2. In order to create the image for my magazine front cover, I
Chose from an umbrella of different photographs that I had
Taken. The first image is meant to be slightly distorted as
I wanted a disturbing effect on the image. To get this outcome
I turned the camera on to a slow shutter speed and told
The character to shake her head. For the bottom image, I
Knew that it would be a base image for me to lay other
Pictures on top of and decided to get a long/ mid-shot.
I have also managed to capture the reflection of the victim
In the window. This creates a great effect on the audience
As it is like seeing double. Thus linking in with the plot line
Of the horror trailer. The top image is quite dark, and there are
shadows which have been created using artificial lighting. Again, this
Creates a double effect. I also knew that I could edit the lighting of this
Photo if I needed to on Photoshop. I took the bottom photo during
The day to catch the natural lighting and highlight the features of the
Old Victorian house which is featured in our horror trailer. The
character in the bottom image is composed in such a way that tells the
audience that she is unsure about this house, so is looking over her
shoulder to keep and eye out in case anything weird is happening.
It also suggests that this victim needs to keep a look out at all times and makes her seem in a
Vulnerable state as she’s unsure of her surroundings. Because her hand is holding a gate, this
Connotes that she has strength, as well as being vulnerable. Making her appear as the last
Girl standing as a stock character.
3. To create this image, a lot of work had to be done on photoshop, which involved
Playing around with different styles and techniques, until I came out with this as
The end result. To make the last girl standing stand out, I had to use a lassoo tool to
Highlight her and edit the lighting. This made her skin a lot more place and vibrant.
I had to do this to show that she is playing an important character in the trailer.
Although there is only a small amount of the house left in the front cover, if someone
Had watched the trailer prior to seeing this magazine, then they would understand
What it is about. However, as I have made the alter-ego transparent, we can still make
Out what is behind her. I decided to use an image of the alter-ego and cut it out in
Photoshop so that I could transfer it on to the base of my magazine and make it
Transparent. The reason her face is so large on the front cover is to connote how much
Of a big roll she plays in the trailer even though we see a small amount of her as she
Has control over the male villain. Like my poster, the transparency of the alter-ego
Suggests that she isn’t there in real life but is in the mind of the villain as he has
Schizophrenia. As the victim is staring right at the alter-ego on the front cover, it creates
A creepy atmosphere as it is ghost like and she has no idea what awaits her.
My front cover is faded in to black at the top. This makes the tagline of the magazine standout. It also shows the faint
Vignette that I have place around the outside of my magazine so that the audience focus more in to the centre of the
Magazine and get drawn in by it first as the image is quite striking and unusual.
The victim is wearing a tight black top and tight jeans. This creates emphasis on the female body, which brings me to the
Theory of the male gaze. The magazine has one sexualised character on it which would appeal mostly to the male
Community, but also female as she is quite covered up and there is only a side view of her, which is what females like to see
In a photo, rather than looking at a female straight on, as it accentuates the curves and gives body of empowerment for
Female readers. I have also edited the face in order to smooth out any blemishes and spots, this creates a more airbrushed,
Hollywood look, which audiences are more interested in as it is more pleasing on the eye balls. I have then edited the lips to
Make them pop and outline the traits of femininity. Even though the female is airbrushed. The colour black stands for
Strength and courage.
4. For my masthead, I used a bold font which is extremely similar to Total Film magazine, in order to create the same look
For my magazine in order to make it look professional. I have also added in ‘total’ to make it look the same. I have used
A red font here in order for it to stick out to the audience and catch the eye of individuals as most magazine covers use
The colour red as it is very inviting. To achieve the tagline which is featured above the title of the magazine, I used a
More slender looking font, then fitted it within the same widths as the title to create a balanced and appealing look.
I have coloured the tagline as white so that it sticks out against the background which is very dark and it tells the
Audience that this magazine is for ‘modern’ movies, so most film lovers would like to buy it if they want to keep up to
Date on what films are being released, reviews etc. I have then placed the website of the magazine, the date, issue
Number and price as that is what total film magazine does. For the magazine issue I chose ‘666’ as it is like a horror
Issue, however still incorporating other genres as it needs to be for everyone, and not just one selection of people who
Enjoy horror. The website is very good for people who want to read beyond the magazine and have a high interest in
Films and want to pursue their hobbies. It opens wider paths and connects with a much wider audience, as it is
Easily accessible. Another interesting point about my masthead is that the ‘M’ dips down in to the head of the victim.
This is a common factor in many magazines. I borrowed this technique and developed in my own way to make it look
Realistic and professional.
Here is a real total film masthead which
I borrowed the technique from.
5. For the title of the film I have used the same type of font that has been featured in our horror trailer and my poster, so
That all three pieces look like a package instead of separate pieces. The font colour is plain and white, just like in the
Trailer. The other reason why I chose a white font is because it stands out against the darker background image, and it
Gives the front cover more support as it can stick out from it and the audience can read it easily at first glance . I have
Placed ‘the girl’ in a smaller font, which hangs above ‘next’ and slightly drapes on to the d of ‘door’ This is a good effect
That total film magazine uses in order to make the text stand out, but make sure it isn’t too large so that it blocks the
Image off and becomes less interesting for people to look at.
Below the title of the film, I have used a banner which features the words “exclusive preview” which is very common in
Magazines as it entices the read to pick up the issue as the magazine is offering the target audience exclusive audience,
That only this magazine can give them, unlike another film magazine which may not have the same content in it.
I used the term “hide yo kids hide yo wife” as it looks funny and it was a hit video that was floating around on the internet
Some time ago, this would reach out to another target audience if they’re a fan of the internet and films, which they
Most likely will be. The wording also would connect with the horror theme of the magazine, telling people to hide their
Relatives because scary stuff happens at Halloween. Like total magazine, I featured my exclusive banner in a yellow font,
However I decided to have a banner as well so that it would stick out more without
Cluttering up my front cover too much and making it look cheap and tacky.
6. Like total film I designed a plus section so that it could feature other
Little details in about what is inside the magazine other than the
Girl next door. I used the pale blue colour as the image is already
Quite striking and attracts the audience well. But also the blue
Conveys a sad and dark emotion that ties in with the horror genre.
I used the colour grey which ties in with my exclusive banner. I aimed
To fit all of the colours together on my front cover so it looked
Like the house style. Unlike Total Film plus section, I have also I
Included some detail about each subheading, just so that the
Readership can get a bit of info on what they will be reading and what
Else will feature in this magazine. I have placed the plus section which slides down the victims
Back and is equally as long as the plus section. A reason that I did this was because the back
Isn’t a main part of the image that I wanted people to look at so it doesn’t take away from the
Front cover of my magazine. Another convention that I have followed during the process of
Of making my magazine is the big and bold plus section . This makes it stand out against the
Background and gives it a pop effect that makes it stand out.
7. I added a banner at the bottom of my page in order to follow the
Conventions of total film magazine. This also links in with the horror theme
Of my magazine as it features a few horror movies that will be included
Inside the magazine issue. Instead of doing a comic book strip like
Total films had done for their special comic book issue, I created little
Icons which are at slanted angles to conform to horror. The reason that I
Have slanted my pictures is because it hints to the sign of insanity and
Creates a creepy look about it as it isn’t laid out straight. I put borders
Around each icon in order for them to stand out against the dark background
So that the target audience will be inclined to look at this part of the front
Cover as well as the rest of it as it might be interesting for them.
I have made a sub banner above these images in order to tell the reader
That there will be “more screams”. The word scream in this context also
Goes along with the horror theme that I have set out. I have made it the same
Colour as the plus section so that it fits with the house style and ties in
Nicely. The text is in a darker colour which stands out against the lighter
Colour and is easier for the audience to read.
8. I have mostly followed my initial flat plan, however I had made many alterations in order for it to fit in with how
Total film magazine looks. My first draft included the title being up top and a tagline being below, which didn’t look
Very professional. I also cut out the alter-egos face and put it in the window, however I made it more transparent so
That it didn’t look to blunt. I decided to change this to make it look more original and realistic. Which is why I enlarged
The face of the alter ego and made a lot of alterations in order for it to look more airbrushed and Hollywood style.
I am very glad that I made these alterations and played around with the draft of my front cover, as my front cover
Now looks a lot more realistic and conventional rather than my first draft of the front cover.
9. LAST MINUTE CHANGES
After finishing my front cover, I decided that I could
Add on more techniques to make it apply more to the
Horror genre. What I decided to do was add a red tinted
Vignette around the edge, rather than just a plain black
One. This adds to the effect of blood and connects with
The villain as he murders people. Like my poster I have
Added a brush on effect to the title. This makes it look
Like someone has been cut and has been dragged along.
I was going to add a brown mud effect which would convey the
Last girl standing that gets dragged along the forest,
However this wouldn’t have looked good so I stuck with the
Red. I have also changed my plus section to red instead
Of a purple colour. This shocks the audience as it stands
Out so much and links in with the horror genre as it
Represents blood, danger etc. In addition to the text
“more screams” is in a blotchy red colour. I though that all of these
Changes were necessary and showed the horror genre more
obviously. I have also made the alter-ego black and white so that she
Is just noticeable and portrays her characters role in the trailer more
Vividly. I have also used a distorted paintbrush tool which I have
Drawn across her face and turned down the opacity. This adds to
The blood effect, again making a link with the villain and his
Murderous ways.
10. Overall, I am extremely pleased with the
Outcome of my magazine because it follows
Most of the conventions of total film magazine
And looks a lot more professional than my draft
Of it. I used many Photoshop techniques so
That I could make the images stand out and
Be more effective for the audience so that it
Catches their eye. I am very happy with how
My front cover ties in with our horror trailer
Because it shows connections and ties in very
Nicely to look like a complete package.
It also include two characters who are featured
In the horror trailer. One playing a minor yet
Very important role, and the other playing a
Important role on the females behalf as the
Last girl standing and comes across as a
Vulnerable yet powerful person.
