Analysis Of Film Magazine Front Covers

 Analysis Of Film Magazine Front Covers

The title of the magazine “TOTAL FILM” is in capitals and in bright colours so it stands out and in turn draws in readership. The tagline “The ultimate movie magazine” also assists in attracting an audience as it  a mark of quality communicating that it is the best which makes people more likely to buy this magazine than other movie magazines.

The colours and background of this magazine cover shows bright green grass and also flowers this suggests that the magazine was probably a summer issue. This is confirmed further down the poster with the main cover line being: “ULTIMATE SUMMER PREVIEW”, this is all in capitals so it catches the readers eye and draws them to buy the magazine. There are several other cover lines positioned across the page to make the audience want to buy the magazine in order to read about a particular story featured inside.

The film which is covered most in the magazine is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, this however could be used to attract an audience that would not typically buy a magazine such as “Total Film” as “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” is a children’s film. This is also assisted by the main image being of Johnny Depp because of his role as the main character in the film. Johnny Depp’s name is also in capitals on the right hand side of the poster which suggests that he is well known and will draw people both to buy the magazine and to see the film. His mode of address is direct, so engaging with the audience immediately. His code of gesture suggests he is greeting the reader and inviting them into the magazine.

On this magazine the masthead includes the name of the magazine which is bright red to stand out from the dark background of the front cover but also to stand out on the shelves. The price, date and issue number all positioned above the “M” in “EMPIRE” which is a convention of the magazine, a small font is used as this is the least important information on the page and the part readers will look at last.

The main cover line uses a bright green, the colour green is used as it is a colour worn by the joker. The “Joker” graffiti style font which makes it stand out, it also provides readers with an insight into the character of The Joker as graffiti has connotations of crime and mischief. The word also denotes that the person in the main image is the Joker.  

The main image is of The Joker who is portrayed through visual codes: his make up and smile show his evil nature which again gives readers an insight into his character. He also has direct eye contact which addresses the readers and attracts them to the magazine. The use of a long shot for the main image allows readers to observe the posture of the joker which suggests he is scheming. The Joker's head covers part of the title of the magazine this suggests that the magazine is already well established and has a loyal readership.

The banner at the top of the page is white as it stands out from the dark main image, because it is positioned at the top of the magazine it is clearly visible when on shop shelves which will draw in readers. The overall feel of the front cover is dark and foreboding, reflecting the themes of the film and giving connotations of its content.The logo for The Dark Knight is also used as it will catch the eyes of fans and make them want to buy the magazine. The sell lines are also written in white to appeal to the reader and attract them to the magazine.

For my final magazine analysis I will be looking at Total Film's front cover of Sherlock Holmes

The strip at the top of the front cover shows images from several films that are also covered in the magazine and a cover story. This broadens the audience appeal drawing people to the magazine and shows them what is in the magazine that may appeal to them. The use of Iron Man 2 as one of the films also links it with the main feature on Sherlock Holmes as Robert Downey Junior stars in both films. The bold text next to the images is used to attract the audience and make it stand out on a shelf. The blue text fits in with the colour scheme of the front cover as it is predominantly blue and white. The masthead is big and prominent and stands out against the blue background, this is to make the audience more likely to remember it and make it stand out. The website is located just below the masthead linking the magazine to the internet and allowing its audience to learn more about the magazine online making the magazine more accessible. 

Robert Downey Junior is the main image on the front cover because this issue of the magazine is about Sherlock Holmes, the new film he is starring in. Placing him on the front cover attracts his fans and makes reader more likely to purchase the magazine. He is also in his costume for the Sherlock Holmes film; the blue colour on his costume is used for the reason the colour scheme for the front cover is predominately blue. In the background behind him are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, iconic images of London which suggests London might be the location in the film. The background is out of focus ensuring that the attraction is the main image of Robert Downey Junior.The text in the centre uses the words "world exclusive" implying it has information its rival film magazines might not. The quote below it “All the elements are coming together” also makes the reader curious as they wish to learn the context of it and creates an enigma this means more people may be likely to purchase the magazine. "Sherlock Holmes" in large font stands out on the front cover and instantly shows what the main article will be about attracting fans of the popular book series to read the magazine as well. The blue and white text stands out against the magazine and fits in with the colour scheme. The text below it uses a well-known phrase associated with Sherlock Holmes as he is frequently called 'the world's greatest detective" linking it in with the main theme. The four cover stories around Robert Downey Junior give tasters of what is in the magazine, so the reader will know what to expect while the blue font links with the colour scheme. The black text below each make them stand out more.

The magazine appears to be gender neutral although the use of blue could suggest a more male audience as blue is conveniently associated with males. The magazine also seems to appeal to a broad audience.

Project pitch and Audience Feedback

2 rivers proper from oliverbell95 

This was my pitch this was used to present my ideas, the conventions and the methods of distribution to my peers. They then suggested ideas for how I could improve my ideas in the form of a post-it notes,I then put all the post it notes on a sheet of A3 .

Overall from this I learned that I have quite a strong storyline that would attract my target audience but that I  may need to consider camera styles and also the locations I use as these are both important factors to consider in order to produce a successful trailer.

Analysis of Film posters

Analysis of posters

The Football Factory 

The purpose of this poster is to clearly communicate the genre, themes  and also the narrative of the film. The main image on this poster shows football hooligans which instantly tells the audience what the film is about, it is a realistic and dramatic image but has been edited in a graffiti style

The visual codes within the image suggest violence as the men have their fists clenched and look to be in various fighting stances. They are coming out of the poster towards the audience which is intimidating and threatening, indicative of the genre.There is also what looks to be blood splatters along the bottom of the page which again conveys the theme of violence.

The Font for the title “THE FOOTBALL FACTORY” is all in capitals and with bars through the letters. This could be to suggest the lines on a football pitch but also the bars could suggest prison which is where they could end up if the characters continue to carry out hooliganism. The white colour of the font is used because it stands out against the red, The colour of the font could also suggest broken bones harking back to the film's theme of violence. 

The main colour on the poster is red both because it is catches people’s eyes and also the connotations it has with violence, danger and blood.

The tagline “what else you gonna do on a Saturday?” references the time which most matches are played however the tagline suggests that fighting is the only thing to do on Saturdays, this again gives the audience an insight in to the lives of the characters but also the narrative.  The mode of address is informal  using slang to further suggest the genre and themes of the film. This may also resonate with the target audience.

Overall this poster successfully portrays the message of the film's narrative both through the main image and the colours used. The tagline is also very clever in that it summarises the feelings of the characters in the film in one simple sentence. Overall this poster successfully sells and markets the film. 

Green Street Hooligans  

The purpose of this poster again is to put across the genre, themes and narrative of the film. The main image shows the main characters in the film, with the two most important characters, which the film focuses most on positioned at the front of the shot. The character's facial expressions show anger and violence which reflects the genre and nature of the film. There is a clear hierarchy established through the layout and design with the lesser characters at the back.The overall colour scheme for this poster is dark and bleak looking this gives off a rough and raw impression which again helps suggest the genre and narrative of the film. The main source of light focuses on the characters and their mode of address is direct. The film poster is also constructed to look beaten and folded which also reinforces the rough nature of the film. The tagline “stand your ground”  looks to be sprayed on the wall behind the characters, this gives the poster more of an edgy feel and has connotations of aggression and tension. The line it’s self
“stand your ground” again puts forward the themes of violence and confrontation. Overall I feel that this poster successfully puts forward the narrative and themes of the film.

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 

The poster shows the film to be quite violent with the shotgun being the predominate image. However the poster is very clever in that it creates a sense of enigma as it makes the audience want to watch the film in order to find out who the four characters are positioned on top of the gun. The fact that they are positioned on top of a gun also gives us an insight in to the story as it suggests they may be in some kind of trouble, this could also include the bag that one of the characters is holding. However, they are silhouettes, reinforcing the enigma.The tagline "A disgrace to criminals everywhere" suggests that the crime the characters have committed is amateur and poorly done which gives the film a comedy element. 

The use of bold masculine colours such as red suggests that the film is aimed at a predominantly young male audience. The use of the colour red highlights the shotgun which brings with it connotations of death and danger. The colour white is used to highlight the characters silhouettes but also the finger on the trigger. The finger on the trigger suggest that the characters are not in control of the action, reinforcing the tagline.

The title "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" references a shotgun which again suggests that a shotgun may have a big role in the film and has generic associations. The title is written in quite a cartoon style font which conveys that there may also be a comedy element to the film. 

Overall I think this poster is very effective as it cleverly puts across the themes and genre of the film without giving away too much. It also creates a sense of enigma with the use of the silhouettes. The poster works as  a teaser for the film as the audience are not given any information about actors, the focus of the appeal is the genre.