Analysis of Horror poster (edit if have time)

APOLLO 18

Apollo is one of the newest horror films out and was released on the 2nd of September 2011, in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada . When you look at the poster on the right the first element your able to notice is the Title, which is in a clear white font, which contrasts the dark background. The fact that ‘Apollo’ has been presented in a white font, suggests that its not just horror, otherwise they could of just picked a title that clearly presents the theme ‘horror’, for example has blood dripping around the title. However, the audience are able to tell that the sub-genre is Sci-fi by the use of the ‘White’ font. The colour ‘white’ connoted purity and innocence, which could relate to the genre of sci-fi, as its more fact than fiction. Next you can see that the number ’18’ has been outlined with ‘fire’ which suggests to the audience that it will have themes of danger and reminds them that it is a horror film too.

Beside the title, the audience then gets attracted to the image which is placed in the centre of the poster to attract the audiences attention. The audience can see that the picture evidently relates to the sub-genre sci-fi. The audience can see that the picture is a human’ foot print and beside it is a ‘monster/creatures’ footprint. This already shows the audience what the main context of the film will be about and gives a hint to the film. Additionally, the audience can see that the footprints is on something that represents the Moon.  This suggest where the main location of the film will be and where the action will take place.

Stereotypically, the colours on the poster follows the convention of horror films using dark colours, which clearly demonstrates to the audience the genre of the film.  

The significance use of the colour ‘black’ represents the theme of death and evil.( more to speak about colour)

The tagline, which sits at the top of the poster also follows the stereotypical conventions of a film poster. The tagline normally either sits at the top or bottom of the poster. ‘There’s a reason we’ve never gone back to the moon’, this questions the audience and makes them interesting in wanting to go watch the film and adds mystery to the film. Again this is stereotypical of horror films, as there taglines always leave the audience questioning or wanting more.

The layout of the poster is quite stereotypical and follows the conventions of horror posters. The picture is in the middle like other horror posters and the main area that attracts the audience is the ‘title’ which is of course significant then the picture. The picture is the main thing that the audience can see and is the largest on the poster. This suggests that the ‘footprints’ and the ‘moon’ are the most important parts of the film and gives away the plot of the film. 
Here are example of other horror poster/layouts:

Finally, the poster attracts its targeted audience well, either it be aimed at a mass audience or niche audience. The poster attracts a mass audience as a lot of people are into horror films as it is a popular genre. However, it can be seen to be aimed at a niche audience too, from the sub-genre, sci-fi. Furthermore, I think that the poster would attract more of a male audience as horror’s are seen to be quite masculine and the fact that there is no femine colours on the poster, suggest even more that it is targeted at a male audience.