Jo: existing film poster analysis

The Lovely Bones

This is the main poster produced that is featured as the DVD cover. The film has produced a selection of posters to suit audience types.

In these two similar alternative versions, another character is introduced cropped slightly out of frame, 'He' I can identify from expected conventions has no light reflected onto him which suggests negativity and suspicion. Furthermore, the female character further back in shot has more light source reflected that suggests she is our main character, but in comparison with the films main poster, I cannot become very familiar with her due to being more in the distance. Also unlike the other version, it only concentrates on one image as the background. I think this version has not been made the main version to represent the film as it isn't very suitable for younger audiences in relation to the films plot.

 In these versions with only the sizing of the title different, I can't recognize any characters other than a vivid silhouette in the distance. Both also don't include a credit block or actors featured.

 Nowhere Boy

Another comment to add about the colour choices, I feel the target audience is identifiable as a young audience as they are fun, bright colours.

 This is the version featured on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266029/?ref_=sr_1
It is busier than the original, we are given more of a sense of place and the characters home town. It also portrays significant quotes of the characters fame later in life. Also by editing the character in black and white creates a retro response that is current throughout the film.  In comparison to the original poster, a different opinion has been created for the target audience due to the different colours used. They are more creative and dated rather than bold. I feel this version will interact more with teenagers. Judging by the characters costume, hair style and props we can tell he doesn't represent expected conventions of a 21st century teenager, and rather a boy from the 50's with a draped jacket, strongly-moulded greased-up hair with a quiff at the front and the side combed back, exposed of socks, and a guitar prior to the advent of the genre of rock and roll. If I were to alter this version I would change the colour of the credit block where it covers the white area to a darker shade.

I like how the record replaces the 'O' in the title sequence in this version, which immediately suggests to me it is music related, and more evidence added from the guitar. The subtle colour of the background image is nice how it flows into white at the bottom of the frame and the image dissapears. I can identify two images within the poster that have been cleverly edited to appear as one as if the image of the boy has just been saturated. But from the colours overall i feel it overall represents similar conventions to a gangster thriller which is far from what the film wants to persevere.

 Compared to the other posters i have reviewed, I feel this version is more amateur, reasons being the style of font for the title appears very plain. Also I feel the choice of colours for the text don't compliment each other and the red doesn't suit the film's mood. Apart from those downfalls, the Blackpool landmark is positioned perfectly between the title and the character, which also gives a sense of the characters home town.  

 This version is very different to the others as it doesn't view the rest of the character so we have no idea what era he is from. I really like the extra image of the cloud that is symmetrically in alignment with his nose and chin, along with the tagline. With the use of the cloud, it gives a subject of dreams and more close and personal with the character. The blue tone is current throughout which is nice and subtle rather than in your face.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Boy#Style This was a useful link to familiarize myself with expected conventions of the 50's to relate to Nowhere Boy's main character.