August 19, 2021

2A2 ART_APP
Preliminary Assessment 1: Applying Visual Elements

COLOR (complimentary
SPACE (Linear hues; saturation, warm
Perspective) colors vs cool colors,
symmetrical balance)

SPACE (contrast of scale;

location and placement)
LINE (Curved line of the
wave used as border)

LINE (vertical lines of Luca

vs diagonal lines of Alberto
vs horizontal line of Giulia)

*LINE (implied lines

indicating where the
characters are looking,
expressing their intent)

Luca (2021) is an eponymous film revolving around the adventure of Luca

himself, a sea monster, in discovering the world referred to by his fellow sea monsters
as “the surface” where he was forbidden to go to by his parents. It’s a story about
friendship, family, culture, dreams, acceptance and finding your sense of belonging.
There were a lot to take in visually just from the poster of Luca and it’s one of the
reasons the movie has appealed to me. It was recommended to me by classmates who
knew I am interested in themes relating to the ocean and European culture. Before
having watched the movie, I easily assumed that there will be two significant settings or
“worlds” involved in its story. In the poster, this is depicted through the complimentary
palette of colors, as well as the parallel of warm colors and blue colors, and other
qualities of the poster’s palette.
This divide between the two “worlds” was also implied in the poster by using the
curved line of the wave as border, as well as the contrast between the characters
shaped similarly to fishes and the human characters. While watching the movie, I was
satisfied to discover that my prediction about two worlds was on point.
 August 19, 2021
2A2 ART_APP
Preliminary Assessment 1: Applying Visual Elements

Aside from being used to depict boundaries, lines in the poster were also used to
express posture and movement, especially relating to how the characters are
positioned. While looking at the poster, I predicted that Luca, standing vertically in the
middle would be the focal point of the story; Alberto, floating underwater would be a
dynamic character; while Giulia, sitting by the sea, could possibly be a character that
will be supportive and not easily shaken off her feet. After watching the movie, my
assumption sounds kind of farfetched, but I could say that Alberto’s character was
similar to what I had in mind.
There are also implied lines expressed by the eyes of the characters, such as
the fisherman and the cat who both seem to be looking at the sea monster characters.
From this, I predicted that if the sea monster characters would have to hide their
identities in “the surface” the cat and the fisherman, being familiar to characteristics of
fishes, would be one of the characters who will grow suspicious first. Similarly, the sea
monsters at the bottom is looking at Luca suspiciously and seems to be disagreeing,
which led me to assume that they would be antagonistic in nature. After watching the
movie, I was able to see it in another perspective, and I learned that the sea monsters
were Luca’s parents, and they were only concerned for his safety.
Another interesting element of this poster that I wanted to note is the use of
space elements, there seems to be more negative space used underwater compared to
the town, which seems to be full of life, allowing me to assume that themes which are
commonly related to the ocean such as isolation and loneliness could be used by the
plot to drive Luca’s curiosity in exploring the world beyond. These themes were actually
present in the film, and I was satisfied that I predicted it just from analyzing the poster.
Another space element that can be noted is the use of contrast of scale, where
some characters and objects are made smaller to seem farther away. This element
made it easy for me as the viewer to tell which characters would play more significant
roles to the plot.
All in all, I could say that Luca (2021)’s official poster is not only visually pleasing
with the way its elements agree with each other, but it can also be informative and full of
hints to what the movie is about.