Bridesmaids

Movie posters are very important when a new film is released.  They can play a huge role in how many tickets are sold.  According to Matthew Carpenter in 7 Elements of a Great Movie Poster Design, “The first step, and the one most important for designers, is attention – grabbing the attention of passers-by and encouraging them to look.” Just looking at a poster you can often tell what kind of genre the movie will be, usually the main actors/actresses, and etc.  I chose the movie “Bridesmaids” starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Convey, Ellie Kemper, and Rebel Wilson.  I think the movie poster does a good job depicting that it would be a comedy and showing off the major actresses in the film.

            Right away you can tell that the movie is going to be a comedy by their stances, facial expressions, and the actresses in the movie.  According to Matthew Carpenter in 7 Elements of a Great Movie Poster Design, “By using the film’s characters or a major plot point, designers can establish some level of plot while still gaining the attention of anyone that views the poster”.   When looking at the poster your eyes are immediately drawn to the characters.  I think this is the main goal because you automatically focus of Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy who bring in a huge fan base and audience, making ticket sales go up.  You know right away that the movie is going to be hysterical and do very well because of Melissa McCarthy’s previous movies.  Also I think the poster did a good job with how each character is standing, it gives you an idea of what the character’s personality is going to be like.  I think the movie poster is very good at communicating the main idea of the film and what genre it is going to be.  Right away you can tell by the title and what the characters are wearing that the plot is going to be revolved around a wedding and the bridesmaids.  Also that there will be some conflict between the characters Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne as they are both standing on each side of the bride.  The poster does a good job using pathos as the character’s facial expressions really emotionally appeal to the audience.  For those who have been bridesmaids or have played a major role in a wedding you know how physically and emotionally draining the process is, and the characters on the poster make the movie seem very relatable.  Also in the movie Kristen Wiig, the maid of honor and Rose Byrne, one of the bridesmaids fight for who is the brides better friend, and who can give her a better wedding.  Which is also very common and relatable in most weddings.  Looking at the poster it really appeals to a big female audience because it is about a wedding and bridesmaids which most women would enjoy to watch.  By putting major comedy actresses on the cover that is popular with both males and females brings the attention to males as well.  Overall I think the movie poster for “Bridesmaids” did a good job communicating the main idea of the film.  Also by looking at the poster its very clear what the subject and genre of the movie is going to be.