Deconstruction Task - Typography

In this blog post I will be looking at the Typography used in 5 different slasher film titles. I will be  looking at the font used, the colours, size and any other additional effects added to the text.

The first film typography I will be looking at is Maniac produced in 1980. The font used has been made to look very warn down as if it has been scratched and scraped, it also has rough edges and is very uneven as if it has been cut with a knife. This makes it look edgy and indicates that knives may be used in the film. The text has also been written in capitals making them bold so they stand out which is further enhanced by it being written in white which contrasts with the dark black background and the bright red blood on the floor, making it stand out and very easy to read.

The second film typography I analysed was Friday the 13th produced in 1980. The typography used in this film is effective as it is written in a big bold serif font making it striking and easy to read. The font has rough and uneven edges to make them look worn down and old. The writing has been written in a white font which contrasts with the dark background behind it but the number 13 has been written half in red and half in white to make it look like blood dripping down the number. This suggests that the film is about death and gore and gives the viewer an idea on what it may be about.

The third film typography I will be looking at is Scream 2 produced in 1997. The font used in this film is a very modern and simple serif font, It is written in capitals and is bold and striking it is also spaced out quite a bit. The words have also been written in white on a black background with a bright red number 2 behind it, the red in this represents blood and suggests what may happen in the film. The 'M' in the word scream has also been edited to look like it is a dagger or sharp object such as a knife which indicates what may be used in the film and adds a little mystery to the title.

The fourth film typography I analysed was from A Nightmare on Elm Street produced in 1984. I think that the typography used for this film was really effective as it has been made to look very scary and eerie. I think that the use of a sans serif font was effective as it made the text look a lot older and outdated. I also think that it was effective writing it in red as it represents blood and indicates that it will be in the film. I also like the addition of the blood splatters on the black background as it adds to the contrast and effect of the title. I also think that the way the writing looks like it has been smeared across the background is effective as it further indicates that the red relates to blood and also makes it edgy and uneven and makes it more difficult to read.

Finally, the last film typography I looked at was from Sleepaway Camp produced in 1983. I think that the typography for this film was really effective as the writing looks like it has been made from body parts such as intestines which has been cut up and made to look like letters. This is really effective as it makes the letters uneven so they all look different and makes it look a lot more gory. I also like the blood surrounding the writing as it adds a contrasting colour to the text and background and drips down indicating that it is blood and that it relates to the film. I also think that the text being written in capitals is effective as it is bold and striking and stands out a lot more.