This magazine cover analysis compares the front covers of two magazines - Empire and Total Film. For Empire, the masthead is bold and prominent, centered around a striking image of James Bond to promote the new film. Additional images and buzzwords create excitement. The price is shown in small print as not the main selling point. Total Film similarly features a bold masthead centered around film. Its color scheme relates to the theme of the promoted film (Hunger Games) and a long shot image shows the protagonist. Both magazines aim to attract audiences with prominent stars and films while de-emphasizing price.

1. Analysis of Magazines
Grace Crawford,Yr 13, AncillaryTask 2

2. The Magazines
that Ihave
chosento
analyse

3. FrontCover
MagazineOne:
Empire
This magazine is from Empire
in which I shall be analysing
what is featured on this and
why. I shall be exploring
additional magazine sources
in which I can compare and
discuss and see what it takes
and what is conventional to
see upon the front cover of a
magazine.

4. The tagline is immediately one of the first pieces of text that the
audience read off of the magazine cover.The words “Nobody does it
better” in capitols shows off the quality, professionalism and
standard of the magazine, claiming to be the best out of anyone
else, suggesting that there is no magazine out there that would
offer the same standard as the Empire magazine.
Thumbnail images are offered to readers behind the main image, it
is clear that each of the films featured upon the front cover of the
magazine all differ in genres, suggesting that this magazine wants
to cater to all readers to persuade them to consume the entirety of
the magazine.These images are presented behind the main image
but its still eye catching for the readers to notice without causing
too much of a distraction for them to look beyond the main featured
film of James Bond.

5. This piece of information captures the magazines information
regarding the price, issue number and date of release, the fact that
it’s the smallest piece of information upon the front cover of the
magazine suggests that it is not the biggest selling point of the
magazines it does not draw attention to the audiences. I would
suggest its not the main selling point due to the size of the font
suggesting that the issue itself must be expensive, a feature that
can be off putting for audiences.
The barcode is positioned upon the side of the magazine.The
barcode blends in within the light background so its not causing a
distraction, suggesting that the barcode is not an important
element for appealing to readers nor does it want to cause too much
of a distraction for readers to become distracted by this.

6. This is the masthead, the title of the magazine.The words Empire, is
bold, large and striking. Its clearly visible and recognisable from afar
for audiences to easily recognise and read.The masthead font on
this issue is a red colour, suggesting its tying within the central
Bonds theme upon the issue.The masthead will change colours and
style slightly from issue to issue reflecting the magazines film
theme of that time, promoting the film but the font and size will
never change as this is the central anchorage for audiences in
identifying the magazine from afar.
The main cover line features the name of the featured film “Skyfall”
is written in the colour white in contrast to the main image of Bond
in a dark suit.The cover lines are seen in a simple font, but that
makes it easy read for audiences to read off of the magazine front
cover, especially as the main cover lines would be the main font that
audiences read firstly.

7.  The house style of this magazine is rather classy and sophisticated in
manner and form, informing the reader about the 50 years of 007.The
colours used on the cover of this issue of empire would appeal to the
male audience as the colour are quite dark and bold, with the red
masthead stimulating excitement and danger, effectively catching the
readers attention.The use of the white, black and gold colours appeal
to the fans of the James Bond films, as the colour tie within the films
central theme of Bond which creates the atmosphere which relate
back well to the main theme of the article.
 The central image of the magazine is centred upon James Bond, the
position follows the conventional Bond film, strength and masculinity,
Bond looks dangerous and handsome, he gives direct address to the
audiences as he looks straight into the camera, giving off an
intimidating impression, a typically trait of the Bond films.The central
image is centred and layered over the masthead, the light background
of the image makes James Bond stand out even more and makes him
more dominant over the front cover.The star is the main selling point
of the magazine.The Bond films are very well known so the main
image will immediately attract attention and make people aware of
the new Bond film and encourage the readers to buy the magazine
and find out more information.

8. The Buzzwords that are prominent on this issue cover “New pics”,
“The full story” and “Bond. Back in Business.” creates an
atmosphere of excitement as it is the next film instalment of the
Bond series.The magazine offers readers fresh information that
they do not wish to miss out on in regards towards the Bond film. It
makes it exciting for audiences and appeal to them as fans of the
film would be therefore something they would like to read.This
ultimately gives readers the persuasion to purchase the magazine
and to consume its content.
In regards towards the content of the information displayed on the
front cover of the magazine, it is not as text heavy as expected, it
features text that gives readers the basic indication of what the
magazine content may hold and display to readers upon purchase.
The skyline featured on this magazine covers a range of genres in
order to seek out to a wider group of readers, catering for all.

9.  The fact that the information more or less focuses upon the one
film suggests to audiences that the magazine edition would more
less follow the scenes behind James Bond, this can appeal to the
target audience a it focuses upon the one story feature.Yet this
may be a potential flaw, as fans not of the James Bond film may be
discourage to not buy the magazine, resulting in a decrease from
sales.
 The additional, thumbnail images offer some kind of guarantee
towards the impression that the magazine will not be focusing
upon the one featured story, but perhaps may, considering it’s the
mostly dominated feature upon the page.The additional
thumbnail images offers some kind of insurance to the magazine
company that its being more diverse and offering something
different to audiences.

10. The value for money is seen on the top left of the magazine in small
print, suggesting to me that the price is not the winning feature of
the magazine.The fact that the font containing the price is the
smallest feature upon the magazine can suggest that the magazine
needs to appeal to the readers first and grab their attention before
brandishing the price. £3.99 for a monthly magazine is not a bad
price thought, but can be off putting for readers as it is not seen as
cheap for them.The annual subscription is £48, creating a saving for
readers of £11 so overall, the price has good value for money but is
not a selling feature brandished on the magazine cover.

11. Analysis of a
FrontCover
MagazineTwo:
Total Film
This magazine front cover
shall be the second that I shall
be analysing.This is from a
different magazine company,
Total Film so it would be
interesting to find out how
they present their features
compared to Empire.

12.  The masthead of this magazine cover is bold and dominant-The name
Total Film, reflects on what the magazine would be focusing
specifically upon, especially with the emphasis on the Film word being
the largest piece of font on the magazine cover.
 The tagline is immediately one of the first pieces of text that the
audience read off of the magazine cover.The words “Nobody does it
better” in capitols shows off the quality, professionalism and standard
of the magazine, claiming to be the best out of anyone else,
suggesting that there is no magazine out there that would offer the
same standard as the Empire magazine.
 The barcode/information is hardly seen at the bottom, suggesting
that like Empire, it is not the major selling point of the magazine
altogether but in fact mere information regarding price, date and
issue number.The price £3.99 is rather expensive, however it is a
monthly magazine which offers exclusive information, so the use of
text and picture heavy editing on the magazine must indicate that
although the price is high, it is a minor thin compared to how much
the magazine is giving you in terms of latest films and behind the
scene gossip.This is made up for in subscriptions in which for an
annual deal would be altogether £36 including the print edition
delivered to your door, a print and digital version read on all IOS. So,
altogether by subscribing it offers good value for money for the
following fans of the magazine.

13.  The house style of the magazines colour scheme consists within
the front cover ofYellow, Black and Red, possibly signifying the
flame in the background- fire linking to the theme of destruction
in the film however also in terms of connotations power and rage.
It creates excitement for the reader as fire can be associated with
fast action pace and defiantly dynamic scenes seen across in this
film.
 The colours would appeal to a male audience, as the colour of fire
suggests death, action, dynamic scenes that leave audiences on
the edge of their scenes.This is a thrilling sense and I believe that
the colours used throughout would reach out to male readers first.
The house style really relates back to the Hunger Game film
strongly, presenting the female character in a strong, heroic light.

14.  The Long shot of the female standing to the side dressed in all
black represents a fearless, independent woman, her eyes focused
on something in the distance, not exactly giving readers direct
address but from the lack of contact suggests something more
sinister is to be expected from this character.
 Audiences would recognise this female star as being Jennifer
Lawrence, however for the purpose of this role, the star has
completely altered her appearance to fit the role of Katniss
Everdeen respectably. Fans of Suzanne Collins book trilogy would
be eager to catch a glimpse of the protagonist and how well would
Lawrence fit the role.The long shot allows readers to catch a
glimpse of this and would be persuading enough to buy to catch
up on any information, especially as Lawrence is a popular star
who is highly dominant over American films.
 The character representation would appear that she is a strong
female, the way she dominates the front cover, looking in the
distance, its not an assuring look o her face, suggesting the
impression that she is not a hero yet, but perhaps may need to rise
up to this fulfilment.

15. The use of a female character portrayed upon the front cover pages
of the magazine can appeal to both genders, mostly female
considering it is a female protagonist centralising upon the film of
the hunger games, but the fact this this female character is
portrayed to be dangerous, action packed and daring denotes a
feature that could be of interest to a male audience.
Additionally, if we were to incorporate Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze
theory, she can be sexualised in a manner for a male audience.
Especially as this female character bears similar traits to males, and
is not portrayed to be small, venerable and helpless, a good feature
that a male audience could desire.

16. The language used throughout this magazine is short and simple, yet
powerfully effective for the reader in grasping what the entirety of the
magazine contends for them. It is more text heavy compared to the
Empire magazine, suggesting this magazine has a lot more to offer
readers.
Features with 'exclusives' act as ways to attract the audience offering
something a little extra.The use of quotes such as 'the most influential
film made in years' and 'I turned people off me' add a personal touch
and the bold lettering indicates it's importance.
Alliteration is used within this magazine to describe the Hunger Game
film, the main feature of the cover- noting
'Death..Destruction..Dystopia' creating a sense of excitement for the
audiences as the words imply heavy action, fiction and fear, it also
informs readers of what to be expecting before consuming the film.
All these features would certainly persuade the audiences to purchase
the magazine to consume the content inside.Words such as “The whole
Story”, “Massive interactive issue” offers the audience more
information and makes them feel like they’re receiving that little bit
more compared to other magazines.

17. Unlike Empire, this magazine focuses more on additional film
storylines, as well as famous actors gossips from Christina Ricci, R-
Pattz, Danny Dyer and Hugh Grant. It offers readers that little bit
extra but also suggests that the current edition of this magazine will
not focus upon the main featured Film of the Hunger games which
is great if readers are not a fan of the hunger games. But also, if they
are fans, as the magazine features on other such popular headlines
as well, showing a more inform action and information packed
magazine edition which can excite readers as they get good value
for money.
But than, this could be a potential flaw, especially as the main
featured film of this magazines release would of been the Hunger
games so this would have been the main hype of that particular
season, so everyone would want to be reading about it, the fact that
this magazine offers more storylines and gossips suggest that the
attention wont be entirely focused upon the hunger games which
could lead to readers picking other film magazine brands that
actually focus and lo9ok behind the scenes of the highly populated
film at that particular time.