Poster Analysis One

 

• Unlike a frontal shot which allows the audience to see the full facial expressions of a character, fostering an immediate sense of connection and objectivity, this Close Up Shot from the side profile creates a bit of distance between this man and the audience, choosing to emphasise the narrative and the effects of the story he’s trying to tell through this documentary – captures the feeling of being a part of something much bigger than yourself. This feeling is amplified by the use of a high angle, placing the camera below eye-level, which exaggerates this man’s importance. However, the Man looking up implies weakness and vulnerability against a higher power, especially the imagery of looking up towards a clear sky. Use of POV – objective enhances the feeling of being an unattached viewer observing the events of this documentary from the safety of our homes; therefore it is of great importance to understand the events and narrative of the documentary and take in its morals. Depth of field - Short used to obscure the background, playing on the audiences natural fear of the unknown to make these objects and the environment seem more hostile, unapproachable and scary. Also places more importance on the man and what he represents, reinforces importance of understanding the morals of the documentary. 

• The helmet is a symbol of power, authority, and an indicator of danger. He is wearing noise cancelling headphones (?) with the helmet. Lets the audience know that the White Helmets are a group of people and hints to the bravery of the white helmets and further enhances the feeling of danger, isolation and barrenness that the bland background gives off. Also reinforces publicly perceived notions of masculinity; people associate such high-stakes, active roles in dangerous environments requiring high amounts of physical activity and the need to get your hands dirty with men. Activities where helmets are needed are dominated by men e.g. construction, bike riding. Bleak, dull background, colourless sky introduces feeling of hopelessness and abandonment, a place where one must fend for themselves. Lack of colour implies low amount of life, nature or people. Motivated, ambient high-key lighting emphasises realism, lawlessness and isolation and the fact that the events of the documentary have real world consequences that change and effect the lives of innocent people. 

• The title of the documentary is in a very good place as it fills the empty space of the sky which creates the feeling of emptiness and hopelessness of the background without it feeling like there something missing from the poster, and its in a space where it immediately catches the audience’s attention and interest. The use of the colour white on the word “white” stands out from the rest of the title and draws on the audiences associations of the word white as a “good” colour. Signals to the audience that these white helmets are the heroes of the narrative, especially considering the connotations of the colour black which aligns with the sense of abandonment and hopelessness and lawlessness that the background emanates.