By: MiKayla Carter
McNally, Victoria. “The Walking Dead Recap: ‘Thirty Days Without An Accident.” geekosystem. Geekosystem, LLC, 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 6 Nov.
2013. <http://www.geekosystem.com/walking-dead-4-1/>. (main visual)
The poster for “The Walking Dead” as advertised by
AMC (whose logo in the bottom right corner of the
advertisement provides a sense of ethos) depicts a
scene that is featured in the first episode of season 1,
which premiered on October 31, 2010 (1). The scene
depicts the main character riding into an evidently
destroyed Atlanta on horseback. “The Walking Dead,
which was developed by Frank Darabont, is an
American horror drama television series based upon a
comic book series. (2)
“The Walking Dead (a Titles and Air Dates Guide).” epguides, 6 Nov. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://epguides.com/WalkingDead/ >. (1)
“The Walking Dead (TV series).” Wikipedia, 7 Nov. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_series)>. (2)
The creator’s point of view is a supportive outlook
on the television show, considering the network’s
intention in creating the poster was to persuade
viewers to watch the show “The Walking Dead.” By
using a pathos approach, the poster entices the
reader with an interesting yet mysterious image.
How might the image be mysterious to the reader?
You may have noticed that there are several signs of
destruction in the image, correct?
Can you, however, point out any signs of the cause
for this destruction?
The image entices the viewers to watch the show
by leaving such an important part of the plot
unknown. In other words, the viewers must solve
the mystery!
Although there is no specified audience for this
advertisement, are there certain people that this
advertisement may NOT apply to?
Through the apparent destruction demonstrated in
the image, one can conclude that the show may
include scenes not suitable for children; therefore,
the advertisement is not intended for younger
audiences.
Other than the omission of the cause for the
destruction in the image, what other techniques
are used to draw viewers in to the plot of the
television show?
First of all, consider the interstate.
What is being juxtaposed here?
The contrast between the immense amount of cars attempting to leave
the city and the single man entering the city causes several questions to
arise from the audience, such as why the cars were attempting to leave
in the first place, or why the lone man dares to enter the city.
Secondly, examine the modes of transportation
exhibited in the image.
How might the juxtaposition of these modes of
transportation help to convey the story of the
television show?
The image juxtaposes modern means of
transportation versus traditional means of
transportation. A sense of utter destruction is
created by demonstrating that technological
evolution is, in a way, being reversed in the
show, therefore further contributing to the
viewers’ curiosity.
Also, take note of the other visual techniques
utilized within the image. For example, how is light
used to help create the mood of the image?
By giving the scene a darker, rather yellow
tint of light that differs from a normal tint
of light, the mood becomes rather dark and
mysterious.
What about font size and spatial
arrangement? How are these elements
used to create emphasis?
Why is your eye first drawn to “The Walking Dead”
rather than the AMC logo?
It’s because of font size!
Why is your eye so easily drawn to the man on the
horse?
It’s because the immense amount of busy space
offsets the empty space surrounding the man!
For the last technique, consider the
birds in the sky.
Do they serve any purpose in helping
convey the story or plot of the show?
Radish, Christina. “Sarah Wayne Callies Talks Latest Episode of THE WALKING DEAD in Spoiler-Filled Interview.” Collider. topLingo, 5 Nov. 2012.
Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://collider.com/sarah-wayne-callies-the-walking-dead-spoilers-interview/>. (secondary visual)
Although one may not consider the birds as a significant part of the message
at first, it becomes evident that they serve a purpose when examining yet
another poster that advertises “The Walking Dead.”
The free and living birds help to juxtapose the foreshadowed dead world
below them, as well as the entrapment that the living survivors must feel
and deal with.
Furthermore, birds such as buzzards are often seen circling in the sky when
there is something dead or rotting on the ground below; therefore, the birds
help to symbolize the dead located below them within the city, foreshadowing
what the man on the horse will find once he enters the city.
Finally, what would the
advertisement lose if the city in the
background were to be cropped
out?
The image is tremendously less
effective because it loses its sense of
logos. The city of Atlanta is the main
part of the picture that the audience
can remotely relate to. By losing the
city, the audience’s interest is also lost.
Thanks for watching