by ASH KINNEY D’HARCOURT
In recent years, the movie poster has transcended its humble origins. Once considered uncredited works of art, movie posters have risen to prominence as sought-after treasures in art auctions, as prized acquisitions in personal collections, and as exhibits in museums and galleries—a transformation that reflects a growing recognition of the aesthetic and cultural significance of this art form.
Movie posters historically served as a bridge between the audience and the cinematic experience. Their primary role in film publicity has been to distill the essence of a film into its most persuasive visual signs—its adventure, stars, and drama—to entice passersby off the street and into the theater. Among their earliest instances, posters portrayed the act of watching a film itself, incorporating elements such as projectors, operators and motion picture images to demystify this new entertainment technology. However, competition between studios in the early twentieth century quickly led to the development of individualized advertising campaigns with strategic pressbooks that included eye-catching and evocative poster art for each film. [Read more…] about Visual Narratives: The Language of Movie Posters