CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OF
FILM MAGAZINES
There are many different codes and
conventions on film magazines covers used
to draw in the reader. This is important as it
is usually the cover which sells the
magazine to the audience the second most
important part being the stories. On the
cover the audience are drawn to powerful
images, bold colours and sell lines.
Masthead
The masthead is the largest piece of text on the on the cover and
is sometimes changed to fit the color scheme of the film, however
there are many magazines that keep same distinct font and color
with every issue. This shows that the convention for a film
magazine is to keep the same logo but if it’s a bigger film or
doesn’t fit the color scheme then adjustments can be made.
Main Image
The main image is usually of the main character of
the film and sometimes it features other characters
in the background. The shot is normally a close-up
or a mid-shot and is placed in front of the masthead
but behind the main cover line. Because the main
cover line is very important as it helps in selling the
magazine.
Main Cover Line
The main cover line is the second
biggest font on the magazine to make it
stand out. If the film as a very distinctive
logo then the magazine will use that, as
it is instantly recognized. This is usually
placed in front of the main cover image.
Cover lines and tag linesCover line
Tag line
The cover line usually states
what other content is in the
magazine or promoting
competition or free gifts in the
magazines
A tag line is way of promoting the magazine whats
its about or the slogan of the magazine.
Sometimes the tagline is altered to link with the
film. For example, when The Empire had The
Hobbit as there main focus they changed there
tagline from “Worlds biggest film magazine” to
“Shire’s Biggest film magazine” to suit the film.

Codes and conventions

  • 1.
  • 2.
    There are manydifferent codes and conventions on film magazines covers used to draw in the reader. This is important as it is usually the cover which sells the magazine to the audience the second most important part being the stories. On the cover the audience are drawn to powerful images, bold colours and sell lines.
  • 3.
    Masthead The masthead isthe largest piece of text on the on the cover and is sometimes changed to fit the color scheme of the film, however there are many magazines that keep same distinct font and color with every issue. This shows that the convention for a film magazine is to keep the same logo but if it’s a bigger film or doesn’t fit the color scheme then adjustments can be made.
  • 4.
    Main Image The mainimage is usually of the main character of the film and sometimes it features other characters in the background. The shot is normally a close-up or a mid-shot and is placed in front of the masthead but behind the main cover line. Because the main cover line is very important as it helps in selling the magazine.
  • 5.
    Main Cover Line Themain cover line is the second biggest font on the magazine to make it stand out. If the film as a very distinctive logo then the magazine will use that, as it is instantly recognized. This is usually placed in front of the main cover image.
  • 6.
    Cover lines andtag linesCover line Tag line The cover line usually states what other content is in the magazine or promoting competition or free gifts in the magazines A tag line is way of promoting the magazine whats its about or the slogan of the magazine. Sometimes the tagline is altered to link with the film. For example, when The Empire had The Hobbit as there main focus they changed there tagline from “Worlds biggest film magazine” to “Shire’s Biggest film magazine” to suit the film.