3. Images I used
Out of the many photographs that I took, I
Decided to pick these two. The image on the
Left is very sombre, catches the mid-shot of
The alter-ego, yet we can still see far down
The street. The facial expressions are very
Blank and uncaring, which sets the mood
Of our horror genre as it detaches itself
From caring about murdering innocent
People. The image on the right is set against
A plain background, however there is
Shadowing as I have used artificial light to
Create this affect. The shadow symbolises
The overcast feeling of the alter-ego who
Is always hanging over him, like a pest problem. Both characters here are wearing the same
Clothing as it represents them being the same person. The male villain has his head tilted down
Which creates mystery and darkness around him. The reason that I have placed the villain on a
Blank canvas was so that I could later edit it in Photoshop with less hassle. On the left image, we
Are slightly at a high angle, this connotes the idea that the alter-ego has power over him and
Dominance.
4. After taking various photographs, I managed to pick two that fitted what I wanted to do very well. At
first I was unsure about what type of poster I was aiming for, and after trying various different ideas
out, I managed to pick the most suitable idea. Although both of these images look very different, I
managed to make them work by using Photoshop to edit them. The male villain on the right has his
head tilted down and there is no eye contact. This conveys that he is a mysterious person who
doesn’t give off many hints about his personality. The picture of the right shows eye contact as the
alter-ego is staring at the camera.
I used the image on the right as my main image as the background was blank and I could easily
manipulate it how I wanted it to look. The reason I didn’t use the background image on the left is
because it was too busy and would distract the audience from my intention of the poster; which is to
capture their attention and make them want to see the film. I changed a lot of light settings such as
brightness/contrast and black and white in order to achieve my dark background.
To lay the image on the left on to the image on the right, I first had to cut out the alter-ego with the
magnetic lasso tool in Photoshop. I then edited the transparency of the image so that the male
seeped through her. The reason I did this was to show that there are two personalities featured
behind the male villain. I then used a blur/soften tool in order to smooth the edges of the hair of the
alter-ego, so that she wasn’t too sharp on the eyes, but she would still be very striking to the eye. I
then realised that there were logos featured in my image, so I got rid of them by using a sample and
paint tool.
Because of the way that I have laid the female image higher than the male, it makes it seem as
though she’s always reoccurring, and doesn’t ever disappear from him. It shows that she is always
present and can control his every move, always watching what he is doing.
The lighting grades from dark to light as we look higher up the poster. The reason that I have edited
it in such a way is because it puts emphasis on the female alter-ego, but it doesn’t take too much
away from the dark depths of the male villain. The lightness also connotes that the alter-ego isn’t
really there and is a figment of the villains imagination. The transparency of the image also adds to
this effect, and makes the perfect combination between light and transparent, creating a faded look.
5. The movie that this poster is taken from is a drama genre.
However, I have chosen to challenge the conventions of this
Trailer and borrow some ideas and adapt them in to the horror
Genre that is my poster. I have borrowed the idea of the faded
Text using key words that link with the movie. In my poster I have
Featured the words “split, danger and psycho” The reason that
I used these keywords is because ‘split’ refers to the split
Personality of the villain as he has an alter-ego. ‘danger’ as it
Links in very well with the typography featured in our horror
Trailer. Final the word ‘psycho’ connects with our horror genre,
Which is psychological thriller. All three words I feel are fitting
For my poster and horror trailer as they all connect with issues
Dealt with in the trailer. I used the three words as a sort of tagline
For the film. I made the three words fit in the black
Bowler hat that is worn by the male villain because it fits in
With the rule of thirds. So at the top of the poster is the alter-
Ego, then comes the very important text, lastly the male villain.
But each connecting with one another and drawing the attention
Of the audience to them, which gives the poster enigma, making
The audience interested and more likely to go and watch the film.
A good idea was to also put stars and quotes from magazines on
My poster. This makes the audience believe that the film has been
Given a good rating, making them more likely to see it in the
Cinema. The reason that I made my title bold and opaque is so
That it stands out and tells the audience what the movie is called.
“The girl next door” would also be a film that most would assume
To be a more adult movie, rather than a serious horror film.
By creating a light and dark effect in my poster, it highlights the
Most crucial features, but doesn’t take away from the poster and
Makes it look original. This poster was published by Total Film
Magazine. As I have borrowed some techniques used, it will link
In with my front cover that I made as I've branded my magazine
By Total Films.
6. This poster is very simple, yet I adapted parts of it to my film poster. Things
Like the dark lighting, contrasting with the light lighting which help to
Create a creepy effect on the audience.
One thing that I have challenged about this poster is that there is a close-up
Used to create more tension between the audience and the character.
Although
I have used a character who looks at the camera, it’s only a mid-shot and
Doesn’t focus in on the eyes, but more on most of the body. Which is still
Quite effective as I have edited it in such a way that captures the imagination
Of the audience without being too busy as a poster, with too much going on.
I have used the idea of keeping the image centred with text above and below
it, as I feel that this is a good technique which entices the audience to feel
inclined to read up about the new movie coming out.
Because of where the film title is positioned on the poster, it looks like
The villain is staring down at it, which is similar to what they have achieved in
The Conjuring poster, as it looks like the woman is burning the title. Although
I have used the technique in a different way, it still comes across as effective
Because it looks like the male villain wants you to personally read the title
And to come see the film. This poster was featured in Total Film magazine,
which is what I based my front cover off of, so my poster and the film will link
As they’re featured by the same company.
7. Like most film posters, I have incorporated a billing block so that it conforms to the conventions of film posters and looks
More professional. All of the important information is featured here which relates to our horror trailer, such as the film
Company who produced it, an actor from the trailer, who the music was by, the directors and producers, who it was
Written by and the costume designer. I put all of these small details in as every film poster has this and it is useful for the
Audience if they’re interested in films and would know a director/producer by name if they saw it. I have also added in
When the film will be released ‘2013’ as the audience will want to know when it’s coming out so that they can keep a look
Out for it in the cinemas when it is finally released.
The reason that I have made the text of my film poster white is because it links in with our horror trailer, and also my
Magazine front cover. I wanted the three pieces of main work to flow smoothly and look like they were all a part of the
Same feature. By effectively making each piece of work the same sort of style, it all ties in as a complete package, which
Makes it appealing for the audience. The font type that I have used for the title of the horror film is also the same font
That is featured in the trailer and on my magazine front cover.
8. Overall, I am very happy with my final product. I feel that it encodes all of the right symbols
And situations that are featured in the trailer. The main features of the horror trailer all tie
In with the two pieces of work which I have produced as well as the trailer (film poster and
Magazine front cover)
From my film poster we get the sense of identity which the characters possess in the film
Which is the male villain being controlled by the alter-ego, and the alter-ego looking very
Innocent which creates the idea that she is innocent in some way as she also looks very
Young, however looks can be very deceiving. Which adds to our horror sub-genre of
Psychological thriller and gives it more umph.