2. Total Film magazine The use of the bold, contrasting blue in the text is significant to anchoring the magazine and the film. Clearly, the focus of this issue is the film ‘valkyrie”. The very fact that the majority of the text is white, (with the exception of one) again stresses the importance of the film. Denotation; The presentation of the ‘total film’ cover seems neat and crisp, yet, far from boring. The use of an obvious colour scheme (blue, white and black) allows the cover to look fresh. The use of the blue text allows the audiences to see the seriousness of the film also. Additionally, the presentation of the cover certainly appears to follow the conventions of other film magazine covers. With the main image of the magazine partially covering the title, it allows the icon, tom cruise, to become the primary and focal attention of the audience. Nonetheless, the familiar and recognisable font of the title allows the audience to see what magazine it is. The image of tom cruise is placed precisely in the middle of the page, again implicating the dominance of his character as well as the magazine. Connotation; the purpose of this magazine is to better itself from its rivals by making audiences want to buy it. The large image of the idolised, Tom Cruise would attract audiences to this magazine. Despite the enticing icon, it is the deliberate positioning of text and image, the crisp colour scheme, and the attractive extras that make the viewers want to purchase the magazine. The dark background allows both the bright text, and the enlarged image to stand out against it, gripping the potential audience’s attention.
3. Empire magazine The title of the film in which the magazine is promoting certainly stands out, reading “green zone” in white bold text. The use of white in this text clearly stands out from the fiery colours, which seem to dominate the page. Denotation: Following the conventions of a typical magazine, ‘empire’ magazine has deliberately placed the main image in the middle, almost overwhelming the page. This will entice the audience. The image has partially covered the title of the magazine, thus stressing the importance of the image, making it the primary focus. Connotation: the focal purpose of this magazine front cover is to promote the film. With an engaging image, depicting the icon matt Damon, it certainly succeeds in doing so. Additionally, the use of such contrasting colours allows the cover to grip the attention of the reader, as, even in a still frame, the magazine succeeds in portraying it as the action-packed film it is. Finally, its fiery colour scheme suggests the films explosive nature. Additionally, the image itself seems exciting and intense. The seriousness of Mat Damon’s face creates this almost heroic figure; this is emphasized by his military-like uniform and the explosive fire in the background. Despite being partially covered, the title is in no way undermined. The brightness and boldness of the title is recognisable to audiences. People will straight away know what magazine it is.
