poster analysis of shutter island

1. ShutterShutter
IslandIsland

2. On this poster the Image of a males face instantly catches the views attention connotingOn this poster the Image of a males face instantly catches the views attention connoting
he’s the main character. Half his face is in the dark, where as the other half is lit up by ahe’s the main character. Half his face is in the dark, where as the other half is lit up by a
match adding to the thriller conventions of the film. This makes the character comematch adding to the thriller conventions of the film. This makes the character come
across as mysterious which would make the audience to watch the film in order to findacross as mysterious which would make the audience to watch the film in order to find
out why he’s presented in this way. The shadow on his face also helps to add to theout why he’s presented in this way. The shadow on his face also helps to add to the
mystery and thriller aspects of the film, which also makes the poster more effective.mystery and thriller aspects of the film, which also makes the poster more effective.
The fire from the match also adds to the thriller aspects .The light connotes he’s searchingThe fire from the match also adds to the thriller aspects .The light connotes he’s searching
for something fitting in with the crime aspects of the film. This also links in with thefor something fitting in with the crime aspects of the film. This also links in with the
island below as the lighting is brighter on image compared to the lighting and shadowisland below as the lighting is brighter on image compared to the lighting and shadow
effect on DiCaprio’s face. The island looks abandoned as it appears to look like a darkeffect on DiCaprio’s face. The island looks abandoned as it appears to look like a dark
rock floating surrounded by the ocean. This adds the thriller conventions as it looks creepyrock floating surrounded by the ocean. This adds the thriller conventions as it looks creepy
yet mysterious.yet mysterious. DiCaprio’s face –
the main
attraction on the
poster
The match helps
highlights mystery
and guidance
towards the
island.
The island
adds to the
thriller
aspect of
the poster

3. The lighting on the poster is dark which fits into theThe lighting on the poster is dark which fits into the
thriller aspect as it connotes mystery and crime . The blackthriller aspect as it connotes mystery and crime . The black
background allows DiCaprio’s face to stand out in thebackground allows DiCaprio’s face to stand out in the
poster as only half is noticeable from the light of theposter as only half is noticeable from the light of the
match. The shadow effect on his face highlights hismatch. The shadow effect on his face highlights his
importance in the film , but also adds a mysterious aspectsimportance in the film , but also adds a mysterious aspects
as his facial features aren’t clear to the viewer .The darkas his facial features aren’t clear to the viewer .The dark
blue ocean at the bottom allows the taglines and title toblue ocean at the bottom allows the taglines and title to
stand from the images behind . The bright light around thestand from the images behind . The bright light around the
island is used to draw attention to it as if DiCaprio isisland is used to draw attention to it as if DiCaprio is
looking over the island once again adding to the mysterylooking over the island once again adding to the mystery
aspect of the film. This is also because the films location isaspect of the film. This is also because the films location is
set on the island hence ‘Shutter Island’.set on the island hence ‘Shutter Island’.
The black background is a typical thriller convention asThe black background is a typical thriller convention as
dark colours are normally associated with thriller films.dark colours are normally associated with thriller films.
The black background allows the image of DiCaprio’s faceThe black background allows the image of DiCaprio’s face
to stand out as the main part of the poster fitting into theto stand out as the main part of the poster fitting into the
thriller genre. The island also stands out as the lightthriller genre. The island also stands out as the light
around allows it to be noticeable from the background toaround allows it to be noticeable from the background to
the viewer. Also by the background sticking to the dullthe viewer. Also by the background sticking to the dull
dark colours this allows the taglines and main title to standdark colours this allows the taglines and main title to stand
out as they are shown in a white and red colour attractingout as they are shown in a white and red colour attracting
the viewers attention to view the poster and watch the filmthe viewers attention to view the poster and watch the film

4. The title is once again shown in a bright bold red font helping to represent the genre of thriller . The titleThe title is once again shown in a bright bold red font helping to represent the genre of thriller . The title
is centre famed but is placed more near the bottom of the poster , however , this allows the title to standis centre famed but is placed more near the bottom of the poster , however , this allows the title to stand
out as the image above are in a dull dark colours ,allowing the title to be eye catching to the viewer. Alsoout as the image above are in a dull dark colours ,allowing the title to be eye catching to the viewer. Also
by having the title in the colour red this allows it to be bold as the majority of the poster is in dark/dullby having the title in the colour red this allows it to be bold as the majority of the poster is in dark/dull
colours , allowing it not to contrast with the background , another way the title stands out by having it incolours , allowing it not to contrast with the background , another way the title stands out by having it in
capitals allowing it to make a big statement on the poster. The colour red may off been used to representcapitals allowing it to make a big statement on the poster. The colour red may off been used to represent
anger as the film is based on an island with mental health patients who cannot leave .It could of alsoanger as the film is based on an island with mental health patients who cannot leave .It could of also
been used to represent murder due to the fact the main character played by DiCaprio is after a womenbeen used to represent murder due to the fact the main character played by DiCaprio is after a women
who is said to off killed her children .who is said to off killed her children .
Above the title is title is Leonardo DiCaprio’s name connoting he is the main character. ThisAbove the title is title is Leonardo DiCaprio’s name connoting he is the main character. This
is shown in a clear white font allowing it not to contrast with the black background and highlights hisis shown in a clear white font allowing it not to contrast with the black background and highlights his
name as a main attraction. This is used on the poster as he’s a well known actor so by them advertisingname as a main attraction. This is used on the poster as he’s a well known actor so by them advertising
his name , this will attract his fan base to watch the film.his name , this will attract his fan base to watch the film.
The tagline is also shown in a white font allowing it to stand out from the blackThe tagline is also shown in a white font allowing it to stand out from the black
background.' The tagline says Someone is missing’ fitting into the sub-genre of mystery/ crime thriller.background.' The tagline says Someone is missing’ fitting into the sub-genre of mystery/ crime thriller.
This attracts the viewer to watch the film as they would want to find out who is missing and what theThis attracts the viewer to watch the film as they would want to find out who is missing and what the
link between the missing person and DiCaprio face on the front of the poster.link between the missing person and DiCaprio face on the front of the poster.
The writing at the bottom is also in a white font , however , its shown in a small font as it doesn't want toThe writing at the bottom is also in a white font , however , its shown in a small font as it doesn't want to
draw the attention away from the title and tagline. This includes the detail surrounding the film such asdraw the attention away from the title and tagline. This includes the detail surrounding the film such as
the actor who star in the film , direct , age certificate and most importantly the day of release which isthe actor who star in the film , direct , age certificate and most importantly the day of release which is
highlighted in bold (October). This will allow the audience to know when to come and watch the filmhighlighted in bold (October). This will allow the audience to know when to come and watch the film
starting from the date it is released. The word October is in a big bold red font allowing it to stand outstarting from the date it is released. The word October is in a big bold red font allowing it to stand out
from the rest of the details. The red font matches the red title keeping the colour consistent throughout.from the rest of the details. The red font matches the red title keeping the colour consistent throughout.
This as i mentions allows the audience to easily identify the date of release of the film. This also againThis as i mentions allows the audience to easily identify the date of release of the film. This also again
fits into the genre of thriller as its again connoting danger, anger and murder.fits into the genre of thriller as its again connoting danger, anger and murder.

6. Above DiCaprio’s name on the poster it says 'A Martin Scorsese picture’ which is
Martin Scorsese company who’s a very famous film director/producer and
writer. He’s known as one of the most significant and influential filmmakers in
cinema history. By advertising his name on the poster this will attract the viewers
to watch the film as he’s well known for producing good film crime films. He's
well known for working with DiCaprio as he’s produced 5 of his films ranging
from shutter island to the most modern called ‘Wolf of Wall Street'. This may
also attract viewers as they have worked together in the past and have done many
successful films so by placing DiCaprio's name below 'A Martin Scorsese picture’
this will attract viewers attention and they will want to watch the film.
This links in with Auteur theory which is used to describe film directors who are
considered to have a distinct style. This links in with the film poster as Martin
Scorsese is mainly associated with crime films and violence returning to the same
subject matters. He is known for focusing on the’ immoral side of humanity’.
Also he’s known for working and sticking with the same actors in
different film such as DiCaprio and Robert De Niro as they
fit his character studies well.

7. Above DiCaprio’s name on the poster it says 'A Martin Scorsese picture’ which is
Martin Scorsese company who’s a very famous film director/producer and
writer. He’s known as one of the most significant and influential filmmakers in
cinema history. By advertising his name on the poster this will attract the viewers
to watch the film as he’s well known for producing good film crime films. He's
well known for working with DiCaprio as he’s produced 5 of his films ranging
from shutter island to the most modern called ‘Wolf of Wall Street'. This may
also attract viewers as they have worked together in the past and have done many
successful films so by placing DiCaprio's name below 'A Martin Scorsese picture’
this will attract viewers attention and they will want to watch the film.
This links in with Auteur theory which is used to describe film directors who are
considered to have a distinct style. This links in with the film poster as Martin
Scorsese is mainly associated with crime films and violence returning to the same
subject matters. He is known for focusing on the’ immoral side of humanity’.
Also he’s known for working and sticking with the same actors in
different film such as DiCaprio and Robert De Niro as they
fit his character studies well.