The Blair Witch Project

An Overview of the film

Three film students set out to the Black Hills forest to make a documentary about the legend ‘The Blair Witch’. During their exploration they come across

many scary events. All students mysteriously disappear. A year later, all that was found were a thousand film cans, tapes and footage, which put

together ‘The Blair Witch Project’.

The Blair Witch Project poster consumes many features, one of which is the large dominating image of the female presented in an extreme close up. We are able to easily distinguish the

characters gender through the facial features conveyed. The use of an extreme close up shot also establishes

specific emotions and feelings which are being expressed. The image has used a low key lighting, however, portrays

the image as if a flash light was shining, this connotes mystery for the audience as they able to wonder why is she in the dark, hiding? The fact that we are unable to see half of the characters face may convey that she is trying to hide something. Moreover, we are able to see that the female

maybe a teenager or a young adult. From what she is also wearing we are able to acknowledge that it may be cold, as

she is shown wearing a woolly hat. From the characters representation, we can establish that the main image of the

female has been portrayed as if she is vulnerable and fearful. The location of this main feature, as we are aware

from previous film posters is not placed in the centre unlike other conventional posters. However, this large image still remains to be the main feature and continues to pursue its

purpose to grab the readers attention.

The Main Feature

The text presented on the film poster has been presented in very simplistic font, colour combination and text sizes in order to establish different purposes to each text. Firstly,

presented in the centre of the page is a short description of the traumatic disappearance which occurred. It is evident that this information has been located in the centre of the

film poster and therefore is conveyed as a vital piece of information. The font which has been used is a small sized font and very simplistic and ancient looking. The colour

scheme of black and white has also been included within the poster. The choice of these two contrasting colours allows the information to come across as evidently, more striking

and readable for the targeted audience. The use of ‘A year later their footage was found...’ creates a sense of suspense as the audience are left at a cliff-hanger and

therefore leaves them waiting in anticipation. The inclusion of this description of the film allows the audience to produce an idea, and predict the genre and narrative of the film.

The audience are left guessing, and this idea therefore agrees with the theorist Barthes’, where he suggested the HER code. This is where the audience are left in anticipation

wondering ‘what will happen next?’. The foreshadowing of the narrative also supports the theorist Todrov, as he established that there specific structures which are established

within a narrative. Conventionally, the title ‘The Blair Witch Project’ is located at the bottom of the page just

above the billing block. The text is the biggest text on the page and it is conveyed in the colour white, which therefore makes the text stand out and as it has been placed on a black background. These contrasting colours create a striking and eye catching effect

and therefore grab the audience’s attention. The font is simple and serious looking, establishing a connection to the horror genre.

The billing block has been conventionally placed at the centre bottom of the page. This has been shown through a darker white, and in a readable sized text. Specific words, for example the production company name, or the producers name have been written in

larger sized fonts in uppercase. This may have been done in order to make the audience aware of the production of film so that it can gain recognition for future films produced.

Furthermore, the fact that the production and distribution had been carried out by Artisan Entertainment and Haxan Films shows that they had a low budget to produce this film.

Finally, at the very bottom, below the billing block the website ‘www.blairwitch.com’ has been presented in a small, simplistic, red font. The choice of a red colour font, may be to grab the attention of enthusiastic fans. The use of colour combination, red on top of a black

background isn't very clear, and therefore may be considered as less important information.

The Text

As we are able to establish the inclusion of large images and texts is not the only features which put together a film poster. There are many

other features, such as logos presented on the page which embraces many meanings. Firstly, above the written description of the film located in the centre is a red logo. This logo represents the

idea of witch craft. The fact that it has been presented in red, embraces connotation such as danger. Moreover, the fact that it

has been located in the centre of the film poster, allows the logo to gain attention. It has also been noticed that the logo has become an

iconic feature assisting the title of the film as this logo has also been including in the film trailer and website. The logo has created

iconography, where the logo is associated with ‘The Blair Witch Project’.

Also incorporated on the film poster is another range of logos located at the bottom of the page, under the billing block. These logos are

representing logos of the films distribution and production companies. As we have also been informed within the billing block that Artisian Entertainment as well as Haxan Films carried out the production of the film. The logos of these companies have been

incorporated to support this idea.

Artisian Entertainment was known as a successful independent company, until it had been taken over by Lions Gate Entertainment.

From this critical information we are able to insinuate that the production of the film was low budget.

Other Features

The Background

The majority of the background is dark black. The use of this creates a gloomy and antagonistic atmosphere. At the very top of the film poster, we establish a silhouette image of a

forest. This is easily established through the images of trees. The background presented, allows the audience to gain some information about the location of the film, and also creates a

feeling of mystery through the assistance of the colour black.

The Unique Selling Point

The Film poster consists of many conventional features, which the audience may find familiar. However, features which make this film poster unique are features such as the location of the main feature is not located in the centre. The fact that the film poster

has challenged this convention allows the poster to look different. In addition, the fact that we are unable to clearly distinguish the character full face also creates a sense of

mystery for the audience. Furthermore, it is very unusual to include a brief description about the narrative of the film.

However, the fact that the way the description is written allows suspense to be created. Also, the audience may feel more

reassured about the films narrative structure as they have been briefly informed, but more importantly left in anticipation as the film poster leaves the description with a cliff hanger. Overall, the film poster is unique and follows the genre of horror, by using dark black colours and effects which can produce a

sense of fear and antagonism for the audience.