THE LONELY ROAD-Tasha Reynolds

THE LONELY ROAD

(Short film poster)

Source for this film poster

Applying MRANG-

Media language;

The camera shot is taken as a shallow depth of field shot; creating focus on just one area in this case the swing set. Further suggesting that this prop is a key semantic visual in reinforcing the storyline. The posters composition is set as portrait, a popular use of positioning for short film posters. The image in the photo is of a long shot, similar to an establishing shot as its showing the scenery included in the photo. The swing could be used instead of a person portraying the protagonist as the shot centres on the swing in focus; telling the audience that the swing is the key focus.

MES;

The setting in the image reveals that the seasons autumn as golden leaves and trees that are leave-less surround the swing set. The fact that the sun is shining directly towards swing emphasises the importance of the object. The swing is old and rusty containing dark boring colours and the overall lighting is simple and not over powering or overly edited.

Representation;

The place is presented as isolated and lonely as we are positioned to view the location possibly a park, as if we are sitting on the swing. However, the swing could symbolise a memory of a character as the beam of sunlight directed towards the seat connotes a heathen-like atmosphere as if someone whose passed is looking down at the object protecting it.

Audience;

This poster doesn’t target a particular type of audience in an obvious sense as the connotations of the poster e.g colour, layout, design don’t relate or attract a certain type of person or demographic. So overall from analysing this poster I think that the audience could be open to interpretation. However, to categorize the type of audience slightly; I would say that it’s not a film for children. This may be ironic as the poster is constructed around the image of a park/playground with a swing set that would appeal to children, but the other semantic codes suggest that it’s for an older audience. This is clear as it expresses the mood of seriousness/sadness through the tag line; “Sometimes the ones you lose keep you from getting lost” this suggests that the films about losing an important person in your life. This serious approach wouldn’t appeal to an audience of children as a result.

Narrative;

The story is communicated through the guidance of the printed text as it reveals that the story is about losing someone, the theme is communicated through the visual (semantic) codes such as the disserted park suggesting that the theme focuses on the issue of being alone and isolated. The narrative is also explored through the title as it says ‘The lonely road’, lonely suggesting being alienated and isolated whereas ‘road’ suggests that the narrative explores a journey that takes place within this theme.

Genre;

The genre of the film poster is explored through various key theories. For example, in this context with a poster the genre will be expressed mostly through the process of semantic codes; as these consist of only visual elements. As a result the poster suggests that the genre may be social realism; as the photo of the abandoned swing and the tag line, position the spectators to assume this film is about losing someone close to you. Which is a realistic topic to use for this particular genre as it’s based on real life events that can occur in someone’s life.

Additional information:

The billing block at the bottom of the poster is positioned as a block of text; all film posters even short films should have this as it’s legally required of them. Within this text is the production companies name as well as the name of the film and actors, director and other vital institutional information.