Codes and Conventions of a Film Poster

The intended purpose of a film poster, similar to a trailer, is to create excitement and anticipation for a film's subsequent forthcoming release. However, similar to a film trailer, film posters generally are too held to account on conforming to, or for particular effect subverting, Codes and Conventions of their specific medium. In my own work I will attempt to stick closely, but not rigidly as I would like creative experimentation and free reign of my work, to the listed Codes and Conventions so that my work is able to be closely identified to that of a film poster. Film posters, from my personal experience, as a consumer of the media, should offer a small appetiser of the finished film production, acting as a "starter" inviting the audience to go and view the "main course" of the finished film and whetting the appetite of the avid film fanatic.


The expected Codes and Conventions of a film poster are listed below:
 
Tagline- Through this Code and Convention a Tagline sums up the story in a memorable catchphrase, so the person looking at the film poster is further inclined to go and see the film which the poster is promoting. Conventionally, this is seen above the title of the film and acts as an "introduction" to the world of the film before the viewer becomes totally immersed into the film's full poster, offering a small hint of the "world of the film."
Main Image- This, being the main focus of the poster and the primary attraction for consumers, has to be big and bold  in order to stand out in marriage with the title of the film. Like a marriage the title and the main image of a film poster have to work collaboratively in order to successfully promote the film shown on the poster.
Title- This is an aspect of  a film poster similar to the main image in that both elements must stand out effectively and work together. The main image of a film and the title must work together and will understandably share a consistent theme with one another, promoting the main ethos and values of the film.
Director, Producer and Actor accreditation- This is a Code and Convention of film posters that is of rather secondary importance in promoting a film but for some film fans is a deciding factor on whether to go and see a film and can be largely made on whether a particular actor or director have featured in the film's production. Furthermore, a particular actor/ director combination may work particularly effectively and as such subsequent releases by the pairing may entice film fans, whatever the genre or content of a film, to go and see the new film.  
Quotes/ Ratings and Awards- This is a Code and Convention that I would say can be a deciding factor for those that are sitting on the fence as to whether to go and see a film and on occasion, this positive seal of approval such as a positive review is sometimes required so as to entice extra viewers to go and see the film, and providing a positive nod of approval in the form of a review or a star rating that an investment in a trip to the cinema is one that is worthwhile due to the reaped rewards in pleasure and entertainment value.  
Release Date- Just as a tagline is found at the top of a poster, similarly, a release date is normally found towards the bottom of a film poster and informs the person looking at the poster of the crucial information that they want to know, having made up their mind about whether to go and see a film or not. A release date informs the consumer of when  a film will be publicly exhibited at a cinema and aids consumers into making their plans to go and see  the film upon it's release and how this activity can be effectively incorporated into their social schedules.


The film poster has the important but equally extremely challenging role of grabbing the attention of potential viewers and informing them of the genre of the film and the key themes likely to be explored within that film and it all must be completed through the use of one image and some supportive text. Therefore, the image needs to be striking and memorable to communicate these aspects about the film to an audience in a timely manner.

Having conducted research on the Codes and Conventions of film posters, and been better informed of their expected conventions, I am now aware of the aspects that I need to include in my own poster for it to be effective in it's role of providing a snapshot of our film and promoting it in a very short space of time.