2. Masthead: The masthead is in a Skyline: In the case of this cover, the skyline
white bold sans serif uppercase is promoting new movies being made now
typeface, which stands out against and showing there is posters inside. This Colour Scheme/House Style: The
the contrasting blue background. It is alongside the images at the top make this colour scheme used is different
short and to the point and gives the eye-catching to the consumer buying the shades of blue and white. Using
consumer a clear idea what the magazine. different shades of the same colour
magazine is about already. to make certain parts stand out
gives the magazine a very
Buzzwords: Buzzwords such as professional look. Also the
‘Sneaky’ and ‘Basterds’ are used background image looks very
to sell the cover stories and attract mysterious which fits in with the
the reader to the stories in the theme of the main article on the
magazine and want to read on. detective Sherlock Holmes. The
They are written in bolder text layout is conventional, yet
than the description of the cover professional with the cover lines and
story as they need to catch the text, on either side of the main
eye of a consumer walking past image, following the rule of thirds.
the magazine.
Main Image: Mid shot, is in the
Main Cover Line: The main cover line on centre of the photo and is taken
this is simple and to the point. ‘Sherlock with direct address, a common
Holmes’ is a box office film and so the convention of a front cover. The
name alone sells itself. The two words image is in front of the masthead
are wrote in two different colours, one in to give it prominence over
white, one in blue, to both stand out anything else of the cover. This
although this is done tastefully and still also gives a 3D effect on the
matches the colour scheme of the cover. cover and connotes that the
It is written in serif font which contrasts magazine is so well known, the
to the masthead and also makes it stand masthead does not need to stand
out. Underneath the cover line is a small out for the consumer to identify
Barcode, date and website: These
description of what the article is about the magazine. Also the straight
conventions have to be included on the
(explanatory line) which is used to give face of Robert Downey Jr. gives a
magazine but are usually written in small
the reader an idea of what the article is mysterious look about him which
text. In the case of the barcode it has been
about ‘on set!’. matches the detective theme of
hidden in the bottom corner of the
magazine so it does not ruin the cover. ‘Sherlock Holmes’.
3. Masthead: The masthead is written in a Date & Issue Number: Sell Line: This sell line is very effective as it automatically
bold white sans serif font, this is a simple This has been hidden well makes the magazine more attractive than others to the
short masthead but it very effective and so it is visible to the consumer.
would stand out to the consumer. The white consumer but takes
matches with the white in the background nothing away from the House Style/Colour Scheme: The colours
of the American flag but also contrasts overall look of the cover. used are the red, white and blue of the
against the red and blue in the flag making American flag, this is clever as it matches
it eye-catching and powerful. Also the with the theme of this issue, ‘Captain
masthead is behind the main image which America’ and the flag in the background
connotes that the magazine is so well continues this theme. The colour yellow is
known, it does not have to be totally in view used making certain sections like the pug
for the consume to identify the magazine. stand out. The layout is conventional with
the main image in the centre with cover
lines surrounding it following the rule of
thirds. The text is rather small on this cover,
Pug: The pug is used to highlight a big
giving prominence to the main image,
selling point of the magazine, here it is
connoting the power of a superhero.
an insight into ‘marvel’s first avenger:
Captain America’. The pug is made to
stand out as it is the top layer of the
magazine and overlaps everything. Also Cover Lines: Other cover lines are placed
here, it is a contrasting colour to the at the side of the cover as this is the first
background to stand out. It is made to thing a consumer will see on a set of
look like a sticker. magazines laid out on a counter. The white
text against the white background is quite
hard to see at first glance.
Main Cover Line: Is written in sans serif
font and is in bold white writing to stand
out. It is layers over the top of the main
Main Image: Medium long shot, model
image and is in the centre of the page to
has a stern look and is wearing armour,
really catch the eye of the consumer. It is a
which connotes the power of ‘Captain
simple cover line ‘Captain America’ as the
America’ which also links to Laura
superhero’s identity sells itself. Underneath Barcode: The barcode here has Mulvey’s male gaze. It also gives it
is an explanatory line, giving the consumer been hidden well vertically at the prominence over anything else. It is
an idea on what the article is about. bottom of the page to take nothing taken with direct address and the straight
away from the cover. face, serious look in this image matches
the superhero identity. A glow is used to
Puff: The puff is usually used to promote a special feature of the issue, (a unique selling give Captain America a 3d effect.
point), for example here it is used to promote a sci-fi special. It is written in bold sans
serif font to stand out and also has a small picture to attract the consumer.
4. Main Image: Mid shot, taken with direct address. The pouting pose of the model and
Masthead: The masthead is written in a
the outfit she is wearing connotes a sexy classy vibe which matches with the theme of
serif font and is in large lettering, catching
the magazine. This is links into Laura Mulvey’s male gaze where woman are seen as
the consumers eye. It is yellow which objects and everyone view women from the view of a heterosexual male. This is seen
contrasts nicely with the red background here as the model Rosie Huntington Whiteley has been made to look sexy but also
to draw attention to it. Some of the classy, which is the vibe the magazine is looking to give off. Also there is continuity
masthead has been covered by the model with the red outfit which matches the red background.
which connotes that the identity of the
magazine is obvious, even without the full
masthead, although some of the
House Style/Colour Scheme:
masthead is also overlapping the model,
The colour scheme of yellow,
making it more prominent to the
white and red are contrasting
consumer.
colours which make the
magazine eye-catching to the
Price: The price is written in small lettering consumer. There is continuity
and is hidden away as it is an expensive throughout, (e.g. the red dress
magazine and so this is not a selling and red background) and the
point. deep red and serif font gives the
magazine a classy look also. The
Cover Lines: Other cover lines are layout of the cover is
placed in the 1st and 3rd section in the conventional, following the rule
rule of thirds, this is because it is the of thirds, with cover lines either
first thing a consumer sees on side of the main attraction to the
magazines laid out on a counter. They cover, the model.
are written in a bold sans serif font and
the white and yellow lettering stands out
against the red background.
Main Cover Line: Written in serif font to
kept continuity and the classy effect. It is Barcode: The barcode is well
in big lettering and takes over most of hidden, in the bottom right hand
the bottom third of the page, grabbing corner and does not take anything
the consumers attention. In this case, away from the rest of the cover.
the main cover line does not match that
of the main image which is uncommon in
most magazines.
5. Puff: The puff is a slogan that highlights a
Date and Website: These are
Masthead: The masthead is written selling point to the magazine, here this is the written in small text so they are
in a sans serif typeface, it is written fact it is india’s number 1 entertainment visible to the viewer but not
in bold lettering, bigger than any magazine. ruining the overall look of the
other text on the page to draw the
consumers attention to it. It is cover.
layered behind the main image
which connotes that the magazine is Main Image: Long shot, showing model very
very well known and the consumer smartly dressed, the image looks powerful
can identify it without it being and dominant which links to Laura Mulvey’s
obvious. Male Gaze theory in which men are seen as
the dominant gender. It is not taken with
direct address. The clothing the model is
Cover Lines: The cover lines are wearing connotes a modern sophisticated
placed down the first third of the look which is echoed throughout the
page, this is because this would be magazine. The model is the main focus of
the first thing a consumer would see this cover, this can be seen as he is the only
walking by magazines on a shelf. convention in the middle column of the
cover. This is to stand out and draw the
consumers attention to the photo of the well
known model. The model is also layered
over the cover drawing the attention of the
Barcode: The barcode is placed in
consumer.
the bottom right hand 3rd of the
cover, this is hidden well and takes
nothing away from the overall Main Cover Line: The main cover line is in
style/look of the cover. a big bold, serif typeface, grabbing the
attention of the consumer straight away. It
House Style/Colour Scheme: The colour scheme of this cover (red, is written in a different colour to the rest of
white and black) works well. The white and black gives a professional the text on the magazine, making it it eye-
look to the magazine, where the use of the red in the masthead for catching, however it is placed in the 3rd
example, makes this stand out to a consumer. There is also continuity third of the magazine, not overpowering
with the colour of the model’s clothing and the colour of the text. The the main image which is the focus of this
layout of the cover looks professional with the cover lines either side of cover. Underneath the cover line is an
the main focus of the cover, the main image in the centre. explanatory line, giving the consumer an
insight into the article.
6. Comparison
• The magazines ‘Total Film’ and ‘Empire’ are very similar in both genre (film) and layout. They have large text grabbing
the attention of the consumer. In both magazines, the main cover line is centered in the middle of the magazine,
making it one of the main attractions, along with the main image, on the cover.
• This is not the case when you compare these film magazines with a fashion magazine like ‘Vogue’. The text is much
smaller and located around the edges of the magazines as the main focus of a fashion magazine is the model.
• Strangely is this also the case for the international film magazine, ‘Filmfare’. The text is much smaller and located
around the edges and the main attraction of the cover is the main image and the model.
• In ‘Vogue’ we see that Laura Mulvey’s male gaze applies. This theory states that woman are seen in media texts from
the view of both a male and female viewing a media text. Woman are viewed as objects and this is evident to see in the
photo of Rosie Huntington Whiteley, who is dressed to look sexy and appeal to all audiences through the male gaze.
• In the other 3 magazines, the ‘Male Gaze’ also applies. There is a similarity in that the main image is all of men, who are
seen as powerful and strong . Laura Mulvey’s ‘male gaze’ applies here as it states that men are seen as the dominant
gender. This is the case on many film magazine covers and we rarely see a woman on her own. Usually a woman is seen
posing next to a dominant male.
