Thriller posters –

`From Hell`. (2001)

From the posters I have put together, you can see that almost all of them follow the certain conventions allocated to a thriller film.

Each poster uses certain colours which represent the different aspects of the film and the storyline involved, usually being black or other dark colours to present mystery, secrets and a mask of lies mixed with the truth. As well as colour representation each poster focuses on the main character/s – this is usually the only person/s in the poster either being a close up or long shot to portray their emotion through body language or facial expression.

For example, `From Hell` poster (Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, 2001) immediately establishes the main character and an obvious love interest. This poses the usual conventional characters of lead role and `helpless female`. The small image of a figure at the bottom also represents a villain, this is shown through the use of silhouetting with a hidden identity, as well as this, the small size of this image also represents his type of character.

Facial expression on both of the characters gives us a small insight into the plot of the film. The female role is looking away from the camera with a slight look of fear about her, also as her image is behind the male shows a sense of protection, fear and helplessness. However, the male character is slightly in front showing an aura of power and importance. His eyes, as opposed to hers, are looking directly into the camera to give the impression he is looking at the audience – to involve them in the story. The serious expression on his face, as well as his direct look may be intending he is sharing a secret with the audience, something that he isn’t telling the female.

In this image, of the protagonists, black is the main colour, as his face is becoming more shadowed – this also indicates he may have a `darker side` or that he is keeping something hidden, this may be an identity or a secret of some kind.