http://www.impawards.com/2008/dark_knight_ver10.html
A variety of techniques are used to market the film including the listing of stars which feature in the film, appealing to specific audience groups. The framing of the three characters with the action codes of holding iconic props concealing parts of their faces emphasises their significance in each characters individual identity. Use of the technical code of low lighting in the background and high lighting on the faces and props emphasises the importance of identity in the narrative. The fact Dent is portrayed in a similar way to the Joker creates the enigma to cause and origin of the change, creating audience appeal.
Smile and Wave... 
http://www.impawards.com/2008/dark_knight_ver15.html
The teaser poster layout creates audience appeal as enigmas are created through the lack of information given. Also, this appeals to previous fans of the Batman series through their cultural frame of reference and understanding of stars and production. The use of iconography of the Joker’s grin imposed on Batman’s face both delineates the importance of the main characters and denotes a correspondence between the two, conveying Batman’s un-stereotypical ‘hero’ role within Propp’s character theory. Furthermore, the close up image of Batman’s mask is formed entirely out of the well-known prop of the ‘joker card’. This portrays that The Joker has made Batman what he is, and has constructed him, giving narrative clues of The Joker’s power, while conveying the importance of their characteristics both as individuals and as a pair.
By: sashacoupe on October 11, 2012
at 12:22 am