Poster-iffic!

Those who visit The Film Experience will remember the great post about illustrated movie posters, and how, especially in montage format, are much better than photographic.
I whole heartedly agree. (although the main poster for 'Australia' is not that great, some of the others are breathtaking)
There is something about an illustrated movie poster that gets across the tone and feeling of the film better than a photo or fancy lettering can.

Just look at the US poster for 'Happy-Go-Lucky':


It is fun and gets the tone of the movie perfectly, better so than the a UK version of the poster did. Illustrated posters can de-clutter what, in photographic form could be a mess (usually due to a large star filled cast). With all the star power in 'Burn After Reading' the poster could have looked a mess, instead it looks like art.

Sometimes a photo is not even needed to get across the tone. We all know that 'Doubt' will be serious just by the starkness and boldness of the poster. I mean the symbol of the cross just says so much, especially these days. Clever little marketing peeps.
Same can be said for the 'Cloverfield' poster. I mean 9/11 symbolism much? Worked a treat at the box office though (and one of the most thrilling films of the year for me thus far)

However, graphics, illustrations or photo imagery aside, the best poster campaign of the year would have to go to 'The Dark Knight'. Every poster was art work and genius. They were dark and mysterious, clever and self deprecating. They set the mood of the film, and boy were they unnerving.

Hon mentions would of course have to go to the people behind the campaign for 'W' (very 'Fahrenheit 9/11' opening credits) and 'Funny Games' (don't we all just want to save Naomi?)

All I am saying is sometimes the poster is the first thing people are going to see about a film. You gotta make it pop, have character, be different and be interesting. Don't get us all excited about 'Changeling' only to release a poster that looks scarily like you are going to watch a movie where a big scary Angela Jolie causes havoc by huffing and puffing and blowing little boys away.
If you are having trouble getting representing your film in poster format go simple. Sometimes lettering works wonders. Or just chuck a naked person on it as that usually works. I mean Rose McGowan with a sword! I am so there!