2. I am going to produce a magazine front cover for my film
I am going to create. This is part of one of my ancillary
tasks and in order to create an effective and attractive
magazine front cover I must research into them.
3. The main function of a film magazine is the image. The image
must be eye catching and interesting in order for an audience to
gain attention to the magazine.
The title is also a main function as the audience need to know what
the film is called in order for them to actually then go along and
watch it.
Overall I think the image is the most important function of the
magazine. it takes up the majority or the space and is in general
much more interesting than the title of the film. Therefore it is
important that I create a magazine front cover with a image that
sticks within an audiences heads.
Furthermore, the Masthead, coverlines , price, date and barcode
are all stereotypical functions of a magazine front cover so it is
important for me to include these so that it looks realistic.
4. The layout of the magazine is quite busy. The main cover line is yellow which is generally used to catch attention.
The mass of people within the image also Due to the fact that the image is rather bright and colourful, it is also
adds to this busy image. The masthead is important for the main cover line to be eye catching otherwise the name
placed as suspected at the top so an of the film loses its importance as it cannot be easily recognised. The text
audience are aware of the magazine name under the cover lines vary from being left, right and centre aligned which
and they can easily recognise it. The main makes the magazine from a young persons point of view more interesting
cover line is the biggest and links to the to look as its not just a boring chunk of text.
image. It is also yellow which is generally The date it placed at the top of the
used to draw attention to it. Two other magazine indicating immediately to an
cover lines are used which are smaller and audience that this is the “latest issue”.
are “dotted” around the page. I think this The placement of the date is also typical
layout links to the target audience; a for a magazine so an audience would
young audience as there is lots of different automatically look there to find the
things happening in different places and date.
an older audience would expect more of a “Super geeky...Super horny”
structure to the layout; smarter. This links to the genre of comedy and
A variety of colours have been used to would attract its target audience of a
catch an audiences attention. Due to the young generation. “Super geeky”
fact that the target audience is of a challenges the stereotypical view of
younger generation, including a variety “Superbad” which links to the genre
of colours is a great way to catch their and would interest an audience as its
attention. Its bright, colourful and The two main characters are different to what you typically see. “
cheerful which links to the genre and as shown on the front of the Super horny” then links to the age of
a whole draws your attention to the magazine. These characters are the target audience and may draw in
magazine. unique selling points as they are “typically” younger males. There is a
The same font has been used throughout well known for their roles in link between “horny” and the image
(except the typical font for the masthead). I comedies. The females are not of the girls exposing most of their
think using the same font is important as the identified but link to the film bodies, this again would draw male
magazine is very busy therefore if different and the idea of these geeks attention as the female body is
fonts were used it would make the magazine challenging the typical idea of something they “crave”.
too busy and look unprofessional. “bad” ie “cool” people.
5. The layout is neat and simple. The A variety of different fonts have been The main image is large and central
main cover line and masthead are used which works well on this poster drawing an audiences attention
placed at the top so an audience can because its quite simple and clean cut. firstly on the character. As well as
easily recognise the films name and Adding the different fonts makes the being the main character she is also
the name of the magazine. there is a poster more interesting as the text isn't the unique selling point for the film,
continuous orange and white theme a boring chunk of writing. so it is important that an audience
that works well together and looks can see her clearly. Having an
professional and eye catching. attractive person is also a good way to
The cover lines have been placed draw in an audience especially on a
accordingly around the main image magazine. If the person on the front
so that the main character/unique is attractive it is more likely that a
selling point is not over crowded my reader will purchase the magazine.
text or the text distracts an audience As well as having the character as the
from the image; as the image is the main image, the background is also
main part of the poster. The cover important as it reflects the film.
lines range in sizes accordingly to Along with the bow and arrow, her
the importance of them and serious facial expression and the
importance. The bigger the more green wood it creates the effect that
eye catching and are the pages the genre is of a action type and there
within the magazine the producers is going to be some sort of fight. This
of the magazine think would then also links to the name of the
persuade a reader to purchase the film The Hunger “games” and the
magazine. idea that it is a “game” reflects this
fighting aspect.
The date is placed at the top of The colour orange has been used to catch an audiences attention quickly. The
the magazine. This is the orange writing also links to the orange part of the main characters clothing which
stereotypical placement for works well as the magazine then looks smart and professional. The white writing
the date, making it easy for a contrasts to her black clothing which also then makes the magazine stand out
reader to point out. more.
6. Personally I don't like the layout of this Similar fonts have been used so The date is placed at the top of the
magazine, I do like the idea that its not a magazine looks professional yet magazine; this is the typical place for
typical structure for a magazine so the still interesting instead of the the date to be placed making it easy for
uniqueness is eye catching but I don’t like same boring font being used. a reader to find the date because its in
the use of three images and I don’t think it Bold and italics have also been the typical place. Both the price and
looks professional as it doesn't look like a used to make the magazine barcode are also in the typical area; at
typical magazine. more interesting and eye the bottom. Having the price specially
catching. at the bottom creates the impression
The masthead is at the top so an audience that the price shouldn't be an
can easily recognise the name of the important factor in choosing whether
magazine and what it connotes. Its big and to purchase the magazine or not. You
bold and can be easily read which would should be focusing on the
dwell well with a reader. image/images and the cover
The main cover line is the biggest, links to lines/content of the magazine.
the images and also is bright yellow. Yellow is Mainly dark colours have been used to
typically used to catch attention and it is reflect the genre and events within the
exactly what it is doing here. It creates the film. The colours create a dark
effect that its very important and that you mysterious sense which links to their
should watch the film. The yellow is also facial expression also (in the main
used to show an audience that the magazine image). Yellow has been used to gain
is a “SPECIAL COLLECTORS EDITION” this attention to the magazine in the hope
then reflects the idea that the film is that a reader will take interest and
“special” and it is important that you watch purchase the magazine because they
the film and purchase the magazine. like the film/the characters within the
film.
The main image is large and centred drawing a readers attention directly to the picture. The image is a close up of the
two main characters faces creating the impression that you should focus on their faces/expressions because they are
important. The use of the close up is also effective as these characters are the unique selling points for the film and
are well known loved and therefore it is easier for an audience to recognise them if their faces take up the majority of
the page. The other images also show parts of the film, giving an audience more information and luring them in
more so because they are presented with images, leaving them questioning what happening encouraging them to
purchase the magazine and watch the film.
7. The layout surrounds the image The fonts used reflect the genre and typical “blood
and doesn't overlap important writing” which is good as it links to the scary image and
parts of the image. I like the idea shows a reader the genre of the film.
that the evil character isn't
instantly seem as it then creates The colours are scary and scary
the impression that the film is full which relates to the genre of horror.
of surprises and that it is jumpy Red is also used to catch a readers
which what a horror audience attention and it also connotes blood
wants. Personally although the which again links to the genre.
layout doesn't clash with the
The main image consists of three
image I don't think it works very
people; which creates the effect that
well and doesn't look very
these people are the main characters
professional. and their roles are very important in
the film. The front two characters
The masthead is situated at the faces link to the idea of being scared
top of the magazine, making it which links to the genre. The fact that
easy for an audience to recognise these two characters are in front of
it. It is also the stereotypical place the “evil” character creates the effect
for a masthead to be so it will be that they don't know he is there. This
the first place a reader looks to creates a jumpy effect as they are
find it. obviously running away from the man
but he keeps appearing.
The cover lines are of all similar sizes. This is un-stereotypical for a magazine font cover as usually they vary in size
and importance. I like the idea that this then creates the effect that all the other sections within the magazine are
of equal importance making an reader take note in every cover line. On the other hand, I think they blend in too
much and none of the cover lines (except the main cover line) stands out, making the magazine appear to be
boring.
8. The layout is very busy on the left The barcode and price are both at
hand side but it is effective as it the bottom of the page which is
The main cover line stands out the most as it
gives a reader lots of information where they typically are placed on
is the largest and boldest. It is also very
about the context of the magazine. a magazine cover. Having the
effective as it links to the main image;
It also doesn't get in the way of the price at the bottom of the page
making it easy for an audience to identity the
image yet I don't think there is the would suggest that the price
image and its purpose. The other cover lines
correct balance on the page shouldn't be a leading factor when
are of a similar size making them all seem as
because of the heavy amount of purchasing the magazine.
“important” as each other. I personally don't
information/images on the left
like this and I think they should be of
hand side.
different sizes as otherwise the magazine
The masthead is bold, in capitals
looks boring. On the other hand the main
and in bright red which catches an
cover line is bigger and so is a cover line
audiences attention quickly. It is
advertising winning DVDs, which creates the
placed at the top of the magazine
effect that it is a important aspect the
cover so an audience can easily
magazine producers want their audience to
recognise the magazine name and
take into account when purchasing the
is also in red which connotes blood
magazine. As they think advertising winning
and links to the genre of the film
DVDs would encourage an audience to
and in general the genre of the
purchase the magazine.
magazine; horror.
The magazine consists of a dark The main image is very unnatural and
image relating to the horror genre. gruesome which would appeal to a horror
As a whole the magazine is very lover audience and also represents the
bright and eye catching. Red has film well. It takes up the majority of the
been used a lot and is a good colour A variety of different fonts have been space which creates the effect that it is an
to use as it catches attention used. The variety of fonts gains and important part of the magazine and that
quickly. It is also a good colour to maintains interest as the magazine you should take note/look at it. I
use because it links to blood which seems more interesting but at the personally don't think you can see the
links to horror. same time it can be seen as too image as well as you should be able to see
overpowering and unprofessional. it as there is text over crowding it.
Personally I prefer using three fonts.
9. I personally think the layout works very The masthead is placed
well, it is clean and simple and your stereotypically at the top of the The main cover line is big and bold
attention is mainly focused on the image magazine making it stand out and contrasts to the main characters
which is the main part of the magazine. and be easily recognisable to a black outfit which looks attractive and
The main image is the most reader. stands out. I like the idea that the
powerful part of the magazine. It only thing on the front of this
is the largest and most eye magazine is information about
catching part and is the first thing “Batman”. This creates the effect that
that catches an audiences the producers of the magazine believe
attention. It shows the main that advertising just “Batman” is
character of the film and his enough to make a reader to purchase
stance and his facial expression the magazine because “Batman” is
creates the effect that he is a very such a iconic, popular character.
strong and serious character.
“2012 PREVIEW!...43 NEW FILMS”
A dark colour scheme is used which
this is placed in a yellow circle. In
links to “Batman's” iconic black
terms of colour, this stands out the
outfit, the name of the film “The
most and would encourage an
‘Dark’ Knight Rises” and the action
audience to purchase the magazine
genre. Using the white writing
because it is seen to be important as it
works very well as it contrasts to
is in capitals and the idea of it being a
the image and overall colour
“preview” also creates the effect that
scheme and stands out making it
inside the magazine there is
easier for an audience to recognise
information nobody else has seen. “43
what the film is.
new films” would also encourage a
The typical font for the name of the The date is placed at the reader to purchase the film as
magazine is used so that an audience can top of the magazine which obviously anyone who is looking at
easily recognise the magazine. Four other is typical and makes it this magazine would be interested in
fonts are used which works well as there easy for a reader to “films “ and therefore being exposed
isn’t a lot of writing on the page, therefore identity if the magazine is to 43 new films would be exciting
it makes the magazine more interesting to the “latest issue”. because the amount and the fact that
look at and read because of the variety. they are new.
10. For all of the posters and magazine front covers you can see a link between them. Although
the genre may be apparent in the saw poster/magazine it is not recognisable that it is the
same film based on the images. Whereas for Superbad, The Hunger Games, Friday 13th,
New Moon and The Dark Knight Rises the link between the two is there as the main
characters can be pointed out. The images for Friday 13th and The Dark Knight Rises are
especially similar. Having similarities between the poster and magazine front cover helps
an audience identity with the film which would then gain more interest in the film and
would encourage an audience more so to watch the film because they keep seeing it.
11. In conclusion I have found there are many things I should do in order for my
magazine to be effective and look like a professional magazine front cover.
Make sure my layout doesn’t over crowd my image and make the cover look
cluttered. “less is more”
Use a variety of cover lines, varying them in size of importance to keep an
audience interested and make the most important parts of the magazine stand
out.
My main cover line must be the biggest/boldest and should link to my main
image.
I should place my masthead at the top of the magazine front cover so my
audience can recognise it easier.
The date should be at the top of the page and contrasting the price and barcode
should be at the bottom.
Colours should be used accordingly to the genre of the film, and using yellow is
a good and typical colour to use to draw attention to the magazine.
I should use a couple of different fonts but not too many as the magazine may
become too busy and look unprofessional
My main image should be eye catching, cantered, big and not over powered by
text.
