This document outlines some common codes and conventions used in film magazine covers. The image on the cover will usually feature the main character looking out at the audience. The masthead, which is the magazine title located at the top, increases the impact of any featured film if it is a well-known magazine. Buzz words like "free" and "exclusive" are used to encourage purchases. Including a barcode, date and issue number makes the magazine look authentic. Anchorage text overlays the image to describe the magazine's contents.

1. Codes and conventions
of film magazines

2. Image
• The image is usually of the main character/s, a mid
- shot or close up. The character within the image
will address the the audience by looking straight
forward as if they are actually looking at the
audience.
• The image will be in the style of the film but should
also fit in with the style of the magazine.

3. Masthead
• The Masthead is the title of the magazine, e.g.
empire, film. This is always positioned at the top of
the page.
• The Masthead is important when advertising a film,
if the magazine is well - known it will have a positive
impact on the film, being featured on a well-known
and successful magazine.

4. Buzz words
• Buzz words such as ‘free’ and ‘exclusive’ are used
in order to encourage people to buy the magazine
this is a feature used in most magazines.
• Buzz words could be used to inform the audience
about ‘free’ posters or ‘exclusive’ interviews with
main character of the film it features on the front of
the magazine.

5. Barcode, date and issue
number.
• Including these three elements makes the film
magazine look a lot more realistic. The barcode is
used just for purchasing purposes but is still key to
the magazine.
• The date and Issue number is important as the
magazine company would have issued thousands
of different film magazines, the date and Issue
number will differentiate between the magazines
distributed.

6. Anchorage text
• Anchorage text is the text which will overlap an
image on the magazine cover.
• The anchorage text informs the audience what is
included in the magazine and what articles and
reviews are inside the magazine they are about to
purchase.

7. Anchorage text
• Anchorage text is the text which will overlap an
image on the magazine cover.
• The anchorage text informs the audience what is
included in the magazine and what articles and
reviews are inside the magazine they are about to
purchase.