What is the purpose of a film poster?

Film posters are ‘movie at a glance’, creating a memorable picture in the persons mind, which makes them want to see the movie. The purpose of a film poster is to firstly advertise the film, showing a positive representation and information about the film. It makes the audience aware about the film and highlights the ‘starts’ of the film which wouldn’t be relevant in a short film because the actors are untrained or amateur. The purpose of a film poster is to inform the audience about the theme and genre of the film being shown, including the plot/narrative and audience suitability. Another purpose of a film poster is to show credit to the Key production team, E.g. Director and to give distribution information about when the film is on, and where it will be released. The audience don’t have to follow feature film posters, but film posters help the audience make the decision of whether to see the film or not, enticing them to see it.

Film posters appear in several different locations and are altered because the posters will be seen in different ways in different environments. The different places that Film posters are located are:


In train stations and trains: Film posters can be displayed for the public (commuters) within the train station or in trains as they travel to places like the work place, a far away trip etc. The title will appear quite largely with a picture that depicts what the film is about. Many people get onto the train, so film posters will be seen by many passengers, giving information about the film to a wide range of people. Also, the same poster may be stuck repetitively in and around the train stations to place the image of the poster in the passengers mind and make them remember the film poster that the viewed. Extra information can be seen on posters in a train station, as passengers will have more of a detailed look at it, than for instance – a billboard poster. A poster in the train station would most likely have a tagline because people would be close enough to read the poster. Film posters in the train station or on the train can be used to appeal to how passengers would be feeling while they’re on a train, 


For example this particular ‘Shaun of the Dead’ Film poster was put up in around train stations to allow passengers to relate to it, as they would have actually felt like how the main character feels in the poster when they have been on a train. This poster is from a unique genre: Rom-Com-Zom, and on the poster it clearly shows the main character ‘Shaun’ who has colour in his face with an emotionless, fed up expression while pressed up against the train doors with other passengers would are discoloured to show they are zombies. Though these zombies all have comical facial expressions in comparison to Shaun to show one of the genres of the theme, which is comedy. The tag line: ‘Ever felt like you were surrounded by zombies?’ is a comical tag line that is directed straight at the passenger of the train as it is a question and makes the passenger more interested in the film because once in every passengers life they have actually felt like they were surrounded by zombie passengers who just sit there emotionless as the train goes to every stop. The tagline also hints about the next part of the genre, which is the zombie bit, while the flowers in the protagonist’s hand shows the next bit of the genre, which is romance.

On Billboards/Advertisement Boards: Film Posters are displayed on large billboard posters, which will be above main roads or motorways so passengers can look at them as they drive past. Billboard posters will have less information that a train station poster because it is so big and just used to attract the driver’s eye. The title will be in a large font to attract the driver, with a release date. Only the most important information is put onto a billboard poster as it focuses more on the visual aspect of the poster to appeal the driver. Billboard are especially good when in traffic, as the driver/passenger can have a long hard look at the poster and take in all the subconscious messages it is trying to present to the public. As only basic information is shown to the public, those key pieces of information will be placed into the passengers mind and they will remember it and want to watch the film. 

 This is a billboard poster of the Dark Knight (2008), which is very big and the use of dark colours with the picture shows the eriee and sinister theme of the theme which would be interesting to look at as the public. The public would find this poster quite astonishing when looking at the picture and be vey intriuged about what it was about. The poster is placed on top of a motorway to be more eyecatching and so pedistrians can subconciously take in ideas about seeing the film if they are stuck on the bust motorway.



Buses & Bus stops: The side of buses will have quite a big film poster, being very visible to the public with the large scale of a billboard poster but more information like the train posters. There will be the title in big bold letters, with the star names and a tagline to give more information about the narrative. Like the billboards it is aimed at drivers, and like the train stations posters it’s aimed at people on their way to work/school etc. Many people will go to or past a bus stop several times a day meaning it is a very noticeable. If they continue to see the same film poster at different bus stops /buses they will subconsciously take in the information given to them and want to see the film.

This is a Bus Poster of the 2008 production of: Slumdog Millionare which is very large and eye catching for walking by pedestrians. The colours used are bright and make people want to look at it for a long time.

Cinemas: Film Posters can be placed within cinemas as the audience going to the cinema will clearly be interested in watching films so when they see posters about other films it will leave a lasting impression in their mind and they may want to see it. Film posters will be about upcoming films and give insight into what the narrative and plot is about. 

Internet: The increase and development in media technology has allowed the internet to be the source of more and more film posters. This means that the Film Posters can be seen all over the world and even used on social networking sites like You tube. By being on the world wide web the viewing of the Film Poster will be seen by many, and it will attract a greater audience.