Magazine cover analysis for media studies

1. Very strong use
of chiaroscuro.
This lends itself
to the dark
themes that are
very much
present in the
film
The Masthead is
at the top.
Splash (Main page
front story)
Makes reference to
Scorsese( the director)
which gives fans of his
work a strong incentive to
pick up the magazine.
City skyline of
Boston presented
at the bottom.
Demonstrates the
urban area that
the film takes
place in.
Bar code
Conflict arises out
of binary opposites
through good and
evil.

2. Han Solo is in front
of magazine title in
order to give a
more realistic vibe.
Character cover
featuring very
specific characters
from the film e.g.
one cover features
the antagonists of
the movie
Title of the
film
Solo in front of Chewbacca
in order to show his more
dominant presence within
the film.
Characters are rugged
and intense, giving
them a sense of
masculinity towards
them.
Features two characters
from the original film in
order to attract fans of
the original film
Centre of
visual interest
(CVI)

3. Shows free
merchandise that
comes within the
magazine
References the
movie that is on
the title
Price tag and date of
the magazine
(sometimes called
the bleed
References the review
section of the magazine
Actors that are
interviewed in
the issue
Main
character of
movie covered
centre point of
the issue
Tom Hardy is in centre
point with the large
convoy in the
background. This displays
that despite the
antagonistic presence of
the convoy, Hardy has a
chance of defeating them
due to his presence on
the front cover. This is
called the CVI (Centre of
visual interest).
Negative space
Pull quote

4. Splash
Tagline explaining the content
within the magazine
Masthead
Information about the
plot of the movie
itself. This could
possibly be used as an
attraction due to the
well known status of
King as an iconic figure
Symbol of the
American flag
reflects the themes
of the movie. Its
perhaps a way of
expressing that
America is the
county of the free,
yet many African
Americans are still
being faced with
extreme prejudice.
Bar code
Further
information
explain the
content within
the movie Pull quote

5. Tagline which
grabs the
viewer’s
attention
Main character
of the movie is
featured most
prominently on
the cover
Splash
Further
information that is
contained within
the magazine
Plug featured on the
cover. This is a way of
grabbing people’s
attention, especially
those that were fans of
the show.
Bar
code
McConaughey’s
costume fits in
with the
background of the
magazine cover,
adding to the film’s
themes of space
and exploration
CVI
Pull quote

6. Leftside
third
designed to
attract
potential
readers
Merchandise within
the magazine.
Similar sort of
movies e.g. action.
Other movies
featured inside.
They’re all
action
blockbuster type
films which fit in
with the cover
film
3 main characters of
Django centre point
of the magazine
Bar code