R7 - Sleepy Hollow & The Woman In Black - Film Poster Analysis

This poster is from the 1999 American horror film Sleepy Hollow. From the use of colours and the context the audience is already told what they may be expecting from the film. For example, the main use of colour in this poster is black. Typically the colour black is a common convention in horror films so this already indicates that this film is a horror. Rather than the colour representing the lack of light it can also portray evil. 

First glance at the poster and the one thing that stands out is the moon. This could depict that there is a supernatural element to the film as the moon usually associates with werewolves and vampires. 

In the poster there is a person on a horse but if you look closely you can see that the person is headless. This also shows an element of the supernatural. In possession  of the headless man is an axe. Another convention of horror films are the props. The axe could suggest that it's significant to the character, also showing that this "person" may be the antagonist of the film. 

The only colour apart from black which stands out in the poster is red, which is used for the title of the film. This immediately suggests that there will be blood in the film as the colour is the representation of it. The font connotes that the film may be set in an old era as it looks like it is handwritten. 

In a lot of horror film posters there are clues which suggests what is significant in the film. In this one the words, "HEADS WILL ROLL" leaves the audience guessing to what that may imply, as the biggest clue which links into that is the headless man. I think this film poster is a perfect representation to what gothic horror consists of - which is the constant use of dark colours and teasing the audience.

This poster is from the 2012 British horror film The Woman In Black. Focusing on the background, you can a see a cross which looks like a headstone with a figure covered in black standing next to it. This would link with the title of the film which would suggest the figure is the, "woman in black." The fact there there is what appears to look like a headstone but no grave could suggest that it is an intended grave for someone, linking in with the supernatural theme.
The colours used in the poster are mainly dark with a few lighting effects so the dark and light colours contrast with each other which may represent the good and bad which is often the convention in gothic horror. 
The title of the film is only white and in an ominous glow which could connote that there is also a paranormal element as the colour is usually associated with ghosts, spirits and the afterlife.

Overall...
From the posters you can tell quite a bit what the films may be about but as usual, the colours conform to the typical gothic horror to which the poster is overwhelmed with dark colours and the background is significant to the film's plot.

From analysing the two posters I've considered a few things when making my own poster for my short horror film. For example, choosing whether or not to have the main character on the front of the poster, what should be in the background (setting or plain colour) and how the wording should be placed. Considering the fact that my film is gothic horror I may go along with the idea of 'The Woman in Black' and have a background which links in with my film.