This magazine cover is promoting the film Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. There is a large image of DiCaprio in the center holding a gun to emphasize he is the main character. The masthead "Empire" is at the top in red letters. Beneath the image is the film title "Inception" in red and bold letters. Additional information about the film and other articles in the issue are provided in text boxes and banners around the cover.

1. Film Magazine Cover 1
Sana Gillani

3. Masthead:
The masthead for this magazine is ‘Empire’. The masthead for Empire magazine is
recognisable, because it is used on all their other magazine front covers in the exact
same format - Empire in bold, capital letters and in blood red colour. Empire
magazines are really well established which is why the masthead i not completely
shown, as one of the letters is covered by the main character. This shows that the
audience will automatically know that it is an Empire magazine even without one of
the letters being covered.
If the reader has never read Empire magazines before, they will still be able to read
the masthead without any difficulty because of the sans serif font used. This font will
help the reader to automatically know which letter is covered - in this case it is the
letter P. The masthead is right at the top, so when it is stacked on shelf with the rest
of the magzines it would stand out and be easy to spot.

4. Main Image:
This is a longshot of Leonardo Dicaprio placed in the
middle of the cover, allowing the audience to see
exactly what he is wearing. The long shot is used to
emphasise his importance as the main character
and that he is going to be the main focus throughout
the film. Leonardo is dressed in an black bold suit
which contrasts really well with the colour red. The
audience are also able to see that he is holding a
gun in his hand which links to the genre and also
helps the audience establish the genre
(crime/thriller). The image has a 3D effect, because
the context of the article in the background is slanted
inwards and the masthead is behind his head.
The image itself has a dark lighting affect which
goes really well with the use of low angle, making
Leonardo appear dominant and more stronger. In a
low angle shot the camera is always positioned
below eye level.
The image used in the background has a birds
eyeview of the city the film is set in. This shot of the
background image makes Leonardo Dicaprio seem
disengaged/disconnected with the rest of the world
or even confused.

5. Title:
This is the second largest font promoting
the release of the new film Inception.
This has been placed in the centre of
the front cover, so this would be the first
thing the reader comes across as soon
as they lay their eyes on this cover. This
is in front of the main character to show
importance to the film name. It is in red
and bold so it sticks in the reader’s
mind. Also, following the same colour
used for the masthead, so they both
look as important
Inception is in a different font to the
masthead following the theme of the
movie (bold block letters).

6. Flash:
There is a red box around the white text to make
the text pop out from the box. This has been done
to catch the reader’s attention. It informs them of
other exciting things included in the magazine.
The pull sticker has also used to give the reader
extra information of what else they will find inside
the magazine. This is a persuasive technique to
make them want to buy the magazine. The use of
the gold sticker makes that particular
advertisement seem special and makes it stand
out against the grey and black background.
There are several other films being promoted
alongside. The film names are in bold captial
letters, and underneath them are a few lines
explaining them. There are 7 films altogether
being promoted on the front cover.

7. Cover lines:
The cover lines are used to give the audience extra information related to the film
being promoted. The name of the director of the flm has been placed above the film
title in white and capital letters so it stands out making the reader instantly realise that
he has directed the film. This is referred to as anchorage text, because it is the linked
to the image and also explains it. It is not in a bigger font size, so it does not distract
the audience from the focal points of the front cover. Christopher Nolan is a well
known director and is also known for the many successful films he has directed, such
as, The Dark Knight. The magazine would sell more copies just by his name being
featured on the magazine because it will catch the reader’s attention.
“The Matrix Meets 007 “On Steroids” a cover line which is placed below the film name.
This is a snippet from a review on the film making it sound exciting and interesting to
the reader. This bit of the review has included other film names which informs the
reader if they liked watching The Matrix or James Bond in action then they will
definitely enjoy watching this film. It may also be that the full review of the film is inside
the magazine which is aother reason for them wanting to by the magazine.

8. Header:
The header “The Dark Knight Returns” is in
white and capital letters making it stand out on
top of the bright masthead.
Barcode/date/price:
The barcode is placed on
the bottom right corner so it
doesn’t distract the reader
from the focal points of this
cover. The barcode informs
the company how many
copies were sold. The date
informs the reader of when
it was published and the
price informs them of how
much the magazine is for
and helps them to
determine whether they
would want to purchase it.
Pull sticker:
The pull sticker is used to give the reader extra
information of what else they will find inside the
magazine. This is not persuasive technique to
make them want to buy the magazine.
Genre:
The genre of the film this
front cover is advertising is
crime thriller. The reader
becomes aware of this
through the use of the colour
red which can be linked
blood, murder etc. The title
also helps the reader convey
the genre of this film. The
meaning of Inception is an
event that is about to begin,
this connotes that some kind
of crime will take place. The
gun in Leonardo Dicaprio's
hand also helps the reader
understand the genre. The
denotations of a gun are
danger and murder.