1. Textual Analysis of
Film Magazine Covers
Yasmin Watkins
Science Fiction Adventure
Action Thriller
Psychological Thriller

2. Science Fiction Adventure
Psychological Thriller
Action Thriller
* I have chosen these three covers because the first two are
part of the thriller genre that I aim for my own film trailer to
conform to.
* The second two both feature a female protagonist, which I
aim to do on my own magazine front cover, thus it can give
me ideas on how to pose my own models during the shoot for
this

3. Straplines
*Conventions
Masthead
of a Film
Magazine
Front Cover
Main
Coverline
(featuring the film title)
Coverlines
Coverlines
Coverlines
Coverlines
Main Image
Strapline
Barcode
 Using the skills learnt during my
foundation portfolio
coursework, I know the
conventions for a typical
magazine front cover layout.
 However, the differences are that
there are a lot more coverlines to
inform the audience and that the
bottom coverline isn’t always
used, in favour of space for more
coverlines

4. *Layout Analysis
Strapline
informs audience of
a non-film titled
article for film
enthusiasts
Main Coverline
the main film title
featured
Masthead
largest text size to
highlight the title of
the magazine branding
Tagline
Further information for
the reader, to emphasise
main title
Main Image
this is the most
emphasised part of
the front cover
Coverlines
includes the names
of more film titles
Strapline
Barcode
includes the names of
more film titles to further
attract the reader
is placed in the
bottom right-hand
side of the page
Publication
Company Logo
gives the magazine
authenticity and trust in
the magazine

5. Textual Analysis:
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While there are two smaller images included on the
front cover, the main emphasis is still placed on the
main image, with a transparent background behind
any text
There are about 4 different type faces used, which
make the page looking attractive, with the different
texts used for different articles. Furthermore, the
contrast between the emboldened and regular text
emphasises the former.
The character in the main image is not making
direct contact with the audience looking at the
magazine. This is because it looks like he is
contemplating something, with a gun in his hand
which helps to persuade the reader to buy the
magazine to read more about the film.
This air of mystery is emphasised by the setting/ his
surroundings in the main image.

6. *Layout Analysis
Main Image
this is the most
emphasised part of
the front cover
largest text size to
highlight the title of
the magazine branding
to further persuade the
reader
Coverlines
Main Coverline
includes the names
of more film titles
the main film title
featured; text size
is almost as large as
the masthead
Further information for
the reader, to emphasise
main title
acts as a tagline for
the magazine’s title
to appeal to its
readers
Masthead
Insert
Tagline
Strapline
Barcode
Publication
Company Logo
gives the magazine
authenticity and trust in
the magazine
is placed in the
bottom right-hand
side of the page

7. Textual Analysis:
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The main female protagonist is dressed in
black, giving a sense of authority and purpose in the
way she holds the gun.
Her lack of eye contact with the audience suggests a
motive that the audience is unaware of until they
watch the film
The background’s orange colour suggests the film’s
set somewhere exotic, or could connnote explosions
because of its action genre
Its lack of revealing backdrop allows the coverlines
and ‘Double Depp!’ coverlines to have a black
background
Uses the simple
and black colour
scheme, aside from the main image
The main character is placed in the middle of the
page to allow coverlines overlap onto the image on
each side

8. *Layout Analysis
Main Image
Masthead
largest text size to
highlight the title of
the magazine branding
this is the most
emphasised part of
the front cover
Tagline
Further information for
the reader, to emphasise
main title
Insert
to further persuade the
reader
Extra Images
Main Coverline
these are to further
attract the intended
audience because of the
interactive issue
the main film title
featured; text size
is almost as large as
the masthead
Straplines
Adds further articles
that are in the
magazine
Publication
Company Logo
Barcode
gives the magazine
authenticity and trust in
the magazine
is placed in the
bottom right-hand
side of the page

9. Textual Analysis:
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Similarly to Salt, the female protagonist wears black
to connote power/ importance
This interactive issue uses a white, black, red and
yellow colour scheme to attract the reader to this
issue
The main coverline ‘The Hunger Games’ is placed in
the middle of the page, overlapping the main image
because of its high-profile
It uses a quote –likely from a review from an article
within the magazine, as a tagline to persuade the
target audience
Uses possessive pronouns like ‘your’ to directly
address the reader
The fiery background connotes danger and
destruction, as described by the three minor
alliterated taglines
The ‘Mockingjay’ pin is also seen to the left of the
page, which would allow film enthusiasts/ those
who’ve read the book to further analyse the film

10. * In all 3 magazines, the character
on the front is placed in the
middle third
* The Hunger Games’ front cover
conforms to the rule of the thirds
the best, with the ‘interactive
issue’ insert in line with the
lower thirds
* In all 3, the masthead ‘Total Film’
lays on the top line, allowing it to
take up the top thirds
*