The six film magazines have been designed to successfully promote films within the horror genre.

However they all belong to different sub genres, but are still effective. Through carrying out this

investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it is possible to identify shared features

within each one of them and to establish repeated patterns.

All six magazine front covers feature the typical magazine conventions. We expect to see general

conventions in all such as the main image dominating the page and the masthead to be right at the

top of the page. The masthead is always the largest piece of text, then the main image dominating

the page revealing to the audience that the film's narrative will have something important to do with

that selected image on the cover.

As well as this, we see other conventions. Almost all of the film magazine covers include the main

character, or villain who is generally going to be the lead within the movie. For example, on the

empire front cover, the film 'the dark knight' is being advertised, and the main antagonist ‘the joker’

is displayed, the audience know that he is the antagonist because of the stock location which is

behind him, which looks as if he is sitting in a prison sell. Also the make-up and costume used lets

the audience know that he is an antagonist as well as calling him batman’s nemesis. Another

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example is on the total film front cover, the film 'Jennifer's Body' is being advertised, and she is in

fact the only magazine front cover that features the antagonist who is tormented by an evil force.

This is proven through the use of mise en scene as her hands have blood dripping from them,

intriguing the audience into wondering what has just happened. The pure iconography of blood is

used to the film's advantage due to it taking the sub-genre of slasher.The pure iconography of blood

is used to the film's advantage due to it taking the sub-genre of slasher.

Another convention that is effectively carried out within five of thesix magazine covers is the use of

the main antagonist used as the main image instead of the protagonist. This is what theaudience

would expect to see on a Horror film magazine but not an ordinary film magazine. Mainly because

the audience of magazines, are more interested with the protagonist's background within the movie.

The character of Megan Fox, connotes the idea of a 'bimbo' who would fit the victim role perfectly

due to being provocatively dressed and even carrying out a smouldering look through the direct

address.

In addition to this, all of the magazine front covers use direct address to lure the audience in. The

use of this mode of address means that the audience create a connection between themselves and

the horror character, adding to the element of fear, as they will then want to see how the victims

appeal to their fate within the film as this direct address shows confidence on the antagonists’

behalf. Much unlike the posters, children are not featured on the magazine front covers, this is done

on purpose this is because the audience of the magazine are much more interested with the thought

of indulging into the narrative rather than be instantly frightened.

The images presented in the six magazine front cover are designed ultimately to for the audience to

be persuaded and question the front cover, which will later make them purchase the magazine and

therefore read about the films synopsis. For example, the empire magazine cover which features

'the silence of the lambs', which has the famous actor of Anthony Hopkins, instantly gripping the

audience as he is a successful actor that the audience want to see and want to watch. The name

however has no correlation to the image, hooking the reader into why the actor is wearing some

sort of mask which is in fact iconic for horrors especially Slashers and psychological Horrors, and

what this has to do with the chosen film name.

There is a consistent pattern with colours too, dark warm colours such as black, red and dark blues

are common to help create the mysterious and evil mood. However in the case for Empire's

Jennifer's body issue the colours are much more cold, with a pale white nature to show that Megan

fox stands out, perhaps indicating the reason for her being the victim, she stood out amongst all the

others. Whereas the other five covers are surrounded by dark colours, portraying the idea of

darkness and despair and evilness.

In each magazine cover the masthead is placed at the top of the page, so the readers are aware of

exactly what magazine it is. It's also the largest text, allowing them to understand the magazine

before being induced by the image and further persuaded. Fangoria features a specifically designed

title which plays on the title itself, as there are fangs coming out of each end of the title, one again

reassuring the audience of the horror genre, it combines the two words ‘fang’ as in vampire fangs

and ‘gory’ which connotes blood, guts and gore this then bring its back to the sub-genre of

slasher/gothic. Whereas Empire is a simplebold red which connotes blood, but it is not extremely

scary but it makes the magazine look a little less tacky. Empire is a well-known successful film

magazine which does not specify in horror. So for such a well branded magazine to include a horror

would create the impression that the featured film is of a high status within the genre. Whereas the

magazine Fangoriaspecialises in horror films, the features of this particular genre are not unusual or

in fact an indication of it holding a high status. Most of the above film covers include the name of the

film to entice readers whereas others choose to use the actor for marketing. For example Megan fox

is used to publicize the film 'Jenifer's Body' whereas the ‘Insidious’ front cover includes no mention

of the actors that will feature in the film, meaning that the directors and creators of this film have

chosen to let the narrative market the film.

There are symbiotic links that occur between film posters, magazine front covers and trailers which

identify which movie this promotional piece belongs to. For example the ‘Insidious’ magazine front

cover continues the repeated colour scheme that occurs within all three of these promotional

pieces. Such as the dark red, black and glimpses of white tones that feature throughout all three, the

choice of using these particular colours not only abides by conventions but gives the audience an

insight into the nature of the film insidious. Another symbiotic link that features is under lighting, the

magazine front cover displays the protagonist, but because of the under lighting a devious persona is

revealed which is reinforced by the dark colours. The film poster also uses dark lighting to portray

possession of the young child who features.

Each one of these magazine from covers are effective in their own way, and some were inspirational

to me. Some were basic yet effective and it allowed me to gain a better insight into how a magazine

front cover should look when advertising a Horror film. These magazines have given me the basic

knowledge I need to create a successful and professional magazine front cover.