The document discusses differences between short film and feature film posters through analysis of several example posters. It notes that short film posters tend to provide audiences with an idea of what the film is about, using simpler designs and conventions, while feature film posters give more information about genre to appeal to broader audiences. Full-length posters employ advanced editing techniques and rely more on star power. The document also analyzes conventions used for different film genres like horror, comedy, romance, sci-fi and animated films in posters.

2. GEORGE LUCAS IN LOVE
‘George Lucas in Love’ is a short film based on the story of
how film student George Lucas wrote the first episode
to the Star Wars saga. The short film was directed by
Joe Nussbaum a University of Southern California
graduate, as a tribute to George Lucas. It is a Rom-com
as the narrative explains how George Lucas falls for a
girl who gives him the inspiration for his script.
As the film pays tribute to George Lucas and the beginning
of his work on Star Wars, the short film poster was
made to create intertextuality to the first Star Wars this
way fans of Star Wars would know that there is a link
between this short film and Star Wars. The posters a
similar in graphology due to layout and design as the
main characters are shown. The short film however
uses a different colour scheme as it suggests how the
story is set in the past, were as the blockbuster is set
in the future. Also the design is a lot simpler and pays
more a tribute to who helped make it as they will be
less known than the creators and actors of blockbuster
films.

3. I’M HERE
‘I’m Here’ is a slightly longer than average short film based on the
(somewhat) romance between 2 robots. Which is different as many
sources of media portray robots as unable to love. This sci-fi
romance is very different to most films, as is not the cliché and that is
portrayed in the film poster. Compared to the full length film ‘Dear
John’ there is a lot less intimacy (which supports the idea that robots
can not really love), as they are just sat side by side, were as in the
full length film poster they are sat cuddling. This is because in the
short film the audiences will see little of the relationship, were as in
the full length film they would see a large chunk of the relationship.
The difference in graphology with these two posters is that the ‘I’m Here’
poster doesn’t include any of the actors names, were as the ‘Dear
John’ poster includes the actors names as a source of advertising,
because fans of those actors from past films will want to see their
new work in this film. Another different in the graphology in these
poster is the short film poster includes less credits than the full
length poster as they have only the people who created and funded to
thank, rather than the full length film who will also have other
participating people and companies that helped in the creating of the
film and own some of the rights such as productions companies etc.
Also the full length film poster stats who's work the film belongs to
before the masthead, were as ‘I’m Here’ only has to give the masthead
as the creators may be unknown to a majority of the films audiences.
Also like the short film poster ‘George Lucas in Love’ the design for
‘I’m Here’ is a lot simpler as the poster will not have been created by
professionally paid graphic designers who have the correct type of
equipment to create the poster, where as the creator for the short film
will have been made on a more publicly used software such as
InDesign and Photoshop.

4. ACROSS THE HALL
‘Across the Hall’ started off as a 2005 short film before being
refurbished into a full length feature remake in 2009. But
the 2005 short film was distributed by Sony and starred
professional actor Adrian Grenier. This is what happens to
many short films such as Within the Woods which grew to
be Evil Dead. This is a good example to show the
difference between a short film poster and a full length
feature film poster.
For the short film poster it will have probably been created
using a public software such as InDesign and/or
Photoshop. This can be told by the posters simple layout
and design, as it is just a two shot, which gives the
audience an idea of what they can expect to see in the film.
Whereas the full length feature film is a more complicated
design of 3 close ups of the films main characters and a
long shot of a clue to a possible outcome to the story.
Whereas the full length feature film gives the audience a
full idea of the films psycho- horror genre, the short film
poster gives audiences the idea of the narrative within the
short film.

5. CONCLUSION
The difference between short film posters and full length feature film posters are their use of conventions. Full
length feature films use advanced sources of editing to give audiences an idea of the films genre. For
example in the ‘Dear John’ poster they make audiences aware that it is a romance genre as the characters
are very intimate, the beautiful scenery shows how they are isolated and want each other and the high key
backlighting creates shadows to help create the idea that as a romance genre the love story will hold some
bad time for the couple. Were as short film posters differ, as they offer the audience the idea of what the
film means. For example the ‘I’m Here’ poster although is very similar to the ‘Dear John’ poster as it uses
simpler conventions it simply offers the idea of the short film. By being in a similar surrounding to the full
length feature film poster suggesting that there is going to be a romance, however as they are robots there
is going to be less intimacy.
A more efficient source of evidence showing the difference between the poster style of short films and full length
feature films, are the two posters for ‘Across the Hall.’ The short film poster is a lot simpler as it will have
used a more accessible software, were as the full length film poster will have used a more advanced
software. And again the short film poster gives the audience an idea of what the film is about, while the full
length feature film poster gives audiences an idea of the genre. Which is a horror genre, as it uses low key
back lighting to create tension and suspicion as who the man holding the gun in the long shot. Also a use
of spot lighting on the characters to show their facial expressions, showing that the experience is going to
be horrifying. With the differences between these posters the different types of films will appeal to different
audiences, the short film posters are more likely to audiences who prefer short films over main stream
films this is usually other filmmakers or fans of particular genres. While the audiences for the main stream
film will the fans of the actors that star in that film and will want to see what there next project is or
audiences who are part of the mainstream cinema goers (15 to 34 year olds).
Overall short films and full length feature films use different styles for their posters. While the full length feature
films use the genre of their film to dictate the way it is going to look by following conventions, the short
films use the poster instead to present the idea of their short film to their audiences. Such as the ‘Across
the Hall’ posters differ because the full length film poster follows conventions of a horror genre with low
key lighting and showing the facial expressions of their stars, also using Richard Dyer’s theory as they rely
on star power to sell their film. Were as the short film version presents the idea of the film, that the films
main character is trying not to get caught. While full length feature films stick to conventions, short films
create an idea for audiences to follow after the editors gathered signs from the short film to help tell what it
is about.

6. FILM GENRE POSTERS- HORROR
For a horror film there are different conventions to follow that separates the
different types of horror films there are.
First convention it follows is the use of the colour scheme, as it has used
black which suggests darkness as in horror films it is usual for the there
to be a dark figure or personality as the films villain, red which coveys
danger such as the films victims being seriously hurt of killed. They have
also used orange which is conventionally is used in more positive genres
of film, but here it is used as a source of light to reveal background
information within the poster to the target audiences. This is typical
within a horror genre poster as the editors will want to reveal some
secrets but only to an extent for audiences to have that wonder when
watching the film and then be shocked at conclusions or outcomes.
Another convention of the horror genre film poster is the use of low key/
backlit lighting. This creates shadows/blackness within the poster to
convey the idea of secrets and/or a hidden identity to the person who is
playing propps villain in the story. This is part of the narrative as usually
in horror films stories, myths, rumors etc. are revealed about the person
who plays the villain in the story. Other horror films also follow these
conventions:

7. FILM GENRE POSTERS- COMEDY
When it comes to comedy films it is very important to get the idea of that genre across, as there is
no harder job then making an audience laugh. Purely because past comedy films audiences
people will have seen will have set a bench mark for new released comedy films to meet. The
conventions of a comedy genre are usually very specific, to help get the idea of comedy
across to audiences.
Firstly a convention that is very common amongst most comedy film posters is the use of
emphasis. Such as ‘Elf’ and ‘Johnny English Reborn’ the main emphasis is on the look of
the character and showing audiences how the look out of the ordinary. This complies how
there may something odd to this character and that they may cause quite the stir up in the
narrative.
Next is the idea of how the poster over does it. Such as the posters for ‘Grown Ups’ and again
‘Johnny English Reborn’ the backgrounds have been especially added to add a source of
comedic drama to the films narrative and gain the interests of audiences by persuading
them by the look of the mis-en-scene of the poster this comedy film could live up to their
expectations of a comedy film. Such as the water slide on the ‘Grown Ups’ poster conveys
the idea of how these grown men have come to lows in still acting like children, also the
‘Johnny English Reborn’ poster the background seemingly is an over reaction as to how
Johnny English always causes trouble or makes mistakes instead of helping and solving
crimes (and audiences from the previous Johnny English film will know that they can just
expect more trouble in the films narrative).
Also for the film posters masthead all of the examples use bright prime colours. Such as red, blue
and green. This is a way to convey the idea that these films are all positive and are their to
make you laugh, even though red conveys danger they use it in a comedy narrative that
danger is caused by the thoughtless actions of the films characters.

8. FILM GENRE POSTERS- ROMANCE
Another popular genre, especially amongst women is the romance genre. The
conventions for a romance genre poster is primarily to give the audience the idea
of what a true strong romance looks like, as it can last through anything. The
conventions are quite hard to create as the actors need to have the right
connection not only in the film to make it believable, but also within the film
poster to encourage the target audience to actually see the film.
Another convention for a romance film poster is the setting/location, it is usually an
isolated location symbolically referring to the idea that these two people only
need each other and the film is based on their journey. The setting also usually
includes a strong source of ambient lighting to help create a romantic setting,
also to act as a symbolic code of sowing the audience that the couples love is
strong like the light, such as the back lighting in the film posters for ‘The Vow’
and ‘The Notebook’.
Finally the use of star power plays a part in a convention of a romance genres film
poster. Out of the five example film posters I have the same actress Rachel
McAdams stars in three of the films. This is a use of intertextuality, as by the
same actress starring in the same type of genre of film then audiences will be
interested to see if she act with the same amount of love and passion as she did
in her previous films. Also it gives the new films a definite audience, thanks to
the use of intertextuality by the actor/actress.

9. FILM GENRE POSTERS- SCI-FI
Sci-fi is a bit more of a complex genre, very much like its narratives. There is a lot of
detail that goes into the production and editing process of the film, and a similar
amount of detail goes onto the design of the film poster. As in a way it needs to
look realistic and interesting to the films target audiences.
Firstly sci-fi films tend to be set in the future and about robots or aliens, which are
portrayed as propps villain in the narrative. Without giving too much away these
are included on the poster however they are either darkened out so that only the
silhouette is seen giving the impression that this villain is unknown and is yet to
be discovered. Or the are made unclear such as in the ‘I,Robot’ poster the robot
is seen but isn’t very clear, which conveys the idea that there is more to the robot
then what the audiences can see, these types of techniques will encourage
audiences to go see the film to find out the mystery that lies behind the other life
forms looks.
Next the use of a colour scheme like the horror genre posters are very much similar to
each other. This convention helps make sci-fi genres easier to identify when
audiences see the poster as they will have seen it before. The common colours
used are black and blue, as these signify a futuristic setting for the film and the
idea that the future is a dark one. Also orange is commonly used as sci-fi films
use high tech weapons and signify the battles that happen between the hero's
and villains.

10. FILM GENRE POSTERS- ANIMATED
Animated films main target audience are children but generally are family films, trying to be funny and
appealing to everybody. Animated films tend to be like adventure films but have these comedy
elements along the way.
Firstly as animations are mainly targeted at younger audiences they do need to be given a better idea of
who and what the story is about. That is why the main characters within the story are usually
included and making direct address with the audience. This is used to build a connection with the
characters and the audience because if there is a connection then when audiences go to see the
film it shall be more enjoyable. This is especially more important with young children, because
seeing a film to them is ‘a story come to life’.
Next a comedic tagline is also used to encourage the audience to go and see the film. As the tag line
offers the hint that these animated films hold a comedic twist to it, therefore suggesting that the
film will be very enjoyable. Another convention that is used to persuade audiences to go see the
film is the use of intertextuality, for example the ‘Finding Nemo’ poster makes a reference to the
other Disney Pixar film ‘Monsters Inc’ because the audiences of that film will be interested to see
what block buster the creators have made now.
Finally a unique convention that animated films tend to use is creating a signature masthead for the film
poster. Such as the ‘Shrek’ poster uses the main characters ears on the S, ‘Ratatouille’ uses mouse
whiskers and a chefs hat for the dot on the I and ‘Yogi Bear’ and ‘Finding Nemo’ use graphology
related to the animals for he inner shape of the o. Using this type of technique gives the films
individuality and a source which will allow it to be recognized by audiences for example the release
of film merchandise, when the DVD comes out etc. Or when the film is made reference to in future
trailers so that audiences will become interested in seeing that new animated film produced by the
same creators.