Film Poster Analysis

This is a film poster for the 2007 movie 'Sweeney Todd'. It is the main theatrical poster for the film which would have been used to attract people to go and watch the film in cinemas. The film has a target audience of younger people aged around 18 to 25. It is also a character poster which shows one of the main characters in the film. The name of the film is 'Sweeney Todd' and this is written on the poster in a fairly large font. This is important as the title is what people need to remember. The font used for the title is a sharp looking font and has red blood splashed over it. This is something that indicates that the film involves blood. Also the font used is grey which is not a nice or bright colour. This also relates to the film as the film is not a happy one. The main star of the movie is written above the title of the film, as Johnny Depp is a very famous actor and therefore the poster has his name written around the middle of the poster and it is in a large font. People who are familiar with Johnny Depp may see this and it might make them want to see the film more. Also this may attract many in the target audience as younger people may find Johnny Depp attractive. The main image in this poster is of the character Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) sitting in a chair with a razor. This image has been chosen as it sets the scene of the film and shows the main character of the film. Also the razor is significant as it plays an important part in the film. Johnny Depp is the main focus of the poster as people will know who it is straight away when they see the poster. This is important as it will target those who like his acting. The setting in the image is in a dark room with no real colour, this gives the feeling of something bad happening in the film. It also indicates that the film is a horror as the colours are mainly black and white and these are colours associated with horror films. The only colours in this poster are black, white and red. The black and white gives an old feeling to the poster and suggests that the film is going to be set in the past. The reds used in the poster symbolise death and blood which play a big part in the movie. In the poster you can see big ben through the window. This may have been put here to show the setting of the film is in London. This also could have been done to attract a british audience. In the poster the colour that stands out the most is the red. Red symbolises death and horror films usually have red in there posters. From looking at the poster you would think that the film would be about a barber and that there would be a horror element to the film. Also from looking at the poster alone you would think that the film is going to involve death and will be set in the past. Looking at the facial expression on Johnny Depp’s face on the poster you can see that he looks somewhat angry and serious. There is no humour in his facial expression and this gives the poster a more intense feeling. It also gives the idea that the film is going to be somewhat serious and indicates that it is a horror. His body language in the image is fairly relaxed but also looks somewhat awkward. The way he is holding the razor up in the air shows violence. This is another indicator that the film fits into the horror genre. He is wearing a dark outfit and boots in the image and the dark colours of the outfit give a horror feeling. The outfit and pose of Johnny Depp may also attract the target audience as it gives a feeling of mystery and horror. The time when the film is released has also been put on the bottom of the poster. This is important so that when people see it they know when it comes out. Also at the bottom there is a billing board where the names of the producers and directors are. This is something that all posters must have. As well as this above the name of the film it says ‘A Tim Burton film’. This is something that people who read the poster may be able to relate to as they may remember previous films that are directed by Tim Burton and this may make them want to watch it.