THE IMITATION GAME
TITLE BLOCK
The title is centred at the bottom of the
page, however the font is not in an
extremely large size. This would suggest
that the name of the film is not the
factor being used to sell it – it’s the use
of star theory and the tagline that are the
major marketing strategies for this film.
Yellow is a contrasting colour in
comparison to the colour scheme of the
rest of the poster; and as a result is eye
catching for the reader.
TAGLINE
“Behind every code is an Enigma.”
This is spread across the whole poster,
suggesting it is an important message regarding
the plot of the film (as it is also covering the
main characters face).
Every letter is also shown in a bubble; this
could be relevant to the film. Although it is a
unique way of displaying text, it requires
deeper concentration to be able to read the
text; this perhaps foreshadows the plot of the
film of having to decipher a code.
COLOURS
The general colour scheme consists of dark colours and tones
such as dark reds, browns and greys. Similarly, the character is
wearing a tweed suit and shirt which compliments the warm
toned background colours. The tweed pattern suggests that the
character maybe old fashioned which allows the audience to
assume that the film is set in the past. The use of lighting is also
important as the right side of the poster which consists of the
male character’s face has a light shining on him unlike the left
hand side of the poster (his face) which could show that he is
facing conflict which allows the audience to have connotations
that he may have a split personality or torn between ‘good and
bad’. Moreover, it highlights his importance in the film in
particular as he is the central and single image on the poster
which must mean he is the main character but whether he is the
protagonist or antagonist is unknown. As although the colours
are dark, this might not be reflecting him as character but instead
the genre of the film which is a historical drama thriller, in which
a common convention of these combined genres is that lighting is
used to create tension and mystery.
CENTRAL
PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE
A close up of the main characters face implies to the audience
the important role he must play throughout the film. This is
reinforced through the use of ‘Star Theory’ which is when
production teams use actors with great skill and popularity so
that they almost guaranteed that the film will be successful,
either through number of viewings or creatively appreciated by
film critics. Benedict Cumberbatch has recently built up a large
fan base due to the numerous famous films he has recently
been in. However, Benedict is made to appear almost robotic,
hiding behind a ‘code’ (the bubbles). This would imply that
perhaps he is the ‘man behind the magic.’
The bubbles spread across the poster resemble keys from an
old type writer, or perhaps a code that needs to be deciphered.
This is a common theme throughout the poster although it
does not suggest much about the plot, which could be
intentional by the promotion team as the use of ‘Star Theory’
is clearly the option they are using to engage an audience
rather than revealing the plot.
BACKGROUND IMAGE
There is a background colour of a
fading burgundy colour; red is a
colour associated with war and
danger, reflecting the setting and
events that occur during the film.
STAR BILLING
This is above the title at the bottom of the
page; there are only two names of actors
shown.
The use of ‘Star Theory’ has been used to
increase the success of this film is clearly being
used as Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira
Knightley are extremely famous English actors.
However, the names of the actors are written in
a small font, because the picture of Benedict
Cumberbatch is so well known, the names of
the actors do not need to a prominent factor in
the poster.
RELEASE DATE &
TARGET AUDIENCE
‘Coming soon’ leaves a sense of
mystery to the audience, perhaps
foreshadowing the plot of the film.
Although it is not printed boldly or in
a large font, which links with the
target audience. Which is those
interested in the work of Alan Turing
and perhaps Male Computer Fanatics.