ORION - Poster Analysis #1

ORION

Media Language

Representation

Audience

Narrative

Genre

This film poster for Orion uses many micro techniques to represent certain meanings. The low-key lighting and high contrast colour generate a dark outlook on the narrative, however we can contrast this with the stars which are clustered around the title. This can add a sense of positivity to the film. The tagline which states "A moment on earth. A lifetime in the stars" This anchors the image of the land and the stars. However, it is still quite unclear as to what the full hidden message is to spectators. I personally feel as though the message the poster is sending is that, we should appreciate life as it can be taken away so quickly.

This is the tagline from the poster. However, we can argue that this is not being true to short film poster conventions as we only really typically see taglines on feature length film posters, this is because it adds more context and another technique is which is promotes and sells the story. This in turn makes people more likely to want to go and watch it in the cinema.

The low-key light creates silhouettes around the two people featured in this poster, hiding their identities. This may be done on purpose so as spectators we question who and what the characters are about. We can immediately notice that the theme of this short film is based on the army, this is represented through the use of props and costumes. Large equipment is being worn such as: helmets and goggles, also guns are being held which implement the theme and messages of the film. This could connote that the genre of this short film is apart of action, drama or social realism. It could combine all three to create a hybrid genre which happens if we apply Steve Neale's genre theory.

The images that represent certain micro techniques connote many ways in which could build a response from spectators. For example: the fact we can notice it is set within an army could trigger empathetic emotions for people who have experienced time in the army or who have ever lost someone close because of the war they fought in.
The fade between the colours on the poster could represent the way in which the narrative of the short changes half way through, transforming from dark themes to happiness. The narrative the images express is through an inspirational meaning, as though one of the characters has a story to tell their audience.


Positioned at the bottom of the poster frame is the billing block. This is to showcase who has been involved, the funding of the short film and the sponsorship. This is a typical poster convention with all films, short or feature length. The theme which is represented through the visual elements of mise en scene being applied through this short film poster can indicate what target audience they are aiming. I feel as though this short film is targeted towards a rounded demographic, including female and males aged between 15-25 year olds.

I chose this short film poster as I feel it has extreme relevance to my own film poster ideas that I have for On The Brink. However, not through the meaning but through the visual elements of mise en scene. For example, the image I am going to use for my film poster is of a man on the edge of a cliff with a natural silhouette effect. I feel as though Orion can help me gain more of an idea with what colours I want to use to successfully convey the correct message of the social realist and dramatic film.