This document provides a summary of the genre conventions of Western films and posters. It notes that Western films are set in the American Old West between the 1800s-early 1900s and feature adventures of frontiersmen, outlaws, and lawmen. Posters for Western films typically feature a close-up portrait of the protagonist overlaid on a photo of the Western landscape, with secondary characters depicted smaller. Stylistic conventions include bold typography, painterly illustrations, warm colors, and dynamic compositions using diagonals and triangles.

1. Making Meaning
Project 5 - Genre Shift
Final Research on 1st Genre:
Western
Kitley DeFelice
November 19, 2019

2. Personal Film Genre Definition
Western films are set during the American “Old West,” usually in the period from about the
1800’s to the early 1900’s. In general, the highest production and consumption of western movies
reached their greatest and most successful popularity in the early and mid-1900’s.
These films are set in the immense plains and rugged highlands and mountain ranges of the United
States west of the Mississippi River. Whether the stories are set out in the wide, open plains or in
a small town, western movies are usually full of adventure and gunslinging frontiersmen,
desperadoes, fugitives, and/or lawmen.
https://www.britannica.com/art/western

3. Examples

4. Personal Visual Genre Definition

5. Layout / Framing
Oftentimes, the main character receives
the most emphasis, either with his face
or full figure taking up lots of space in
the frame.
Also, if a group of people is involved in
the story of the film, they might be
included in the frame as well, but
smaller than the protagonist.
In addition, the environment of the
landscape of the American west or a
western town is often included.

6. Typography
The fonts used in western movie posters are
very heavy and bold.
Sometimes, textures are used with the type.

7. Illustration
Painterly or hand-drawn artistic styles of imagery are often utilized (if
photography is not used). Layers are employed to make the group of
secondary characters seem smaller to draw emphasis to the protagonist(s).

8. Photography
When photography is utilized for western movie posters,
it’s usually more for modern-made films.
There are usually close-up portraits of the protagonists,
which are layered on top of a photo of the open plains or
town environment, which might include the group of
secondary characters. Sometimes, the portrait might be of
the character’s back. The close-up portrait of the
characters might be fading out into the background.

9. Graphic Style: Texture
Harsh textures are often utilized, especially with
hand-drawn illustrative artistic styles.

10. Graphic Style: Elements
Highly dynamic compositions are often utilized, generally using
diagonals and triangular shapes.
Dynamic Compositions - Diagonals & Triangular Shapes

11. Content / Thematics
The protagonist is the main focus, since his face is the largest. A secondary group of people are usually
included, and they’re much smaller than the protagonist. The secondary group of people are often
depicted in an environment, whether it’s the landscape of the American west or a western town.

12. Color
Warm colors are utilized the most.