomboy attitude and is aiming a phallic weapon towards Steve. Steve has been uncooperative throughout the film, therefore he deserved his death. Steve wears mostly black clothing throughout DOTD (2004), this is to connote that he has an evil, uncaring attitude towards everyone apart from himself. DOTD (2004) also complies with Thomas Schatz “Genre Theory”, DOTD (2004) is classed as a sci-fi, action and a horror; sci-fi is represented through the use of zombies; action is represented through the use of guns and slow to quick montages, an example of this is where the zombies are climbing up the stairs and the camera focuses on the shot gun shells that are falling out of CJ’s gun as he is shooting the zombies; horror is demonstrated through the use of body horror. The low-key lighting within this scene allows the audience to gain a sense of seriousness, as well as tension because of the situation that Ana has been placed in. The positioning of the camera, as well as the focus, allows the audience to focus on Steve and the gun, rather than Ana.

Psycho (1960) Image Analysis

This is the last shot of Marion that we see after her death in the film Psycho (1960). The atmosphere within this scene holds a sadistic vibe, but the high-key lighting brings a sense of innocence into the scene. The eye could be a representation of the world, and the pupil could represent how there is evil within it, and how she has witnessed evil (her death). The teardrop could represent purity and how it was taken away from Marion when she had sex with her boyfriend near the beginning of the film, as well as when she stole the money. The expressionist angle also allows the audience to understand the mood of the scene. The teardrops, could represent how her life has been washed away, earlier on in this scene we also see her blood being washed down the plug hole, this also corresponds with the idea of her life being washed away. Within this scene 57 shots were used to build a sense of panic, the fast paced montage allowed the scene to become more realistic and tense for the audience.