2. Explore how codes and conventions create meaning in this film poster. [15]

codes and conventions construct a meaning in the 'Let Me In' film poster by projecting a mise-en-scene of stereotypical horror imagery so consumers can immediately identify it's genre.The red and black colors initiate a dark and Gothic theme. By the codes and conventions of blood running down the girl's mouth, the pale skin,dark hair and the glowing supernatural eyes, we immediately identify the sub genre of a vampire movie. The close up shot signifies to the consumer most likely who the protagonists are. The cryptic, capitalized and serif font of the title is the main feature of the poster, it purposely keeps the contents of the film a mystery, this is highly conventional and shows intertextuality of a wide range of famous horror titles such as 'The Thing' or 'Don't Breathe'. 

It is clear the producer follows David Hesmondhalgh's theory of cultural industries. The overall genre of Horror is standardized to only attract consumers who enjoy horror, this will minimize the risk of negative reviews. Disturbing imagery like a mid shot of a hanging body immediately divert any consumers who may feel offended by imagery like this. The sub genre of a vampire film is clearly stated but shows subversive codes which may interest audiences looking for a new creative film. The use of children, especially as vampires could form controversy too and bring more financial success. The overall mise-en-scene of the poster is intertextual to many conventional vampire films and TV shows like 'Byzantium' or 'True Blood'.

The physical features on the girl's face generate a hermeneutic code. Although the denotation of supernatural eyes and a bloody mouth connote the conventional characteristics of a vampire. The consumer will be intrigued by how exactly she was infected. The body language of the two performers is also highly hermeneutic too. The producer has purposely shown a binary opposition between the Boy and Girl's appearances. By comparing the two characters, we have firm knowledge that the Boy is most likely not a vampire without even watching the film. This makes the consumer question the body language of both performers as they are hugging. The consumer will want to understand the two character's relationship and can only discover this by consuming the media product. 

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