Deconstruction of Ghost Ship Film Poster -Kurt

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The posters Title is less significant then the main quote, which is unusual for film posters, as the title is the main thing which is meant to grab our attention, so going against the main conventions of normal posters they must have done so for a reason. The quote is in block capitals, and cleverly done, so that there are two colours mixed into the title in the same hues, and is made to be effective as if showing deep water rising in the letters “Sea Evil”. The blue connotates a cold sense of foreboding, as well as the intended effect of water. The words it’s self are placed above a ship, Sea is obvious as to what it means, but the second word “Evil” changes the course of the title from just being about a voyage in a ship, to something major important thought provoking, and a warning almost that on the sea something goes against the nature of goodness. The Title perhaps is smaller than the quote it’s self, because it is made to look like it is singing visually into the water, which would be more impacting then at the top of the page as it wouldn’t achieve the intended effect. They also are sinking into a darker shade of the water, not the lighter blue waters, but the black water, making it more menacing and mysterious, as the letters are sinking to more dangerous depths. The colour white makes the title ethereal and mystical. It also glows as if the ship stakes it’s claim to be on the water. The Title reveals that there is going to be a haunted ship plagued with ghost perhaps, but it also could be that the ship it’s self is a ghost, and the ship is alive of it’s own without Ghosts. The title connotates the supernatural, gloom, and perhaps a past. It indicates the film is a horror film. It’s eerie colours and evil and wickedness that is felt with this title, to me would be a film for the age of 15 and over. I think the audience intended for it is teenagers of any gender, because it doesn’t have many conventions to show that this could be for one set gender apart from perhaps the fact that this could be of the action genre as well, influencing the males more then the women. But the incorporeal beings that add suspense and horror to the movie could be appealing to the women who like to be scared by a ghostly film.

The main feature picture is dead on in the centre of the poster, so that our eyes don’t have to divert to the sides, so it is fully captivating our attention. The image of the ship is cloaked in the shadow of a malevolence face that makes up the bottom end of the ship, grinning ominously, achieving evil potential because the expression is carved onto a skull. This could connotate a history that comes with the ship, must most directly tells us that the ship could be cursed in some way and haunted. The face gives the sense of impending doom, with one side looking evil incarnate with black colour, giving effect to the empty eye sockets with no eyes, yet still appearing to be watching without use of its eyes. The other side a lighter blue that is made to look transparent, as if the body of a ghost or something immaterial that connects with forces of the occult. The face also seems to be mocking the ship, as if the Ship doesn’t know what is actually on board with it. There appears to be a crack in the face, this could represent the idea of a flaw in the scheme of the boat, something manipulative of the horror the ship wishes to cause. Behind the ship are clouds of a pale white and blue, giving the effect of something ghastly coming out of a dark night, the clouds almost misty substance, looking like they have gave birth to a monstrosity of the sea, surrounding the ship in a worshipping way, as if the ship has immense power over things. Maybe conscious of their poster, the shape and position of the ship is very much like referencing the film Jaws, as the shark rises up nose point towards the waters surface, only this isn’t a beast but a entity that has already rose before the surface, dangerous and about to inflict terror before anyone can be warned. The ship it’s self looks tragic as if something has happened that is so shocking, that the nature of the ship is reformed because of the events that have taken place. The Skull which is also the symbol of death, could show that death looks for victims on the ship.

The whole colour scheme gives the overall feeling of isolation, and the sense of being lost. The darkness indicates this sense of being trapped, with no light to show the way forward. The blue could suggest the climate what is to be expected in the film, but also the emotions of the people, who in a remote sea perhaps are being affected by the frosty damnable cold which attacks, that being a force of evil, not the weather it’s self. The flash of white doesn’t suggest in this case a goodness, but a sterility that seems mad with the knowledge of being sterile as the title also could present the wrath as it sinks down into the water.
There is no indication if there is going to be famous Hollywood stars in the movie, and relies more up on it’s picture then the actors who might be in it, giving us insight that the film might be important of it’s own accord without the actors.

The credits are not that distinct but are shown underneath the title , the main director of the film the first thing in white small text to be seen. The maker of the film could give insight into what type of film it is going to be. A website is underneath the credits to promote the film. And underneath that, although it doesn’t say the release date, is the word “Halloween” to indicate when it is going to fall. The fact that they chose that day to release the film, makes the film look more sinister and appealing, by choosing a day of revered superstition, making the audience feel like they need to give the film a wide berth, as in be cautious of the impact of the film, gives a more realistic sense of fear. This makes the film more solid in it’s way of scaring the audience but also making them anxious.