Analysis of Film

Magazine Front
Covers
Cover 1

-The large font of the title and main heading ‘The Two Towers’,
as well as the colour , make it stand out from the darker
background, attracting the reader’s attention.
-The main image in the primary optical area is of the main
character of the featured film, so the reader knows what this
issue is about.
-In two of the hotspots you can see the faces of two other
characters from the film, making use of the attention these
areas attract.
-The most important information to the reader is shown along
the line of the eye- the name of the magazine, the main
image, main article and bonus features in this issue. By doing
this the reader can see straight away the significant pieces of
information without having to open the magazine.
-Details of the free gift are situated in the terminal area as a
final reason to buy the magazine, as it’s the last thing they will
see.
-The colour schemes here are fairly plain as their are only 4
colours used. This helps maintain the theme of the issue and
isn’t too confusing to the reader.
-Also the font of all the text is simple and easy to read, again
making it easy for the reader.
-Following the line of the eye you are told it’s the ‘best Cover 2
preview issue ever’ as an incentive to buy it. You also see the
main image and headline, as well as what else is in the issue,
so you know the important information at a glance.
-In top two hotspots there are pictures of other movies which
are mentioned inside, giving further details of what’s inside.
-As before the fonts used are uncomplicated and the colour
scheme only consists of 4 colours to maintain the theme.
-As with poster 1 this also has one main image which takes up
most of the page, and is in the primary optical area,
identifying straight away the main feature of this issue.
-The main heading is also in the centre of the page and is in a
large, bold font so it attracts attention. The grey/silver colour
contrasts the blue behind it making it stand out more.
-The grey/silver of the main heading has mysterious
connotations so relates to the genre of the film very well.
-Even though you can’t see the whole of the magazine’s name
it still stands out as it is bright red and in a larger font than
anything else on the cover, so the reader still knows what it
is.
-The way the two smaller images are opposite each other,
either side of the central image, creates a symmetry which
makes the cover pleasing to look at. The colours of the text
with the two images are the same which adds to this and
keeps to the theme.
-By subverting the convention of having an image or specific
details in the terminal area, it makes the reader focus on the
main image and heading so they remember that is the most
important part of this issue.
Cover 3
-As with the previous cover, colour has been used to
emphasise the genre and relate to the main film featured.
The red of ‘Empire’ and the orange of the flames around
this and the name of the film tell the reader this film is
serious and quite masculine.
-The darkness of the background adds to the feeling it’s an
action film, as it shows the setting through the brown
colours which connote the earth, suggesting adventure.
-Just 3 colours are primarily used here, keeping to the tone
of the magazine. The green at the bottom left corner is
widely associated with aliens and science fiction, so you
can tell at a glance what this piece is about.
-Along the line of the eye there is the name of the
magazine, the main image and heading, along with details
of what else is inside. Once again the reader is able to find
out the vital details quickly and easily.
-Instead of being wholly in the primary optical area the
main image is slightly to the right, which places emphasis
on the space around him, further relating to the film and
its genre.
-Likewise, there is nothing in the terminal area where you
usually find details of something else, shifting attention to
the main image. This isn’t typical of the conventions of film
magazines.
-One of the hotspots has part of the actor’s armour and the
one below shows the sword to make readers focus on
these, as they represent the film very well. So the
magazine has utilised the props in the film to good effect.
 Codes and Conventions I have found in Film Magazine
Front Covers

After analysing these three film magazine front covers I have had a further insight into what needs to be
included on them and how I should lay things out to good effect.
Here are some of the codes and conventions I have discovered and will consider for my product:

 The name of the magazine is in a very large, bold font across the top of the page to attract attention.
 The colours used are often associated with whatever the main article/ film is, to maintain a theme to
each issue. Also only 3 or 4 colours are used to maintain simplicity and readability.
 There is usually one main image in the centre of the cover which covers the majority of the page,
showing straight away to the reader what the issue is focussed on.
 Following the line of the eye there is the name of the magazine, main image and heading, along with
details of what else is in that issue. So the significant information the reader wants to know is available at
a quick glance, meaning they’re more likely to buy the magazine.
 Props have been used to demonstrate the genre of the main feature, as in the third poster a sword and
armour are in two hotspots, so the reader will know what the film is like.
 Along the top they have attention- grabbing details such as free gifts and exclusive articles to persuade
the reader to buy them.
 There is also some space on the covers, as not every part is filled with something. By doing this it places
more attention on the main feature and keeps the cover simple, with the right information easy to find.