CODES AND CONVENTIONS:

ANALYSIS ON FILM POSTERS

(Feature films)
Colour: The colour red in this piece is symbolic of danger and conflict, yet it may also be
connotative of sexuality, similar to the femme fatale. Femininity and sexual appeal is
used significantly in this piece which links with Laura Mulvey’s Male gaze theory as the
main model is cleary used to gratify the sexual appeal of men. This is also seen in the
colour of the pendant placed on the model and the dark orange and red fleshy tones
highlighted nearer towards the models chest, as well as the bold red lipstick the model
wears. The colour of costume strongly influences the character and the colour black
displays an empowering outlook on the female model. Perhaps the editor uses a
powerful direct address as well as the prop of the gun in order to signify the feminist
theory. The contrast in theories is clever as it reveals part of the narrative of the film as
the lead female actress uses her secuality as a form of power. The bright yellow title
allows for the film title to stand out, making it the centre of attention for the audience.

Lighting: The lighting is highly influenced by the costume and the character’s skin tone.
The orange and bright lighting compliments the models skin tone as her face and body
are well lit and explicitly visible. The model’s face is well lit, presenting no part of her
face with a fill light, but instead her face is lit using high-key lighting. The main image of
the model is taken at a mid angle, presenting the entirety of her face and body, rather
than a portrait image.

Editing: The editing of this piece is significant as the hue and saturation is vibrant as well
as fluorescent, making the piece parallel an almost ‘pop-culture’ genre. This and the title
are made brighter, making them extremely visible to the viewer. The poster is also
somewhat decayed giving the piece an authentic and eccentric look.

Mise-en-scene: The use of mise-en-scene in this piece, establishes the aesthetic of the
film. For instance, the props of the gun and cigarette make a consistent appearance in
the film. The body language and facial expression of the model create an empowering
appeal to the piece.
Colour: The colours in this piece such as the dark and light tones of blue used in this piece.
The background subtly makes the dark skin tones of the characters stand out, however in
some instances the blue tones blend in with the skin tones of the characters. However, blue
is symbolic of freedom which is a theme which appears predominantly in the film. By
making the darker skin toned characters stand out through the bright key lighting, this
rejects the conventional stereotypes of film during the 20th century and instead
corresponds to the BLM movement which appeared in 2014 but became more popular on
social media in 2020 and 2021. The costumes of the characters are not brightly coloured or
vibrant which further blends the characters with the background of the poster.

Lighting: To enhance the skin tones of the key characters, there is a harsh key light on
specific areas of the face. On the leading actor, the key light is placed on the left, presenting
him with a sense of authority and strength. The direct address and strong gaze further
emphasises the characters’ strength. The female characters in this piece are also brightly lit
exposing their fierce facial expressions. As one of the female characters is presented with
no hair, this further subverts typical conventions of 20th century beauty and women in films.

Costume: The costumes of the characters all tight fitting, exposing the outline of the bodies
of each character. A few of the female characters are wearing extravagant headwear which
conforms to African American beauty and cultural attire.

Mise-en-scene: The Mise-en-scene in this piece is rather surreal which can be perceived in
the use of props such as hyper-realistic weapons and electric weapons. Below the
characters is a city which is strongly un-realistic and completely surreal which is displayed
through the editing.

Title Placement: The title placement of the piece is in the bottom half of the piece making it
discrete and subtle, difficult for the audience to view leaving more attention to the
characters.