Ancillary product research: poster analysis (1)

Film information

Safe Haven is a romantic thriller film produced in 2013 by Relativity Media and Temple Hill Entertainment. The film was directed by Lasse Hallström,  the director of Dear John, also a romance film. Safe Haven achieved a gross profit of $71,346,930 as of March 2013, and features the actors Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough - both well renowned in the performing arts sector.

Image

The main image used in the poster is of a couple embracing each other leaning in to kiss. This positioning and the proxemics of the two characters represents an emotional connection that the two have between them, as well as the fact that they are holding each other so close; this signifies that they are comfortable with one another. This personal body language that is presented in the picture reflects the intimacy they have within their relationship, something that is often seen in romance films and is a key conventions that represents the film as the genre that it is. The way that they are holding onto each other not only connotes their desire to be together, but may also suggest that they are afraid of letting go of each other; this may be relocate in the tagline used about finding someone, suggesting that they are scared to lose one another having just met. The main image is located on a beach, a place that is associated with calmness and tranquility; both qualities that are commonly represented in on screen romantic relationships. 

The way that both characters have their eyes shut in this image would suggest that they are lost in the emotion that they are feeling - the feeling of emotion in romance films is a stereotypical element of the audience pleasure theory, and by including this on the poster for the film it will appeal to the target audience before they have even seen the film. 

Mise en scene

The colour scheme throughout the film poster follows a very neutral palette; the use of earthy and simplistic colours create a calmness and relaxing feel when looking at the poster. This may have been done to represent the emotions that are felt in the two main protagonists relationship. A light blue is a recurring colour on the poster, and it is often associated with depth and stability; symbolising  trust and loyalty - socio-emotional elements in a romantic relationship. The earthy tones within the poster reflects the nature of the relationship, providing an insight into a down-to-earth partnership that represents real life situations. The hues of golden light shone onto both protagonists, presumably coming from the sun, has connotations of passion, love and courage - this colour equally signifies happiness and joyfulness which represents the nature of the relationship and portrays the film as being a positive and upbeat watch for the target audience. 

Both characters are wearing shirts in the main image, an item of clothing that can be associated as being quite masculine as well as casual. The use of simple and casual clothing can reflect the complexity/simplicity of the relationship; elaborate clothing can suggest that a relationship is superficial and unrealistic. 

Lighting 

The film poster for 'Safe Haven' uses primarily high key lighting surrounding the main image of the couple embracing on the beach. The use of high key lighting in this situation reflects a theme of happiness and signifies to the audience that the film is going to be upbeat. Golden light surrounds the couple which represents magic within the relationship, a stereotypical convention of successful relationships; the light portrays both characters in an angelic scenario which will allow the audience to assume that they are a happy couple and that there are not problems within the relationship. However this is contrasted in the low key lighting in the 4 corners of the poster. Each corner has a darkened effect which gradients into the lighter colours that are present in the centre of the poster; the use of the darker light may signify that there is a disruption in the film, and could suggest that this is in relation to the relationship that is being represented in the poster. 

Typography

The typography of the poster is all in a Sans Serif font and the colours used in the text are light blue and white. The use of this particular font is slightly unconventional in a romance film because Sans Serif has a blunt and business-like feel to it when and audience looks at it, and this doesn't effect the genre of the film; stereotypically Serif is used as this has a slightly more romantic feel to it as it is more dainty and whimsical. The clean look of the typography used can also be seen as being quite strong and stable, something that may be a reflection of the male protagonist in the film. As the title of the film is 'Safe Haven', the strong feeling to the typography may be a reflection of the title of the film. The colour white that is used as the colour for the majority of the text connotes innocence and purity, which may be a representation of the storyline of the film as well as the personality of the female lead character. Light blue is used in the title of the film has connotations of trust and loyalty, both of which are key elements to a successful relationship; therefore the use of the colour may signify the type of relationship the two main characters have. 

Tagline

The tagline used in 'Safe Haven' is 'You know it when you find it'; the meaning behind this quote is represented in the main image. This is because the connotations f the tagline suggest that she has found the person she loves, and she knew she had when she first met him; the proxemics in the main image and the way both characters are holding onto each other would signify that she has 'found it' and that she doesn't want to let go. 

How does this relate to the film narrative?

The narrative of this film follows a young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, North Carolina where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her.

The film poster relates to the film narrative in some respects because the main shows the woman with the man we can assume is the widower, and it shows that she has formed a bond and relationship with him. The use of a couple as the main image that the eye is drawn to does reflect the genre of the film.  However there are only very subtle hints that the woman has a dark and mysterious past, and this is though the low key lighting used in the corners of the poster. The darkness suggests something more sinister but there is no relation to the fact that the woman has a dark past.