2. Conventions and Codes of a Magazine.
Masthead. The position of the masthead is usually the top-left corner and should be
the largest text on the page. The style of the masthead should reflect the audience, a
good example would be ‘Little White Lies’ have a very arty unusual style masthead
which is relevant to its content and audience.
Image. The image on the front cover of a magazine should again reflect the audience
and style of the magazine, the type of shot used it often a mid-shot and the mise-en-
scene should show connotations of the type of magazine and the article the image is
related to.
Fonts. There would usually be a mixture of fonts on a front cover, all depending on the
story, however they are usually kept to a minimum of 3 different fonts. They can very in
size, colour, bold/italic, capitalised, etc.
Buzz Words. Words that entice the audience into the magazine and stories which are
involved. Some examples of these would be, Free, Exclusive, Only.
Banner. These are often used on the front page of a magazine to show information
about the content in the magazine.
Anchorage Text. Text which overlaps the main image which overlaps the main image to
explain what the story is about an example would be a quote.
3. Empire.
Empire is a British film magazine, and is published by Bauer
Consumer Media, monthly.
Their circulation in 2009 was 194,016. The first issue was July
1989.
The magazine is entirely specific to film.
The readership profile is said to be “ 76% male, affluent ABC1
movie fans, smart, sophisticated, opinion leading consumers
who are totally tech savvy and always ahead of the curve” -
BAUERMEDIA
4. The image on this front cover The masthead of Empire
shows some connotations of magazine is conventionally
horror, this would be due to placed at the top and is the
the low key lighting around largest text on the cover.
the character as it emphasises The banner links with the
the eyes drawing in the footer, both explaining extra
attention of the reader. The parts of the magazine. The
dark colours also have a red white text on the banner and
tinge to them suggest heat or footer both stand out and the
fire, also red has the images are there reinforcing
connotations of blood which the text.
is associated with a horror.
Using a close up of the face
pulls the audience in The text on this cover is
wondering who he is, also the placed mostly on the left
fact that he is staring right out hand side, following the
at the audience creates and convention of ‘left hand
instant connection. third’. The text includes buzz
words such as ‘World
Exclusive’, the text also
varies in colour to keep it all
eye catching. The colours
The anchorage text is a
used for the text are
convention of a magazine,
conventional to horror as the
as it overlaps the image,
red text suggests
Here it is being used to
connotations of blood. Also
show the main feature as
by having parts of the texts
it is the largest writing
in bold it makes them stand
letting the reader know
out more, therefore
that it is about ‘Hannibal’
attracting the audience.
5. Sight and Sound.
Sight and Sound magazine is a British film magazine which is
published monthly by the British Film Institute.
The first publication was in 1932, and was handed over to the BFI
in 1934.
It writes reviews and shows film releases each month, including
the art house films and blockbusters. They also include a full cast
and crew list with the reviews.
6. The masthead of this
magazine is in the The image is the main part of
conventional place of the the magazine. The direct
top left hand corner. It is mode of a address from the
also part of a banner image, made by the pointing
which then continue son of the finger and the one eye
the right side. The looking out, instantly connects
essential information the audience with the
needed on a cover is magazine. The skull in the
shown clearly (issue background is a typical horror
number, price, barcode, symbol, by being on his
etc) shoulder and in the
background could suggest a
demon.
The text is placed
conventionally on the
left side. The text
includes buzz words,
such as ‘Plus’. The text is The anchorage text is
also varied keeping it eye really effective because of
catching. They colour of the see-through red
the font is conventional background looking like
to horror because of the blood which fades into
red writing having the background. The
connotations of blood. white text stands out
against the red and darker
backgrounds, the
The blood splat also typography is clear and
connotations of horror easy to read.
because blood is
conventional to a horror.
7. Little White Lies.
Little White Lies is a British, monthly, independent movie magazine.
The magazine features writing, reviews, illustration and photography
which all relates to cinema.
Each issue is themed around the front cover film, each cover is
different, however the template always stays the same.
It is distributed to over 500 outlets in the UK.
8. This magazine front cover
The title of this issue is simple yet effective
subverts the convention because it portrays the
of anchorage text as it is genre of horror without
at the side on the image. too many words. The
The typography in white image is what makes this
stands out, along with effective.
the writing looking like
blood, showing
conventions of a horror.
The blood dripping down the
face on the image has
The essential magazine connotations of the horror
information is inside the genre, the blood is also
circle at the top of the coming from her eyes which
cover. The masthead is looks like tears which can
included in this however show fear. The pale face can
it subverts the also show vulnerability and
conventions as it isn't the fear. The face is actually the
largest text on the cover. main aspect of this cover,
The tagline under the because it is bright and
name also explains stands out against the black
briefly about the hair and background. There
magazine. The barcode is is a direct mode of address
also on the front cover, in as the character is looking
this area as it is into the camera, attracting
conventional to have the the audience into the
barcode on the front. magazine.
