Transcript The Imitation Game

THE IMITATION GAME
Poster Deconstruction
TAGLINE
• The tagline is ‘Behind every code is an Enigma.’
• This is spread across the whole poster, suggesting it is an important message
regarding the plot of the film (as it is also covering the main characters
face).
• Every letter is also shown in a bubble; this could be relevant to the film.
Although it is a unique way of displaying text, it requires deeper
concentration to be able to read the text; this perhaps foreshadows the plot
of the film of having to decipher a code.
COLOURS
• There is a dark colour scheme – dark reds, browns and greys.
• Furthermore, the character is wearing a tweed suit and shirt; giving an oldfashioned film to the poster; reflecting the date in which the film is set.
• The light shining on the right side of the characters face shows perhaps that
he is facing conflict – that he may have two sides to him.
• Moreover, it highlights his importance in the film.
CENTRAL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE
• A close up of the main characters face implies the important role he plays
throughout the film.
• The use of Star theory has clearly been used in this poster; Benedict
Cumberbatch has recently built up a large fan base due to the numerous
famous films he has recently been in.
• However, Benedict is made to appear almost robotic, hiding behind a
‘code’ (The bubbles). This would imply that perhaps is the ‘man behind the
magic.’
• The bubbles spread across the poster resemble keys from an old type writer,
or perhaps a code that needs to be deciphered. This is a common theme
throughout the poster, not much about the plot is given away.
BACKGROUND IMAGE
• There is a background colour of a fading burgundy colour; red is a colour
associated with war and danger, reflecting the setting and events that
occur during the film.
TITLE BLOCK
• The title is centred at the bottom of the page, however the font is not in an
extremely large size. This would suggest that the name of the film is not the
factor being used to sell it – it’s the use of star theory and the tagline that are
the major marketing strategies for this film.
• Yellow is a contrasting colour in comparison to the colour scheme of the rest
of the poster; and as a result is eye catching for the reader.
STAR BILLING
• This is above the title at the bottom of the page; there are only two names of
actors shown.
• The use of star theory to increase the success of this film is clearly being used
as Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley are extremely famous English
actors.
• However, the names of the actors are written in a small font, because the
picture of Benedict Cumberbatch is so well known, the names of the actors
do not need to a prominent factor in the poster.
RELEASE DATE
• ‘Coming soon’ leaves a sense of mystery to the audience, perhaps
foreshadowing the plot of the film.
TARGET AUDIENCE
• The target audience for this film includes those interested in the work of Alan
Turing and perhaps Male Computer Fanatics.
ENIGMA CODE
• The Enigma code of this poster leaves us asking..
• What is the code?
• What the enigma?
• What is the relevance of the bubbles?
• What role does benedict play?