1. ‘Empire’ film magazine analysis
Layout
The layout used for this film magazine cover is not what you would expect of a magazine, which is
the first reason why this magazine would stand out to the audience among all of the other
magazines on the shelf, making the film that is being advertised seen. This magazine does not have
columns down the sides with writing on surrounding the actor; it has writing going inwards towards
the actor to show that he is the key part of this magazine and what the audience should be drawn in
to. The title of the film is almost as big as the title of the magazine, which shows to the audience that
this is going to be a big film and a ‘must see’. The whole layout of this magazine is based around the
main actor in the film to show that he is the star of the film and he is also the main attraction as he
has been in so many well known films, so they have purposely created the layout to place emphasis
on Leonardo Dicaprio.
Colours
The colours used in this magazine cover, advertising the film ‘Inception’ are quite basic and only
includes very few. The main colours used are black, red and white, these colours are used for many
magazines and usually connote that the magazine will have some type of news in it as these colours
are usually used for newspapers. So the colours used on this cover may suggest to the audience they
can find out the recent news about the film and can find out whether it is the film for them to go and
see. The main points that the magazine wants to get across to the audience are purposely in a
brighter colour than the less important information, drawing the audience in through the more
attractive points about the magazine. The title of the magazine and the film are in red which shows
this is what they want the audience to see and want them to buy it for that specific information, as
they are advertising the film in a positive light that will make people go and see the film.
Conventions
This magazine cover does not really fit the conventions of a magazine, as it goes against them in
some of the things it incorporates for example the columns down the sides. Going against the typical
conventions may show to the audience that the film is different to any other and will not be look
something that you have ever seen before.
Image
The image used for this magazine cover would be appealing to the target audience of this film and
maybe just potential viewers of the film as it straight away tells you the genre, in order to aid your
decision in whether to see the film. The facial expression on Leonardo DiCaprio’s face is quite stern
and like he has to complete something, again giving the audience some insight into the film and
showing to them that it is going to involve some action along with the genre mystery/thriller. The
image on the front cover is a main selling point for both the film and the magazine, as he is such a
well known actor all over the world and h would appeal to a wide range of people of different ages
due to the amount of time that he has been acting for. The background of the image is quite bright
and stands out, which may reflect the message that the magazine wants to get across that the film is
bold and out there and one to watch.

2. Text used
The text used for this magazine front cover, is very effective in attracting its audience for the
‘Inception’ film as it draws you in by selling you information that would entice you to go and see the
film. At the very top of the magazine, which is the first place the audience would read, potentially
after they have read the key points in red, it says ‘The Dark Knight Returns...’. This small statement
may encourage some people to go and see the film, as if fans of the batman films may want to see
what this film has to offer too, because of the huge success of the batman films. Also the use of
referring to the Dark Knight is effective as it was such a huge blockbuster film which made millions,
and this may make people think that they are in for the same time of experience, which would
clearly make the film more popular amongst the target audience, as it is similar to The Dark Knight
films. Also the use of ‘Christopher Nolan’s INCEPTION’ again emphasizes the point that the batman
films and this new film, Inception, have the same director and with one being such a succe ss this
may follow in the steps as Nolan is such a talented person in making films to a high standard. This
magazine cover also uses the text ‘The Matrix meets 007’; this again uses a popular film to draw
people in through referring and comparing this film to to big successes in the film industry.