Movie Poster Project

The client Damselfly Pictures has requested that a full color movie poster be created for their latest movie title: THE HEART. This major motion picture will have two big name stars (feel free to just make them up). Their names should appear before and larger than any other actor names you choose to add. You should also create a logo for 'Damselfy Pictures' and have it displayed on the poster.

The theme of this movie is open to your own interpretation. Anything goes (ie: horror, romantic, comedy, adventure, sci fi, etc), the goal is to convey an idea of what the movie is about and to invoke interest in the viewer. You may use whatever style as well, painting, illustration, photography, photo manipulation, etc, or combinations of all.

The following things MUST appear on the poster: Title (The Heart), 2 of the major actors names, a tagline, Release Date, Writers, Directors, Stars, Studio etc, the Damselfy Logo, Awards/Nominations, and Rating

Movie Poster Tips

1) A poster should be Aesthetic - It should get attention so the message is delivered

2) A poster should be Focused - It should focus and communicate on a single message

3) A poster should be Ordered - The sequence should be well ordered and obvious

A large heading and a large image draw your eye into the image and there is a clear hierarchy of information.

You should also consider other factors of the poster design such as the film title, classification, leading cast, distributors, directors, producers etc. The best way to find out what should be on a poster is by looking at other poster designs. There are four links on my website for you to review.

Process:

Part 1: Get Inspired - Study various genre movie posters, which incorporate portraits of the characters in the layout. Inspiration can come from almost in genre and decade but any distasteful subject or anything suggesting gratuitous violence should be avoided. Film noir, comedies and horror are good genre themes for this project—use your imagination!

Part 2: Type two brief (and different) proposal themes describe the basic story plot. (5 points each) The final movie poster theme must be o.k.'d before production is begun. You will then draft a final 8 x 10 inch color comp showing your final layout including movie title, title, sub-title and credits in your design.

Part 3: Find your images -You must include two image sub-vignettes that are smaller in relationship to the portrait image of the main character. Sub-characters/vignettes may also be of yourself but you are welcome to incorporate other people or objects into your composition (all downloaded images form the Internet must be cited).

Part 4: Blend your images - This step you will work with Adobe Photoshop to create a layered digital montage for your poster. We have learned a variety of digital imaging techniques using Photoshop including image resolution, color and level correction, working with selections using layers and basic digital retouching.

Part 5: Add your text - In this step you will lay out the title, sub-title and credits.

Design Criteria for your Movie Poster:

Dimensions: 11″ wide X 18” high, Resolution should be 72ppi, Color RBG

Save as: yourname_movieposter

YourMoviePoster should include:

1)  Graphics (Extra credit for original graphics/photos/drawings/paintings) (All graphics taken from web must be cited and turned in with your folder)

2)  Movie Title and Tagline

A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product (like a film), or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product. Some taglines are successful enough to warrant inclusion in popular culture, often becoming snowclones.

Examples of famous movie/television taglines are:

·  Be afraid. Be very afraid. – The Fly[1]

·  In space no one can hear you scream. – Alien[2][3]

·  Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... – Jaws 2[1]

·  A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... – Star Wars[4][citation needed]

·  Love means never having to say you're sorry – Love Story[5][6][7]

·  To boldly go where no man has gone before – Star Trek[8][citation needed]

3) Release Date ,Writers, Directors, Stars, Studio etc, Awards/Nominations , Rating

4) At least 3 images and all should be blended using layer masks

5) Typefaces should match genre

A typeface is a design for a set of characters. Popular typefaces include Times Roman, Helvetica, and Courier. The typeface represents one aspect of a font. The font also includes such characteristics as size, weight, italics, and so on.

There are two general categories of typefaces: serif and sans serif. Sans serif typefaces are composed of simple lines, whereas serif typefaces use small decorative marks to embellish characters and make them easier to read. Helvetica is a sans serif type and Times Roman is a serif type.

6)  Follow typography standards
Use at least 100 pt for headings
Use at least 50 pt for subheadings
Use at least 25pt for smaller text

Movie Project Rubric

CATEGORY / 4 – Exceeded the Objective / 3 – Met the objective / 2 – Almost met the objective / 1 – Didn’t meet the objective
Poster was set up correctly (11”x18”, 72PPI, RGB)
Movie Poster reflected approved plot that was previously submitted
Images-Originality/
Relevance to the plot
Word document with image name and cite sources was turned in
Layer Masks were applied to all Image layers and enhance the final product
Font Selected Reflects Genre
Typography Standards were followed
Required Elements
Flow of Poster
Mechanics and Grammar
Overall Quality of the Design