Moonrise Kingdom
This section will be analysing a poster used by Wes Anderson to promote the film Moonrise Kingdom, it will specifically evaluate the media language, institutions, genre, representation, audience, ideology and narrative presented within the poster.
media language
When analysing the visual codes used in the poster for Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson one can see certain themes occurring.
The clothing and physical appearance of each character presented has a strong hint towards the 1950s. A flavouring of perfection covers each character when looking at costume, hair and make up.
Their gestures and body language are ridged and some reflect either their character, such as Edward Norton, or their group identity, such as the boys scouts.
Overall their stance mirrors one of a posed family photograph, which leads the audience to believe that this film promotes some kind of moral/family story.
The setting behind them is interesting in that it is painted to represent a 'perfect' town, this element of fake perfection that puts the audience on edge and forces them to question the legitimacy of the 'moral story' that was shown through the characters. This is also reinforced with the fake one tone baby blue sky used at the top of the poster.
The clothing and physical appearance of each character presented has a strong hint towards the 1950s. A flavouring of perfection covers each character when looking at costume, hair and make up.
Their gestures and body language are ridged and some reflect either their character, such as Edward Norton, or their group identity, such as the boys scouts.
Overall their stance mirrors one of a posed family photograph, which leads the audience to believe that this film promotes some kind of moral/family story.
The setting behind them is interesting in that it is painted to represent a 'perfect' town, this element of fake perfection that puts the audience on edge and forces them to question the legitimacy of the 'moral story' that was shown through the characters. This is also reinforced with the fake one tone baby blue sky used at the top of the poster.
institutions
The institutions are listed at the very top of the poster mainly illustrating the independence of this film.
It lists Wes Anderson's production company, a typical move from an independent film maker.
There is also a crest from a nomination at a film festival, showing that its distribution companies have put forward to festivals known for their independent film successes.
It lists Wes Anderson's production company, a typical move from an independent film maker.
There is also a crest from a nomination at a film festival, showing that its distribution companies have put forward to festivals known for their independent film successes.
genre
The genre of Moonrise Kingdom is made clear through many different conventions and codes on this poster.
The genre of Moonrise Kingdom is romantic comedy.
The comedy aspects of the film is translated through the ensemble of the entire cast in full character costumes staring blankly directly into the camera. The vision of these well known actors such as Bruce Willis and Edward Norton in what can be described as child like costumes also highlights the humour within the film.
The romance is hinted at through the poster through the poetic font used for the title 'Moonrise Kingdom'. The protagonist young couple are directly centre clearly showing they are important and probably who the story revolves around.
The genre of Moonrise Kingdom is romantic comedy.
The comedy aspects of the film is translated through the ensemble of the entire cast in full character costumes staring blankly directly into the camera. The vision of these well known actors such as Bruce Willis and Edward Norton in what can be described as child like costumes also highlights the humour within the film.
The romance is hinted at through the poster through the poetic font used for the title 'Moonrise Kingdom'. The protagonist young couple are directly centre clearly showing they are important and probably who the story revolves around.
representation
When specifiacally looking at the representation of youth in Moonrise Kingdom the poster can reveal a large amount of how the audience is going to feel towards the protanists entering the film.
To begin the nine children in this poster outweigh the six adults. Therefore illustrating to the audience that this film will be from a more subjective childish point of view.
The costume and set involved in the poster give off an illusion of a 'doll house' style, a typical child toy. The baby blue background shows the innocence of the boy mixed with the yellow font to illustrate the constant search for happiness in this film.
To begin the nine children in this poster outweigh the six adults. Therefore illustrating to the audience that this film will be from a more subjective childish point of view.
The costume and set involved in the poster give off an illusion of a 'doll house' style, a typical child toy. The baby blue background shows the innocence of the boy mixed with the yellow font to illustrate the constant search for happiness in this film.
audience
The audience for Moonrise Kingdom is typically a middle class 18-35 year old who are more familar with independent films rather than a traditional Hollywood studio system romantic comedy.
This can be seen in the poster through the use of many unknown actors, including the two protagnists. The known actors have been alflicated with many independent films for instance Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction.
It can also be shown through the crest of a nomination for a film award at an indepent film festival, which reniforces the niche audience this is aimed at.
This can be seen in the poster through the use of many unknown actors, including the two protagnists. The known actors have been alflicated with many independent films for instance Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction.
It can also be shown through the crest of a nomination for a film award at an indepent film festival, which reniforces the niche audience this is aimed at.
ideology
The visual codes in the poster for Moonrise Kingdom suggests to the audience a certain 1950s way of life. The 'family portrait' style of the characters stance communicates an expectation of a moral story to the audience. Of course as a romantic comedy it does install a moral story of love conquering all others.
narrative
The narrative of Moonrise Kingdom is harder to find from simply the poster.
One can infer that this is a romantic comedy from the codes mentioned earlier yet the full story narrative is muddled through the little information the poster gives the audience.
The only fact that the audience can know for certain is that the main characters are going to be young, therefore making the journey that is traditionally seen in romantic comedy of equilibrium-dis equilibrium- equilibrium will arise new problems such as age.
One can infer that this is a romantic comedy from the codes mentioned earlier yet the full story narrative is muddled through the little information the poster gives the audience.
The only fact that the audience can know for certain is that the main characters are going to be young, therefore making the journey that is traditionally seen in romantic comedy of equilibrium-dis equilibrium- equilibrium will arise new problems such as age.