Summer Research

 Indie Film Poster Conventions

• Simplistic style - limited content and a lot of free space
• Large defined title
• Few core colours for both text and imagery

This is England

 

Genre - British Indie/Drama Film
Director - Shaun Meadows

 

Synopsis - Shaun (Thomas Turgoose), who lost his father in the Falklands War, earns the respect of skinheads when he stand up to their teasing. He becomes part of the gang and enjoys hanging out with his new friends. Trouble starts with the return of Combo (Stephen Graham), a racist ex-convict. With the gang divided into two factions, Shaun sides with Combo and, unfortunately, finds in him a father figure.

Media Language - On both posters, there is minimal text used, it doesn't distract from the main message which is portrayed through the images. It is a convention of Indie film posters to have minimal text used. However, on the second poster the top third of the poster portrays all of the different awards and reviews the film has received. It illustrates how the film is a guaranteed success and helps attract and audience.
Camera - Both of the images used a wide angle shot that allows the audience to see all of the characters, through showing all of the main characters it gives the image that the skin-heads are a strong family like unit that shouldn't be messed with. On the second image, there is a very loose frame around the top of the image that allows the audience to see the flats above the fence. It gives the audience a small look into where the film will be set, it furthers the representation that it is a authentic look into the skin-head life.
Editing - Both of the images used have not used a filter, it represents how the film is showing the real side to the skin-heads lifestyle. All of the characters are making direct address, it gives the impression that they are intimidating and are trying to frighten the audience. In both images, the characters bodies and faces are brightened so that they stand out slightly from the backgrounds which draws attention to the characters.
Mise-en-scene - In both posters, it depicts all of the characters whose ages range from young adult to a twelve year old child. Their body language is quite relaxed but still as if they are on the defence, with some of them leaning back whilst others are shoulders back with feet apart. On the first poster, the background of the image is removed and replaced with three simple colours, by doing this it conforms to the conventions of an Indie poster. The three colours also represents how the film is a simple look into the lifestyle and the kind of events that would have possibly occurred then.



Media Language - On the magazine, there is little tag lines and other information that tells the audience about what is included in the content. The simple and little text for the content, conforms with the Indie film simplicity. The cover is structured so that the masthead of the magazine is inside a white circle and placed over the top of the main image and slightly obscures part of it. This is done because it helps attract an audience for the film that might not have previously been aware, the fact that a well known magazine is featuring the film gives it further positive marketing.
Camera - The image used is a big close up on the main character, it draws attention to the audience the actors age and how in the reality of the context, how real people and real children were affected. Around the top of the image there is a loose frame, with shows the graffiti in the background it gives a small amount into the context with the social class that the film is set in. Similarly, at the bottom third of the poster there is a tight frame that draws attention to the actor's swearing.
Editing - There is a filter used on the image, that gives it this graffiti style that fits with the background of the image and genre of the film. The actor uses direct address to the audience which gives it the impression that the character is in fact swearing at the audience.
Mise-en-scene - In the bottom third of the image, the main characters costume can be seen, it fits with the stereotypical skin-head image with the checked shirt, braces and a shaven head. The characters swearing draws attention to the tattoo of the cross on his hand which gives the audience further context.

Media Language -In the trailer, the media language is used through the title of the film as well as the logos of the companies involved in the production and distribution of the film. It shows the audience who was involved in the film, and may give further marketing if it brings in an audience who are interested in a certain director or company. The different awards and recognition that the film has received are shown, which tells the audience that the film will be a success and that it is worth watching. There is a text used throughout which acts as a narration for the film and gives an insight to what the film will be about.
Camera - Throughout the trailer, the majority of camera angles used are close-ups with a tight frame, it shows how the film is centred around these characters and how their lives are affected by the events. One of the most important scenes is a long shot with shows some of the characters walking, it causes the audience to want to view the film as they want to see what the outcome of this change will be.

Editing - Throughout, there is many fast paced jump cuts that show how the film has a fast paced series of events that cause a lot of change in a short period of time. Towards the end of the trailer, the number of jump cuts slow down which suggest that these are the most important parts of the film, the moments that really shows the desired message across to the audience.
Mise-en-scene - Throughout the trailer, different clips of real moments in English history are shown which show how real events have shaped the film, it shows the audience how unique it is as it is meant to give a different perspective on the times shown. Whilst some of the most important moments are hinted at through the editing and sound, the reasons behind them and the majority of the dialogue are not shown. This is because a trailer is only meant to give an outline and cause interest in the viewer so that they will want to watch the film.
Sound - The sound does not immediately begin at the start of the trailer, which may suggest that the moment, event or people which change the main character's life have not been seen yet. About half-way through the clip the music changes to one of a different beat and tempo, it builds tension as it suggest that the new character introduced will change things that might not be for the better. At the end of the trailer, the music slows down to a soft piano and violin, this is done as the different reviews and awards are played to finish the trailer, it leaves the trailer on a poignant note that makes the viewer want to learn more.


Evaluation of these products
In the advertising of this film, other than being for the same film they link in how they try to reach as far of an audience as possible, through going through different mediums some of which are online and some not. In order to bring as many new interested audience members in as possible. The people who benefits from these different advertising links, is the companies and studios that will financially gain with the increase in ticket sales from increasing awareness of the film. It also benefits the actors as the advertising another successful film for them increases their popularity and spread of their name. Different to the other film, it helps to spread the message of what life was like back then and how it affected the people involved.