Film Poster Analysis (w/ Semiotics)

Semiotics is where signs are used to stand for something other than what it is. For example, the colour green can represent envy or greed.

There are two main theories in Semiotics, de Saussure's Dyadic Semiotic System, where there is the "Signifier" and a "Signified". The "Signifier" is what is seen and the "Signified" is what is implied or meant. The other is Pierce's Tryadic Semiotic System, here he describes different types of signs. Indexes (Signs) are connected to the meaning, (For example, a photograph or picture). Icons are related to the object in some way. Symbols are totally arbitrary (not connected to the indexes), and do not mean anything.

This applies wholey to film posters as various traits - or "Signifiers" - in these can imply something about that particular shot, such as various actions, colours, background, lighting, angles and expressions can all signify things about the film.

This poster is very interesting as firstly it has blood splatters/embers which show the aftermath/emergence of a battle, backed up further by the fact that the actor is in an action pose. Another key point is the background of the poster, where it shows Hogwarts on fire/in ruins which is very interesting as throughout the whole series it has became such an iconic place - a safe-haven - but now is in chaos.

Another point is the colours of the poster. They all seem washed out which is quite unusual for a fantasy film, which means it is meant to be taken more seriously. The facial expression of the actor is also important as he is looking off into the distance, implying something key is happening outside of the focus of the poster, making it seem more dramatic. Finally, the tagline of the poster is also important because it only uses the three words, "It all ends" which tells us that the whole series is coming to a climactic end after a decade.



This second poster was for the cult horror film 'The Blair Witch Project'. Once again, this is an interesting poster as the background features the outline of a forest of which is totally blackened out. This represents isolation from everything outside of it, and also a never-ending journey into what is in this darkness can be deduced from this poster. As we progress further down the poster what stands out is some sort of pagan, ritualistic symbol which is an ongoing theme throughout the marketing campaign of this film. This symbol bears a resemblance to the christian cross, of which this could mean it implies death as it also stands out due to it's red colouring.

Another key feature (disregarding the Billing Block and name of the film) is the brief paragraph providing a back-drop of the film for viewers to be drawn in. This is left on a cliff-hanger almost as 'A year later their footage was found.' makes the viewers want to know what this actual footage was, and gives it a very supernatural yet realistic feel to the poster. After this we come to the key feature of the poster which is the face looking directly at the person viewing the poster. This improves the isolation-like feel of the poster as it looks like the darkness is closing in on the person, who has a very uncomfortable - almost horrified - look on their face.

In conclusion to this analysis of these posters, if shows that even simple posters can be extremely effective in setting the mood and genre of the film, and that how this simplicity can draw viewers into wanting to go to see this film by using well-thought out features in these posters.