The document discusses design elements of film magazine covers. It notes that the main cover color depends on the headlining film's logo or genre. Sans serif fonts are generally used to make text stand out, while serif may be used for horror headlines. The layout conventionally features the masthead at top and a central large image as the main focus, with other headlines on the sides. The image will usually feature the main character or actor to help recognition. Red, black, and white are common for horror to connote blood and death.

1. ANCILLARY
RESEARCH
Film Magazines

2. Colour
■ The colour of the front cover depends on the headlining
film. For example, on this front cover the main film they are
highlighting is ‘Valkyrie’.The logo is blue so therefore the
main front cover is blue. If they did an horror film headlining
the main colours will likely be red, black and white.The
colours of the other headlines are the opposite of the
background colours to make the text stand out as can be
seen in this magazine where white is used against the dark
blue.The masthead is the same every which makes the
magazine makers want to include a dark background.
Hence, why instead of using light blue throughout they have
used dark blue.

3. Fonts and layout
■ The fonts used in the magazine are
usually sans serif to make the text
stand out. Sans serif font appeals to
a younger target audience. Serif font
will likely be used in the catch line to
promote the horror genre.
■ The layout is conventional. Firstly,
the masthead takes up the top of the
page.We have the main image in the
centre of the magazine and is the
largest and the main focus of the
magazine.The other headlines are
used up the side of the magazine.

4. Image
■ The image is the main focus of the magazine front cover, it is ultimately
what will draw casual members of the magazine audiences into buying
their product.The image will usually be of the main character in the
film, the main antagonist or the biggest starred actor. In this magazine
we have the image of the protagonist.This helps people recognize the
film. In horror, its likely to have the antagonist the focus of the cover as
they are the most interesting character and is what draws the audience
in.

5. Colour
■ This thriller/horror film is at the focus of this magazine.They use the
conventional colours of red, white and black.These colours are more
conventional for the horror genre. Red connotes blood and black
connotes death.The use of white help makes part of the magazine
stand out as it contrasts with the dark colours and the red.The colours
of the other headlines are the opposite of the background colours to
make the text stand out as can be seen in this magazine where white is
used against the dark blue.

6. Font and Layout
■ The font is serif as it gives it a horror
feel. Serif is better for this because
of the flicks and its more old
fashioned. Its creates a more
menacing effect to the sans serif
font.The rest of the magazine uses
sans serif font so the writing is
easier to read and stand out.The
fonts used in the magazine are
usually sans serif to make the text
stand out. Sans serif font appeals to
a younger target audience. Serif
font will likely be used in the catch
line to promote the horror genre.
■ The layout is conventional.
Firstly, the masthead takes up
the top of the page.We have the
main image in the centre of the
magazine and is the largest and
the main focus of the magazine.
The other headlines are used up
the side of the magazine.

7. Image
■ The image has a lot of fog in it which creates a sense of
horror.This will appeal the target audience.The image is the
main focus of the magazine front cover, it is ultimately what
will draw casual members of the magazine audiences into
buying their product.The image will usually be of the main
character in the film, the main antagonist or the biggest
starred actor. In this magazine we have the image of the
protagonist.This helps people recognize the film. In horror,
its likely to have the antagonist the focus of the cover as they
are the most interesting character and is what draws the
audience in.