Blog task 2
- 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.