One notices that colours have been used to connote different things. For example, red has been repeatedly used (as part of the header, lipstick and background furniture); this conveys connotations of death, violence, danger and blood - all of which are typical narratives and themes in a thriller film. What's more, yellow has been used in the film title and the cast list. One can identify that yellow is a very bold colour and therefore mirrors the bold image of the femme fatale on the poster. However, despite being a bold colour, yellow juxtaposes the thriller genre as it is a very cheerful, happy and bright colour; thus meaning Tarantino wanted to represent the film as having multi-genres when it doesn't so that a larger audience would go to see it.
Furthermore, the poster has many explicit and implicit narrative and iconography conventions. One of the more explicit narratives that can be seen almost immediately is the gun; a symbol of assassins, death, deception, revenge and gain. Conversely, a more implicit narrative convention is the cigarette - a symbol of death, fire, burning and danger. Moreover, two other implicit iconography conventions are the blinds and the lamp; the blinds resemble bars on a window and the lamp could be similar to a street lamp - both thriller conventions.
Significantly, one could suggest that the femme fatale has been represented as a sexual image because her lipstick, nail varnish, cleavage and heels are all symbols of femininity. What's more the female subject in the poster is represented as controlling as her hand is placed over the Pulp magazine in a dominating way and her eyes are focused directly on the audience; suggesting power. Additionally, the femme fatale presented as sharp with her edgy haircut and spikey heels.
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Imperatively, the Psycho film poster also has many typical conventions of a thriller film poster. Once again, the character, narrative, themes and iconography each have different conventions that are visible.
Essentially, this poster has clear thriller theme conventions of isolation and entrapment. The femme fatale in this poster is trapped by the blue boarder around her, separating her and the two males. Thus, when thinking about gender representation, she is portrayed as being vulnerable. What's more, her vulnerability is implied through her being in her underwear; this suggests to the viewer that she is an obvious target. Additionally, the fact that she is looking behind her suggests that she is being followed unexpectedly which fits into the typical thriller narrative of being watched. Conversely, one could suggest that her dominance and power is demonstrated as she is larger than the male subjects; this is a clear contrast between the two typical conventions. Overall, the two genders are represented in various ways to convey them as both dominant and weak.
Similar to the Pulp Fiction poster, this one also uses colour as a symbol of the typical thriller narratives. Significantly, the blue and yellow colours are contrasting, hence they clash and possibly suggest violence or death. Furthermore, the femme fatale is yellow and so is the Psycho writing so this suggests that either she is the psycho or the psycho is effecting her in some way. It is this contrast of interpretations that mirrors one's earlier point about her dominance and vulnerability. Also, the yellow and blue colours are rather bizzare; therefore adding to the fact that the film is titled Psycho. The black background enhances that blue and yellow colours so they stand out on the poster and are therefore emphasised.
Crucially, the two male subjects look animalistic and therefore could represent criminals or psychos - two typical thriller characters. One can tell this because the male without a shirt on and with his muscles showing looks bare and wild, thus portraying an animal. Also, the other male subject's eyes look piercing and cold which could be similar to an animal hunting it's prey.
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The female subject in this poster is looking behind her; thus conveying that she is being watched or followed - two typical thriller narratives. What's more her facial expression looks worried or concerned about something so this demonstrates that she doesn't know what or who is following/watching her. However, her dominance is shown over the two males on the poster as she is larger than they are, she takes up more of the poster and she is at the top of the poster (so she is the subject that the viewer would see first). Furthermore, she has a rough edged block of pinky-red on half of her face. This could mean that she is turning/has turned into someone else as half of her is different or that she is non-threatening as pink has connotations of respect and admiration.
Moreover, all three subjects seem isolated even though they are together. This is because the black background makes them seem like they are there alone and therefore trapped away from everyone else. One could suggest that Cameron Diaz is playing an isolated character as the spacing on her name at the top is large and each letter stands alone. Once again, isolation and entrapment are two typical thriller themes.
Crucially, one could suggest that the male subject of the left is represented as the typical criminal because his face is half shadowy and he therefore resembles an edgy and mysterious character. Conversely, he is also looking over his shoulder which demonstrates that he is perhaps being followed or watched also. So, his character could be seen as controversial from the poster as he is portraying contrasting thriller conventions. Dissimilar to this, the male subject at the bottom of the frame certainly conveys a mysterious character. One can identify that he is wearing a hat and has his jacket closed; therefore covering himself from the outside world and possibly shutting himself away. Also, he has a slight smirk on his face which can be seen as sinister. Importantly, although he is at the bottom of the poster and should be conveyed as the lowest in the hierarchy of the subjects, he is carrying the box which is also the title of the film; thus his character has significance as he is linked to the title.
** AMENDMENTS MADE ARE IN BLUE**
Kaylie, this is excellent work. A joy to read: well done!
ReplyDeleteTarget: Offer more than one explanation for an idea if possible. For example: "colours have been used to connote different things". While you mention that red communicates a sense of danger, you could also highlight its dichotomous nature: one of passion. You could also attempt to explain how the poster challenges thriller conventions.
AMENDMENTS:
ReplyDelete1) "One notices that colours have been used to connote different things. For example, red has been repeatedly used (as part of the header, lipstick and background furniture); this conveys connotations of death, violence, danger and blood - all of which are typical narratives and themes in a thriller film. Alternatively, red could have connotations of passion, love and warmth; all of which have a more positive effect on the audience. Thus, this challenges the typical thriller conventions due to the fact that the positive effect juxtaposes the typical effects that a thriller poster usually holds."
2) "However, despite being a bold colour, yellow juxtaposes the thriller genre as it is a very cheerful, happy and bright colour; thus meaning that this is another way in which the Pulp Fiction poster challenges the typical thriller conventions. Essentially, this could be because Tarantino wanted to represent the film as having multi-genres when it doesn't so that a larger audience would go to see it."