Classic film posters and the development of film posters

It is very important that posters for films are made to be recognisable, and are informative and attractive. They must be able to keep and maintain a persons attention through just an image that may just be seen for a minute. There have been many posters for films in the past that have achieved this and that we can remember today, even posters from before a persons time.
'Casablanca' (1942) and 'Alien' (1979)
'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial' (1982) (and 'Jaws' (1975)

These are great examples of the aforementioned characteristics and have all become 'classic' film posters. Older film posters such as 'Casablanca' and 'Gone With The Wind' (1939) were hand drawn and then mass produced. This then changed to the use of photo stills from the films being used in the posters and today we see posters using photo-manipulation technology to create vivid images with special effects, such as 'The Matrix' (1999).This also shows how audiences have changed as 'Gone With The Wind' is a classic love film, whereas 'The Matrix' is a true film of the new millenium as, as shown in the poster it is very much so focused on technology with use of special effects including the matrix code shown as a background image of the poster. Another feature is the font changes as the older poster is very standard, block lettering whereas 'The Matrix' is much more complex and contemporary. Another great example showing how film posters have developed over time is 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' (1977) compared to the latest film in the saga, 'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'.

Here we can also see the differences, as the older film poster uses drawn images whereas the newer uses photographs and more layers aswell as editing with special effects for objects such as the lightsaber.

When film posters were first made as popularity in cinema grew, posters would contain images and only the directors and other development team names. It was later realised that cinema-goers often went for the actors and actresses rather than the creators and so the stars names then took central focus. In the times we live in now, we are bombarded with advertisements everywhere we go. Film posters are on billboards, buses, bus stops, in train stations and many other places. Technology now means that holographic effects can make film posters appear to move and on London buses LED lights are also used to make a film poster more noticeable and vivid. Also, in London Underground stations moving posters and videos are used instead of traditional film posters. Also, the internet has meant that posters are now interactive with flash meaning the posters can move and can require audience interaction on-line.


This poster for 'Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs show how posters have changed as this poster is three dimensional to support the recent rise of 3D cinema