Key: Genre Narrative Both Other

The horror poster for Saw uses the mise en scene to convey a sense of narrative but also fundamentally the genre of the film. This is done through following the codes and conventions of the slasher genre which the audience are aware of, and therefore are able to identify the genre and hints of the narrative. This is an example of an unconventional horror poster as many of the traditional horror poster conventions have been subverted however; the audience are still able to determine that this is a slasher genre poster. The graphic image of the close-up of a severed hand is a genre specific narrative element as it suggests that there was a struggle between the victim and villain due to dirt underneath the finger nails. Therefore, the audience can expect the victims to try and fight back or protect themselves against the villains. Elements of Todorovss narrative structure are evident within the poster through semiotics and the connotations and iconography of the poster. These elements are working on a subconscious level to portray to the audience the disruption caused by the villain due to the severed hand, as this suggests that someone has been murdered or tortured, thus disrupting the characters equilibrium and setting a chain of events in motion. The title of the film has been strategically placed in the centre of the poster in the largest typography as it conveys, and thus reinforces a sense of the genre along with elements of the narrative via linguistics. The word saw in conjunction with the image of the severed arm suggests to the audience that the villains choice of weapon is a saw and that the villain saws off the victims body parts. This is a genre specific narrative element as hand held weapons are a typical convention of the slasher genre and thus conveys to the audience the genre of the poster but also elements within the narrative. The concept of binary opposites created by Levi Strauss, is evident within the film poster in the form of life and death. This meaning is encrypted through the use of the colour white for the background as this hold connotations of life whereas the opposing image of dried dark red blood which looks almost black connotes death, and therefore suggests to the audience that character will be killed. These images through mise en scene can also display the binary opposites good and evil as white also connotes innocence and purity and the red/black blood connotes evil due to the villainous act of taken away a life.

Iconography is used as the stark white background resembles a clinical environment such as a hospital, dentist or even morgue. Typically white holds connotations or purity and innocence however due to the mise en scene working together; these conventions have been subverted into something more sinister and startling for the audience as it has been tainted by the blood of a severed arm. The atmosphere of unease and connotations of life being taken away are widely seen within the slasher genre therefore, the audience are able to recognise the fixed meanings and thus, the genre of the poster is apparent. Primarily, the mise en scene is working in a way which conveys a sense of the genre to the audience however; it is also coded in ways which delivers a sense of the narrative.

The poster also conveys a sense of the narrative to the audience, suggesting that the film may be located within a clinic and that the characters body parts will be severed off in vicious ways. It is also in line with the enigma code, a concept created by Roland Barthes as this leaves the audience questioning where the rest of the human body is, and what the person did to get their arm severed off and in turn, makes the audience want to watch the film so that The principle cast and they crew can alongside institutional logos is a convention of any answer the to questions generated by that the product being promoted and film poster convey to the audience the poster. thus distributed is a film. This is usually placed centre aligned at the bottom on

Vladimir Propps narrative functions are also evident within the horror poster as the severed arm is stylistically treated as a limb from a victim, due to the elements of struggle portrayed within the close-up shot. This suggests to the audience that there is of course a villain within the narrative who sawed off the victims arm however; this is not seen on the poster as the audience are already subconsciously aware of the theory, and they are able to presume the rest of the functions.

the poster in upper case typography, as the information provided may interest some audiences if there is any stars or well renowned directors who would help gather more of a wider audience and therefore generate more revenue. However, as this is a horror film, most of the actors and directors would not be stars as the genre is not thought of as being big. There are also many different production and distribution companies as this is not a major studios production, hence digital technologies and the multi-platform approach would have to be used.