Empire Magazine Double Page Spread Textual Analysis

1. Empire Magazine Double Page Spread Textual Analysis
The July 2013 issue of the Empire magazine has the masthead in small font on
the left page to the left hand side at the top of the page. The multi-tone blue and
white text that tells the audience that the film is in cinemas is located below the
small masthead while the main image spans across whole 1st page and half of the
second page. The feature article is located on the 4th half of the double page
spread. A date is located at the top of the 4th half and the title of the film, which
the article is about, is located beneath that in large bold black font. The
information about the film is located beneath the title but above where the
article starts. The article starts about half way down on the 4th half and is
comprised in 2 columns with no drop cap in the feature article. However the first
line is in bold which gives the audience a place to start in the article. At the
bottom of the page there’s a banner with star reviews from film critics. To the
bottom left of the 1st page there’s a list of facts in blue and black boxes also
there’s a blue arrow coming from the main image pointing to the start of the
feature article.
The colours in the background of the main image are primarily shades of white
then the secondary colour is black that is used around the lights in the
background. The lighting in the background is created from lights that are a part
of the set of the main image, which is a still image from a scene of the film, which
the main article is about. The colours on the character to the left are a golden
yellow colour for his uniform and his trousers are a dark navy. Also the silver
badge and the silver strips around the wrist show how he is of higher
importance than the other character in the main image. This can also been seen
by him being further forward and over lapping the masthead of the double page
spread. The other character who is in a similar uniform but with a blue uniform
and 1 less silver strip around the wrist appears well maintained compared to the
other character.
The characters are white males however the one in blue is an alien but is
humanoid with most human features. The characters both appear to be high
class due to their uniforms and are both looking towards the same point in the
setting. Also both of the characters are in the same posture which shows how
their alike despite their difference in importance which can show how they see
each other as equals so this shows their strong friendship in the narrative of the
film. Their facial expressions are the same but are slightly focused and shocked
from what they see which gives the double page spread a very powerful image
when all the conventions and technical codes compliment each other. The make
up on the characters are almost opposite as the character on the left is bruised,
dirty and has his own blood on his face while the other character has a
symmetrical hair cut and pointy ears which shows how he’s different from the
other character in the main image. In the main image there are no props
however this can be supported by the use of a very high detailed background,
which is futuristic and is out of focused while the character on the left is in focus
with the other character being slightly out of focused. The main characters are
on either side of the centre of the frame, which relates to their equality and
importance in the narrative of the hybrid genre film.

2. The shot used is a low angle medium shot, which gives both of the characters an
imposing power effect despite them being the heroines of the hybrid genre film.
The main character is overlapping the masthead and is in full focus while the
other character is slightly out of focus. While the background is partly out of
focus which blurs the edges but keeps the details noticeable for the audience.
The photo is smooth with full colour and many shades created by the lighting
from the setting in the background. There is no typography that is a part of the
image, which can show how the main image by itself is so important to the film.