The document analyzes differences between film magazine covers and a music magazine cover. Film magazine covers typically feature Hollywood actors using dramatic lighting and serious facial expressions to attract audiences. Their typography is bold and sophisticated. Music magazine covers represent artists as glamorous and stylish, using italic typography aimed at females. Film magazines adhere more to male stereotypes through serious images and topics like new films and reviews. Music magazines discuss interviews, trends, concerts and reviews, appealing more to females.

1. Analysis of Horror Magazines
I am going to analyze the four magazine covers below to identify the typical conventions of
film magazines. Consisting of 3 films magazines;
Empire, Premiere, Film and one music magazine; NME.
By comparing the film magazine front covers to NME this will help me to identify the typical
conventions of a film magazine.

2. Main image:
The main image of
Harry Potter is a global
Phenomena the films were a
huge success. By using a
medium close up of Harry
potter this entices the
audience which denotes that
Empire magazine consists of
good quality films and
actor/actresses this makes the
Audience want to read on. The
make up used on harry potter
is dramatic which will catch the
audiences eye the use of direct
mode of address also draws
the reader in.
Main cover line:
The main cover line is situated in the
left third of the front cover, it is first
among the rest of the cover lines which
effectively grabs the readers attention.
The style of typography indicates that
the ‘massive preview special’ is what
the magazine mostly focuses on within
this Empire issue, the capitals letter,
bold text and exclamation mark also
magnify the main cover line amongst
the rest of the typography.
Masthead: The masthead is made to be the focus of the magazine this is done by the domineering, bold
typography chosen and red colour that stands out against the dark background. The name ‘Empire’
Brains storms meanings to the consumer for example the word empire means authority, and control over
Other countries, this is ironic as Empire magazine the best selling film magazine in the UK amongst other
Magazines and has successfully been around since 1989.
Sub image: The sub image gives the
consumer a peep into what other
films will be written about within the
Issue. This gives the illusion that the
magazine is action packed with
information about the film industry.
The sub image is an action shot which
Reveals different types of film genres
compared to the main image taken from
a fantasy film ‘Harry Potter’.
Cover lines: The cover lines
are placed within the first and last
third, this does not distract from the
main image and creates a sense
of sophistication and organization
within the front cover which can easily
attract the audience. The blue stars
used for the cover lines indicate the
importance they have. Lists and words
like ‘and many more’ creates a sense
of value for money through the
illusion of lots of content within the
magazine. The white and yellow
typography sets apart from the
background and makes the text easier
to read for the consumer.
Selling line: The selling line sets this
Film magazine against the rest ‘The
World’s biggest movie magazine’
Persuades the audience that Empire
Is the best value to money because it is
The ‘biggest’ the makes the audience feel
That they are buying the best that they can
get. The red typography complies with the
masthead making it eye catching to the
consumer.
Barcode: This is a typical convention
of all magazines and has to be foreseeable
On the front cover. The barcode is placed
In the bottom right corner which does not deter
away from any of the other conventions which has been
Has been thought about in a professional manner.

3. Main image: The main
Image is a medium close up of
Toby Maguire a globally known
Hollywood actor. The use of Toby on
The front of Premiere magazine makes
The magazine contemporary as spider man 3
had just been out and Toby Maguire is the
protagonist of the new spider man 3 film. The
main images uses direct mode of address to
involve the reader the facial expression of
toby is stern and serious which relates the to
main cover line ‘The secrets of spider man 3’
which implies mystery to the audience. The
mise en scene of toby’s clothing adheres to
spider man by the use of the spider logo, this
is a good use of synergy.
Main cover line: The main
Cover line compliments
The main image they both domineer
What the issue will focus on and what the
audience shall expect when reading
through the magazine. The
Cover line is situated on the bottom third
of the magazine and bannered
Across the image which identifies the
purpose of the main image. The typography
is powerful through the
use of capital letters and and emphasize on
the word ‘secrets’ as it is centered and
maximized on the first line. This interreges
the consumer to read on and find out the
secrets as they will they are finding out
exclusive information, The use of white text
also stands out from the background
making it more of a focal point to the
audience.
Selling line: the selling line is placed slightly above the masthead to capture the audiences
attention with the help of the use of bold typography and contrasting grey color from the
white back ground yet it does not over power the masthead in any way as the colour chosen is
subtle . The words used e.g ‘Must-see’ is a buzz word that is used to impress the audience
give the impression that they will be missing out if they do not see the movie preview.
Cover lines: The cover lines are
placed around the main image
to ensure no distractions from the
main image. The typography is
Small enough to fit in enough information
about what will be inside the magazine.
the colour of the text is black and blue
which adheres to the colour scheme
continuity. Important words including
‘With’ and famous hollywood
names like ‘Kate Winselt’
are highlighted in the same text colour
as the masthead to emphasis its
importance.
Barcode: The bar code is a typical convention used on all
Professional front covers of magazines. They are usually put in the
Corner to be as discrete as possible. Within the magazine the
position of the barcode is in the bottom right corner and does not distract away
from any of the convention that are on the front cover.

4. Main image: The main image
is centralized within the rule of
thirds this technique is used to
create a strong focal point of
the image. The image is a close
up of the main actor of star
trek which is seen as
the main cover line on the front
cover. Chris pine is looking
down to the camera
which gives him a sense of
power and endearing
presence which attracts the
audience to the magazine.
also the use of direct mode of
address creates an interaction
with the consumer.
Masthead: The masthead is situated in the top third across the main image this is a domineering
Position on the front cover that captures attention from the consumer. The typography is chunky, bold and
stretched across the cover to show its importance. The masthead ‘Film’ is simplistic and gives a clear
indication to the exact type of media that the magazine is about. The white text is a contrast
To the dark background which jumps out to the consumer.
Pug: The use of the pug creates an
impression of a sticker stuck onto the
front cover this draws the reader in. The
pug is used as a selling point for a
competition the bright red pug complies
with the selling line and exclusive which
makes the pug an important convention
within the front cover. The pug
Includes three small sub images to give
a visual image of what the consumer
could win! Also text within the pug
explains the feature and uses persuasive
Buzz words e.g ‘Amazing’.
Main cover line: The main cover line relates the the main image, the indication
of this is how the typography is placed across the bottom of the image. This issue of Film is
to have a big section of star trek as it is the most focused point within the front cover e.g
Both the main image and main cover line are in the center of the rule of thirds the text above
in red typography introduces the cover line as a world exclusive which shows that ‘film’
magazine is contemporary, words like coolest are underlined as focused buzzed words to
describe the main cover line in an exciting way to the consumer.
Cover lines: The cover lines are
placed around the main image,
making sure the focus is not taken away
from the main conventions. The cover lines
have a purpose to give the audience
a peak into what the magazine will include
Inside. The cover lines are written in
smaller typography but are still made
prominent through the use of capital letters.
the white typography is continuous with
the colour scheme yet is readable among
the background.
Barcode: the barcode is placed discreetly
in the bottom right corner. this enables
room for the important conventions
on the front cover and does not distract
the audience to the bar code as it
will the the last thing the consumer will
Look at.

5. Masthead: The masthead NME is an abbreviation for 'new musical express'
The typography is simplistic and enlarged to attract the teenage and young
adult audience. The text is bright red which stands out from the white
background and also relates to the theme of patriotic attitudes towards UsA
and The UK which is featured to be the main theme of this issue. The boys
hair within the main image covers the Masthead slightly but because NME is
globally known it does not effect audiences from reading the masthead.
Pug: The pug significantly reflects all the colours within the UK and USA flag
as the information within the pug relates to both cultures. It is also a
rhetorical question which grabs the readers attention, the brief information
tells the audience what will be in the magazine but not specifically all the
elements that the magazine will elaborate on. The use of an explanation and
question draws attention to pug.
Main Image: The main image is a mid shot of a
group of stereotypical teenagers the appearance
of the individuals look similar as all the boys have
long scruffy hair, the girls have naturalistic make
up and the same hair styles. The group of
teenagers are covered by a USA flag and UK flag
this is a symbolism of a mix of patriotic attitudes
towards Britain and American. Although all the
individuals within the image are portrayed to be
friends by comfortably laying on each other we
can see through the image that both cultures
present the same view's of music. The colours
within the flags both consist of Red, white and
blue which is a significant to the colour scheme
throughout the magazine. The white background
connotes peace and delicacy. also making the
other colours more over powering. within the
group of models two out of seven are conveying
direct mode of address this is used to draw the
audience into the magazine without text.
The exclusive cover line:
is an interview with a famous artist of the
alternative music genre which is appealing to the
target audience of teenagers and young adults that
enjoy this genre of music. The coverline directs the
page number of the exclusive and this makes the
reader want to open the magazine to read the
story that is exclusive to NME. The typography is
formal and sophisticated which makes the cover
line look of importance on the front cover.
The main story: is positioned across the
main image this is done to show the relationship
that both features have. The typography is
presented at a slight diagonal angle this implies
that the cover line is used as an explanation of the
main image by the way the text is dominantly
stated across the whole of the image. The
typography is in italics and conveys that it could
have been written by the band this implies a sense
of personalization. Below a statement is written
about two bands the name of the bands are in the
same italic text this reflects the same concept of
personalization. the non italic text is presented in
Standard white typography on a blue background
this adheres the colour scheme.
The 'plus’: is a summarized list of the features inside the magazine. this gives the audience a small
scale of information into what they are buying. Certain features are mentioned to draw the reader in
to convey that the magazine is loaded with quality stories and buying the magazine will allow you to
read all these exclusive features that are only inside NME. the features are separated by bright yellow
lines this organizes the text making the audience read the plus even by scanning the magazine quickly
on the shop shelf. At the end of the plus 'And loads more' is added to create the impression that NME
is packed with lots more information.
The barcode: is discretely in the bottom right
corner and consist's of the different prices for
other countires this indicates that NME is a
globally know magazine. Also the barcode includes
the issue date and the NME website. this is
something that has to be on all front cover buts
does not dominant the front cover what so ever.

6. Comparisons Between Film
Magazines and Music Magazines
By analyzing three film magazines against a music magazine the clear differences between the two industries
have been prominent to the different types of genre’s. The way that film magazines use representation to draw
in their readers are the use of Hollywood actors as they are well known to a global audience and therefore
attract a big audience to trust the magazine. Films magazines also mainly use dark colours, dramatic lighting
and all models seem to have a serious facial expression this adheres to mundane realism comparing this to
music magazines were artist’s are represented as glamorous and beautified.
Much of the typography within music magazines are italic and stylish whereas film magazines use bold,
simplistic and sophisticated typography this shows that music magazines are likely to adhere to females as the
typography is more about the style rather than the importance of the text. By analyzing film magazines I have
found that the dramatic seriousness of the front covers adhere to the stereotypes of males rather than females
also a lot of film magazines feature men rather than females as the main image.
Music magazines feature interviews, latest trends, concert dates and review’s where as film magazines
concentrate on new films, premiere’s and reviews of new films.

7. Inspirational Magazine Covers