Assignment 9: Magazine Cover Research PART B

Judy Ibelgauptiene

Total Film

Elle

DIY

Empire

Q

Digital Arts

Fashion

L’Officiel Art

Mom

Geek

Purpose of film magazines?

The purpose of film magazines is to target people interested in films, both in the industry and not. They exist to educate people upon the creation process of films (preproduction, production and postproduction), to teach them facts about films and to let the audience know what films are coming out.

Film magazines are part of the marketing process, as the are used to market the film usually before its release so the audience is aware when its coming out and what its about.

Where are film magazines available? Film magazines are available online to order a physical copy, or to download as a PDF, or even on the magazines app if they have one. For instance, the magazine ‘’EMPIRE’’ has a digital edition.

They are also available in some book stores such as WHSmith.

What is the typical size for magazines?

The standard magazine size is 8 3⁄8” x 10 7⁄8.

However, some magazines are available as digital versions such as PDFs and on apps, so sizes vary within the apps and device used.

TotalFilm

How are magazine covers attractive to the audience? Does the attraction differ than that of the film?

Magazine covers attract audience because they give them an insight into the film, and let them see exclusive details such as behind the scenes, interviews, facts about the film etc. The attraction differs than that of the film because magazines can be accessed by a variety of people, so the target audience is wider just like the trailer.

What are the conventions of magazine covers?

Main Image

On a magazine the main image is usually a photo of the feature article as that is the article that helps the magazine sell.

The main image tends to be a mid shot or a long shot of the character on a plain background so the audience isn’t distracted.

The character also tends to have a direct gaze to attract the audience.

Mast Head

The mast head tends to be in a different font from the rest, this is so it stands out against everything else.

The mast head also helps the audience distinguish what the name of the magazine is quickly.

Feature ArticleThe feature article is usually based on the main image of the magazine, as it is usually a picture of the person related to the article.

Cover Lines

Magazines use coverlines to show what other articles are within the magazine without the audience having to open it and find out. This makes it easy for the audience to pick magazines as everything on the cover gives them a flavor of the magazine.

Colour Palette

The mast head is usually a different colour to the rest of the text to stand out.

The colour palette on the cover magazine is usually quite consist, and is only two or three different colours.

Similarities and differences between magazines?

• Most magazines have similar conventions such as the main image is normally the feature article. However one difference is the gaze, some magazines have direct gaze whereas others don’t, this depends on the effect the magazine is trying to create.

• The colour palettes are the same as each magazine usually has two or three different ones, but its also different as each magazine uses different combination of colours.

• Some magazines have very minimum text on the front cover, whereas others have lots.

What do some magazine covers priorities?

The three things that magazine covers priorities are:• The Magazine Title, this is because this is the

title of the magazine and the audience needs to know the name

• Photo, this is because this and the feature article link closely and are the main selling point of the magazine.

• The Feature Article