Movie Poster Trends – The Secret Appeal of Reading Faces

As our look at movie poster trends and what they say about the films they’re representing continue, here is another one that I’m considering for my short film, “ABYSS.” Designers behind these posters took the saying “It’s written all over your face” literally, placing it front and center in these marketing materials.

In Text, Faces and Movie Posters, French blogger Christophe Courtois points out an emphasis on punch lines – with placement on the nose, forehead or mouths of the films’ protagonists.

Posters for movies such as the adventure-fantasy flick “Thor” starring Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth as well as mockumentary “I’m Still Here” starring Joaquin Phoenix and (one of the most memorable being) the biographical drama “The Social Network” starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake all utilize text as one of, if not the main, focal points of their design.

Movie Poster Trend #13 - Text in Your Face

This trend is fairly new; basically a lot of bandwagon marketing. But in this case the typeface and the way it’s arranged on the poster at least gives you an idea of the amount of artistic pretention involved. -Para1/Oh No They Didn’t! (ONTD)

Say what you will about this text-over-face trend in movie posters, but in terms of design, I think the poster for the romantic sci-fi thriller “The Adjustment Bureau” starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Anthony Mackie is especially useful for producers of independent film, to study.

It provides enough information to viewers without relying on Damon’s (or even to an extent, Blunt’s or Mackie’s) star power to attract interest in the movie. It doesn’t take long to quickly understand what “The Adjustment Bureau” is about, possibly even becoming intrigued by the mysterious figure in the background, which adds to the curiosity and/or anticipation of what this film has to offer you.

While there is a version of “The Adjustment Bureau” poster that does feature Damon and Blunt as one of the main design elements, I think the one with the mystery-man layout shows me there is potential for movies like “ABYSS” to stand out -- by finding a catch phrase or something that could be the main focal point without featuring photos of anyone in the film.

Since independent films tend to feature relatively unknown actors, the somewhat abstract nature of “The Adjustment Bureau” poster lends a hand to those of us who are working with limited production, post-production and marketing budgets. It’s a win-win for audiences and for filmmakers. I don’t have to feel bad about not being able to woo and afford the likes of Tom Cruise or Halle Berry for my movie and viewers don’t have to look at the poster and say “Who the hell is that person? I’ve never heard of him or her!”

Stressing text over imagery rather than the other way around allows the designer and the producer (which would be me, where “ABYSS” is concerned) to present a clear, yet, basic message about the movie and not have to worry about finding a fancy concept that makes it look all “Hollywood.” In fact, I don’t even want to go for the tinsel-town type of look because doing so could potential throw people off from what my movie is about, given that the story involves a reality show, of sorts.

Do YOU think text on faces in a movie poster is distracting, or can it help add to the overall image?

Are YOU more likely, or less likely, to pay attention to text over abstract (or faded or blurry) forms versus clear photos of people on movie posters?

*If you missed the previous installment of this Movie Trends series, READ IT (Movie Poster Trends – Hidden Faces) HERE.

Movie Poster Trends – When Hidden Faces are a Hit or Miss...

Do you know what Christopher Nolan’s action crime flick “The Dark Knight” starring Christian Bale, Peter Weir’s sci-fi drama “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey and Eli Roth’s “Cabin Fever” have in common? Their posters indicate that the movie you’re about to watch might be good…or it could be a dud – all because of its hidden face design.

That’s just one of 13 trends found among movie posters, on a list that I happened across while researching tips and tricks to help me narrow down concepts for my “ABYSS” poster. What these trends say about the films they represent, however, is just as (if not more) hilarious than the actual style being highlighted on this list.

Forgive me if I not only happen to like some of the movies showcased but also think that at least two of the trends offer up some possibilities worth considering when devising a plan for my own movie poster. I will be highlighting these findings, for your viewing pleasure, to find out if you agree or disagree with them. Before we embark on this design journey, however, know this:

• The poster mash-ups reflecting these trends are based on collages from the French blog Les Sibères Affiches de aka The Sibères Posters: Reconciliations unusual, original compilations, one of the most comprehensive online destinations ever dedicated to film cover art or one-sheets. The blogger, Christophe Courtois, compiles movie posters into a collage focusing on their similarities and then analyzes them – sometimes with humor, other times with a little deeper study. It’s a site that you have to see to believe.

• The titles and (maybe sarcastic) descriptions and/or observations of what each trend means in terms of the quality and/or content of the film are those of Para1 at Oh No They Didn't! (ONTD).

Now, Let's get this poster party started at one random spot on the list...

Movie Poster Trend #10 - Is That Your Face, Or Are the Drugs Kicking In?

You'll notice the attempt of originality here, even with the Dali (NSFW) rip-off. This means you'll have to tread carefully; it’s very likely that the filmmakers think they're brilliant and original, regardless of reality. – Para1/ONTD

In “The Hidden Face Posters,” Courtois says “there are many ways to show a face on a poster without resorting to traditional photography.” I happen to agree with him and could understand the use of this type of design for certain genres such as horror films as well as stories that are mysterious or suspensful in nature. I would not generally deem it appropriate for, say, comedies but you never know...it's all about the layout and what works for the film and whatever message the designer, producer and others behind the movie is trying to convey.

Although "ABYSS" does not fall into the horror or mystery/suspense/thriller categories, I do like the hidden face design -- particularly that of "The Next Three Days" (top row, next to "The Truman Show") starring Russell Crowe -- and think that a similar concept of still photos and collages of scenes from the film over a background made up of bus schedules might work.

I also wonder if the "White Noise" poster (third one in on the last row) concept could work, where I have a cloudy image of one of the scenes from the film placed inside a graphic of a wedding ring and/or video camera lens.

I'm also working on getting a trailer up for the movie -- maybe that would help you guys and gals share your two cents on what could possibly be some good concepts for my "ABYSS" poster. 

What do hidden faces on a movie poster say to YOU about the films they're representing?

Are YOU more likely to want to watch a movie that features a simple photograph, rather than one that incorporates a hidden face design?

Do certain types of designs make you hesitant to want to see a film? 

*Movie Poster Trend and Descriptions: Courtesy of Oh No They Didn’t! (ONTD)

*Movie Poster Compliation: Courtesy of Christophe Courtois at Les Sibères Affiches