The low motivation symbol of a man on a cross is a blair witch symbol (A five-pointed compound symbol with a center triangle pointing down. The five lines resemble the microcosmic man with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with a pentagram in the background)-- a magic symbol or charm among medieval alchemists and wizards.links to the film) which links to the film itself, “The Blair Witch Project”. The random splash of red on the poster connotes blood, evil and fear, all horror conventions.
Dark low key lighting backdrop, black connotes mysterious, you don’t know what’s in the dark – adds creepiness to the location.
The trees give an idea that we are in deep in a forest, the trees are wilted and dying. – This makes the forest seem like a spookier setting, it is potentially haunted. The title being “The Blair Witch Project” suggests that there are witches inhabiting the forest and the dying trees are potentially a connotation of death and that there have been deaths in this forest or that there potentially might be in the film.
This text gives added information to the poster, it tells the viewer a bit more about the plot line and the narrative.
Billing block – Gives information on the film, including stars, producer, director etc. The link to the website stands out more, this is a marketing strategy. The text is also in red, this is a horror movie poster convention and is used on lots of horror movie posters – red connotes blood, horror and evil.
Extreme close up shot of characters face distorts the person looking at the poster. It is an unnatural shot, it will not be a shot used in soap or a sitcom. It is also potentially establishing one of the key characters in the film, although there is no indication as to who this character is, it suggests that they are a key part of the film’s narrative. The character is in an isolated location, this is a horror convention, there’s no way of calling for help. The character is alone and trapped and the shadow is reflected off a torch to show the character’s face and the fear in the characters’ eyes.