Mis en scene poster analysis

PULP FICTION ANALYSIS: 

With the use of Mis En Scene and camera composition the poster followed key conventions of a successful poster, it was able to subtly communicate the key ideologies of the film without giving too much of the film away. 

Looking at the poster overall, it is immediately engaging and follows the key conventions of a successful movie poster. ‘Pulp fiction’ has been written in bold font in a bright yellow colour, this is immediately eye catching to any audience not exclusive to the target audience. With the convergence of celebrity figure ‘Uma Thurman’ and the movie itself, it was a key part of the poster. They have done this purposefully in order to attract audiences, individuals who know of Mia Wallace would immediately want to see this movie or look at the poster itself without even knowing what the film is originally about. The poster includes Mia Wallace down on her front across the poster, though this is empowering having the female lead on the poster instead of the male co-star. There is the reveal of cleavage, using an extremely attractive female as the focus. There could also be the question of was she used to empower the female lead, or just because she is attractive. Linking with the male gaze theory by Laura Mulvey, connoting the ideas that the text was made by men for men. Though it's not immediately suggesting sexual connotations it could be questionable. Whereas on the other hand I do believe it was empowering as a decision to use the female lead as the main

representation of the film. 

Though within the poster she is holding a cigarette, this goes against the stereotypical female ideologies which are normally associated with women. Her positioning has been on her stomach, we can assume that she is on a bed which presents a sexual atmosphere connoting the maturity of the film. Pulp fiction fits into the crime/drama genre, within this poster it can be connoted using the props within the poster. The use of the gun prop by her hand connotes a sense of mystery and drama. The simple suggestion of the gun immediately proposes the drama/crime genre and makes the audience question what the film will be about. Looking at the poster I would guess that the target audience would be a much older audience, when doing research, I was correct. The film's target audience is 18 and above. The use of the dark colour scheme of the poster associates with an older mass audience successfully, the dark red and black presents the ideas of maturity and wouldn’t associate with a younger audience.  

Within the poster there is no description of the film, I feel that this has positives and negatives to it. For example, this would again connote a sense of mystery and question, mass audiences would be able to interpret this and base opinions off it. Whereas if the poster isn't intriguing enough for the audience, a small part of the description might be helpful with advertising it as well as if it was vague, individuals are still able to base opinions. The movie follows a quick pace, dramatic narrative which I feel through the poster has been presented successfully but in a simple way. They have followed key conventions, while keeping it full of basic information. The poster doesn’t overload anyone with information but includes enough to gain simple interest.  

And lastly, looking at the tones and ideologies that are communicated. Immediately as an audience you are presented with key props that by everyone are interpreted differently depending on ethnic, cultural and influenced backgrounds. For example, the use of the box of cigarettes, the gun and comic books that are next to her, immediately this disagrees with societies expectations of women and goes against the stereotypes that are associated with women. As mentioned further up in my essay, I felt that it slightly links with the male gaze theory yet contradicts it Aswell. Going against the stereotypes, it empowers women to be different and starts setting ideologies of the film. Linking with halls reception theory suggesting the different reactions audiences can have. As well as connoting we as an audience are either passive or active. I fully believe that this would attract a more active based audience who would challenge these ideas as well as attracting passive audiences who would agree with these ideologies and the challenged stereotypes. Although the signified denotation of the front cover would be a woman smoking, it does communicate so much more and presents the change of women. Looking at the time period, pulp fiction was released in 1994. Although there has been a huge, modernized change in the present. This would still be uncomfortable to many audiences and individuals within the time period and would shock and challenge many audiences. Whereas now this wouldn’t be such a shock to see and would be encouraged. 

Overall, I felt that this poster was enticing and extremely successful in getting its message across and challenged audiences in ways movies hadn't before.