Analysis of Empire, Total Film and Diabolique Magazines

1. ANALYSIS OF 3
ANCILLARY PRODUCTS
3 Film Magazines
Empire, Total Film & Diabolique

2. Empire is a monthly British film magazine. It’s the best selling film
magazine in the country and publishes art and mainstream film
reviews. The price of the magazine (£3.99) is placed above the ‘M’ in
the masthead. This is a reasonably priced magazine as it is widely
popular. The target audience for the magazine is perhaps the middle
class, those who are film fanatics and are above the age of 25 as not
many young people will buy a magazine for simply a few film reviews
and information that they could discover online. The price however is
not that easy to spot (typically the price of a magazine is placed near
the barcode) and the use of a white text contrasts heavily against the
white background making it difficult to spot unless the consumer were
to pick up the magazine. Though the price is something that
magazine will make less noticeable it still will be make the decision
whether or not to purchase it.
‘The Dark Knight returns…’ The mention of
the highly rated and successful film, The Dark
Knight, the magazine reaches out to a certain
(and wide) audience and immediately grasps
their attention. It is cleverly placed across the
top of the page, above the magazine’s
masthead, signifying the importance of the
words, gripping the consumers attention and
meaning that it is the magazine’s skyline. The
magazine is using The Dark Knight as it is
arguably Christopher Nolan’s most successful
film to date and the introduction of his new film
Inception creates excitement and entices
audiences. The magazine could perhaps be
referring to Christopher Nolan as The Dark
Knight, informing audiences that he is back
with another highly anticipated film. This
makes the consumers / anyone who enjoyed
and is a fan of The Dark Knight wonder as to
how it has returned and question what the
coverline is suggesting and finally it
communicates a similar genre to audience,
which is of course action.
The masthead of the magazine is the word ‘EMPIRE’ the typography of which is presented in bold,
capital sans serif lettering that creates a simplistic, easily read look to the masthead. The masthead
itself is the most important magazine as it is the feature that readers will identity with, similar to a logo
on a product. The placement of it being across the top of the page highlights its importance to
readers. The use of bold lettering allows for it to be easy to see from a distance and makes it almost
impossible to miss by consumers. The masthead uses the colour red to entice potential readers. This
colour is particularly stimulating colour, its highly visible (helpful for attracting readers attention) and
gets people to make quick decisions. The colour makes for a large impact on readers emotions, it
creates feelings of passion, anger, action and danger which may be a means to communicate the
film’s genre to its audiences. The masthead has been superimposed by the main image which still
makes the masthead stand out and gives it more of an edgy yet professional theme. This feature is
artistic and doesn’t make front cover look crowded but still manages to fit a lot of information of the
cover.
‘Christopher Nolan’s’ this part of the anchorage text is written just above the middle of the front cover. The typography is a sans serif
font, giving the magazine a modern and classical look and the bold, capital letters enables it to stand out and easy to read. This part of
the anchorage text informs the reader of the film’s director, Christopher Nolan, an acclaimed and widely loved due to his previous
successes (The Dark Knight for instance) this was perhaps chosen to be on the front cover as it catches the attention of those who love
Christopher’s films and previous work. This part is also shown in the colour white which is a contrasting colour against Leonardo
DiCaprio’s dark navy/black costume. This colour is an complete opposite to black (which is an additional colour to the colour scheme on
the front cover. ‘Inception’ is the second part to the anchorage text and is shown in bold, red lettering so that it is impossible for
consumers to miss and grabs their attention. It informs the reader the name of the film that is being advertising. Much like the masthead,
red is a stimulating colour and is therefore one of the first things that consumers will see when they look at the magazine. Together the
anchorage is super imposed over the top of the main image and is cleverly positioned in the middle of the front cover and highlights the
importance of the film title.
The coverlines include popular, mainstream films such as ‘Batman’, ‘Thor’ and ‘Toy Story’. The coverlines have used an
interesting titling effect, which is I believe is unique and eye-catching. It’s almost as though the main image of Leonardo
DiCaprio is acting as a magnet to the words, pulling them towards him. The mention of previously successful films widens the
target audience as Toy Story and Batman are both of different target audiences and helps for the magazine to appeal to both.
The main image on Empire’s front cover, occupying the most space and is of the famous, easily
recognised and acclaimed American actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, in the character of Cobb for the film
Inception. The use of Leonardo on the front cover of the magazine catches lovers of the actor in order
to purchase the magazine to find out more. The image itself is placed directly in the middle of the front
cover, so the coverlines almost revolve around the image, it also helps to communicate the
importance of DiCaprio’s role. The mise-en-scene in the costume of the model shows DiCaprio
dressed formally and in a classy, dark suit with his hair smoothed back which suggests that his
character is serious and connotes potential wealth and power. His facial expression suggests that he
is focused upon something in the distance, manufacturing curiosity from the consumer and sparking
their interests in the upcoming film. DiCaprio can also be seen gripping a gun, suggesting that the
genre may be action-packed and helps to communicate the genre of the film.

3. ‘Diabolique’ is a US magazine and is a
beautiful illustrated print magazine that
explores aspects of horror, literature and
art. The magazine includes a full and
colourful design. The magazine consists
of the horror genre as it All main images
on the front cover have been carefully
illustrated which I believe attracts a
much older, niche audiences and the
artistic values the magazine holds is
what has made it successful.
The main image on the front cover links to the anchorage text on the cover ‘The Women in Black’. In the main image the consumer
sees a close up of famous British actor Daniel Radcliffe, this attracts audiences who are fans of Daniel already, making the
magazines target audience much wider from the main image. His costume an old fashioned suit which suggests to the audience that
the film is set in a much older time and makes it a period film. The model’s face is white, pale which connotes that he may be white in
shock or fear. The direction of his eyes suggest that he is also staring at something in the distance (perhaps the women in black).
Behind him there appears to be a house, one that looks rather old and looks as though it is surrounded by trees. The mise-en-scene
of the setting suggests that the house is isolated, the trees making it appear eerie and is following a common convention of horror
films as many include a house (which is usually haunted). In the back of the image, on the right side of Daniel there is faintly figure of
a women (the woman in black). The use of a faint figures suggests ideas of ghosts and the supernatural. This figure contributes to
the mystery element within the horror genre as it leaves the audience questioning who this figure is.
‘Daniel Radcliffe in Hammer’s The Woman In Black’ is the
front covers anchorage text and is displayed in three different
colours – blue, orange and white. These three colours are not
at all associated with the genre of horror and in fact are more
associated with more light genres such as comedy as they are
bright and have positive, cheerful connotations. The use of
Daniel’s name in the anchorage text enables for the actor to
advertise the film simply through the using his name, as he is
most known for his leading role in the largely successful Harry
Potter series and his presence on the front cover therefore is
both the film’s and magazine’s major selling point as his name
and appearance will immediately attract an audience. The film
‘The Woman in Black’ was arguably only such a success
because of Daniel Radcliffe’s input. In addition, ‘Hammer’ is a
famous British horror production company that many horror
fanatics will be aware of. ‘Hammer’ is also the boldest text on
the page and enables for it to stand out, the mention of the
company alongside the film is significant as the Woman in
Black was one of their biggest in over twenty years.
The magazine’s website is a means to get the audience to
research into more of the brands such as purchasing their
magazine subscription and attending the Diabolique
International Film Festival. This website also allows for
audiences to purchase past copies of the magazine
(perhaps for collectors), this option was something that many
magazine websites do not offer to their customers, normally
they will only be sold once. This feature is another way of
luring customers in spending money on their magazine.
‘Kaneto Shindo’s Japanese Horror Classic Kuroneko’ This coverline is
written in blue so that it stands out against the background used for the front
cover which use slightly darker colours. The coverlines also refers to a
Japanese horror film which appeal to a much larger, worldwide audience
which is something that not many magazines do. This use of Japanese
culture helps for those from Japan can relate to the films from their own
culture. This also enables for horror film fanatics to discover films that they
may have never heard of before.
‘Tom Six Human Centipede 2 The Death of a Genre’ this
particular coverline refers to the controversial 2009 Dutch
film, The Human Centipede. This film was so controversial
due to its extreme graphic surgical body horror and was
deemed unsuitable for cinema viewings. Many sequels for the
films were banned in countries such as the UK and Australia.
The use of this particular thing will attract audiences because
it is so controversial and people may wish to learn more about
the film that has been banned from cinemas and the BBFC.
The coverline also mentions the film’s director Tom Six who,
although the film was extremely controversial, received a
large part of his success from the Human Centipede.

4. The title of the magazine is Total Film and this
masthead of located at the top of the magazine and is
written in large, bold lettering to ensure that it captures
the audience’s attention and helps them to recognise
the magazine’s ‘logo’ so to speak. The word ‘total’
shows to be inside of the ‘F’ in ‘Film’ and this helps to
maximise the layout of the magazine, giving the cover
much more space for persuasive taglines and articles.
It makes the cover look stylish and classy as the
images and coverlines are not squished together and
the magazine doesn’t look crowded, making it easy to
read.
The main image on the front cover shows Chris Hemsworth (dressed as Thor) in a medium long shot. The image is superimposed
and stylized, showing strikes of lighting in the background (referring to Thor being the God of Thunder). I believe that the main
image is one of main attractions for the audience, firstly because of the actor who plays Thor but also because of how Thor is
presented as a powerful figure in the image through the lighting and body language of the model. Thor’s costume sets the colour
scheme for the front covers – red, black and white. The ‘cape’ is a dark crimson and could perhaps connote the violence/action
that takes place in the Thor/Avengers films. The use of a cape also connotes the ideas of superheroes and makes links to comic-
books, which is where the character originates from. Props is also included, Thor is shown gripping a hammer (making links to the
legend of Thor’s hammer) and communicates Thor’s most famous prop to the audience and gives them hints about his character.
The actor is not using direct eye contact with the consumer, connotes distance and disconnection but it also represents a
mysterious and edgy side to Thor and his body language, his posture suggestions authority and high power making the audience
trust him as their hero.
‘The Marvel Movie Issue’ this tagline is written in
bold, block lettering which helps to signify the
importance of the skyline and attract the consumers
attention and used as a persuasive feature since it
will attract those who are fans of Marvel’s
franchisee. The text reaches out to this certain type
of audience by sticking to the theme of superheroes
and comic books as Marvel is a brand of comic
books, The linguistic feature of alliteration is an
excellent way to capture the audience’s attention
and interest.
‘Meeting The Avengers! Who’s won in the Marvel universe’ the use of
this pug carries the theme of superheroes through the front cover once
again. The fact that the audience are asked to meet ‘The Avengers’ again
communicates how the magazine is carrying on a theme of superheroes
and comic books in the film since the ‘Avengers’ are not only an assemble
of popular superheroes but is also an upcoming blockbuster film and
results in appealing to large and a passionate audience – those who are
fans of the individual superheroes, the comic books and finally superhero
films. This is cleverly placed in the top right hand corner as it servers like
an encouragement to turn the page as it will be where the consumer will
find out the additional information. It’s shaped in an conventional triangle
seen in everyday magazines as well as film magazines. The use of the
black text contrasts against the yellow background and this makes the
text appear bolder, more eye catching and draws the attention of the
consumers easily.
‘Total Access! Thor, Meet the new superhero God’
this is the anchorage text as it refers to the main
image on the front cover. The name ‘Thor’ in big and
bold letting informs the audience how it is the most
important text on the cover as it is the most prominent
and as it also explains the magazine’s main images
and is a main focus beside the main image. The front
cover somewhat ‘brags’ about having “total access”
and could be considered a buzz phrase as it
capture’s the consumers attention and placing this
phrase at the top of the anchorage text attracts
attention from the consumer. The magazine also
glamorizes the film’s protagonist and in addition helps
to persuade audiences to purchase the magazine for
its content on the superhero.
The date, price and the issue number of the magazine is placed over
the ‘M’ of the masthead. The text is in small writing though it’s
simplicity makes it appear classy and therefore easy to read. The text
does not take up a significant amount of space and does not distract
the consumer from other more important and persuasive points on the
magazines front cover. Though this information is vital but it isn’t a
means to attract the audience, simply to inform them how much the
magazine is and what the issue number is (in case they collect the
magazine). It’s use of white lettering makes it easy to spot in contrast
against the black, stormy background, again following the magazine’s
colour scheme of black, white and red.