The rocky horror picture show changed the game for alternative fashion. The movie was revolutionary for it’s time and filled with taboos including homosexuality and transvestism. Avante garde is defined as unorthodox and the rocky horror show shows the endless possibility of fashion through it’s wardrobe as shown in this movie poster where Dr Frank is dressed as what is stereotypically female clothes.
Within the poster the use of layering and separation clearly tells a story by having DR frank at the forefront and even covering some characters defines the point that he is the main character, Positioning the victims underneath as much smaller tells the story that they’re victims of Dr frank as well as the quite literal “side characters” which are layered underneath to the side of Dr frank. Edward Tufte states in his book (1990) , that “Confusion and clutter are failures of design” this poster makes sure that the characters are organised in a way that the message is clear.
The title of the movie is not at the forefront of the poster as visually the rocky horror show is very recognisable and this can be through fashion. We notice DR frank straight away not only because he is in the middle but because of his signature look. The use of colour is harmonious throughout the poster and is similar with lot’s of pinks and purples, however there is not confusion or visual clutter as the images are separated through size layering and very thin black outlines. There is no need for thick outlines for the characters as they themselves are different enough to contrast one another. This aligns well to Tufte’s idea that this is not needed as he states in his book envisioning information (1990) “Why should the trivial task of dividing up the already free standing elements become the dominant statement of the entire display?”
Overall the poster defines it’s message in a wacky visually pleasing way.
References:
Film poster: Pin.it. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://pin.it/62zDpl4> [Accessed 16 November 2021].
Edward Tufte: Tufte. E.R., 1990. Envisioning Information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press. (pp. 81-93).