An image is worth more (much more) than a thousand words, of that I am sure. And this is the rule that governs the world of graphology. The visual elements tell us much more at the unconscious level than they could tell us at the conscious level. Why do certain works succeed even though they are apparently similar to other works that, however, have no reception? It is probably because they transmit information in a very powerful way that is more than relevant to us. She tells us about us with a story that hooks us and takes us where she wants. Graphological analysis.
Really if we start to analyze carefully and meticulously each of the visual elements that appear in a composition and we give them the load and credibility that corresponds to them, we will find very interesting, elaborate and genuine messages. Here you have an example of the posters of two mythical films in the history of horror movies. Plain, plain, "normal" posters, apparently, but only apparently. What message do these compositions give us? What makes us want to see movies immediately? You will surely tell me that the advertising campaign plays an important role (and it is true), but it is also true that there have been brutal advertising campaigns that have nevertheless turned out to be a real disaster. The important thing is how we handle this advertising campaign and especially how we make use of our skills as communicators and graphic artists:
The other Graphological analysis
The scene is resolved in the void and from it emerges a polarity of warm and icy tones. They are actually lights that float in the middle of nowhere. The coldness and warmth that could symbolize death and life. One of the two sources of light is the bulb that gives off a warm color and quickly evokes concepts such as home, vitality, humanity. On the other hand, it is suspicious that a light bulb is used (a light bulb from the time where the story is set, of course) that has always been a universal symbol of intellect and wisdom.
Another source of light in our composition is a title and not just any title, it is made up of two words powerful enough to capture our attention: The others. Who are the others? Why is this structure the same visually important as the light bulb itself? This is a very successful option on the part of the designers of this poster: Give the power to radiate light and atmosphere to the letters. The paranormal is defined and manifested in an abstract title, which does not make much effort to specify what it is talking about. There really is much more information in the visual structure than in the title itself.
In a simple image we find a struggle of concepts. On the one hand we find the reason and on the other hand we find The others. This composition tells us about what is beyond reason. Of the other thing that is not the reason. It is very effective as an advertising proposition. The message does not stop there, because once we are dazzled by that play of light we go to the gaze of our protagonist. A blue gaze, a blue as penetrating as The Other. It warns us that our character is capable of seeing the other, and that is when we inevitably we also want to see it.
The Exorcist graphological analysis
A simple proposal that shows us an urban setting. A slightly contrapic plane directs us towards an open window. The most powerful light that we have ever been able to glimpse flooding the cold of the city shrouded in fog. Quickly our composition it is divided into two stripes very well established and delimited. On the one hand, the upper area, which extends from the head of our character. Here is that source of light, the light that also radiates the streetlight. In the lower area only shadows. The foot of the lamppost, the plants, and our character on the ground. Observing with some resignation that open window.
This man is ready to take on whatever it is up there. Loaded with a bag of tools, he observes that light almost defiantly. On the other hand, he wears a hat and what seems like such a trivial detail, actually has an important load of meaning. The hat confirms that it is indeed going to enter that light. We use the hat to protect ourselves from sunlight, but curiously in this night scene it has little use. He would be of little use were it not for the hungry light that seems to seek him out and welcome him.
Our man is ready to rise to that higher level and he is determined too. Somehow the image tells us that this man is going to transcend, he is going to cross the limits of the everyday that a city street can offer us. We want to know where this man is going, we want to know what lies beyond the rational and routine world, we want to accompany you on that journey. We are definitely this man, loaded with tools and protected from all danger by our television screen. The spectator is the man who has decided to cross the border.
The information that the composition offers us is very conclusive. It even tells us what is really behind that light, what is on that other plane. What there really is is etheric, mystical energy, which is beyond our control. Who tells us this? Well, our partner above, the title. And not because of the lexical load that the words "the exorcist" may have (I would dare to say that even this is secondary), but rather because of the color in which it appears. The purple and violet hues have always evoked the mystical, the unnatural, the paranormal. We have talked about it in previous posts, this color traditionally (and it has all its meaning) has been related to this conceptual range. The mystery, the inscrutable, the spirituality. Precisely for being very little present in nature. You will not find a violet or purple color naturally. It is a color that exists, but it is not common in nature, it is the only color that belongs to that other level.