Primary: Title (largest element)
Secondary: Tagline (hooks audience)
Tertiary: Key art/imagery (central focus)
Quaternary: Credits (bottom, legally required)
Quinary: Festival laurels, ratings (if applicable)

Studied successful found footage horror posters:
- The Blair Witch Project (iconic minimalism)
- Paranormal Activity (security camera aesthetic)
- REC (night vision horror)
- V/H/S (VHS tape imagery)
- Host (screen-based horror)
 
Identified patterns:
- Heavy use of grain/noise
- Screen-based imagery (TV, cameras, found footage)
- Minimal color (often monochrome or heavy tint)
- Authentic analog photography feel
- "Real" rather than stylized

Platform: Ghostface AI (VHS Nightmare preset)
 
First prompt:
"Horror movie poster for found footage film, VHS tape aesthetic,
static and grain, last video tape ever recorded, dark and ominous,
year 1999, camcorder footage, photorealistic VHS quality, theatrical
horror poster, professional movie marketing"
 
Results:
- Generated 20 concepts
- 5 showed promise
- 1 was "the one" with refinement
 
Selected concept:
- Cracked TV screen showing static
- VHS tape in foreground
- Dark background with subtle figure
- "PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK" vibe
 
Cost so far: $10 (Ghostface AI Pro, 1 month)

Refined prompt for final concept:
 
"Theatrical horror movie poster, vintage CRT television screen showing
VHS static, partially ejected VHS tape in foreground, PLAY button
glowing ominously, dark room background, something lurking in shadows,
found footage aesthetic, 1999 camcorder quality, grain and noise,
professional movie poster composition, dramatic horror lighting,
photorealistic, cinematic quality, theatrical release poster"
 
Generated 15 variations with slight tweaks:
- Adjusted lighting intensity
- Changed VHS tape angle
- Modified static pattern
- Varied shadow density
 
Final selection: Image #7 had perfect atmosphere

Opened AI-generated image in Photoshop
 
Title Treatment:
- Font: VCR OSD Mono (authentic VHS screen font)
- "THE LAST TAPE"
- Size: 180pt
- Color: Red (#FF0000) for VHS recording indicator feel
- Effects:
  - Slight gaussian blur (0.5px) for screen glow
  - Outer glow (red, 10px spread)
  - Scanline overlay effect
  - RGB chromatic aberration (separate R/G/B channels by 2px)
 
Position: Top third of poster (rule of thirds)
 
Tagline:
- "Some Videos Should Stay Unwatched"
- Font: Arial Bold (period appropriate)
- Size: 36pt
- Color: White with red tint
- Position: Below title
- Effect: Subtle drop shadow
 
Festival Laurels (added later):
- Bottom corners
- "OFFICIAL SELECTION - [Festival Name]"
- Small, non-intrusive

Standard poster credits format:
 
"A [Director Name] Film
Starring [Actor Names]
Written by [Writer] | Directed by [Director]
Produced by [Producers]
 
www.thelasttapefilm.com"
 
Font: Franklin Gothic (industry standard for credits)
Size: 14pt (legally readable)
Color: White
Position: Bottom 15% of poster
Kerning: Tight but readable
 
Applied slight blur to integrate with VHS aesthetic

Additional Photoshop adjustments:
 
1. Overall color grade:
   - Slight red/magenta tint
   - Increased contrast (+15)
   - Darkened shadows (-10)
   - VHS color bleed effect
 
2. Texture overlays:
   - VHS scanlines (subtle, 10% opacity)
   - Film grain (authentic VHS grain, 15% opacity)
   - Slight edge vignetteering
 
3. Print optimization:
   - Resolution: 300 DPI
   - Size: 27" × 41" (standard one-sheet poster)
   - Color mode: CMYK for print
   - RGB version saved for digital
 
4. Versions created:
   - Print: CMYK, 300 DPI, full size
   - Web: RGB, 72 DPI, 2000px wide
   - Social: RGB, 1080×1080 (Instagram), 1200×627 (Facebook)
   - Thumbnail: RGB, 300×450 (streaming services)

1. What horror subgenre? (Slasher, supernatural, psychological, etc.)
2. What's the film's era/setting? (1980s, modern, Y2K, futuristic)
3. What's the key image? (Killer, victim, location, object)
4. What emotion should it evoke? (Terror, unease, curiosity)
5. Who's the target audience? (Gore-hounds, paranormal fans, thriller fans)
6. What's the tagline? (One sentence hook)
7. Reference posters you admire?

Film: "Echoes in the Digital"
Genre: Cyber-horror, technological
Era: Y2K (1999-2000)
Key Image: Corrupted face on old computer screen
Emotion: Technological dread
Audience: Fans of The Ring, Pulse, Unfriended
Tagline: "The Last Upload Was a Download"
References: The Ring poster, Pulse poster, Black Mirror aesthetics

"[Subject/Scene], horror movie poster, theatrical release,
[Style Elements], [Mood/Atmosphere], [Technical Quality],
professional movie marketing, cinematic composition"

"Scary movie poster"
 
Result: Generic, no personality, doesn't convey film

"Horror movie poster, scary woman screaming, dark background"
 
Result: Cliché, could be any horror film

"Horror movie poster, woman's face distorted and glitching through
old computer monitor, Y2K aesthetic, cyber-horror, year 2000 tech,
VHS grain, ominous glow from screen, dark room, theatrical release
poster, professional composition, cinematic horror"
 
Result: Unique, specific to your film, marketable

"Theatrical horror movie poster, corrupted human face emerging from
vintage computer monitor, digital distortion and glitch effects,
Y2K technology aesthetic, old Windows 98 desktop visible, cables
and wires, greenish screen glow illuminating dark room, cyber-horror
atmosphere, found footage quality, 1999 tech, professional movie
poster composition, dramatic horror lighting, photorealistic with
VHS grain, cinematic quality"
 
Result: PERFECT - specific, atmospheric, marketable, unique

1. Open in chosen software
2. Ensure resolution is 300 DPI minimum
3. Check dimensions (27"×41" for print, or start 2000px+ width for digital)
4. Create new layers for text (never on image layer)

Slasher Horror:
- Dripping/distressed fonts
- Bold, impactful
- Often hand-drawn look
- Examples: Bleeding Cowboys, Blood Crow
 
Supernatural/Ghost:
- Elegant but ominous
- Serif fonts with character
- Often custom ligatures
- Examples: Trajan, Garamond with effects
 
Psychological Thriller:
- Clean but unsettling
- Modern sans-serif or subtle serif
- Often minimal
- Examples: Helvetica, Futura, Trade Gothic
 
Found Footage/Analog:
- VCR screen fonts
- Authentic tech fonts
- Monospace, digital
- Examples: VCR OSD Mono, Courier
 
Y2K/Cyber Horror:
- Futuristic but dated
- Tech fonts from 90s/2000s
- Bold, angular
- Examples: Eurostile, Microgramma, Bank Gothic

1. Type title in chosen font
2. Size appropriately (fills 15-25% of poster width usually)
3. Position using rule of thirds (typically top third)
4. Add layer effects:
   - Drop shadow (creates depth)
   - Outer glow (for emphasis, especially on darker backgrounds)
   - Bevel/emboss (for dimension)
   - Gradient overlay (for color variation)
5. Ensure readability at thumbnail size (critical!)
6. Test on various backgrounds (dark, light, busy)

Position: Directly below title or above title
Font: Complementary to title but readable (often simple sans-serif)
Size: 30-50% of title size
Color: Contrasting with title for hierarchy
Effect: Minimal (subtle shadow at most)
 
Example:
Title: 120pt bold display font
Tagline: 42pt clean sans-serif

Standard format (industry convention):
 
Line 1: "A [Director Name] Film" or Production Company
Line 2: "Starring [Lead Actors]"
Line 3: Supporting cast and crew ("Also Starring...", "Director of Photography...")
Line 4: "Written by [Writer] | Directed by [Director]"
Line 5: Producers, Executive Producers
Line 6: Website, social handles
 
Font: Franklin Gothic, Helvetica, or similar (industry standard)
Size: 10-14pt
Color: White (or high contrast)
Tracking: Tight but readable
Alignment: Centered or justified

1. Levels adjustment:
   - Crush blacks (move black point to 15-20)
   - Boost highlights slightly
   - Increase overall contrast
 
2. Color balance:
   - Add red to shadows (+10-15)
   - Add warm tones to midtones
   - Keep highlights neutral
 
3. Selective color:
   - Boost reds (saturation +20-30)
   - Desaturate slightly overall (-10)
 
Result: Gritty, high-contrast slasher look

1. Levels:
   - Gentle shadow lift (black point to 10)
   - Soft highlights
   - Medium contrast
 
2. Color balance:
   - Add blue to shadows (+15-20)
   - Cool midtones (-5 yellow)
   - Neutral highlights
 
3. Hue/Saturation:
   - Overall desaturation (-20 to -30)
   - Boost blues/teals
 
Result: Cold, ethereal, ghostly appearance

1. Levels:
   - Deep blacks (black point 20-25)
   - Blown highlights in tech elements
   - High contrast
 
2. Color balance:
   - Add magenta/pink to shadows (+10)
   - Add cyan to midtones (+10)
   - Keep highlights punchy
 
3. Vibrance/Saturation:
   - Boost vibrance (+30-40)
   - Selective saturation on neons
 
Result: Neon-lit, retro-futuristic Y2K aesthetic

Film Grain:
- Source: High-resolution film grain textures (free online)
- Blend mode: Overlay or Soft Light
- Opacity: 10-25% (subtle is key)
- Purpose: Adds organic, cinematic feel
 
Dust/Scratches (for vintage):
- Source: Old film damage textures
- Blend mode: Screen or Lighten
- Opacity: 5-15%
- Purpose: Aged, found footage feel
 
Vignette:
- Create large soft brush
- Paint black on edges
- Gaussian blur heavily
- Opacity: 20-40%
- Purpose: Focus attention on center

Dimensions: 8100 × 12000 pixels at 300 DPI
Color Mode: CMYK
Format: PDF (for print shop)
Bleed: 0.125" (extends image beyond trim)
Safe Area: 0.25" (keep text inside this)

Dimensions: 2000 × 3000 pixels at 72 DPI
Color Mode: RGB
Format: PNG or JPG (high quality)

Instagram Post: 1080 × 1080 (square)
Instagram Story: 1080 × 1920 (vertical)
Facebook Post: 1200 × 630 (landscape)
Twitter Post: 1200 × 675 (landscape)
Pinterest: 1000 × 1500 (2:3 ratio)

Netflix: 2000 × 3000 (2:3 ratio)
Amazon Prime: 1920 × 1080 (16:9 ratio)
Hulu: 1920 × 1080 (16:9 ratio)
Shudder: 1000 × 1500 (2:3 ratio)

Dimensions: As specified by festival (usually 1-2MB JPG)
Typical: 1000 × 1500 or 2000 × 3000
Color Mode: RGB
Format: JPG at 80-90% quality

Shrink poster to 100 × 150 pixels
Can you still read the title?
Is the key image still recognizable?
Does it stand out in a grid of other posters?
 
If no: Title needs to be larger/clearer, simplify composition

Convert to grayscale
Is the hierarchy still clear?
Does composition still work?
Is contrast sufficient?
 
Purpose: Ensures design works even in limited color (some printing scenarios)

Apply heavy gaussian blur (20-30px radius)
Can you still identify major elements?
Is visual hierarchy maintained?
 
Purpose: Tests if composition and contrast are strong enough

Print at 8.5" × 11" or view on phone from 10 feet away
Is it impactful from distance?
Does it grab attention?
 
Purpose: Simulates theater lobby viewing

Place your poster next to similar successful horror posters
Does yours hold its own?
Is it unique or generic?
Does it clearly communicate genre?
 
Purpose: Competitive analysis

Show to 10-20 people NOT involved in production
Questions to ask:
- What genre do you think this is?
- Would you want to see this film?
- What emotions does the poster evoke?
- Is the title clear?
- What do you think the film is about?
 
Purpose: Unbiased market research

1. Select best production still (high resolution)
2. Generate atmospheric background in AI:
   "Dark horror movie background, [specific setting], cinematic
   lighting, dramatic atmosphere, high contrast, professional
   movie poster background"
3. In Photoshop:
   - Open both images
   - Cut out subject from production still (careful masking)
   - Place on AI background
   - Match lighting and color grade
   - Add effects (glow, shadows)
4. Add typography and credits
 
Result: Authentic cast photo with cinematic background

Most reliable method
Generate perfect imagery
Add typography in Photoshop/GIMP
Full control over text

DALL-E 3 can generate readable text (unique capability)
Include desired text in prompt
May require multiple attempts
Still recommend touching up in post
 
Example prompt:
"Horror movie poster with title 'THE HAUNTING' in bold red
letters at top, theatrical release poster, ghost story, dark
mansion background, professional movie marketing"

Generate main imagery in one tool
Generate stylized title text in another (or create manually)
Composite both in photo editor
Allows best tool for each element

1. Create style guide document:
   - Exact color codes used
   - Fonts and sizes
   - Logo placement
   - Layout grid/template
   - Effect settings
 
2. Save Photoshop template:
   - Layer structure preset
   - Effect styles saved
   - Text layers as templates
 
3. Prompt templates for AI:
   - Same core prompt structure
   - Only change variable elements
   - Maintain same AI preset/model
 
Result: Consistent visual brand across multiple posters

Film: "Midnight Messages" (trilogy)
 
Base prompt template:
"Horror movie poster, person receiving disturbing [METHOD OF
COMMUNICATION] at night, Y2K aesthetic, [SPECIFIC SCENE], dark
bedroom, ominous glow from [DEVICE], dramatic horror lighting,
theatrical release poster, professional composition"
 
Film 1: [METHOD] = "text message", [DEVICE] = "flip phone"
Film 2: [METHOD] = "email", [DEVICE] = "old computer"
Film 3: [METHOD] = "voice call", [DEVICE] = "landline phone"
 
Same visual style, different communication method each film

- Emphasize gore/scares
- Darker, more intense
- Bold, aggressive typography
- "For mature audiences" vibe

- Artistic, cinematic framing
- Subtle horror elements
- Elegant typography
- "Art film" presentation
- Emphasize cinematography

- Commercial appeal
- Recognizable faces prominent (if name actors)
- Clear genre indicators
- Professional polish
- Broad audience appeal

Size: 27" × 40" (standard one-sheet)
Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Format: CMYK PDF for print
Bleed: 0.125" all sides
Rating: MPAA rating must be included if rated

Size: Varies by festival (check submission guidelines)
Common: 1000-2000px wide JPG
Resolution: 72-150 DPI
Format: JPG or PNG
File Size: Usually 2MB maximum

Dimensions: 2000 × 3000 (2:3 ratio)
Format: JPG
Color: RGB, sRGB color space
Max file size: 10MB
Title treatment: Must be readable at thumbnail size

Dimensions: 1920 × 1080 (16:9 landscape) OR 680 × 1000 (portrait)
Format: JPG or PNG
Color: RGB
Resolution: 72 DPI minimum

Dimensions: 1920 × 1080 (landscape)
Format: JPG
Color: RGB
Resolution: 300 DPI preferred

Dimensions: 1000 × 1500 (2:3 ratio)
Format: JPG
Color: RGB
Title: Must be very prominent (horror fans browse quickly)

Feed Post: 1080 × 1080 (square)
Story: 1080 × 1920 (9:16 vertical)
Format: JPG or PNG
Max size: 30MB
Note: Use square for maximum visibility in feed

Post: 1200 × 630 (1.91:1 ratio)
Format: JPG or PNG
Max size: 8MB
Note: Avoid text covering >20% of image (ad restrictions)

Post: 1200 × 675 (16:9 ratio)
Format: JPG or PNG
Max size: 5MB
Note: In-stream display is 506 × 253, so test at that size

✅ DO:
- Use AI-generated art for commercial projects (check platform terms)
- Modify AI art extensively (adds human authorship)
- Combine AI with original photography
- Create unique prompts (creativity in prompting)
 
⚠️ CAUTION:
- Understand your platform's commercial terms
- Some platforms restrict commercial use on free tiers
- Read terms of service carefully
 
❌ DON'T:
- Use recognizable copyrighted characters/IP without license
- Copy existing movie posters directly
- Use AI art that includes stolen artwork
- Infringe on existing trademarks

Must Include (if applicable):
- Director credit ("Directed by [Name]")
- Producer credits (contractual obligations)
- Distributor logo (if distributed)
- MPAA rating (if rated)
- Copyright notice (© 2025 [Production Company])
 
Optional but Recommended:
- Lead cast (if known names increase appeal)
- "Based on..." (if adapted from book/etc.)
- Festival laurels (if selected)
- Critical quotes (if positive reviews)

- Ensure music is licensed or royalty-free
- YouTube's Content ID will flag copyrighted music
- Use services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist
- Or hire composer for original score

- Teaser poster (minimalist, mysterious)
- Social media reveal (Instagram Story countdown)
- Website launch featuring poster
- Email to press/bloggers with downloadable assets

- Full poster reveal
- Behind-the-scenes poster creation content
- Reddit/horror community discussions
- Festival submission rounds (with poster)

- Poster variants (character posters if ensemble)
- Social media ads (boosted posts with poster)
- Print posters for local screenings
- Press kits with high-res poster

- Poster everywhere (all platforms)
- Influencer collaborations (poster shares)
- Contest: Win signed poster
- Streaming thumbnail optimized version live

Post 1: Teaser (crop of poster, mysterious)
Post 2: Full poster reveal
Post 3: Behind-the-scenes creation process
Post 4: Detail close-ups (typography, key art)
Post 5: Fan reactions/reposts
Post 6: "Swipe for full poster" carousel
 
Story strategy:
- Countdown stickers to reveal
- Polls ("Which poster version?")
- Questions ("What scares you?")
- Links to watch/trailer

Thread 1: Poster reveal with film details
Thread 2: Inspiration and references
Thread 3: Cast/crew reactions to poster
Thread 4: Festival acceptances (showing poster at events)
 
Engagement:
- Retweet fan art inspired by poster
- Quote tweet reviews mentioning poster
- Engage with horror film community

Video ideas:
- Time-lapse poster creation
- "Rate this horror poster" trend
- "Before AI vs After AI" comparison
- Designer reacts to fan recreations
- "Making my indie horror poster for $35"
 
Use trending horror sounds and hashtags

Poster Assets:
- High-res poster (300 DPI, CMYK PDF)
- Web-res poster (2000px JPG)
- Thumbnail/icon versions
- Square social media version
- Textless poster (for international)
 
Additional Materials:
- Film stills (10-15 high-res images)
- Cast/crew photos
- Behind-the-scenes photos
- Synopsis (short and long versions)
- Cast/crew bios
- Director's statement
- Production notes
- Contact information