This document analyzes magazine covers for the independent film magazine Little White Lies and the mainstream film magazine EMPIRE. For Little White Lies, the analyzed cover features the film Attack the Block and uses illustrations related to the film. The EMPIRE cover analyzed features the film Trainspotting and prominently displays the iconic EMPIRE logo. Both covers feature the main character of the featured film in order to grab attention and engage viewers. Elements like logos, film titles, and character portraits are used consistently across magazine covers.

1. Magazine Cover Analysis
Eleanor Monk

2. Little White Lies
Little White Lies is an independent
British film magazine, that
conventionally uses illustration or
artwork related to its main feature
film as the cover. The magazine
itself features writing, photography
and illustration related to cinema
and is published by The Church of
London. It was first released in
February 2005.
This particular issue features Social
Realism Action film hybrid Attack
The Block as its main feature, and so
by analyzing it I can get an idea of
what we could create if we were to
make a magazine cover for Little
White Lies.

3. Little White Lies Magazine Cover Analysis
Little White Lies white
circular heading is
conventionally placed in the
top centre of the page to
make it stand out and show
its importance.
Barcode is present at the
top of the circular logo,
conventional of the
magazine.
Hooded costume and
Samurai sword give the
character a sense of danger
portray him as an urban
gang stereotype .
High-rise flat background is
conventional of Social
Realism setting, creating an
urban atmosphere.
Cuts on face show the
character as a victim, and
his lack of emotion portrays
him as strong character.
Illustrated design attracts
artistic audience of
independent films such as
Attack The Block and graphic
art appeals to young
adult/teenage target
audience.
Fireworks foreshadow
exciting events in the film.
Cover is a portrait of the
main character central to
the page as the main
focus, conventional of
Little White Lies Magazine
as it grabs the attention
of the viewer.
Illustrated Attack The Block
text makes the title of the
film clear and creates a brand
image associated with the
two green colours and black.
Low-key lighting effect
hides the characters
identity and makes him
seem dark and mysterious,
creating an enigma.

4. EMPIRE
EMPIRE is a British film magazine that
focuses mainly on mainstream films and
art films, featuring film news, previews
and reviews. It was first released in July
1989, and its large red capital letter
EMPIRE logo has become somewhat
iconic.
This particular issue’s main feature is
on the Social Realism film Trainspotting,
which is appropriate to study as it is the
same genre as that of our film
campaign. From analyzing this magazine
cover, I can gain an idea of what to
include in our own magazine cover if we
choose to use EMPIRE magazine, and
familiarize myself with the conventions
of mainstream magazine covers.

5. EMPIRE Magazine Cover Analysis
EMPIRE logo positioned at the
top centre of the page in red
to create a brand image,
behind the figures head as this
is conventional of the
magazine.
White background for artistic
effect and to create the same
brand image as the film poster.
Denim jacket costume portrays
the character as working class,
conventional of Social Realism.
Iconic character of Ewan
McGregor as Renton
generates potential fan base
audience and creates a brand
image.
Language such as ‘exclusive’
and ‘hippest movie’ praises
the film.
Sub feature on another film to
show what else the magazine
has to offer, with the name of a
famous actress to promote it.
Low key lighting to portray the character as
mysterious.
Main character of film
taking up most of the image
so that he is the focus,
looking directly ahead to
engage with the viewer.
Friendly slang sub title to
engage with the young
target audience and
appeal to them with other
features.
Contrasting circular
sticker title to let the
viewer know what else is
inside, using capital letters
and yellow for emphasis.
Title of feature film in white
capitals just below the
centre so catch the viewers
attention and compliment
the background without
obscuring the face of the
main character.