Film Poster Analysis

This is a film poster for ‘Vantage Point’, which was released in 2008. Vantage Point is a 2008 American political thriller directed by Pete Travis. The screenplay by Barry L. Levy focuses on an assassination attempt on the President of the United States as seen from eight different points of view.

Although the film revolves around eight different individual’s point of view, the poster has one single figure standing in the middle. With pictures of the other characters arranged inside the silhouette. This immediately gives the impression that all the other characters may be working together to beat the single figure or may to help it.

The title is written in a solid typeface and is not in the centre of the poster. However does stand out very well, as there is is a separate colour used for each word. ‘Vantage’ is written in silver and ‘Point’ is written in red. The word ‘Point’ stands out more due to the colour used. This may be because it is more important and red signifies danger, therefore it may be there to provoke a feeling of danger and action to anyone who sees it. The actual meaning of ‘Vantage Point’ also has an effect. It suggests there may be a better way or different perspective to an event or action. Something that the film could feature heavily.

The picture of the silhouetted man filled with different characters is very striking. It makes the reader think about the relationship between his figure and the people inside him. Whether they are working together or against each other and whether the man is good or bad. Also the fact that the man is holding a gun helps to capture the attention and thoughts of the audience. The picture is laid on a plain white background, this helps to emphasise the picture and make it stand out making sure the reader won’t miss it. The different images inside the outline of a man help to make it clear that there is more than one point of view and more than one story to be told in the film.

I think this poster helps to create a good level of interest in any reader. The picture definitely helps to give an outline of what the story may be about, however without giving away too much information. Along with the title style and picture I feel this is a very effective poster that has features such as the picture that I will consider using in my own film poster.

When analysing this poster I realised that there were some influences the creators had used that were very evident. The main block image is very similar to some of the work by graphic designer Saul Bass. The block, square figure is very similar to some of his work. This similarity is very evident in the poster for ‘Clocker’s’, which shows a similar block like figure lying dead.

This is the film poster for ‘The Hangover’, it was released in 2009 and was directed by Todd Phillips. It is a Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose the groom their close buddy Doug, during their drunken misadventures, then they must retrace their steps in order to find him.

The first thing that grabs my attention when looking this poster is the title. It is in the centre of the frame, however it is not centered. Instead it is set low down in the frame. The font suggests a bright lights and a lot of fun. The style of the font makes it look as though it is written in the bright light style often associated with Las Vegas. Also the lights at the top of the poster give this impression of a glitzy Las Vegas experience.

At the top of the poster there is a tag line that that says ‘Some guys just can’t handle Vegas’. This gives the viewer some idea of what the film may contain, by suggesting things may of not gone to plan for theses guys. Above the tag line there is some previous credit given to the director, naming a film he has previously directed. This gives the viewer some idea of what the film will be like and almost is saying if you liked that film then you will like this one.

The three main stars of the film are in the centre of the frame, with two of them in the foreground and one in the background. They are all staring at us, as though they are looking at us for help. One of the characters is nursing a missing tooth this immediately signals to us that there is some sort of action featured in this film. Similarly the character in the background looks scruffy and dirty and has a bleeding lip.

One of the characters in the foreground is carrying a baby. When fist looking at these three males they do not look as thought they would have a baby. Also Las Vegas is not the best place to take a small child. Therefore it gives an impression of miss-hap and that something is not quite right. Also the baby is wearing what look like adults sun glasses, the fact they appear to be dressing the baby up enforces the idea that it may not belong to them and by the look of them they can just about look after themselves let alone a baby.

This poster has many features that have been used to great effect. I particularly like the use of font in the title to suggest the setting if the film. I also like the use of just three simple pictures to portray a loose implication of what the film may contain. I will definitely consider using some of the features in both posters when making one for our trailer.