What are the codes

and conventions of a
film poster?
 Describe the key
images on your poster.
Why have they been
chosen? How is the
mise-en-scene created
through framing and
composition. What
does the setting and
colour palette signify?

How is the genre

conveyed through the
image/s?
What is the title of the film? Where
has the title been positioned?
What is the significance of this
typography choice? What does it
signify?
What is significant about the
colouring?
What other text is on the poster?
What is the significance of the
information and the placement of
the text?
Narrative
What clues are there to the
narrative? What can you tell about
the genre of the film and the types
of characters from their facial
expression, body language, stance,
appearance and position on the
poster?
What impression do you get of the
character from their expression,
costume and props.
Is there any narrative enigma being
presented?
Genre is often conveyed
through colour as well as
framing and composition,
mise-en-scene and
costume/props.
What is the significance of
the colour filter used on the
image?
How has meaning been encoded in the images?
•Long shot: usually used to set the scene, no speech involved,
creates a sense of the whole story, or of isolation if only one
character is shown.
•Medium shot: usually neutral- shows one/two people in
detail, but links theme to the background, which adds
meaning to the shot. Often used for conversation or to
reflect a link between two characters and the setting.
•Close up: usually just a face/key object. This adds drama and
impact to the image, often reflecting emotion. It can be
positive or negative, but is usually negative. What is the significance of
•Extreme close up: such as just an eye- this is unnerving and camera distance?
negative- intrusive and uncomfortable for the ‘reader’.
•This can also apply to the encoding through angles as well.
Anchorage: is when you
add a caption- or
quotation from the film to
give meaning to the image
or enhance the meaning it
has.
The following lighting techniques can be used, planned,
or looked for in a found image. They each create a
certain atmosphere.
•Chiaroscuro: this is when only one light source is used,
creating shadow. Effect: negative, isolated, depressed,
confused.
•Notan: many light sources. This can appear as natural
or bright light. If natural, the effect is neutral, if bright,
it is positive.
•Ambient lighting: when the light colour has been
softened/added to create an atmosphere. The effect
will depend upon the colour of the lighting, e.g. blue=
cold, flashing lights= excitement or chaos and so on.