Textual Analysis of Magazine Covers and Posters

Textual Analysis of Poster

The Gift Film Poster

DENOTATIONS:

•  The title is called 'The Gift'- the colour used is like a diluted yellow.

• There is a strange man in the background just glazing at the camera.

• The use of the black background seems sinister.

• A gift box is held by the strange man in the background.

• The gift box has the colours red and blue.

• You can hardly see the man’s face; it is shadowed by the dark background that is used.

• The man is only wearing dark colours that also blend with the background.

• The strap line used is 'not every gift is welcome'. -the colour of the strap line is grey.

CONNOTATIONS:

• The title: 'The Gift' is presented in a very odd colour in this film poster, a gift conveys the semantic field of happiness, surprises and birthdays, therefore we usually use bright vibrant colours that associate with joy however, the title itself is very odd especially with the dark yellowy colour that may suggests it may not be a gift that brings happiness to one but is rather a gift that can be very harmful or threatening. It also suggests that it was not a gift that was wanted.

• The strange man: the fact that the strange man basically slowly appears on the poster as he is shadowed conveys that the movie and the danger that will come along in the movie involves him, he may be the cause of it or the victim but because he seems to be the centre of attention suggests that he may be the one that has caused the problems, this is why he grabs the audience’s attention straight away. His dark clothing also adds to the dark, sinister atmosphere created just within the poster.

• The black background: the black background used on the poster conveys that the film will be very sinister and the whole film is most likely to have a dark atmosphere and the mise en scene used is mostly low key lighting.

• The gift box: is the only object that stands out within the whole poster with the colours red and blue which conveys that it is meant to be the centre of attention as well as the strange man. it is the main thing that needs to grab the audience’s attention. The fact that the man is holding the gift box may mean that he is either the one delivering it or may be the one receiving it.

• The colours red and blue: The colour red signifies the sign of danger and the sign of blood which implies that there may be violence in the movie that could involve someone getting hurt. The colour blue signifies trust which may explain the strap line and why it said 'not every gift is welcome'. 

• The strap line: the strap line 'not every gift is welcome' suggests that the gift is not a gift that brings happiness. The strap line gives the poster a mysterious and fearful type of atmosphere and the grey colour symbolises emotion and dullness.

Devil's Due Film Poster

DENOTATIONS:

•   The title of the film poster is called 'Devils Due'- written in capital letters.
• The title is also written in red.

• A little girl sitting down in a white circle.

• The little girls is wearing white.

• the white circle is significant.

• There is a spotlight on the girl however the light is very dim.

• The background is very dark.

• the strap line used is 'fear is born'.

• The strap line is written in white.

• It looks like there is a baby bed at the back that has been lit up. 

CONNOTATIONS:

• The title: The film poster 'Devils Due' is presented in capital letters, this may have been used to attract the audiences attention straight away to show it is about something very spiritual and out of this world, Devils are usually associated with spirits and they tend be more threatening and dangerous towards humans therefore they are much harder to get rid off. This could be the reason why they have used the colour red, as the colour red usually associates with danger and blood, this also hints that the film is going to have at least one person who ends up getting hurt or being in danger.

• The little girl: The little girl in this film poster seems to look so vulnerable as shes sitting down in the middle of the school, the colour of her clothing is only white. the colour white usually associates with purity and innocence, this could suggest that she is the innocent and pure one and little children usually grow up with an innocent mind they are nothing but sweet in this world. The fact that she is the main attraction in this film poster suggests that she is the main character and everything that happens either involves her or revolves around her. her innocence is also suggested in the poster as it looks like she may be praying to God whilst looking down on the floor.

• The white circle: This also adds to the purity and innocence of the little girl, she could be in danger and the white circle may be the one thing that is protecting her. This is suggested as she is the main attraction of the poster, as the whole movie may be based around her. The whole poster is dark except from her and the white circle, so the circle may also be sacred.

• The spot light: Although the spot light is very dim but its only placed on the girl making her once again the centre of attention, the fact that it is very dim, this makes it seem like her surroundings are very dark and suspenseful towards the audience.

• The background:  the dark background is used to create a very suspenseful and sinister type of atmosphere, just by looking at the poster we are able to see that the this film falls under the category of horror thriller sub-genre. The dark background also may suggests that the whole film may be in low key lighting to give it more tension and suspense. this also gives the connotation of danger and fear.

• The Strap line: The strap line 'fear is born' creates a sinister feeling. this personifies that rather it being a baby fear is actually born so it grows within us, the effect of this strap line is to make the audience question why they would use the word fear firstly, and who it is actually. the fact that it is written in white suggests that 'fear' is innocent and pure, they are given something sinister they do not deserve.

• Baby Bed: The baby bed is significant because the strap line says 'fear is born' therefore maybe they have expected a baby and the devil has taken over the child. the fact that the light is also dim in the bed suggests that the bed and whatever is inside is also the centre of attention and responsible for the danger that may occur. the rest of the bed is dark making the atmosphere feel much more threatening and sinister for the audience.

Awake Film Poster

Mirrors Film Poster

Black Swan Film Poster

Shutter Island Film Poster

Sight and Sound Magazine Poster

Denotations:

• The masthead is written in yellow, white and red.

• The main image is slightly shadowed by the dark colours surrounding it.

• The man is wearing black and white.

• The main cover line is written in white.

• Cover lines are also written in white but surrounded by the yellow circles.

• The banner is written in white and includes red banners.

• A release date is also included.

Connotations:

• Masthead- the colours red, yellow and white creates different themes. The red highlights love and danger. The yellow highlights happiness and energy and white conveys purity and innocence. It is clear that these colours are the main theme of this sight and sound magazine and emphasises the different theme and genres.

• Main image- The main image is centered which is ideal as it attracts the audiences attention. The dark shadowed colours makes it seem sinister and thriller which is more likely to attract those who are into thriller films.

• Main Cover line- This is written in white. This is the biggest writing on the film magazine which is used to attract the audiences attention. The big writing makes it clear especially because it is bold and the white makes it stand out.

• Banner- The banner is written in white and is surrounded by the red banner. The red banner creates the sense of danger and maybe passion.

Empire Magazine Poster

Denotations:

• The masthead is called 'Empire' and it is written in red and capital letters.

• The pugs are written in white.

• The main cover line is written in capital letters, slightly tinted with silver.

• The banner consists of the colours red, black and white.

• The main image is placed in the center of the magazine cover.

Connotations:

• Masthead- The masthead is called 'Empire' and it is written in red with capital letters. The colour and the old font is used to attract the audience and make the title of the film magazine poster clear. 

• Pugs- This is placed right beneath the main cover line in white. The white symbolises purity and it also makes the film magazine poster look more attractive as it gives the magazine some humor.

• Main Cover Line- The tint of silver adds some sophistication and emphasis on the title which is more likely to attract the audiences attention.

• Banner- The red and the black adds adventure, danger and maybe passion into the magazine poster.

• Main image- is big and in the middle of the poster. This also covers some letters from the Masthead, making the character seem more important and it shows the star of the film which is more likely to grab the readers attention. The emphasis on the red and blue on the character shows that he takes risk and he is powerful.

Total Film Magazine Poster

Deontations:

• The Masthead 'Total film' is written in black and white.

• This magazine also includes the website.

• The main image is placed on the center.

• The main theme colour is grey and gold.

• James Bond is suited.

• This includes pugs written in white and the main cover line written in gold.

Connotations:

• Masthead- The mast head is written in inverted colours, white and black. The big bold font emphasised on 'film' tells the audience what this magazine is about and the features.

• Main image- The image in 'Total Film' is also placed in the center of the magazine poster. This automatically grabs the readers attention especially because the character is James Bond and he is a famous guy who is more likely to grab the readers and consumers attention.

• Theme colour- The main colours are grey and gold which represent sinister but also worth and importance.

• Pugs- This is written in white which makes it stand out and it also reiterates the purity and innocence.

• Main Cover line- The main cover line is written in gold to make it stand out and also emphasise the title of the film.