History of Horror

Film Poster Analysis - Smiley

This is the film poster for Smiley (2012). Smiley is a new film and therefore the audience do not know the story of the film or any of the characters. As this is the first film of this story it allows the director and writer to create a sense of mystery drama and suspense. When advertising the film they need to be eye catching to the audience to make them want to watch the film.

They layout of the film poster is with the villain wearing the smiley mask is in the background at the top of the poster. There are also some other people who are at the fore front of the film poster but below the villain. With these people below the villain it implies that they are his victims and by the villain being above his victims he is more powerful and in control of his victim’s fate. The title of the film ‘Smiley’ and all the small print that features on a film poster are all at the bottom of the poster beneath the villain and victim’s.

The angle of the camera is positioned looking at the villain and victims. Even though the camera is not tilted or at an angle with the villain being at the top on the poster it still feels as if he is looking down on us and has more control over the events that will happen in the film.

The main colour of the poster is blue which is the colour of the background and the villains and some of the victim’s tops. Another main colour on the poster is red the film title ‘Smiley’ is in red and there is a faded splattered red on the shirt and face of the villain. By using the colour red it represents danger, power and blood which will all feature in the film.

The film title ‘Smiley’ it relates to the villains mask being a stitched up smiley face, which would be the last thing his victims see. Even the text that is in the lightest colour is a dull grey giving an overall dangerous and dark look for the film. 

Film Poster Analysis - Carrie

This film poster is for ‘Carrie’ (2013) which was originally a novel before it was made a film in 1976 and then remake in 2009, which is the film poster below. As this film has already been made into a film and was originally a novel, the audience already knew the story and therefore knew what to expect. As the story of the film is already known, the directors had to make this version of the film eye catching, interesting and better then the first film to make the audience want to watch the film.

The layout of the poster is consumed by Carrie herself making her the main feature in the film. As Carrie is in the centre of the image with blood dripping down her head and face as the audience we would assume that she either gets injured or she has committed a crime and has the blood of her victims on her. The film title ‘Carrie’ has the splattered effect of blood relating to her blood on her head and certain events in the film. The other small print text is in white writing as the background of the image is a dark colour. The overall image appears to be hind glass as there is a crack where the glass has broken around and near her face this could imply that Carrie herself is in a sense ‘broken’.  By being over protected by her mother and an outcaste by her peers, Carrie seems to be alone and almost lost in a way.

The angle of the camera is positioned sideways on Carrie and is a medium close up shot of her. With Carrie’s head turned towards the camera it makes the audience feel like she has chosen them as her next victim. By her head turned towards the camera it gives a more terrifying look she is looking at the audience which subconsciously involves them.

The main colour on the film poster is black which represents a sense of mystery and evil which relates to horror. The colour red also features a lot on the poster Carries eye are red and her head is covered in blood as well as the film title being splattered in blood. 

Film Poster Analysis - Friday 13th

This is the film poster for the first ‘Friday The 13^th’ (2009). This is a new film and therefore the audience do not know what it will contain or who the characters are or what happens in the story. By it being the first film it allows the directors and writers to create mystery, drama and suspense when advertising the film to be eye catching to the audience.

The layout of the poster with the villain in the centre makes them the main feature of the poster. By having one main feature, the villain it emphasises there importance to the film. The background of the image is the woods which would be unoccupied making it the perfect setting for a horror.

The angle of the camera positioned looking up at the villain making him seem taller and more intimidating. The light in the back ground appears to be the moon shining through the trees creating a silhouette effect of the villain. The villain is wearing a mask which adds mystery to the characters identity which could also play on the audience’s mind not knowing who it is and/or who you can trust.

The main colour of the poster is black which is a typical colour used in horror films. The colour black represents a sense of mystery and evil which conforms with the genre of horror. The colour black also creates a sense of being isolated and afraid. The villains own shadow covers his face making it unable to see any features/mask.

‘Friday the 13^th ’ is known to be unlucky where something terrible happens therefore in this film something bad is going to happen. The title is in the colour red which represents blood, danger and power which are all things that will most likely feature in the film.