Visual Communications Basic Elements: Movie Posters

Tone

http://buildingatlantis.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/black-swan-movie-review/

In this poster for the movie Black Swan there is an example of the basic element of tone. Without "tone information" this image would not have dimension. In this image the white ballerina inside the black swan is given an illusion of dimension and depth because of the "variations in light". With the use of black and white you can see "the juxtaposition of tone, the intensity of darkness or lightness". Without a white background surrounding the black swan it would be impossible to distinguish between the background and swan.

Color

http://collider.com/movie-poster-rolling-roadshow-2010-there-will-be-blood-dirty-harry-jackie-brown-robocop-olly-moss-movie-poster/41535/

In this poster of the movie Dirty Harry, we can see an example of the basic element of color. When using color it is important to know that it "has stronger affinity to the emotions".  In color there are many factors like hue, saturation and achromatic that affect the way we see. By using color we can direct viewers into "associating meaning" and evoke a feeling to them. With color we are able to create a larger vocabulary in visual literacy by being able to have symbolic meaning for the various different colors.

Dimension

http://collider.com/new-teaser-poster-for-inception/12977/

In this poster for the movie Inception, we can see an example of the basic element of dimension. To create a "representation of dimension in two-dimensional visual formats is also dependent on illusion". This illusion is created by using perspective. With the help of the basic element of tone we can establish dimension with "dramatic emphasis of light and shade". In this image we can use the visual clues of scale and tone to establish dimension.