The document discusses the effectiveness of a short film poster and magazine review created to promote the short film "Birthday Wish". The poster uses a simple blue print style conveying the film's message through elements suggesting a bomb. Research on thriller posters informed the monochrome design. While the poster may attract viewers' curiosity, short films have limited real-world promotion opportunities compared to full-length films. Overall, the poster and review work together to hook viewers and give a sense of the film's narrative through consistent use of the bomb cake element and portrayal of the protagonist's character.

1. HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE
COMBINATION OF YOUR SHORT
FILM,POSTER AND MAGAZINE
REVIEW?
By Jessica Brown

2. POSTER

3. RESEARCH
Before I started to make my poster I had to do research. I key thing that I did
was looked at how the ‘Birthday Wish’ could be conveyed into the poster and the
review.
The first thing I looked at is Meg’s character in the film. As by looking at Harley
I could use those elements to create a vibe that I want in my poster.
The next thing I looked at was thriller posters online. I used some of the key
things that I found in the poster. In the end I decided to go with a blue print sort
of style as I feel that using a photo of Meg didn't really convey the message of the
film or give the audience any insight into the film. By having blue prints and red
and black wires it conventionally shows that there is a bomb.
I wanted to have a simple poster as typically most thriller posters are simple but
convey a message which I feel my poster has done.

4. MY POSTER
Title
Logline
Credits
Release date
These elements are key when creating a film poster
as the poster must include the information so that
the viewer can obtain the information and see the
film. One thing that if I could make the poster again
is maybe be able to get actual wires instead of using
photoshop to add these elements
Star

5. THRILLER FILM POSTERS
All these posters have the same sort of theme which is monochrome. I especially liked
the ‘Salt’ poster and I used this as a sort of guideline when making my poster.

6. FONT IN MY POSTER
In my poster I wanted to keep the writing simple much like the rest of the poster.
I used steel tongs to create the credits which were simple to use. I had to make
sure that the credits were in order. For the title of the poster I had to do some
searching to try and find the perfect font. I searched for thriller movie poster
fonts on google and managed to download the font I wanted.

7. WHY PEOPLE WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO MY POSTER?
People would be attracted to my poster because it is simple yet effective. I used
basic font and monochrome colours. If I saw this poster in the street I would
wonder what it is and go and have a look at it.
I wanted my poster to show Meg as regular yet to be a bit sly which maybe the
audience do not notice at first but I think I have done a good job at representing
Harley that way.

8. THE MESSAGE IN MY POSTER
My poster may not have the protagonist on the poster but it does
have ‘quirky’ elements that would sell the poster. For example
the bomb is clearly shown an it can allow the viewer to question
the film. Kind of like the vertigo poster it tells the audience what
the underlying narrative without showing the protagonist.

9. MAGAZINE
REVIEW

10. MY MAGAZINE REVIEW
I believe that my poster has everything needed in a magazine review. It
may not look that bold but I believe when they see the picture of Harley
holding the cupcake they will be intrigued about the film.
The first thing I did was research magazine reviews. I did this by looking at
the ‘Empire’ film magazine which I believe really gave me an insight into
what I needed my poster to look and sound like.

11. MY MAGAZINE REVIEW
My article contains all the
relevant information
needed.By using the
bright pop of colour of
orange to high light the
key information or what
they may be interesting in.

12. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE
PRODUCTS

13. SIMILARITIES
➤ One similarity is the fact that the cake (bomb)is a key feature
in all the products. I decided to choose this as it is what
makes the narrative.
➤ Harley’s charisma is key in all the products. Even the simple
touches of a photograph of Harley really shows her
characteristic as her facial expressions really show what she is
about.

14. HOW DOES THE
PRODUCTS
SELL
‘BIRTHDAY
WISH’?

15. HOW DOES THE PRODUCTS SELL ‘BIRTHDAY WISH’?
➤ The products sell the narrative as it gives the viewer some idea of what
the film is about. By using the products it hooks the viewer into deciding
whether they want to watch the film.
➤ Meg’s name is on both the poster and the review so the viewer may see
her name and want to watch the film.
➤ By using bright and different ways to convey what I want in a poster it
can grab the viewers attention.

16. IN THE REAL
WORLD

17. IN THE REAL WORLD
➤ I believe that although my poster may attract the viewer
because it is different but not many people are attracted or
know about short film so therefore they are unlikely to see a
poster or a magazine review.
➤ On the other hand people who enjoy short films may be
interested in the ‘Birthday Wish’ as it is different and original
compared to some predictable thriller short films today.