2. Central Image: The main image is positioned in the
obvious central place- the middle of the page which
is conventional because it immediately draws
attention. The main image consists of actor Chris
Evans portraying his character of Captain American,
this is effective because fans of his other movies
such as, Fantastic 4 will be attracted to the magazine
and therefor the film. The background to the image
associates and links to the main image displaying the
American stars and stripes which are clearly
displayed on the characters uniform. Certain other
points such as the bold and powerful stance of the
character, his obvious shield and again his uniform
imply that this film is going to be very action packed.
The magazine has clearly styled the cover to
demonstrate the comic book/superhero theme
instead of just displaying a mid-shot of Chris Evans,
which I think is very effective.
Masthead: The masthead is very effective because it
is placed in the primary optical area on the page. It is
eye-catching and will grab attention due to the bold
style font and the use of the colour white. It not only
stands out against the background but continues an
obvious colour scheme being used on the page which
shows continuity.
Skyline: This skyline is very effective because it is
again in the primary optical area but also continues
the obvious house style by the font being white,
reflecting the masthead. The fact that they’re
advertising their magazine to be ‘Magazine of the
year’, is incredibly effective because it will grab
peoples attention and make them think, wow, this
must be a fantastic magazine if it has beaten so
many others, and would then therefor turn their
attention to the context thus advertising the film
better. The magazine is a reflection of the film.
Anchorage Text: The main anchorage text is associate with the main image by
clearly stating the title of the film, ‘Captain America’. The boldness of the font
is effective because it is very eye-catching and will grab peoples attentions.
The bold font and the white font colour continue the house style making the
cover look very professional and well put together. The use of the title also
let’s the audience know that this issue will focus mainly on this film. It then
has “How Summer’s biggest superhero went to war”- to me this is incredibly
effective because it is a very bold statement that associates with the film, and
gives the audience an idea of what to expect, it will excite them and grab their
attention. It also represents the films superhero genre. There is also a change
of font colour to yellow. I think this is great because it is used well to
make the piece of information stand out, without over-powering
the rest of the page. Also the yellow goes well with
the other colours such as white and black, they compliment each
other well making the page look very professional.
Plug: This is used to tell the audience what other main
articles there are, this is made obvious but the word
‘And!’ written above it, as if to say, and also in this
issue! It is also letting the audience know whether there
are any pull outs or posters inside, which there are.
This is effective because they know fans of this genre
will get excited and be attracted to the idea of a “32
page Sci-fi special inside”. They have also specifically
put ’32 page’ and ‘Inside’ in black and left the rest in
white (following the house style) to draw attention to
just how big this special is and the fact that it is already
inside the magazine, meaning it is free! People love free
things and could become more inclined to buy this
magazine because of it, especially if they’re a fan of
Sci-fi superhero movies!
Cover lines: The cover lines used are effective because the magazine has clearly
taken into account the audience for this type of film by advertising films of a
similar genre, knowing it will appeal to them. For example, the mention of
‘Spider-man’, another Sci-fi superhero film. Cover lines tend to make puns (play
in words) in order to attract attention, for example “The Other Gladiator” which
creates the idea that this film is similar to Gladiator, a film that may likely appeal
to fans of this one. The bold font of the cover tiles continue to house style of the
front cover but are also very useful because it makes them very eye-catching.
The use of the white and yellow font again represents the obvious house style!
3. Masthead: The masthead is bold and eye-catching by
being in the primary optical area, it is the first think
people will see! The bold font used is great because it
is very powerful and eye-catching and would definitely
grab someone's attention. The use of the colour red is
equally effective because it connotes energy and
passion and reaches out to the audience.
Skyline: The skyline is an effective point of the front
cover because it is again in the primary optical area
and continues an obvious house style by also being
in red font. The fact that it is advertising itself as
“The worlds biggest movie magazine” is really useful
because it is creating an image of the magazine, that
it is extremely popular and professional. The idea
that it is the worlds best movie magazine will
definitely attract the audience because they will
know it is a quality magazine- making them more
inclined to but it, therefor more inclined to look at
it’s context.
Central image: The central image consists of a mid-shot which is very
conventional for magazines, it allows us to really see the image which is
effective because it will draw in the audience. The image consists of actor
Daniel Radcliffe portraying his character of Harry Potter, this is effective
because fans of him and the HP franchise (both very popular) will see the
image and be immediately more drawn to it, it will excite them. The
background of the main image associates and links with the main image by
representing the films genre. Although simple, the black/blue background is
effective by creating a dark atmosphere with low key lighting. The colour
black connotes danger, which in turn represents the danger in the film.
Certain other details such as Harry’s trademark classes and casual clothes
are
Anchorage text: The main anchorage text is effective
because the idea of a “Massive preview special” will
draw the audience in because the idea of a preview will
definitely excite fans of the Harry Potter franchise, it
might make them more inclined to but the magazine. I
like the idea that the main anchorage text is not the
title film, it expresses just how successful these films
are and the powerful effect the main image will have;
people don’t need the title in huge bold lettering to
know what this what this film is. The bold font used is
great because it stands out and will grab the audiences
attention! Also the colour white used is also effective
because it makes that bold font stand out even more
against the dark background, but also
consists with the other colours on the page creating an
obvious
effective at reminding is that is Harry Potter; small
details will definitely excite fans and encourage
them to read the magazine. The lighting on
Harry’s face is a mix of low and high-key lighting
which could perhaps represent the struggle he
goes through in the film battling the good and evil
inside him. Through iconography we can see that
Harry has quite a large amount of blood on his
face, this will excite and draw in the audience
because it is letting us know something
serious/dangerous is going to happen in the film.
Sell lines: From the sell lines we can see that this
issue is in fact based on the 6Th Harry Potter film,
they have included a small star key next to it
which then links to the sell line across the page
saying “Bloody Hell!” – This is great because fans
will straight away relate to this because it is a
very well known quote front the films. The rest of
the sell lines are advertising other films such as
Wolverine and Star Trek, both films that fit into
the kind of Fantasy genre that Harry Potter fans
will love, attracting them to the magazine.
Primary Image: This image makes a clear link to
the sell lines by advertising the stars of 3 of the
4. Features that well known bold Masthead,
the bold font and red lettering is still
being used to make an impact and grab
attention but connoting energy and
passion.
The Skyline is still in the primary optical
area and offering the audience
something to make them more inclined
to by the magazine, in this instance a
chance to win a £5000 home cinema,
something very appealing! The yellow
and white font is something still being
used in Empire, showing us its definite
hTohues Ae nsctyhloer.a ge text lets us know
Empire Magazine have been staying
true to their style by stating the name
of the film in that familiar bold font.
The style of the sell lines have
changed slightly, being
featured far less on modern
issues. The sell lines having a
bold font for the headings and
smaller font for the
information is very
conventional but isn’t used as
much in up to date versions of
Empire. I think they are trying
the less is more approach. But
I can see that they are still
creating continuity by sticking
to the house style and
advertising other films out
around that time such as ‘Out
of sight’ and ‘The Lord of the
Rings’
The main image is a typical,
conventional mid-shot of the main
character of the issues focus film.
The main image seems to be far
more simple than in modern
issues, not really giving anything
away, there is far more technology
nowadays, allowing todays
magazine covers to be far more
exciting and effective.
Empire: 1998
issue
Through the use of the plug, they’re advertising the video
release of the 1997 hit Titanic, knowing how incredibly
popular is it and the effect it will have on the audience. A
technique we know is still used in Empire today, as the main
goal for the magazine is to make people want to buy it!
