ANALYSIS OF FILM MAGAZINESCharlotte Joyce

The masthead title of the magazine ‘Total Film’ is in a sans serif typography this gives the magazine a lot more impact and connotes it is official and original. This appeals to male audience and demonstrates the magazine’s upfront in depth look at exiting new movies, drawing the viewer’s attention into the page and making the title of the magazine memorable. It’s the iconography of Total Film’s font typeface that makes it easy to recognize a Total Film magazine front cover as its most likely the first thing the viewers see on the page as its huge , often in white and its memorable. The word ‘TOTAL’ is inside the ‘F’ which connotes that films are the main feature of the magazine and is what the magazine is focused on. Also the fact that the masthead is covered up with the hat of the main image highlights its importance and superiority to the title itself.

The date, issue number and the price of the magazine is in a very small font which helps to make the more important aspects of the magazine stand out. In addition, they are the last things the target audience of film lovers would notice which is a clever tactic as their attention has already been captured by the main etc. and then the price is the final piece of information that they look at but at this point they are engrossed in the magazine so they are willing to pay £3.99 for the magazine. The higher price of the magazine, when compared to weekly magazines, shows that the audience can expect quality and focused attention on the their interests.The website of the magazine is included under the date of release, issue number and price yet it is in a bigger font, this is not only so the audience can view more information about the magazine and it’s articles but also because people who have just discovered the magazine can see that it is a reliable company as the mention of a website makes the magazine look more professional.

The barcode is situated on the right hand side of the magazine in a vertical style so it does not distract or steal focus away from the main image. The barcode is often essential for the sale of the magazine and therefore it is a necessity which denotes professionalism.

The puff says ‘World exclusive’ this captures the target audiences attention and attracts them to the magazine as they are told that this information isn’t available anywhere else.

The text above the cover line mentions Johnny Depp which would appeal to perhaps a wider audience because he is a popular actor and ‘sex-symbol’ to many women.

The main cover line for the magazine front cover is ‘MASSIVE 2010 PREVIEW’ which can be recognised as it is the cover line with the biggest font and it is the first piece of text that the target audience’s eyes are drawn to. The text is also all in capital letters which helps to make it stand out against the lower text as it creates it’s importance. Also, the text is in white which helps it stand out against the dark background, becoming more noticeable to the target audience. Also the use of the buzz word ‘massive’ connotes to the audience that every film they need to know about will be included in the magazine and thus, makes them want to buy it.The subheading ‘starring manages to stand out as it is one of the larger fonts. The list below has been wisely selected to appeal to all film lovers as it displays a range of genres. Also they were highly anticipated films of 2010 so the potential readers would want to find out about them. The use of ‘and 38 more…’, also helps to show the reader what they can expect inside and it leaves a sense of enigma about the other films and temps the target audience to buy the magazine. Also if there isn’t a film on the cover that appeals to them they are bound to find one inside the magazine that does.

The banner of the magazine is offering the incentive of a free poster which attracts the target audience as they are getting free merchandise when they purchase the magazine. The banner is very noticeable as it is above the masthead, in capitals letters and in a large colourful font- all of which help it to stand out from the other aspects of the magazine. Also films fanatics may just buy the magazine because they get a free poster if they do.

The extras at the bottom of the magazine give the audience an suggestion of what they can expect from the magazine. The names and topics have been wisely selected so only the most interesting features of the magazine make it onto the front cover. These extras include two big Hollywood names that would appeal to a wide audience as well as the topic of a ‘Blue-Ray special’ which will entice the target audience as they will wonder what the special is.

The main image is very colourful so it stands out against the darker background which appeals to the target audience because the image attracts their attention. Also the Mad Hatter is in front of the masthead which gives him importance over everything else on the cover, this connotes that the magazine is well-known and popular. The character pictured matches with the cover line which makes the magazine look more professional because everything is related and it is easy for the audience to understand. The person featured in the main picture is in character which attracts the target audience because it indicates that the feature is about the film and not the life of the individual actor.

Like Total Film magazine. The main image used in Empire is very colourful so it stands out against the darker background which appeals to the target audience because the image attracts their attention. Also Iron Man is in front of the masthead which gives him importance over everything else on the cover, this connotes that the magazine is well-known and popular. The character pictured matches with the cover line which makes the magazine look more professional because everything is related and it is easy for the audience to understand. The person featured in the main picture is in character which attracts the target audience because it indicates that the feature is about the film and not the life of the individual actor. Like Total Film magazine. The barcode is

situated on the bottom right hand side corner of the magazine in a vertical style so it does not distract or steal focus away from the main image.

Like Total Film magazine. The extras at the bottom of the magazine give the audience a suggestion of what they can expect from the magazine. The names and topics have been wisely selected so only the most interesting features of the magazine make it onto the front cover and appeal to the audience. However unlike Total Film they have also used smaller images to illustrate the extras, as well as the use of the buzz word ‘amazing’ to make the features even more appealing.

Like Total Film magazine. The masthead title of the magazine ‘Empire’ is in a sans serif typography this gives the magazine a lot more impact and connotes it is official and original. This appeals to male audience and demonstrates the magazine’s upfront in depth look at exiting new movies, drawing the viewer’s attention into the page and making the title of the magazine memorable. It’s the iconography of Empire’s typography that makes it easy to recognize an Empire magazine front cover as its most likely the first thing the viewers see on the page also the fact that the masthead is covered up with the head of the main image highlights its importance and superiority to the title itself. However unlike Total Film magazine Empire have styled their typography to the light in the middle of iron man’s chest this makes the masthead seem more interesting and also shows synergy within the front cover.

Like Total Film magazine. The date, issue number and the price of the magazine is in a very small font which helps to make the more important aspects of the magazine stand out.

However unlike Total Film magazine. There is no mention of the website of Empire magazine.

Like Total Film magazine . Empire magazine uses a puff that says ‘First Look’ this captures the target audiences attention and attracts them to the magazine as they are told that this information hasn’t been seen by anyone yet and they have the chance, this appeals to film fanatics as they can be quite competitive and they want to be the first ones to know certain bits of information.

However unlike Total Film magazine. Empire magazine includes a pug, which grabs the audiences attention to the extra information supplied in it. But it uses a buzz word like Total Film to make the reviews seem like they are the best reviews they can find anywhere and therefore entices them to buy the magazine.

However unlike Total Film magazine. Empire use the banner of the magazine to illustrate more extras opposes to a free. However unlike the extras at the bottom these ones are positioned above the masthead connoting they are very important. Like Total Film the banner is very noticeable as it is above the masthead, in capitals letters and in a large colourful font- all of which help it to stand out from the other aspects of the magazine.

The main cover line for the magazine front cover is ‘IRON MAN 2’ which can be recognised as it is the cover line with the biggest font and it is the first piece of text that the target audience’s eyes are drawn to. The text is also all in capital letters which helps to make it stand out against the lower text as it creates it’s importance. Also, the text is in white which helps it stand out against the dark background, becoming more noticeable to the target audience. Also because it just says iron man it connotes that most of the magazine is based on iron man and the magazine is official.

Like Total Film and Empire magazine. The masthead title of the magazine ‘Glamour’ is in a sans serif typography this gives the magazine a lot more impact and connotes it is official and original. This appeals to the female audience and demonstrates the magazine’s upfront in depth look at exiting gossip and news, drawing the viewer’s attention into the page and making the title of the magazine memorable. It’s the iconography of Glamour’s typography that makes it easy to recognize a Glamour magazine front cover as its most likely the first thing the viewers see on the page also the fact that the masthead is covered up with the head of the main image highlights its importance and superiority to the title itself.

Unlike Total Film and Empire magazine. Glamour magazine there is a banner that includes a selling line which says ‘BRITAIN’S No1 WOMEN’S MAGAZINE’ this attracts the target audience because, because of the use of No.1 this offers the incentive that Glamour is the best magazine out there and therefore the audience will by it. Moreover because it is directly positioned at the top of the magazine and text is in capitals it instantly illustrates it importance and significance to the rest of the magazine.

Like Total Film magazine. The website of the magazine is, this is not only so the audience can view more information about the magazine and it’s articles but also because people who have just discovered the magazine can see that it is a reliable company as the mention of a website makes the magazine look more professional.

Unlike Total Film and Empire magazine the main image is quite colourful however it doesn't stand out against the background which appeals to the target audience because the image attracts their attention. Also Kylie Minogue is in front of the masthead which gives her importance over everything else on the cover, this connotes that the magazine is well-known and popular. The celebrity pictured matches with the cover line which makes the magazine look more professional because everything is related and it is easy for the audience to understand. Moreover she is looking directly at the camera which illustrates direct address and draws the audience in. Also the main image fits in with Laura Mulvey's male gaze because the audience is looking at her and admiring her.

Unlike Total Film and Empire magazine. Glamour does not include the issue number and the price. However it does include the date of the magazine which is in a very small font which helps to make the more important aspects of the magazine stand out.

The layout of the magazine is a rule of thirds of an even balance of words and pictures, this connotes that the magazine is designed for the middle-class and therefore is of a good quality.

To the right-hand side of the magazine there are cover lines that fit into the rule of thirds. The colour scheme of black and pink is continuous and the sans serif font has been used with different size and varying upper and lower case fonts, to draw attention to certain emotive words, this has been done for the purpose of drawing the readers attention to the specific parts of the cover line.

The main cover line is in a pink font and in capitals opposed to the rest of the cover lines on the right hand side of the page, this has been done to done to draw the audiences attention straight to the cover line, the fact that it is also in the spot where the audiences eye instantly goes to also demonstrates this. Also the fact that the cover line says ‘WIN A £16,000…’ instantly grabs the audiences attention as well, this is because it offers the incentive of winning a holiday which every woman wants. It may even be that the audience see ‘WIN A £16,000…’ and buy the magazine just because of the incentive without reading the rest of the cover.

To the left-hand side of the magazine are more cover lines which also fit into the rule of thirds. The colour scheme and varying font sizes also shows synergy within the front cover. Also the use of emotive language and choice of cover lines has also been used to make the audience ask questions to themselves and therefore they want to buy the magazine.

Like Total Film and Empire magazine. The masthead title of the magazine ‘Cahiers du Cinema’ is in a sans serif typography this gives the magazine a lot more impact and connotes it is official and original. This appeals to target audience and demonstrates the magazine’s upfront in depth look at exiting new movies, drawing the viewer’s attention into the page and making the title of the magazine memorable. It’s the iconography of Cahiers du Cinema’s font typeface that makes it easy to recognize as a Cahiers du Cinema magazine front cover as its most likely the first thing the viewers see on the page as its quite big, often in white and its memorable. Also the fact that it in the left hand corner means that it is easily noticeable on the newsagents shelf.

Like Total Film and Empire magazine, The date, and issue number of the magazine is in a very small font which helps to make the more important aspects of the magazine stand out. In addition, they are the last things the target audience of film lovers would notice which is a clever tactic as their attention has already been captured by the main image etc.

Like Total Film and Empire magazine. The barcode is situated on the bottom right hand side corner of the magazine in a vertical style so it does not distract or steal focus away from the main image.

Like Total Film and Empire magazine, the main image is very colourful which appeals to the target audience because the image attracts their attention.. The character pictured matches with the cover line which makes the magazine look more professional because everything is related and it is easy for the audience to understand. The person featured in the main picture is in character which attracts the target audience because it indicates that the feature is about the film and not the life of the individual actor. Also the main image is taken from the actual film which connotes that the magazine is based all around the film and is original and official.

The website of the magazine is included under the masthead yet it is in a slightly different font, to the date and issue number of the magazine this is not only so the audience can view more information about the magazine and it’s articles but also because people who have just discovered the magazine can see that it is a reliable company as the mention of a website makes the magazine look more professional. The fact that the magazine only has one main cover line and doesn’t include and secondary cover lines or extras connotes that the main feature of the magazine is Alice in Wonderland. The cover line can be recognised as it is in a big font and it is the first piece of text that the target audience’s eyes are drawn to. Also, the text is in white which helps it stand out against the darker background, becoming more noticeable to the target audience. Also the fact that the cover line mentions Tim Burton – a famous Hollywood director known for his ‘wacky’ films – could also attract the target audience to buy the magazine.