Film magazine cover research

By Rachael Allen

When firstly looking at this poster the first features that draw the audiences attention are the dominating background picture, the bold blue title, and the other emerging texts that are placed alongside this within the frame. The reasoning to why the blue title is so eye catching is the fact that it is the largest of fonts, and the majority of other texts are written in white, therefore making it seem much more important and individual compared to the rest of the text. Within the word ‘entertainment’, in four of the letters another word is spelt out, this implies that it is part of the title however not as important as the word ‘entertainment’; the word entertainment implies simply what the magazine is, and helps to entice its particular target audience, as they would see the word and immediately be interested to find out more.To support this idea across the cover numerous of ‘movie’ and ‘film’ texts have been included, alongside a film star; these all help to provide the impression that the ‘entertainment’ magazine is targeted towards films, and not a generalised ‘entertainment’ feature.

Very light colours have been used within the cover, and only two or three dominant colours have been selected, these being blue, white/grey and red; the choosing of these colours coincide well with the background colour, as the mans clothing are all very bleak and dull which again are implied by the other colours included.

Alongside this, his facial expression and mannerism also looks very lifeless and in a sense angry, which again could be the reasoning behind the not so happy and energetic colour scheme.

Below the actors name is the title of the film that is the main feature of the magazine, however due to its small font sizing and little dominance within the cover implies how the actor has a more important feature within the magazine rather than the film; this is also supported by the photograph as, although the actor is in the clothing and in character within the featured film, it does not imply what film or what sort of film the actor is from, therefore maintaining the supremacy and importance towards the actor himself.

Again, the idea that the man himself is the most paramount feature is supported by the fact that the textural features have been arranged so that they fit around his image, so that none of his face or assets have been cut off or interrupted. There is also very little features advertised on the front cover, and I feel by doing so ensures that the main feature is the centre of attention, and not overcast by other aspects within the magazine.

Unlike the magazine cover prior, this front cover is full of emotion and has a relatively amount of depth amongst it. This is demonstrated through the vibrant red title that is embellished across the top of the frame, alongside the dominant textural features that are situated around the photograph in the background. Due to the main title being red, allows it to maintain supremacy over the rest of the texts due to it being the only red feature.It also allows it to stand out and be very eye catching, as not only is the font bold within itself, but the supporting factor is that it is placed on a relatively dull background, which ultimately means the vibrancy of the red becomes very striking.The majority of the rest of the text is white and yellow, which again when situated on the dull background allows it to be very eye catching; although the font is relatively simplistic, the fact that it is placed on the dull background of the image helps extenuate this. Unlike the previous cover, the title of the magazine does not give away what the magazine genre is going to be;

However because the word ‘empire’ implies something very big and powerful supports the idea that the magazine is going to be very supreme and reinforcing.

Again, unlike the first cover analysed, the photograph within the frame reveals much more depth and emotion; this is implied through the messy and rough mannerism of the imaged actor. For example, because the actors glasses are smashed and is presented to have blood and mud arrayed across his face suggests how the film is going to have violence and maybe anger within it.

The actor and film featured within the magazine is from ‘Harry Potter’, which is a fantasy film; nevertheless none of the elements represented within the photograph demonstrate any fantasy/wizardry aspects; by doing so broadens the target audience as it doesn’t solely focus on fantasy audiences, meaning that when looking at the image the audience may assume that the actor is from an action or even sci-fi movie, ultimately appealing to those audiences.

In comparison to the previous cover, many more textural features have been included, however the similarity that is the text has been situated around the main dominating aspect of the image has been applied.

Within the Empire cover, another smaller image has been used in the bottom of the cover, as well as several more film/actor features; however due to these features being much smaller and more discretely situated within the frame ensures that they do not attract away any of the dominating attention from the main feature.

This cover is again an ‘Entertainment’ magazine cover, and likewise with the first Entertainment cover, the words ‘weekly’ have been repeated in the last four letters of entertainment. This implies that it is a unique aspect of the magazine, and in a sense a uniformed pattern that is used to help identify the magazine.Unlike the first, the colour of the title has changed, and is the colour of red this time; this demonstrates how the cover has much more life and energy within the cover. The idea of energy is also supported by the shocking and bold expression of the two actors, as well as the vibrancy and font style used for the films title; the films title in a sense looks slightly jokey and childlike due to the changing colours that outline each letter. The text is relatively masculine as the font is all written in capital letters, which makes the word appear very hard and in a sense grounded. In regards to the photograph, again likewise with the Empire image none of the elements give away that the actors are from a horror film;

This point is supported through the mise-en-scene in that due to the crisp and freshness demonstrated by the array of whites in a sense implies a very happy and upbeat, clean film.

Alongside this, the facial expressions of the actors also imply the impression that the image is slightly jokey and mocking, this is suggested as although the actors are trying to demonstrate a sense of shock and fear, the fact that the audience is aware it is a photograph, and that the surrounding background does not match their emotions gives the impression that it is all very staged and fake, ultimately eliminating the terrifying mannerism.

The colour scheme of the cover, also negotiates away from the idea of horror, in that because vibrant colours such as reds and yellows are used; these types of colours again also imply the childlike and very happy/energetic impression. Coinciding with this aspect, shapes such as circles and squares have been included to support an advertising feature; these elements suggest that they do not have anything to do with the main feature, and in a way cannot be linked or notified to anything else within the cover unlike previous magazine covers included.

In comparison to previous magazine covers, the dominating image is primarily the background frame, and usually the text is situated around the main focus of attention, however in regards to this cover the image and actors are embellished across the whole of the frame meaning that the textural features are placed on top of the image, resulting in some of the image being cut of and interrupted; minimising the supremacy and dominance that the image holds.

I have decided to analyse this ‘Film’ magazine cover, as well as the ’Empire’ magazine cover, as they are both featuring the same film; but representing them it very different ways.The film magazine has represented the film to be very sci-fi and modern due to the amount of technology and masculine elements represented within the title and background of the image. When taking a closer look at both covers, the similarity is that in the foreground of the empire magazine and within the title of the film magazine, a large scale aerial view of buildings are shown; this demonstrates how both magazines are implying a deeper meaning and in depth information regarding the film.In both of the images, a very very similar photograph has been used, this is demonstrated through the same clothing, actor and even similarity in gun and prop accessory. The styling of the ‘Film’ title is thoroughly detailed and coincides well with the photograph, in that to an extent appears as though it is a part of the image itself. Nevertheless, the Empire magazine is very simplistic

and remains to its uniformed red and bold font; unlike the Film magazine the title does not match the image, however does coincide well with the colour scheme and other textural features included.

In reference to the Film magazine, some of the textural features have been situated so that they fit to the shape and structure of the actors body; this in a sense implies how as the texts decent to the bottom decrease in importance, as likewise to the image, in that the bottom half of his body is not as important as his face. As well as this, in a sense it is like a hierarchy, in that the most important level is at the top, and thus being the main feature included.

In regards to the Empire cover, I particularly like how the text implies a 3D motion, in that they appear as though they are moving away from the front of the cover. This entices the audience towards the main dominating feature, thus being the actor as in a sense it helps to push him forward and move him away from everything else.

Both magazines have an array of other textural features that are placed around the main image, however the Empire cover is advertising another film above the title, and this in a way confuses the audience, as when looking at the cover first off the title is the main attraction alongside the other feature film, so therefore ultimately eliminates the correct amount of attention from the featured film. However, in regards to the Film cover the magazines slogan above links to the film as the word ‘blowing’ coincides well with the film, and in a sense suggests how the magazine is full of excitement.

I decided to analyse this magazine cover as I feel it emphasises the genre and representation of the film particularly well. When firstly looking at the magazine, the audiences immediate impression is that the film featured is a fantasy based film; this is implied through the mystical and unrealistic facial elements of the actor, e.g. The eyes and the ears, as well as the pale skin. Alongside this, the top two images in the right hand corner also support the idea of the supernatural and fantasy world. As well as this, the number ‘30’ has been written in a very sci-fi and mysterious way, implying something unnatural. The idea of fantasy is also supported through the rustic mannerism of the cover, for example the edges of the cover also look very warn and rigged which emphasises the point that it is not normal and conventional. The numerous amounts of colours presented within the frame, all similarly have a sort of glow and sparkle to them, which again adds to the mystical and spectacular impression. At the bottom of the cover, two photographs have been included of two other actors from the same

Film, however by including these two images demonstrates how the main dominant photograph of the actor is the main attraction and appeal of the film, rather than the two smaller feature, even though they are from the same film.