DVD Cover Analysis

The image above is of the DVD cover for the film 'Shooter' released in 2007. DVD Covers are different to film posters because they are released at different times and therefore have different motives; magazine covers often only feature films that are prior to release (as do posters) whereas DVDs obviously come after the film. During the promotional stage film makers often hold back on details of the film and give little snippets of information that arouse suspense and questioning among the potential audience, who they hope will be enticed enough to go and watch the film at the cinema. Although any publication pertaining to a film is aiming to appeal, DVD covers must attempt to appeal to their established audience who've already viewed and hopefully enjoyed the film, and encourage them to buy it so they can watch it again. For this reason, the need for enigma is decreased and the images are more likely to involve scenes from the climaxes of the film so as to remind these viewers of the most exciting scenes. Simultaneously the DVD cover must appeal to first time potential viewers so important elements like boldness as strong indicators of genre are still included. Shooters DVD cover is quintessential in that it shows a climactic scene and it is very obvious to tell what kind of film it will be; the blue colouring shows a masculinity that will appeal to men and furthermore has a red influence that we will link to danger, the mise en scene features guns and explosions which show it is a typical action flick and it even has a caption that tells of the directors previous film of the same genre. Shooters film poster is also quintessential of its kind and is a good example that proves my theory of DVDs not using enigma whilst in posters it is common to. To signify the contrasting methods of reaching the target audience I have included it below.

Note: the caption to provoke intreigue, the concealment of characters identity to an extent, the holding back of pivotal scenes creating enigma and causing us to question if the gun is truly a symbol of the action and violence the target audience hope the film will entail- they now want to go and watch it to find out! The title is smaller and not as central as that of the DVDs, this is because it is yet to be established so is not really a selling point at this stage.