2. Front cover analysis – identifying conventions
Base Image
The base image of this magazine is a posed image of the
main characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy film.
The bright colours attracts the target audience and
persuades them to buy it. The colours used in all the text
are drawn from this image to create a cohesive piece. It is
layered underneath all other writing apart from the title
which is cut to lie underneath the characters’ heads.
Masthead
The title ‘Empire’ is written in a sans serif font. It is
effective since is it clear and the font can be easily
recognised as the signature Empire title. The font is sharp
and the colour is drawn from the background image
which draws together each of the features.
Cover Line
The cover line is “Guardians of the Galaxy” with the line
“Pump up the volume for vol.2 of Marvel’s interstellar
rogues” beneath it. It informs the reader about the main
article to attract buyers. It also links to the base image
since it describes the characters in the film. It draws the
eye as it is in a larger font and follows the theme of a
white clear font with a light outline of an ombréd green
and pink drawn from colours in the image.
Plug
The plugs on this magazine include “Arnie Special
Exclusive Interview and 30 years of The Running Man” It
gives information about the additional articles within the
magazine which are given extra attention. It attracts
readers as they want to read the article. It also follows the
colour and font theme.
Teaser
The teaser in this magazine names another article which
would be interesting to the reader; “On set of life: Ryan
Reynolds’ terrifying new space horror”. It is used to tempt
people to read the magazine.
Date
The date informs readers that this issue was released in
May 2017.
Price
The retail price of this magazine is £4.50
Audience
The socio-economic demographic of this magazine is A
(upper middle class) to D (working class). This is because
films are usually affordable to most people and appeal to
all depending on the topic. The psychographic profile of
this magazine are mainstreamers and explorers as the
magazine advertises new films which appeals to
mainstreamers as they can watch with their family and
also appeals to explorers as it offers a sense of adventure.
The uses and gratification of this magazine is to escape,
entertain, and for social interaction. Films often offer a
chance to escape into the story which is usually also
simultaneously entertaining. It can also be used for social
interaction as films often become discussion topics.
Tone
This magazine has an adventurous tone.
Mise en scène
The mise en scène in this magazine consists of characters dressed in their costumes with their props.
3. Front cover analysis – identifying conventions
Base Image
The base image of this magazine is a posed image of the
protagonist from the film “The Martian”. The colours used
in the text are drawn from this image to create a cohesive
piece such as the orange from his spacesuit. The bright
colours attracts the target audience and persuades them
to buy it. The image is layered underneath all other
writing except from the masthead.
Masthead
The title ‘Total Film’ is written in a clear sans serif font. It is
written in a capitalised block font which makes it easily
understandable. The iconic font style with the first word
cut out of the second makes for an easily recognisable
font and style which the audience can clearly spot.
Cover Line
The cover line is “The Martian” with the line “World
exclusive; Matt Damon goes interstellar in…” above it and
“This year’s gravity. Gritty, gripping… gardening?”
beneath it. It informs the reader about the main article
and summarises the plotline to attract buyers. It also links
to the base image since it describes the image from the
film. The large font and overlay draws the eye which
draws attention to this article.
Plug
The plugs on this magazine include “Featuring: Star Wars
∙ Batman V Superman ∙ Mockingjay PT 2 ∙ Sherlock” It
gives information about the additional articles within the
magazine which are given extra attention and attracts
readers as they want to read the articles. It also follows
the colour and font theme.
Teaser
The teaser in this magazine names other articles which
would be interesting to the reader; “Plus: Evangeline Lilly
∙ Bond’s world revealed ∙ Independence Day 2 ∙ The new
Spider-man”. It is used to tempt people to read the
magazine.
Date
The date informs readers that this issue was released in
September 2015.
Audience
The socio-economic demographic of this magazine is A
(upper middle class) to D (working class). This is because
films are usually affordable to most people and appeal to
all depending on the topic. The psychographic profile of
this magazine are mainstreamers and explorers as the
magazine advertises new films which appeals to
mainstreamers as they can watch with their family and
also appeals to explorers as it offers a sense of adventure.
The uses and gratification of this magazine is to escape,
entertain, and for social interaction. Films often offer a
chance to escape into the story which is usually also
simultaneously entertaining. It can also be used for social
interaction as films often become discussion topics.
Tone
This magazine has an adventurous tone.
Mise en scène
The mise en scène in this magazine consists of the protagonist from The Martian in his costume and holding his helmet.
Puff
The puff declares that the magazine contains “The world’s
best movie reviews” which serves to promote the
magazine and create an audience appeal.
