Annotated front covers for film magazines

Sophie and Lily.

This is for those members of the target audience with are not interested in the main image. However they are all aimed at men as they have same background colours as the main image, all of the models are men and have a serious look also they seem to have some form of weapon or technology. The additional photos are also teasers to tempt the target audience to buy their magazine.

The barcode is located on the left of the magazine so that it’s not in the way of anything on the magazine.

Main title of the magazine is in the middle but slightly lower to get the attention of the audience, it’s also in gold which is one of the main colours. However the font of the text is the same as the other text on the cover so it’s not made to stand out.

Main colours are:RedGreyBlackWhite Gold

The sell line is above the mast head to make the magazine seem amazing and for it to appeal to the target audience. The text also says that to make the magazine look amazing to those customers who don’t usually buy the magazine.

The shadow here gives of mystery because it’s so impersonal as it isn’t obvious who it is. However thanks to the top hat we can guess that it is male which adds to the rest of the theme of the magazine.

The gun in his right hand indicates he means business and as its pointing up it means he knows who his target is and is only focusing on that person.

The puff is blue to stand out against everything else. However the blue indicates masculinity which also adds to the theme of this magazine.

The left hand is in his trouser pocket to indicate he is casual and relaxed about everything that is happening around him.

The ground in the background is mossy and untidy which may indicate that the film

This is red for passion and to stand out for other audiences who are not interested in the above contents and it is also at the bottom to show that it is not as important as the above contents. However the font is the same as the rest this may also give the concept that it is either in the same genre as the other films or it is just as important as the other topics.

The colour of the mast-head is white as that is the iconic colour of the magazine, also the ‘TOTAL’ is see through as if it’s a cut-out of the masthead which is also iconic.

The sell-line is yellow to stand out for those members of the target audience who aren’t interested in the main image and connote happiness.

Main colours:White – colour of magazine and it stands out against dull background.Purple – Mystery and magicBits of yellow – Happiness, joy and to stand out.

Main image is in the middle of the magazine cover to catch the attention of the target audience.Is giving a direct approach for the same reason above, it also shows his seriousness of the character in the film.However the half smile indicates something sinister or adds to the mystery as if the character knows something the audience doesn’t. Also the fact that the model has his hands on his heart further proves this theory because its supposed to make him look honest and innocent.

The character’s outfit, hairstyle and make-up are all dark but colourful colours. The main colour the model is wearing is brown which connotes goodness and warmth which may also give an idea about what the character is like in the film.

The character is holding a rabbit to make him look innocent and kind, also the rabbit is brown which proves the theory of the character providing warmth and goodness.

This part of the background is black which may indicate that something dark and sinister will happen in the film.

Although these are for the target audience that may not be interested in the main image, the protagonist for all these films is male, which may suggest that the magazine overall is aim trying to be aimed at males. However this may also equal out the genre of the magazine as the main image’s film’s protagonist is female.

Main colours:Black: Mystery to stand out against white background.Pink: Feminity (to appeal to the female target audience)White: Cleanliness, purity, main background colour of the magazine cover.

Direct eye contact of the target audience which invites them in. As well as a little smile which intrigues the audience more to know what he’s smiling about.

The ‘Secrets’ part at the top of the magazine are for those members of the target audience who are not interested in the main image as all three films are near enough in the same genre.

These texts are pink to stand out on the magazine and grab attention; however they are pink to appeal to the female audience.

The subject of the main image is wearing a blazer and a black t-shirt/jumper, which makes him appear to look smart but also casual. Both are black which highlight the mystery of his image it also suggests strength – which adds to his masculinity – and authority – which stereotypically adds to the concept of males being higher than females which contrasts with all the pink. While this colour is used to stand out, it

may also be that colour to appeal to woman, which may suggest that he is only powerful to women. If it were supposed to appeal to both genders then the colour red may have been used.

The barcode is located at the bottom corner to show that it is unimportant on the magazine but essential.

The subject, Tom Cruise, is in the middle of the magazine cover and takes up more than half of the magazine space; this represents how ‘POWERFUL’ he is as it makes all of the other subjects seem petty.

The rest of the text is white to stand out against the black and to connote innocence which contrasts with the main subject being: ‘POWERFUL’

Is like this to stand out to the audience. Is grey to connote males and metal which again appeals to the main image.

Although the magazine may be aimed at women due to the colour of text, all of the other subjects of the front cover are of men, and only one of a woman, which may be the magazines way of balancing the