Magazine front cover analysis

In order to create the image for my magazine front cover, IChose from an umbrella of different photographs that I hadTaken. The first image is meant to be slightly distorted asI wanted a disturbing effect on the image. To get this outcomeI turned the camera on to a slow shutter speed and toldThe character to shake her head. For the bottom image, IKnew that it would be a base image for me to lay otherPictures on top of and decided to get a long/ mid-shot. I have also managed to capture the reflection of the victimIn the window. This creates a great effect on the audienceAs it is like seeing double. Thus linking in with the plot lineOf the horror trailer. The top image is quite dark, and there are shadows which have been created using artificial lighting. Again, this Creates a double effect. I also knew that I could edit the lighting of thisPhoto if I needed to on Photoshop. I took the bottom photo during The day to catch the natural lighting and highlight the features of theOld Victorian house which is featured in our horror trailer. The character in the bottom image is composed in such a way that tells the audience that she is unsure about this house, so is looking over her shoulder to keep and eye out in case anything weird is happening.

It also suggests that this victim needs to keep a look out at all times and makes her seem in a Vulnerable state as she’s unsure of her surroundings. Because her hand is holding a gate, this Connotes that she has strength, as well as being vulnerable. Making her appear as the last Girl standing as a stock character.

To create this image, a lot of work had to be done on photoshop, which involvedPlaying around with different styles and techniques, until I came out with this asThe end result. To make the last girl standing stand out, I had to use a lassoo tool to Highlight her and edit the lighting. This made her skin a lot more place and vibrant.I had to do this to show that she is playing an important character in the trailer. Although there is only a small amount of the house left in the front cover, if someoneHad watched the trailer prior to seeing this magazine, then they would understandWhat it is about. However, as I have made the alter-ego transparent, we can still makeOut what is behind her. I decided to use an image of the alter-ego and cut it out in Photoshop so that I could transfer it on to the base of my magazine and make it Transparent. The reason her face is so large on the front cover is to connote how muchOf a big roll she plays in the trailer even though we see a small amount of her as sheHas control over the male villain. Like my poster, the transparency of the alter-ego Suggests that she isn’t there in real life but is in the mind of the villain as he hasSchizophrenia. As the victim is staring right at the alter-ego on the front cover, it createsA creepy atmosphere as it is ghost like and she has no idea what awaits her.

My front cover is faded in to black at the top. This makes the tagline of the magazine standout. It also shows the faintVignette that I have place around the outside of my magazine so that the audience focus more in to the centre of the Magazine and get drawn in by it first as the image is quite striking and unusual.

The victim is wearing a tight black top and tight jeans. This creates emphasis on the female body, which brings me to the Theory of the male gaze. The magazine has one sexualised character on it which would appeal mostly to the male Community, but also female as she is quite covered up and there is only a side view of her, which is what females like to seeIn a photo, rather than looking at a female straight on, as it accentuates the curves and gives body of empowerment forFemale readers. I have also edited the face in order to smooth out any blemishes and spots, this creates a more airbrushed,Hollywood look, which audiences are more interested in as it is more pleasing on the eye balls. I have then edited the lips toMake them pop and outline the traits of femininity. Even though the female is airbrushed. The colour black stands for Strength and courage.

For my masthead, I used a bold font which is extremely similar to Total Film magazine, in order to create the same look For my magazine in order to make it look professional. I have also added in ‘total’ to make it look the same. I have usedA red font here in order for it to stick out to the audience and catch the eye of individuals as most magazine covers useThe colour red as it is very inviting. To achieve the tagline which is featured above the title of the magazine, I used a More slender looking font, then fitted it within the same widths as the title to create a balanced and appealing look. I have coloured the tagline as white so that it sticks out against the background which is very dark and it tells the Audience that this magazine is for ‘modern’ movies, so most film lovers would like to buy it if they want to keep up to Date on what films are being released, reviews etc. I have then placed the website of the magazine, the date, issue Number and price as that is what total film magazine does. For the magazine issue I chose ‘666’ as it is like a horrorIssue, however still incorporating other genres as it needs to be for everyone, and not just one selection of people whoEnjoy horror. The website is very good for people who want to read beyond the magazine and have a high interest in Films and want to pursue their hobbies. It opens wider paths and connects with a much wider audience, as it is Easily accessible. Another interesting point about my masthead is that the ‘M’ dips down in to the head of the victim.This is a common factor in many magazines. I borrowed this technique and developed in my own way to make it lookRealistic and professional.

Here is a real total film masthead which I borrowed the technique from.

For the title of the film I have used the same type of font that has been featured in our horror trailer and my poster, so That all three pieces look like a package instead of separate pieces. The font colour is plain and white, just like in the Trailer. The other reason why I chose a white font is because it stands out against the darker background image, and itGives the front cover more support as it can stick out from it and the audience can read it easily at first glance . I havePlaced ‘the girl’ in a smaller font, which hangs above ‘next’ and slightly drapes on to the d of ‘door’ This is a good effectThat total film magazine uses in order to make the text stand out, but make sure it isn’t too large so that it blocks the Image off and becomes less interesting for people to look at.

Below the title of the film, I have used a banner which features the words “exclusive preview” which is very common in Magazines as it entices the read to pick up the issue as the magazine is offering the target audience exclusive audience, That only this magazine can give them, unlike another film magazine which may not have the same content in it. I used the term “hide yo kids hide yo wife” as it looks funny and it was a hit video that was floating around on the internetSome time ago, this would reach out to another target audience if they’re a fan of the internet and films, which they Most likely will be. The wording also would connect with the horror theme of the magazine, telling people to hide theirRelatives because scary stuff happens at Halloween. Like total magazine, I featured my exclusive banner in a yellow font, However I decided to have a banner as well so that it would stick out more without Cluttering up my front cover too much and making it look cheap and tacky.

Like total film I designed a plus section so that it could feature otherLittle details in about what is inside the magazine other than theGirl next door. I used the pale blue colour as the image is already Quite striking and attracts the audience well. But also the blueConveys a sad and dark emotion that ties in with the horror genre. I used the colour grey which ties in with my exclusive banner. I aimedTo fit all of the colours together on my front cover so it lookedLike the house style. Unlike Total Film plus section, I have also IIncluded some detail about each subheading, just so that the Readership can get a bit of info on what they will be reading and whatElse will feature in this magazine. I have placed the plus section which slides down the victimsBack and is equally as long as the plus section. A reason that I did this was because the back Isn’t a main part of the image that I wanted people to look at so it doesn’t take away from the Front cover of my magazine. Another convention that I have followed during the process of Of making my magazine is the big and bold plus section . This makes it stand out against the Background and gives it a pop effect that makes it stand out.

I added a banner at the bottom of my page in order to follow the Conventions of total film magazine. This also links in with the horror themeOf my magazine as it features a few horror movies that will be included Inside the magazine issue. Instead of doing a comic book strip like Total films had done for their special comic book issue, I created little Icons which are at slanted angles to conform to horror. The reason that I Have slanted my pictures is because it hints to the sign of insanity and Creates a creepy look about it as it isn’t laid out straight. I put borders Around each icon in order for them to stand out against the dark backgroundSo that the target audience will be inclined to look at this part of the front Cover as well as the rest of it as it might be interesting for them.

I have made a sub banner above these images in order to tell the readerThat there will be “more screams”. The word scream in this context also Goes along with the horror theme that I have set out. I have made it the sameColour as the plus section so that it fits with the house style and ties in Nicely. The text is in a darker colour which stands out against the lighterColour and is easier for the audience to read.

I have mostly followed my initial flat plan, however I had made many alterations in order for it to fit in with howTotal film magazine looks. My first draft included the title being up top and a tagline being below, which didn’t lookVery professional. I also cut out the alter-egos face and put it in the window, however I made it more transparent so That it didn’t look to blunt. I decided to change this to make it look more original and realistic. Which is why I enlargedThe face of the alter ego and made a lot of alterations in order for it to look more airbrushed and Hollywood style.

I am very glad that I made these alterations and played around with the draft of my front cover, as my front coverNow looks a lot more realistic and conventional rather than my first draft of the front cover.

LAST MINUTE CHANGESAfter finishing my front cover, I decided that I could Add on more techniques to make it apply more to theHorror genre. What I decided to do was add a red tinted Vignette around the edge, rather than just a plain blackOne. This adds to the effect of blood and connects with The villain as he murders people. Like my poster I have Added a brush on effect to the title. This makes it lookLike someone has been cut and has been dragged along. I was going to add a brown mud effect which would convey the Last girl standing that gets dragged along the forest, However this wouldn’t have looked good so I stuck with the Red. I have also changed my plus section to red insteadOf a purple colour. This shocks the audience as it standsOut so much and links in with the horror genre as it Represents blood, danger etc. In addition to the text“more screams” is in a blotchy red colour. I though that all of theseChanges were necessary and showed the horror genre more obviously. I have also made the alter-ego black and white so that sheIs just noticeable and portrays her characters role in the trailer moreVividly. I have also used a distorted paintbrush tool which I have Drawn across her face and turned down the opacity. This adds to The blood effect, again making a link with the villain and his Murderous ways.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Outcome of my magazine because it followsMost of the conventions of total film magazine And looks a lot more professional than my draftOf it. I used many Photoshop techniques so That I could make the images stand out and Be more effective for the audience so that itCatches their eye. I am very happy with howMy front cover ties in with our horror trailer Because it shows connections and ties in very Nicely to look like a complete package.

It also include two characters who are featuredIn the horror trailer. One playing a minor yet Very important role, and the other playing a Important role on the females behalf as theLast girl standing and comes across as a Vulnerable yet powerful person.