1. Media Studies – Film Magazine
Cover Annotations
By Harry Appleyard

2. Title written in large bold
capitals. This is likely to attract
male audiences.
Main headline is shown
underneath the title of this
particular issue, giving space
for the main image and other
features..
“Special” indicates the
magazine has exclusive
content. This is likely to attract
new buyers, who may see film
magazines as similar to eachother and perhaps lacking in
variety of content.
Additional headlines with
short descriptions.
Cover variations are often
used for different characters.
In this case, there is a cover
for Batman, and a cover for
the Joker. Only one may be of
interest to the casual
customer, but frequent buyers
may choose to buy both.
Close-up with direct
address, engaging audiences.
The shot is eye
level, suggesting the character
holds the same level of
influence as the audience.

3. Text giving a summary of the
magazine’s content. Useful if
kept behind other magazines.
Image placed in front of the
title, suggesting the magazine
is already recognised by many
people. This makes the cover
seem three dimensional also.
Dateline, showing issue
date, price and website
address.
“Best” is subject to audience
opinion, but this may entice
new customers, who may not
have previously purchased
film magazines.
Colour scheme – Yellow, red,
black and white. These colours
are often associated with the
action genre.
Text and text box presented in
different colours to others,
helping to draw attention to
the exclusive content.
Additional headlines,
presented in a similar manner
to Empire.

4. Large, bold letters. Likely to be
of interest to masculine
audiences. These are likely to
stand out from other
magazines, if this one is kept
behind others.
Dateline, showing the
magazine’s date and price.
Image placed in front of
magazine title, suggesting this
is also an already popular
magazine.
Special double issue graphic is
likely to attract new audiences
as well as existing
customers, who may or may
not be familiar with the
magazine’s typical content.
Bumper issues are common in
the summer months also.
Main image relating to the
magazine’s main headline.
Pink may have been used to
attract female audiences also.
Bold capital letters used to
draw attention to main
headlines.
Various font sizes help
audiences to tell headlines
apart from descriptions.

5. Attracting the target audience of “Mary, Mary” through magazines –
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Exclusive articles (Perhaps double page spreads). Film magazines tend to write about each
and every upcoming film, regardless of genre. Some film magazines such as Empire often
include exclusive content promoting upcoming films. This may include behind-the-scenes
images, interviews with actors and crew, stills from the film etc.
Free posters. These can be advertised on the front cover.
Competitions for free tickets/early screenings. These could also be mentioned on the front
cover, or within the articles promoting the film.
Advertisements for apps promoting the film. Info within magazines cannot be updated once
sold. Apps or links to web pages will help audiences to gain access to further information
about a film’s production progress and access to other forms of promotional material, such
as new trailers, interviews etc.