This document summarizes the author's research analyzing movie magazine covers and posters to understand conventions and effective design elements. The author examined 6 products over 3 weeks, gaining knowledge about what works well. Key findings included centering prominent images; using anchorage or captions to add meaning; employing graphic features like lighting bolts to engage viewers; and incorporating buzzwords, questions, and calls to action. Understanding these conventions will help the author effectively design their own ancillary materials promoting a movie trailer.

1. Ancillary text Research
To give me the ideas of the norms of ancillary texts that will go with my trailer, I have analysed
three movie front cover magazines, and three movie posters. This gave me an idea of what
works well and what doesn’t, this will set me up for when I come to create my own products as
I will have a rough idea in what direction I want to go in. This research has been effective in
teaching me the norms and by doing research throughout the entirety of the product I have
been able to gain more knowledge. I did this ancillary research over a period of three weeks
and this gave me time to thoroughly analyse each product.

2. Magazine Front Cover
The price of this magazine is £3.99. This is a
reasonable price for a whole movie magazine as
the content opposes from a normal magazine.
The date and the price are together, a typical
convention for a magazine but has been fitted
in with the title in between the ‘M’.
One of the main focal points of this front cover
is the mast head, in a blue glowing colour
attached to lightning bolts that bounce off of it.
This connotes action and excitement reminding
the audience that Iron man 2 is a thriller. The
mast head also matches Iron Man’s costume
with the blue shining light coming from his
chest, the effect of this is that the front cover is
fluent and the audience is drawn to the central
image. The image is centred in the middle of
the page, a typical convention, with all the sub
titles in buzz words surrounding it. The texting
creates a frame. The main colour of iron man is
red and this depicts strength, not only this but it
is bold on the page as the light blue mast head
contrasts it.
Anchorage is used in this magazine, where the
caption adds meaning to the picture. In front of
the central image is the caption ‘IRON MAN 2.
NEW SUIT. NEW ENEMIES. SAME ATTITUDE.’.
The list of three builds up the audiences
excitement while also depicting how there is
more to iron man than what we have already
seen. The lexical choice of ‘new’ suggests that
iron man is as good as ever and you could argue
it makes the audience intrigued. The fact iron
still has the ‘same attitude’ makes the character
relatable creating a connection to the audience
and therefore drawing them in.
This magazine has not used the left side third for all of the
information, instead it is down the bottom. This
compliments the overall effect of the magazine cover
because the image is really dominated and by putting the
text around the image and keeping it out the way, the
focal point, iron man, is dominant. The actually text used
includes a few buzz words to create further excitement, an
example of this is ‘ultimate’, ‘plus’. By using words like this
on the cover the audience are automatically drawn in.
The puff on the page in this case is the
circle, and it is used as a way of drawing
attention to the text which says
‘Ultimate review of 2009, this highlights
the popularity of the magazine. The puff
compliments the house style of the
front cover as it is blue, this means that
it minimises any distractions.
There is other titles used on the page
like ‘PLUS! Three AMAZING EXCLUSIVES’
and this draws attention to the diversity
of the magazine and means the
individual is more likely to pick up the
magazine and buy it. Something else
that is intriguing to the audience are the
graphical features used, one of the
most effective on this page being the
lightning bolts. They add depth to the
title while supporting the theme of the
front cover of super hero’s, as they
connote power and dominance.
Something this front cover lacks is direct
mode of the address, words that talk to
the audience personally. There is no
use of direct lexical choices like ‘You’
which would make the individual feel
important. However an aspect that
works well on the page is the strip of
additional images at the bottom, the
images are off Kick-ass, Avatar and robin
Hood, all iconic people in the film world
and this makes the magazine have more
depth. The lay out of the page means
these pictures don’t distract the central
image, but they support it.

3. Magazine Front Cover
The price of this magazine is £3.99. This is the
same as the empire magazine and is also a
reasonable price considering the content.
However this magazine doesn’t put the price on
the cover and this is interesting and may be
done to intrigue the audience into buying it.
This magazine has a central image, but it is the
only image on the page. By doing this the
audience are forced into focusing in on the
character, Harry Potter, and the text that
surrounds it. The character is staring directly
into the camera depicting strength and courage
while also creating a connection with the
audience. This links in with the direct mode of
address because it makes the magazine
personal to the individual. In addition, the
character is wearing quite typical clothes and
again this makes it realistic. One of my favourite
aspects about the central image is how the arm
of Harry is over laying the subtitle ‘Harry Potter’
and this results in the audiences eyes being
focuses on Harry. It may also be done because
this is such an iconic character so the audience
know who it is as soon as they see him,
therefore making the title less important.
The masthead ‘TOTAL FILM’ is in capitals,
therefore relating to the subtitle however it is in
a different font that is more simplistic yet more
definitive and this is done to highlight the
importance of the title on the page. Again the
picture is over lapping the title itself and this is
a typical convention used by magazines. The
white text contrasts with the deep red
background, but also has a glow to it, therefore
fantasizing the masthead.
There are a few buzz words
on this page for example
‘SPEAKING’, ‘SCREAMING!’
and ‘SMOKING!’. These
words are used with
intention of drawing
attention to important parts
of the article therefore
reflecting the significance of
the produce as a whole. The
use of buzz words that all
begin with the same letter
means that the cover itself is
more fluent over all.
Graphic features used on
these page are aspects like
the lightning bolds which
add excitement to the
magazine cover. The red
background creates a
contrast with the bolts
therefore adding more
depth to the magazine front
cover.
Anchorage is used in this magazine cover, with some of the text accompanying the picture. The text
says ‘No school. No rules. Can Harry cut it in the real world?’. The rhetorical question gets the
audience thinning while adding depth to the cover itself. Not only this but the repetition of ‘No’ is used
for further enticement. By using anchorage on the picture becomes more interesting and it creates
fluency through the magazine cover. Again this magazine cover also doesn’t use the left side third for
the important information, this is due to the central image, so the text frames it. This shows how much
importance the central image has on the layout off the front cover.

4. Magazine Front Cover
Furthermore buzz words used within the magazine cover include ‘plus’ and ‘gore blimey’ and these
words draw attention to the importance of the information on the page. It therefore influences the
audience into being involved and submersed in the cover. Paired with this is a puff is used in the
top right hand corner telling the audience that the magazine has all new film reviewed. This
highlights the popularity of the magazine and entices the audience in. The fact it is in a bright
yellow fits the typical conventions of a magazine front cover as they intend to draw you to this
important information.
The price of this magazine is £2.90, this is cheaper
than the other empire magazine. However the
release date was March 2001, while the other was
in 2010. This shows how magazines like this used
to be cheaper but the industry has grown
therefore allowing top brands like Empire to up
their price.
The central image of this picture opposes to the
other, and this could be down to the fact that the
genre is a horror. The shot is close up of the main
characters face, half of it being in the dark to
reflect the villainous side. This is effective because
it creates an atmosphere for the audience before
having to read the text. The text compliments the
mood, however, due to the colour scheme being
red and white, connoting both danger and
excitement. The characters eye has been edited
red also, creating fluency for the cover but also
reminding us that he is the villain.
The mast head of this picture is in red in order to
match the whole house style and iconography of
the image. It reminds the audience that the movie
is a horror. By ensuring that the whole front page
flows the magazine is able to target the
demographic audience. In addition to this the
masthead is also in a simple, yet bold font which is
in capital letters, a typical convention for movie
magazines. Other titles on the page also match
the colour scheme, and are either in red or white.
The main title that links with the picture,
anchorage, says “What’s cooking?”. This is a
reference to a quote in the actual film, making the
cover more relatable but also more intriguing. You
could say this links in with the direct mode of
address because the audience are made to feel
that they are being talked to.
The only other image of the page is
along the bar at the top of the page
of a woman involved in a different
movie story. This depicts how the
magazine has depth but also doesn’t
take any interested away from the
main story. The picture however
doesn’t have any graphic feature
unlike the main image, the eye of the
main image is in red and this feature
solidifies the atmosphere of the
picture while also enticing the
audience.
Something that this magazine has
uses successfully that opposes to the
previous two is the use of the left
side third for important information.
The effect of using this means the
audience are lead down the page ,
and then to the face. Having said this
the magazine is working its text
around the image, something the
other two did, but just in a
contrasting way.

5. Poster- Hannibal
I chose to analyse the same movie, Hannibal, for the poster as this
will show me how the magazine front cover and the movie poster
link. The picture used is the same which is a extreme close up of
the main actors face, with the eye edited Red foreshadowing
danger as well as reflecting the genre of horror. This picture is
effective because it has been heavily edited with dark shadows
dominating the page creating a negative atmosphere, it also is a
way of framing the face making it a focal point. Furthermore the
shadowing also creates a definitive outline of the face and this
further supports the idea that the character is a villain. You could
argue the shadows create a light vs. dark, suggesting there is a
hero in the movie. This lighting has been used in recent films like
Annabelle, showing it is a norm that is on going. The image also
has a grainy effect which results in the character on the front
looking a lot more creepy.
The colour of the main masthead of the page is red and is in capitals not only
showing its importance but conforming to the genre of horror. The title font is
simplistic with the flicks creating a form of elegance and this could be done to
highlight the diversity of the horror film. The credits on the poster are also in
red creating fluency through the poster, while the main actors at the top are in
white, giving the page more depth and reminding the audience who the main
characters are played by.
This poster has followed the norms in the way that a lot of the text is either at
the top or the bottom of the page and these provides space for the image while
also framing the picture, resulting in the audience being drawn in to the focal
point. All the font in the page is exactly the same and this is good as it adds to
the simplicity. Linking this poster to the magazine I analysed there is a lot of
similarities, the picture used on both format is the same and the text used in
both cases is similar. The fact this is similar makes it more memorable as people
will see the picture on the multiple formats and will want to know more.

6. Poster- Oculus
The image on this poster grasps the viewer due to the realistic editing of
the hands under the girls skin. It immediately links with the storyline of
the film because it is all amount the supernatural force that has haunted
this actress, the idea that she can’t escape and this picture highlights this
oppression. The hands also cover the girls eyes and this suggests that
this is controlling her identity. Overall the picture creates a mysterious
and creepy atmosphere that sets the audience up for the film. However
something that goes against the typicality of movie poster is the lighting
used, although there is slight shadowing the picture itself is quite light, in
particularly in the hand area and this may be done to subvert the
audiences expectations as a way of setting them up to scare them even
more. I think the lighting in this photo is an effective aspect even though
it is not what you’d initially expect on the film poster.
All the text on this page is in the same colour, white, this goes along with
the lightness of the photo and doesn’t cause any distractions. It could be
done to draw attention to the innocence of the girl and how she is
trapped and oppressed. The masthead is spread out evenly across the
page and this creates more suspense for the poster with the caption
about it: “You see what it what it wants you to see” reinforcing this.
This poster opposes to the previous one I analysed and it shows how a
movie poster does not have to follow the norms in order to grasp your
attention, the most successful aspect on this page is the hands within the
skin as this is realistic and is shocking yet enticing to the audience.
Because this edit is so dramatic, the rest of the poster is toned down in
order to create a good balance.

7. Poster- The Conjuring
Unlike the other two posters, the image used is a
long shot of a girl sitting in a chair with the doll on
her lap. The fact the room is dominated by
shadows as well as the fact the girl is facing away
from us and into the corner creates the sense of
isolation and detachment. It also makes the doll
face which is staring into the camera more
shocking. The model is in very typical clothing for a
horror, with white clothes, and this coincides with
the fact the poster is following the norms. Again
there is the light VS dark approach, due to the
dense shadowing against the bright white walls
that the girl is facing. You could argue this is done
to show that there is a lack of hope and the danger
is creeping in. It also suggests that it is inescapable
and the corner of the room is symbolic to this. Due
to this intense atmosphere the audience are also
made to feel that they are stuck therefore making
the poster a huge success.
All the text used on the poster is white and this compliments the light vs. dark
idea because the white is contrasting on the shadow. It also creates fluency
with the poster. The props on the poster, the chair and the doll, is also very
typical conforming to the norms of a horror. However due to the actress facing
away, there is a sense of mystery. This is a way to entice the audience in to
watching the film as it is not giving anything away. This is the most effective
poster I have analysed due to the multiple interpretations that can be made. It
is also interesting to compare this to the Annabelle poster as this is the film set
before the conjuring. The Annabelle poster is a close up of the doll and this
may be done to show the truth behind the doll.