Task 2: Comparing Genre Posters

George Lucas in Love:

From looking at the poster of George Lucas in Love, I can see that it is a mix of Star Wars and Shakespeare in Love. Therefore, this short film is most likely to be a parody/rom-com/sci-fi. This hybrid genre would appeal to a varied more broad audience due to the amount of different genres featured.

 

George Lucas in Love is a mix of Star Wars and Shakespeare in Love, which I have shown above. Usually genres influence their audience. However, in sci-fi films, the audience influences the film, or at least the way it is promoted. For example, sci-fi/fantasy/adventure films that are targeted at a younger audience always have similar posters. These posters usually feature the majority of the main characters as heads. This advertises all the characters and the younger audience would be drawn in by this as their favourite character could be on the poster, or perhaps a character they like the look of. For example, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter etc.. However, these types of films that are aimed at an older target audience do not do this. Their posters usually consist of one main, bold image that would easily attract or maybe even confuse the reader. An example of this that I have included above is District 9 (which is, ironically, based on a short film). Other examples include: Cloverfield, Avatar, Aliens etc. Feature-film sci-fi posters are perhaps more professional and bold; however, short film ones are maybe a bit more imaginative and creative. As feature-film posters are aiming to get a point across. Other types of posters include fan-made posters. I have featured a Star Wars fan-made poster above, that is trying to show a Star Wars film based in the future. These types of posters are always very creative, are effective and are sometimes humorous. 

I'm Here:

From looking at the poster of I'm Here I can tell that this short film is most likely a drama/romance. As the poster itself looks rather sad and it gives me an idea that the plot is rather emotional and depressing.

I have compared the poster of I'm Here to the rom-com film posters of P.S. I Love You, When Harry Met Sally and Before Sunrise. One thing I have noticed from dramatic/romantic-comedy films is that in pretty much all of their posters two characters are shown together, usually a male and a female. This is used to attract their target audience, which is done very successfully. Their target audience is mainly consisted of females; the idea of romance, intimacy, 'love' and heartbreak engages with them and attracts them towards the film. The poster of I'm Here shows me that short film rom-coms may be a little more dramatic and may not include the cliché 'happy ending'. The bold title seems to be a cry for a help; plus the two characters seem to be looking upset, giving off this depressed vibe. However, full-length feature films mainly do the opposite to this as they usually have a disruption in the equilibrium; which is usually always restored as the audience get there much desired happy ending. This shows that short films are more creative and risky than the typical generic full-length feature film.

Across the Hall:

 From looking at the poster of Across the Hall I can assume that this short film is most likely a drama/thriller; as there is a main figure who looks like he is either in danger or is about to participate in a dangerous task. Also, there is another figure included, the blurred out, silhouette-like figure. This character may be pursuing the main character or may be pursued by the main character.

 



I have compared the poster of the short films Across the Hall to the posters of the full-length feature film version of Across the Hall, 1408, Shutter Island and Memento. One thing all of these productions have in common is that they are all films from the genre of thriller/mystery/drama. All of these type of film posters include a main figure/figures and usually have some mystery about them. Usually including a statement or a rhetorical question that will make the audience want to find out more. These posters are mainly dark and consist of colours that represent danger (i.e. red). The mystery featured within these posters suggests that there is a high possibility of a shocking twist occurring towards the end of the film. However, the short film edition of Across the Hall's poster is much different to the full-length films as it is a normal picture and isn't in a studio or hasn't really been edited. Also, there are not many effects used. For example, the darkness. This could be due to low production costs. Nevertheless, the poster would still have the audience thinking as it is a bit mysterious.