Charlotte Billingham

Film Poster Analysis Sheet

Title of Film: Ghost (1990)

Type of Poster: Main Film Poster

Charlotte Billingham
Mise-En-Scene Code
or Convention

Setting

Props

Non-Verbal Communication

Costume / Make-Up

Detail (description & what it means)

There is real setting in this poster. However the darkness of the background
suggests they are in a black hole to represent problems within life or the way in
which their lives have turned out. It suggests privacy and in a way separation,
blacking out the world so that no one can be with them. To them only they exist
within this world or they are separated from others, only having each other.
Another interpretation of there being no background is the idea of the film
makers not wanting to reveal where they are or what situation they are in.
People may think by the way the character on the poster look that they are in
the comfort of their own home but in actual fact, no one knows where they are.
This suggests the characters lives are very secretive or unrevealing which shows
an unpredictable approach to the characters and their personalities by not
showing their location.
N/A
The way in which the male and female are positioned, it suggests they are a
couple or at least seeing each other. The way in which the male and the female
have their arms wrapped around each other suggests they are in love and never
wish to let go suggesting happiness and love within their life. By their facial
expressions and their closeness, it suggests the couple enjoy being in the
company of each other, and are willing to express their love for each other. The
fact that the male is slightly lighter than the female, fading out into the
distance suggests a ghost like sense about him. The poster tells the audience
that in some ways, this couple is different yet in love which tricks the audience
into thinking they are just a normal happy couple. The lighting suggests a subtle
hint towards a difference in life and death between this couples.
Within this poster, the male and female arent wearing any clothes and if they
are you cant see them due to the bright exposure towards the lower area of the
poster. This suggests to the audience that the couple are intimate with each
other. The female is wearing basic make up which gives us the impression that
she is just an ordinary female who isnt too fussed about the way she looks. It
gives us the idea that she feels her male companion loves her just the way she
is, without having to look tarty or wear excessive makeup. In some ways the way
in which they have limited the couple to what they are wearing suggests the
idea of not needing anything other than each other, showing a sort of moral of
life. By having them with very little shows that they dont need fancy clothes
and makeup etc. to win in life, all they need is each other.
The female does come across in some ways as having a little money due to the
diamond earrings she is wearing within the image which are prominent and hard
to miss. These earrings could be of value to her or a gift or even an inheritance
that has ran in the family. It does suggest that either she or her family have
enough money to live off with the style of earrings in which she is wearing.
The male has nothing other than his looks to go on. It suggests that maybe he
doesnt have feelings or keepsakes due to maybe lack of family love or money.
He has nothing of value on but this does re enforce the idea that the only thing
of value he needs is true love.

Charlotte Billingham

Colour

Image

Language

Typography

There are only two colours contained within this poster, black and white. The
colour white is typically associated with death and ghosts which is relevant to
the plot line of this film but doesnt reveal which of the two is actually dead.
The contrasting colours also could represent opposites, in this case life and
death. The one character is dead and the other alive, suggesting that the two
worlds can communicate with each other or in this case have a relationship. The
way in which the light is catching the two people within the poster, suggests
that they are both ghost like figures, this could be for different reasons. One is
actually a ghost but the other may be there to represent the ghost she has
become due to the loss of her loved one.
The colour of the title is purple which is usually associated with royalty or
religious people of high authority. By having the title in a deep purple suggests
maybe the character who is a ghost is of great importance or show they are
important and of high authority to others within the film.
The image again suggest the two people are intimate and in love. The way in
which they are intertwined with each other suggests they are close and never
wanting to let go which is hegemonic to a happy couple. The way in which both
the male and female have their eyes closed gives the idea of them not knowing
what happens next, trusting each other to guide them along. With this in mind
that is also suggesting that they cant do without each other. The way in which
they arent separated at the slightest suggests that they are inseparable. You
cant see truly where one person begins and the other ends, making it seem like
they are one whole which is a clich saying with a hegemonic romantic couple.
The use of a brief plot from the film within the poster shocks the audience. The
line Before Sam was murdered is said in such a casual manner when in actual
fact its a rather shocking way to begin describing a film someone hasnt seen.
The use of the word murder suggests that the male was killed brutally, not by
accident. This gives the audience the idea that this isnt just a normal love
story, they want to go and find out why and how the male died. No one is just
murdered for no reason. This statement gives the audiences the certainty that
these two are in love and a couple as well as re enforcing the idea of them being
protective over each other with the quote hed love and protect her forever
which instantly states they are in love or at least he is in love with her.
The tagline at the top Believe adds to the name of the film. People dont tend
to believe in ghosts but its stating that if you believe your loved one is near you
even when they have passed, they will always be there. This is a great match to
the films storyline because the male who ends up being murdered is always with
her. The tagline then brings in the idea that because she believes he is with her
and imagines he is there, she can feel his presence, as if he really is right by her
side through everything.
The title for this film Ghost is in a rather fine font which is unusual for a title
as you want it to stand out to ensure passersby see the title of the film. The
title is short and to the point and in a rather hard to see font which represents
the idea of a ghost not being able to be seen or believed in. The title also shows
that there is a fine line between life and death and that in some ways these
worlds can communicate. This is relevant to the storyline of the film as the male
is actually trying to communicate and get his fiance to believe he is really
there. He does this in the end which is why the title represents this in a subtle
way.
The font of the tagline at the top is the same as the title but smaller which
again shows this idea of there being a fine line between believing and reality.
The spacing between the letters of the tagline so that it stretches out across the
top of the poster comes across as if the film makers are spelling out the word
slowly. This in a way represents the times when Sam is trying to communicate
with Molly via computer, slowly spelling out each letter to show that it is
possible if you believe your loved one is there.

Charlotte Billingham

Layout

With the two people taking up the majority of the poster, the audience are
drawn to the image which clearly shows them its a romance without them
having to look straight at the title.
The actual tagline is at the top rather than the title, however with the title
being in a larger font this is the next thing the audience are drawn to.
Everything is rather spaced out which represents the idea of being lost or alone
in a big world when you have lost a loved one.
The layout of the poster and the size of everything gives you the idea that this is
going to be from the romance genre due to all the light and shading as well as
the large image of the couple placed slightly off center in the poster.
At the bottom of the poster, it states the people who have been involved within
the making and starring in the film. It shows the distribution company which can
sometimes have an effect on the audience that comes due to them being a wellknown distribution company. In this case it is paramount who are film
distribution giants and so this will attract more people to the cinema. This is
larger than the rest of the text at the bottom.
There isnt a BBFC certificate rating stated on this poster, however from the
poster image you can tell that it isnt really going to be for young children. The
romantic elements of the poster suggest that it is going to be for an older
audience so that should add to the idea that it isnt really for a younger
audience.