Side-By-Side Poster Analysis

When constructing my horror poster I sought to comply with the industry standard horror conventions. One source I am able to use to cross compare is the poster for Grave Halloween.  The poster includes several features from my own piece and helps to show its quality. The initial and most apparent comparison is location. The isolated location and dark tones connote a message of no escape so commonly associated with the genre. This is once more supported by the technical codes, as this long shot allows for the establishment of both the wood and the antagonist.  Another key similarity is the use of character. Both posters show the antagonist central so as to show their large impact on the narrative as well as adding an air of mystery.  Another feature I we have both used is Iconography. While GH uses a rope I instead use the phallic symbol of the knife.  This type of weapon is often associated with the genre and aids in establishing the genre from first glance.  Editing is also used well in both posters. Where the cold blues help to establish genre in GH, I have instead gone completely black and white so as to help conceal my antagonist and help highlight the nature/ isolation that shall be within the film. I would even go so far as to say my poster exceeds that of GH  as it includes both credits, age rating and distribution; something also typical of film posters period. Overall the general mise-en-scene is one that clearly establishes the genre, the key antagonist and matches close to industry standard quality.