Poster deconstruction - Untraceable and Battle Royale

Untraceable (2008)

·         Typography – title is faded, looks similar to flickering wording on a computer screen – relates to the computer aspect of the film. Blue writing hits that the film may have some sort of sci-fi or futuristic themes – these glowing fonts are often used in futuristic thrillers.

·         Image – main character shown in the middle of the poster, promotional as she is a well know actress.  She is looking directly at the audience – grabs audience’s attention and draws you into the upper part of the poster. Her hair is messy – makes her look distressed and shows that she is the protagonist. Computer mouse symbol over her mouth – relates to theme of the film and shows that she will be a victim.  Image is slightly hazy as if on a computer screen – pixelated mouse icon and lines across image of the woman.

·          ‘Diane lane’ written above the title – promotional, main character.  Red and spaced out font makes audience focus and shows that this is a thriller film – red has connotations of distress, blood, anger and danger.

·         Tag line ‘The FBI cyber crimes division hunts down vicious criminals online... but the most dangerous one is hunting them’ reveals main plot theme. Written in small font and capitals – makes audience get closer to the poster.

·         ‘This January’- release date is shown at the bottom in white – contrasts to the dark background and stands out.

·         Layout – title is at the bottom so we have to look for it. The title at the bottom, the eyes at the top and the mouse symbol in the middle make the audience look three different places on the poster.

·         Colours – mainly greys to show image as from a CCTV camera perhaps. White of the mouse, her eyes and the first half of the title draw the audience’s eyes.

Battle Royale (2000)

·         Colours – shades of grey and red – looks like a cross over of a war poster and a school class photo to show that the school children are going to be fighting. Resembles a war poster – will attract audience’s attention as people do not expect to see old war posters – unusual and different from stereotype horror film poster.

·         Images – school photo shows the main characters are students – innocence? The red stamp saying ‘BR survival program’ shows that this film is based around an army operation including the students in the photo. The juxtaposition between the school photo, innocence and youth, and the army/government stamp, violence and loss of innocence, shows that this film is going to be a psychological thriller/horror.  The man in the middle of the photo at the bottom is older and dressed differently – in the photo we can assume he is their teacher but we question this due to the army and survival reference in the stamp.

·         Tagline ‘could you kill your best friend?’ questions the audience and shows that this is going to be a psychological horror- question makes the audience continue to think about the poster and give it more thought and time than other posters.

·         Award shown up in corner for ‘best picture’ - promotional, shows that this is an award winning film and is worth going to see.

·         Review – refers to two psychological horror classics to promote the film to the correct audience – people who liked those will like this – ‘undisputed hot ticket’ shows it is already a popular film, makes you feel you are missing out by not going.

·         ‘With Beat Takeshi’ – promotion - well known Japanese actor – will attract target audience and fans.