This document provides a summary of research done on the format and conventions of double page film reviews in magazines. Key points from two example reviews are analyzed, such as the use of mastheads, pull quotes, images, fonts, colors and layout techniques like columns. Overall, the research found that structuring information clearly and cohesively through formatting and design helps make reviews appealing and easy to understand for readers.

1. Ancillary Double Page
Spread Research
By Tesfah Watkins-Scott

2. Introduction
 The silent comedy that Marcus & I will be producing will need to
have some sort of film review which will actually give feedback
about our particular film with some sort of rating. The double page
spread review will need to be viewed as appealing by our target
audience as they would be the audience that would allow our short
film to become successful when seen. As I decided to research into
film posters for the first ancillary product, I think that it would be
wise to do some research on the second ancillary task also which is
the review or double page spread.
 For the double page spread review I will be presenting some
research that I have done to help me create a successful review
page whilst involving professional skills and conventions that have
been used in other magazine reviews.

3. 1st Review: Spider-Man 2

4. The font that has been used for this masthead is
quite unique as it only uses lower case lettering,
and also each letter is created using both
straight edges and also curved edges.
Furthermore, I like the way that the masthead
has not been made to look overpowering which
could cause many problems as it would cause
the reader to not notice other aspects of the
Also, I feel that using two different shades of colours review for example the main image.
for the background works well in this case. Due to
the fact that both colours have come from one
colour which is ‘blue’ allows the whole masthead to
seem as one, but also makes each section of the
masthead look distinctive.
This is the strapline which is placed just
underneath the masthead. With this particular
type of double page spread which is a review
a conventional technique that is used is to put
a strapline underneath the masthead or the
title of the film which will have a variety of
ratings for the audience to view and decide
for themselves. I feel that using a dark colour for the background of the
strapline and a bright colour for the text will definitely work
well. However, due to the fact that I will be doing a review on
a silent comedy I have yet to decide whether my double page
spread will be in colour or in black & white.

5. Due to the fact that this
film is known for being
action packed I feel that
using one large image
for the double page
From previous spread is useful. This is
research from because, they want to
studying AS Media
show the audience how
Studies I have
realised that most exciting the film looks
articles/reviews with every detail which
start with a drop you wouldn’t see with a
cap. Using a drop smaller image because
cap to start the all of the other aspects
review will appeal of the page would
to the reader
probably end up
straight away and
overpowering the main
will prevent the
actual article from image.
being overpowered
by the main image
or masthead.
The technique of using a pull
quote allows the readers to
The use of columns is very important have a small insight into some
when creating a double page spread. When viewing this particular magazine of the information that will be
It will allow the magazine to look less review I have become very fond of allowing involved in the review. I have
cluttered and busy to the audience. there to be some sort of verdict at the end noticed that when magazines
Also, as you can see using columns of the review which will present to the use pull quotes they tend to use
will allow the text on the page to look audience the actual rating for the film from one of the most important
structured and professional which will the public (conventionally presented with phrases that is in the article to
therefore increase the chance of a stars) which will show the audience that the keep the reader interested.
sale. magazine will involve them.

6. 2nd Review: SALT

7. I feel that visually this pull quote looks much more
adventurous than the pull quote used in the previous
magazine review. However, I feel that the colours
used do not really work together due to the
background colour and the font colour being bright.
Furthermore, I have noticed that the colours used for the
pull quote have actually been used to link in with the colour
scheme of the whole double page spread. Although, I feel
that the area where the pull quote has been placed is quite
unusual. Conventionally, pull quotes are normally placed in-
between the actual article so that it catches the readers
eye straight away.
I feel that the use of borders that has been
used for this particular review works well.
Doing this allows the page to look more
organised and structured. Furthermore, when
using borders if they match the colour scheme
of the actual magazine like this example, then
they look very appealing towards the audience
I feel that the font used for this particular film is quite
basic. However, because the genre of the film is action I
feel that this font goes with the review due to the fact that
it suits the type of film that is being exhibited. The use of
using the same blue colour for the font which has been used
for the masthead works well as it allows the two sections to
link together. This will show the audience that the
magazine has been well thought out and sticks to the colour
scheme.

8. For this magazine they have
The main image that has been used for this actually put the issue date of the
review will look very appealing towards the magazine which makes the
reader. This is because, from this one main magazine look much more
image the reader will be able to figure out the professional.
type of movie that is being reviewed.
I like the fact that the
article includes
promotional information
about the particular
film. This will allow the
audience to know more
about the film’s
background. Also, the
use of changing the font
colour for each section
of personal information
allows the reader to
view it much easier.
I like the way this particular magazine film
The use of page numbers on this particular magazine works review makes the use of columns to
well as it is quite small, which means that the audience will structure the layout of the text for their
not be distracted by the page numbers instead of reading the review. Also, they have created columns
review or viewing the main image. Furthermore, when the which actually surround the lower half of
audience go through the magazine they will notice the page the main image which will allow the actual
numbers which allows the double page spread to look much article to look more appealing to the
more professional. magazines audience.