A Look at What Makes a Movie Poster Iconic

Image source: screencrush.com

The fact is that not all movie posters are created equal. Some posters stand the test of time and become collectors' items. Others, meanwhile, are simply forgotten. For this blog, Joe Cianciotto describes the qualities of an iconic movie poster.

Good design is essential to create an attractive poster because if the design isn't good, it could end up being a bad marketing tool for the film. Before starting the poster, several elements need to be considered, including perspective, layout, and typography, says Joe Cianciotto.

Here are some important aspects of movie posters:

1) Good Composition

Composition in art is how the various elements of an image are arranged. It is not just about how the poster looks but also its overall impact on the viewer. When designing a movie poster, this is one of the most important aspects to consider.

Composition in film marketing flyers can be divided into three sections: foreground, mid-ground, and background. Each section has its own specific role in the marketing strategy, so if you want your movie poster to be good, it needs to have a well-thought-out composition, explains Joe Cianciotto.

Image source: musebycl.io 

2) Calls-to-action

Calls-to-action are prompts intended to excite viewers and motivate them to take action. The main goal of the poster is usually to get the viewer to watch the movie in theaters, but in some cases, it can be used for other purposes. For example, a call-to-action can encourage people to buy the DVD when released, visit the movie website, or even attend an event promoting the film.

3) The Main Image

The most important part of any good design is the main image. According to Joe Cianciotto, this is the first factor to consider when creating a poster to develop an attractive design. After all, it is often the main image that comes to mind when we think of the most iconic movie posters.

Japanese horror: A genre unlike any other

If there’s one genre in film I want to explore, but I’m hesitant too because it’s simply too creepy – it’s Japanese horror. I’ve seen a few J-Horror films and I have to say, they are exquisitely uncomfortable to watch, which is a good thing.

Image source: youtube.com

Here are three examples.

Ringu (1998)

The pinnacle of J-Horror, “Ringu” kept me awake for a week. I rented the DVD with a couple of friends before the American remake came out and we had a blast watching it. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. For those who haven’t seen it, it’s about a videotape that’s cursed. The tape kills anyone who watches it after seven days.

Image source: Wikipedia.org

Audition (1999)

Takashi Miike is by no means, a simpleton. This Japanese director has a brilliant vision, which he oftentimes mixes in with his own twisted fantasies. The most well-known of his works is 1999’s “Audition” (“O-dition”). The first half of the film is akin to a romantic drama. But the second half spirals down into hell so fast that you want have time to adjust. The visuals alone will leave you catatonic for a bit.

Ju-On: The Grudge (2000)

“The Grudge” as it is known by Western viewers is a fun, dark ride in the vein of “Ringu.” Though this is another curse-based plot, “The Grudge” pours more of itself into horror than creepiness. Another must-watch.

Hi, the name’s Joe Cianciotto and I’m a San Francisco Bay Area-based architect. I like to write about buildings, new gadgets, and movie blockbusters. Follow me on Twitter for similar updates.