Development Diary - Poster

Charlotte Page & Jamie Whitbread

Ancillary Task Poster Development Diary

This development diary evidences the construction of our poster.

Firstly, we changed the colour of the background to black using the paint bucket tool. We have chosen to use black for the background as this colour connotes the idea of the unknown, and an element of fear that will help to advertise our poster as a horror.

To start our poster, we began with typing and arranging where the text is going to be positioned. This started with creating the title of the film, Ancestors. Using the Free Transform icon, we used this to change the shape of the font slightly so that the lettering is spaced out a little more and shape is slightly different.

The font chosen for the title is quite simple as from our secondary research we found that simplicity can help make a poster appear bolder and more likely to gain attention, as the text is readable and does not over-crowd the poster.

Using the paintbrush tool, we chose to add a black shadow around the side of the text. We did this not only to create an eerie and tense atmosphere but so that the text does not appear harsh against the black background. This is why we decided to use a grey colour for the main title, as white appears too bright. We have also used this technique for the release date, added a shadow to add to the ghostly atmosphere. We added a red ‘O’ to the text as this connotes evil and becomes symbolic of the dolls red eye that will be the main image of this poster.


For the image, we firstly resized the image as the original was a mid-shot of the doll yet we were planning to use a close-up shot of the doll’s face, like we did in our mock up designs as we thought that this was successful for creating a tense atmosphere as the consumer is drawn in to the dolls eyes. To do this we used the crop tool and the free transform tool to resize the image so that it focuses just on the dolls face.

Also, using the brightness/contrast tool, we adjusted these levels slightly so that the shadows that had already formed on the doll in the original photo became highlighted and emphasised. Like with the text, we used the paintbrush tool to add a shadow effect around the dolls face to make it appear like the doll is floating in some way.


With the dolls eyes, we have edited the colours. One eye we have changed to red to connote the idea of the evil within whereas the other eye we have kept as blue to show no immediate threat as this is associated with innocence however this could also portray a negative side as blue can connote something that is cold and chilling. Overall, this reflects how the doll has two different sides, a good and a bad side. We did this by using the sponge tool to remove the original colour from the eyes. On a new layer we changed this layer style to soft light and using the paintbrush tool we have painted one eye red and the other eye blue. As the layer had been change to soft light, it made the colour opaque, making the eyes naturally look that colour. The screen shot below shows the image of the dolls eyes before and after.

Below are screen shots of the very original image of the doll alongside our final image that we have manipulated using the tools on Photoshop.


For the slogan, we have downloaded a font from the Internet called Buttons the Bear as this style has child-like feel which makes it seem innocent which is quite sinister when placed with the image and so this connotes the dark and unknown side to this film. Again, with the slogan, like the image and the title, we have added a shadow around the text to add a ghostly feel.

For the release date, we have applied this same technique of adding shadows. We have chosen to have the release date as October 2013, as this will fit in well with Halloween, the time when horror films are most popular and so our film is going to most successful at this time and attract wider audiences.

For the production details, which appear at the bottom of the poster, we researched what font, many posters that are used in the film professional industry. After carrying out some research, we found that this font is known as Steel Tongs, so we downloaded this online and have used this to type our production details. This will not only help our poster to feel more professional but to gain a sense of verisimilitude, as it looks realistic.

Some of the details include director names, actor names, production companies and music artists. Since we have written our script for the trailer ourselves many of these feature our own names.

Underneath these production details, we have included various company logos, as this is another convention of film posters to give credit to those other companies who were involved. We have made these logos ourselves using the tools on Photoshop including the shape tools and text boxes. We did this to give our poster a more professional feel as quite often companies are recognised by their logo.


With the production details, we have included the age certificate of the film so the consumers know who the target audience is. Since this is a horror film, we have included details of the kind of content audiences can expect so that audiences can be aware of what kind of film their watching.

Our poster fits to the rule of thirds with the eyes of the doll crossing the inter-sections of the grid. This will allow the consumers eye to meet the eyes of the doll as these gain attention from the use of the rule of thirds.

The overall style of our poster has been influenced by some of our secondary research which gave us understanding of what is to be expected of a film poster and its conventions. For instance, a theorist we found particularly useful is Matthew Carpenter who states in his article that there are ‘7 Elements to a Great Movie Poster.’ Some of which include attract the audience’s attention, we have done this by contrasting the black background against the pale face of the doll which allows the eyes to appear brighter and bolding, gaining the attention of the consumer. Another tip given by Carpenter is to create a specific style, a look that is consistent with the film. Our poster should be helping to promote the trailer in which for our product to be identifiable as consistent house style needs to be put in place. We have taken this advice and made all three of our media products consistent by ensuring that on this poster, our magazine cover, and our trailer has the same style title as the font used and the red ‘O’ can be seen as symbolic for our products across platforms.

Other useful advice that we have found from an online source suggests that white space should be used and clutter avoided. We have taken this advice and simply kept the image to a minimum by using just the doll. This allows our poster to have a cleaner design and appear more organized. By doing this consumers are not distracted and their attention is directed towards the doll.

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Development Diary - Poster