Magazine Research

Total Film Now that we are establishing a brand identity i am starting to look into poster designs and i have started by creating collages of a variety of film magazines to show the similarities and differences and this will help us decide which magazine cover to create. The first magazine i am looking at is for Total FIlm and these covers have a lot of layers including text, images and information on the magazine content.

My favourite Total Film magazine cover that i have picked out is for 'The Social Network' and this is because you can see a clear brand identity as it loins well to the poster and the idea of profile pictures on Facebook. This strong identity also suits the magazine cover and they work well together. I also like the Skyfall cover because of the plain colours that have been used, however i feel there are too many titles covering the image and i would like to avoid this when it comes to making our own cover because i would like to focus more on the image and a strong brand identity. The film title is often positioned within the middle or bottom section of the poster and this is common amongst Total FIlm magazine covers

Total Film - Cover Analysis

Total Film - Content and Target Audience Total film feature blockbuster films with star actors and this attracts an audience who are interested in seeing new releases because films are often featured in this magazine around month before release. This helps build up an excitement and hype around the film. Monthly, the magazine includes interviews with spotlight actors and directors and there is often a long interview with the main actor from the particle film being featured in each issue. It also features film news and reviews as well as critiques. This suggests that it is being aimed towards an audience who are interested in becoming directors or actors themselves as it is suggesting what is done correctly and what isn't. Things that are also features include guidance for those who are aspiring to be in the film and media industry. Many of the films that are featured on the covers are action, adventure and science fiction films and this suggests a male target audience. Also, the fact that blockbuster films are features suggests that they are advertising the big films to show that the magazine is important and relevant with a young adult target audience.

Their readers are 75% male and the average age is 26 and this shows that the types of films that are featured are reaching the usual target audience of young males. Readers of total film are also often interested in the industry as well as just particular films and they are influenced by the magazine cover as they are interested in blockbuster films.

EmpireThe next magazine i am looking at is Empire and a common element on these covers is a large red title and one main image. I feel this would suit our marketing campaign as our colour scheme is black, white and red and we also using a mid-close image of the main character. The film title is usually found in the middle of the image and this is also in a large, bold font. My favourite Empire cover from this selection is the Inception cover because the background image is very effective and works with the magazine as well as the film's marketing campaign. I also like the Hunger Games cover because of the bright light in the background and we also want to create a similar effect to this as it makes the main character stand out.

I think that we could use Empire for our own magazine poster because the colour scheme is similar to our marketing campaign, as well as the fact that the main character always stands out and looks important and powerful sand we want our magazine to have a similar effect.

Empire - Cover Analysis

Empire - Content and Target Audience As well as Total Film, Empire also focus on blockbuster films that are up and coming release and my examples of covers on the previous slides show this. The magazine features news, reviews and interviews with actors that are starring in the featured films. As well, as different feature films, each Empire issue includes a transcript from a notable film and this would appeal to people interested in working in the film and media industry. There is also a review section that covers new DVD and Blu-ray releases. Empire is easily accessible as it is available online, in shops and a posting subscription service and this allows there to be a wider target audience. The main target audience is both male and females age 16 - 20, however it is slightly more male dominated because there are often darker colours and action films featured that stereotypical appeal to males more than females.

The fact that there are a lot of exclusive interviews suggests that the readers are very interested in films because the magazine offers information about on-set action and one to ones with the biggest film makers around the world.

Sight & Sound The next magazine i am looking at is Sight & Sound and the covers of this magazine seem a lot more simplistic than the previous two i have looked at. The colour scheme is mostly yellow and white and there is one main close up image. The image is often a film director or producer, for example David Fincher and David Cronenberg and this suggests that the target audience is more people who are interested in the making of films and behind the scene aspects.

My favourite Sight & Sound magazine cover is one with David Cronenberg on the front cover and this is because of the colour and lighting that has been used to make his face stand out on the darker background. This is common across all these covers and it helps to reach the target audience by showing famous film directors and producers to the viewer.

Sight & Sound - Cover Analysis

Sight & Sound - Content and Target Audience The Sight and Sound magazine is run by the BFI (British Film Institute) and this suggests that it features mainly British films. In the monthly issues there are film reviews of both blockbuster and independent films as well as the detail of films by including interviews with directors, writers and producers. This suggests that this magazine is directed to people who are interested in being in the film industry or people who already are because its main focus is the directors and the production of films. There are a variety of films features in the magazines, from children's films to more mature genres such as crime and this suggests that the target audience is adults because they may be interested in the production side rather that the genre of film.

Different issues also have a different main feature and focus, for example the most recent issue features Todd Haynes and his opinions on different genres. This is relevant to the target audience because he is an independent film director and screenwriter and it suggests that the magazine focuses on more than just block buster films - that appeal to a younger audience - and less-known films as well.