Magazine Analysis

Purpose of the Front cover…

The main purpose of the front cover is to draw and attract the audience in closer. The audience may see the magazine on a shelf and want to take a closer look depending on how well the front cover has achieved its conventions. The model, colour, and font are all things that will catch the audiences eye; the text and what the magazine includes, is what persuades the audience to then open the magazine to read it. So to summarise, the front cover is extremely important, as it is the main selling point to get the audience to purchase it, by briefly showing what it will include.

Conventions of a front cover…

Image: The image is probably the most important feature of the front cover, because it is what stands out to the audience. The image will consist of the main character of the film (tends to have the most fame) so that the audience is drawn into looking at their picture. The image tens to be a midshot which portrays the type of role the character plays within the new film they will be in. 

Masthead: This will traditionally be placed at the top of the page, and shows the name of the magazine. It tends to be the largest text on the page as it is what draws the target audience in. For example 'Empire', would need to be seen clearly so that the target audience who are interested in films will be able to familiarise themselves with it. It also sells the magazine, as well established magazines already have an audience to rely on.

Anchorage text: This text is over the image and tends to make a statement. It could involve a quote of what the actor has said about the film or a sentence letting the audience know a bit about what will be featured in the magazine. It's function is to pull the audience's interest even more so that they would want to read the magazine and be interested in the film.

Buzz word: The buzz word will consist of the words 'Free' and 'Exclusive', which focuses on showing the audience that they will be seeing something special and exclusive which influences them to purchase the magazine. 

Banner: This gives information about what the magazine will include and be about. It further interests the audience. 

Taglines: These involve short subheadings with a couple words as a description, to let the audience know on some of the topics that will come up in the magazine. It gives a teaser to the audience as it draws them in to wanting to read further.

Masthead: ‘Total Film’ is the name of the company who owns this magazine. It is written in white large font to stand out in comparison to the dark image. The target audience will be able to relate to the masthead of knowing what type of magazines they produce, and they will be keen on buying it if they are regular customers to this type. The masthead also includes a small feature where synergy is used to advertise their own website, which could possibly lead to more insight into the film being featured.

Anchorage text:The anchorage text stands out, due to the size of the text. It gives information to the audience about the films name and a hint of what it consists off. For example beneath the name of the film, ‘The summers darkest block buster’ is written; the words block buster draw the audience in as it already informs them that the film must be good.

Image:The main image includes two men who are the main characters in the film. One is holding a gun pointing towards the audience which shows direct contact. The effect of this shows he has the control and is luring the audience in to the film. The other man is turned to the side which shows he isn't as interested as he looks as if he is walking away. It may suggest what his character is like. They are positioned over the Masthead which signifies that they have more importance over the magazine. They are seen as the selling point rather than the name of the magazine.

Buzzword:The Buzzword here is ‘World Exclusive’ which is written in white, the same as the masthead which means it needs to stand out. Even though it is small, it is on top of a red larger text which means that it will be recognised and read. It draws the audience into believing they will come across something that wont be seen anywhere else.

Taglines:The taglines differentiate whilst still staying on the topic of relating to films. One tagline includes informing the audience on ‘Christian Bale’s interview. This is common as magazines usually feature an interview with someone who is rising in fame. Another tagline mentions about the film ‘Angels & Demons’; magazines usually advertise more than one film to attract a larger audience.

Banner: The banner is written in red which doesn't stand out in comparison to the white text beneath it, however once the audience views it more closer they can see what topic will be featured in the magazine. It informs the audience whilst drawing them in to wanting to read more about the ‘3D special’.

Masthead:The masthead is written in large font and has a 3D effect to it. It’s quite confusing with the design, but has been used in a creative way to promote and show off what the film Inception is really about. It will make the audience wonder as to why everything is either upside down or in a abstract way. The magazine companies name is relatable and the target audience for the magazine will be intrigued, however from far it doesn't stand out enough to draw the audiences attention from a distance.

Buzz word:The buzzword here is stated in a silver circle, this allows it to stand out and be separated from the rest of the text.

Image:The main image used is of Leonardo Dicaprio. He is the selling point over here as he is on the front cover and is a well respected actor. He does not give direct address and seems to be holding a weapon looking the other way. This shows his direct attention is not on the audience. This could be slightly negative as he isn't drawing the audience in by giving them that importance. Also, there are shadows on his face which makes it slightly harder to recognise him. This all could be part of the mise en sene for the film however it effects the magazine as it does not fully draw the audience in.

Taglines:There are a few tagline on this magazine cover, they all involve introducing the topic or rather film being featured. One tagline written in red states ‘First looks!’, which draws the audiences attention by making them believe that within this magazine they will discover something no one else knows about yet. The tagline's will mention films within a particular genre, for example ‘Immortals, let me in and thor’ will feature in the action thriller genre. Where as the ‘clash of the titans and toy story’ films will be featured in the cartoon category.

Anchorage text:The text is written in great and over laps the main image. It stands out due to its size, and informs the audience on the name of the film. Beneath it is written ‘Inside the ultimate head trip’ which further connotes the narrative of the film as it is all to do with the mind and illusions.

Banner:The banner is written in red to stand out in comparison to the complex pattern and colours of the main image. The words used are ‘Mind-blowing’ which not only interests the audience, but also relates to the whole topic of the magazine, as it is all about the mind.

Masthead:The Masthead is written in large white font in order for t to stand out. The Font remains the same as it is part of the conventions of this magazine. Also, the masthead appears behind the main image which shows that it is of less importance in comparison to the main image. It takes up a third of the page with its size; this is so that it is seen from far, helping it to stand out and create its impact with the reputation of this popular, well known magazine. The colour of the magazine further allows it to stand out in comparison to the dark colours used on here.

Buzz word:The buzz word on here features in a circle made with small blue stars. This is a common feature used in the Total Film magazines. It states ‘The worlds best movie reviews’ which makes the audience feel the desperate need to buy this magazine due to fact that it is ‘the worlds best’

Main image:The main image consists of Angelina Jolie dressed as Maleficent. This magazine editing is then clear to be promoting and featuring this film. Her importance shows, as she is positioned over the masthead. She had been made to look extremely white, just as the masthead is, in order for her to look un human and connote the film genre. She gives direct eye contact to the audience which shows she gives the importance to the audience, however her pose makes it look as if she is piercing at them, possible connoting she is evil.

Taglines:The tagline in this magazine edition do not follow the traditional ones of total film magazines. They seem to be in different locations as supposed to being near one another. For example, ‘Godzilla’ in positioned in large writing on the left, where as the ‘28 biggest blockbusters’ are on the right in a a blue circle (similar to how a buzz word should look. Also, the tagline for Avengers:Age of Ultron, in at the bottom of the page, completely away from the other tagline’s. This is a new style; something I Haven't seen a lot of, which makes me question wether it works well or not.

Anchorage text:The Anchorage text positions in the middle of the page in large white and blue font. It is positioned in the middle to show the importance and emphasis to the audience what it is saying. The fact that it is an ‘Epic Blockbuster Issue’, shows the significance of it including the best blockbuster films. Also the yellow framing bellow contributes to the film theme of it looking like a film tape.

Banner: The banner is positioned at the at the top of the page as it usually is on magazine overs. It follows the same font and colours for the anchorage text, which works well. Beside it mentions ‘Free the amazing spiderman 2 gifts’ which is boxed off in red; this attracts the audiences attention with using a vibrant colour against the ice blue tones.

Masthead:The masthead on this issue follows again, the same conventions of the other magazines; it is white, has the same font and is the same size. It is behind the actors on the page which shows they are of more significance, however the reputation of the magazine allows for it to stand out. The white colour contrasts with the red tones on the magazine cover which is useful is getting the attention.

Buzz word:The buzz word on here features in a circle which is a common theme used; i must criticise that it doesn't stand out as much, as it has not been highlighted with any colours that stand out. The colour is white, but made small and thin which does not allow it to be emphasised as much as it could. This could be explained however that it isn't the most interesting feature of the magazine, therefore it shouldn't be over emphasised.

Main Image:The main image consists of 3 characters as supposed to 1. This means they cannot be so close up to the audience as they need to fit equally in the frame. The two men do not give direct eye contact which suggests that they are of more importance than us, whereas the woman looks discreetly at us. One of the men and the woman have been positioned to be behind the main actor at the front which again represents the hierarchal status. Also, they look as if their are a lot of shadow’s placed on them, this suggests the genre of the film and magazine will be dark and gory perhaps.

Taglines:The tagline again on this magazine edition, features the tagline’s to be placed at the top of the page as well as the bottom, this shows that this convention is always changing. The magazine seems to feature films that belong to the same genre; Action-hero ones. However the way the tagline are positioned are, I don't think TotalFilm have given the most importance ot the tagline as they do not stand out.

Anchorage text:The anchorage text is given the most significance and importance on this issue, due to it being centred as well as being the second largest text on the page. It stats ‘sin city: A dame to kill kicks off the 10 coolest movies coming your way’, this suggests that the magazine will includes films that have not been released yet, so that the audience can get an inside view. The colour of this font consists of rd and silver, which fits in well with the rest of the colour theme.

Banner:The banner on this page is not emphasised a lot and to be honest, does not seem very relevant. It consists of ‘Comic-book cool’ which doesn't have much significance.

Key Features that I can use…

From each magazine I have picked out relevant features they include that I can use on my Magazine. The reason I have chosen these specific features is because I feel it is unique to the TotalFilm brand; for example ‘The worlds best movie reviews’ is iconic to the brand. Also, the film tape effects is cool to use to further connote the magazine being a film review magazine. In addition the free gift included in one magazine could be a possible feature I include.