By: MiKayla Carter

The poster for “The Walking Dead” as advertised by AMC (whose logo in the bottom right corner of the advertisement provides a sense of ethos) depicts a scene that is featured in the first episode of season 1, which premiered on October 31, 2010 (1). The scene depicts the main character riding into an evidently destroyed Atlanta on horseback. “The Walking Dead, which was developed by Frank Darabont, is an American horror drama television series based upon a comic book series. (2)

“The Walking Dead (a Titles and Air Dates Guide).” epguides, 6 Nov. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://epguides.com/WalkingDead/ >. (1) “The Walking Dead (TV series).” Wikipedia, 7 Nov. 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_series)>. (2)

McNally, Victoria. “The Walking Dead Recap: ‘Thirty Days Without An Accident.” geekosystem. Geekosystem, LLC, 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://www.geekosystem.com/walking-dead-4-1/>. (main visual)

The creator’s point of view is a supportive outlook on the television show, considering the network’s intention in creating the poster was to persuade viewers to watch the show “The Walking Dead.” By using a pathos approach, the poster entices the reader with an interesting yet mysterious image. How might the image be mysterious to the reader?

You may have noticed that there are several signs of destruction in the image, correct?Can you, however, point out any signs of the cause for this destruction?The image entices the viewers to watch the show by leaving such an important part of the plot unknown. In other words, the viewers must solve the mystery!

Although there is no specified audience for this advertisement, are there certain people that this advertisement may NOT apply to?

Through the apparent destruction demonstrated in the image, one can conclude that the show may include scenes not suitable for children; therefore, the advertisement is not intended for younger audiences.

Other than the omission of the cause for the destruction in the image, what other techniques are used to draw viewers in to the plot of the television show?

First of all, consider the interstate. What is being juxtaposed here?

The contrast between the immense amount of cars attempting to leave the city and the single man entering the city causes several questions to arise from the audience, such as why the cars were attempting to leave in the first place, or why the lone man dares to enter the city.

Secondly, examine the modes of transportation exhibited in the image. How might the juxtaposition of these modes of transportation help to convey the story of the television show?

The image juxtaposes modern means of transportation versus traditional means of transportation. A sense of utter destruction is created by demonstrating that technological evolution is, in a way, being reversed in the show, therefore further contributing to the viewers’ curiosity.

Also, take note of the other visual techniques utilized within the image. For example, how is light used to help create the mood of the image?

By giving the scene a darker, rather yellow tint of light that differs from a normal tint of light, the mood becomes rather dark and mysterious.

What about font size and spatial arrangement? How are these elements used to create emphasis?

Why is your eye first drawn to “The Walking Dead”rather than the AMC logo?It’s because of font size!

Why is your eye so easily drawn to the man on the horse?It’s because the immense amount of busy spaceoffsets the empty space surrounding the man!

For the last technique, consider the birds in the sky.Do they serve any purpose in helping convey the story or plot of the show?

Although one may not consider the birds as a significant part of the message at first, it becomes evident that they serve a purpose when examining yet another poster that advertises “The Walking Dead.”

Radish, Christina. “Sarah Wayne Callies Talks Latest Episode of THE WALKING DEAD in Spoiler-Filled Interview.” Collider. topLingo, 5 Nov. 2012. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. <http://collider.com/sarah-wayne-callies-the-walking-dead-spoilers-interview/>. (secondary visual)

The free and living birds help to juxtapose the foreshadowed dead world below them, as well as the entrapment that the living survivors must feel and deal with.

Furthermore, birds such as buzzards are often seen circling in the sky when there is something dead or rotting on the ground below; therefore, the birds help to symbolize the dead located below them within the city, foreshadowing what the man on the horse will find once he enters the city.

Finally, what would the advertisement lose if the city in the background were to be cropped out? The image is tremendously less

effective because it loses its sense of logos. The city of Atlanta is the main part of the picture that the audience can remotely relate to. By losing the city, the audience’s interest is also lost.

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