Creating Film Posters

Learning objective: 

Create a film poster for the teenage film market using the codes and conventions of posters. Evaluate my film poster design. Starter: Why is the poster below so successful? Discuss. Task 1: write this in your orange books: Remember this simple formula: [AIDA] ► Does your poster grab attention? ► Does it generate interest? ► Does it create a desire to see the film? ► Does it attract audiences and generate action – a decision to see the film?  Attention This one’s pretty obvious. Movie posters are passed by all the time. Some even blend in with the wall they are hanging from. Although this is the most obvious step in the formula, it’s also the most crucial. Grab the attention of a passerby and giving them incentive to look will draw them in, and spark that interest of “I wonder what this is about.” If this didn’t grab your attention when it first came out…something is wrong with you. The creative designers knew how to grab the attention of their audience: they knew that sex sells. Interest OK, they looked. Step two: make them interested. This poster for example, although one of the creepiest one-sheets I’ve ever seen, makes me wonder what this film is about. Creepy wolf-bear attacks in the wilderness? Girl Scout hiking trip gone terribly wrong? I have to know! Desire Step three: turn that interest into desire to see. A lot of posters fall short here. Convincing the target audience they want to see the movie and they’ll enjoy it is a difficult task. Movies based on books are especially likely to flop during this step. Hardcore fans of the book will base their first reactions on the movie poster, so make it incredible or be prepared for backlash. The entire Lord of the Rings trilogy did a beautiful job of drawing in desire, from LOTR noobs and junkies alike. Action The crucial fourth step, where you clinch the deal. Turn their desire into action.  All the elements of the AIDA model lead toward this action. The action is paying to see the film. Numbers are good at driving action. Include ticket prices, give the premiere date, etc. The new Hunger Games movie did an awesome job of including all four elements (and you see they include the premiere date). The film poster is one of the most important methods of marketing a movie.  Follow the AIDA model, make it appeal to the target audience, include appropriate iconography, and you’ve got a fantastic poster. When a successful film poster is created it should fit the following criteria: ► The title and genre should be clear at a glance. ► Use a single strong image that shows the problem or narrative conflict. ► The colours should indicate the genre and be limited in range. ► Follow the conventions of film posters in terms of key features and layout.  Task 2:  Using Adobe Photoshop and images downloaded from the internet, Create a film poster for a new film which is aimed at the teenage market. Use Adobe Photoshop software, create your own images or download from the internet. Rough out in your orange books first for feedback. Choose a genre and title for your film.Explain why you have chosen this genre and title.Explain three elements that will appear on your film poster.Plan the layout of your poster. Label your layout.Explain how the poster will appeal to your target audience.Apart from the film poster you have designed, suggest further ways in which your film will be marketed to reach your intended audience.  Pitch your design to class.  Task 3: Peer Assessment to evaluate your designs. Remember this simple formula: [AIDA] ► Does your poster grab attention? ► Does it generate interest? ► Does it create a desire to see the film? ► Does it attract audiences and generate action – a decision to see the film? [AIDA]