Sight and Sound and Total Film Magazines Analysis

The two magazines on the left clearly show that it is aimed at different audiences. The target audience for Sight and Sound would be a older audience 40+, where as Total film would be aged 19-35. The way the audience are separated is by the use of certain typefaces and the main image.

Both magazine have used magazine conventions which includes:-Masthead-Barcode-Cover lines to anchor the image-Main image positioned in the middle.

Conventions have also been challenged by both magazines. The layout for Total film and Sound and sight don’t follow the three conventional layouts which are “C”, “Z” and “T” shaped. By doing this both magazines are showing the audience that they are a well established magazine who don’t need to follow all the conventions to attract the audience.

Typeface – Sound and sight magazine typeface is more casual as it looks like someone has written the text, this is not usually seen on a magazine cover as is become difficult to read the cover lies which i think has happened here; whereas the typeface for Total film is clear and simple to read. The typeface for Sound and sight magazine may have worked if it was appealed at a more younger audience as they like things which are different and edgy. The magazine has used 3 different fonts which helps to differentiate the text and image, this will make it easier for the audience to navigate around the magazine. For both magazines the fonts are in different colours, this will help to break down the text which will again make it easy for the audience to navigate around the magazine. c

The colours used for Sight and sound magazine are yellow, white, grey, black, brown and red. All these colours go well with each other as they help the text to contrast and more visually appealing. The colours yellow, black and red have been used more the masthead as the audience will be directly attracted to the name of the magazine. The colours for the cover lines are gentle, this allows the main focus of the magazine to be the main image, also the niche audience for the magazine are older who prefer calmer colours. “Wes Anderson” is anchoring the main image is in larger text, in this case this has been done so that the audience know who the man on the cover is.

The colours used for Total film magazine are blue, black and white. The background of the magazine has a blue tone and the masthead is white this creates a contrast, allowing the masthead to be more noticeable. Some of the fonts are in bold e.g. “10 coolest movies” by doing this it highlights the main features of the magazine. Also for each cover line certain words are in bold and blue, “Extra”, this word implies that the magazine have included more content then usual which makes the audience feel that they are getting their value of money. The cover line anchoring the image is larger than the other cover lines which allows the audience to establish what the main feature of the magazine will be, also the text will help the audience to understand the image.

Similarities:-Both magazines have text on each side of the main image

-Masthead is big and bold

-The text anchoring the main image is larger than other text

-Different colours have been used to break up the text.

The main image of Sight and sound is of a man wearing a pink shirt and brown trousers with his hands held together, he is looking directly at the camera. The model is dressed in a casual way which will make it easier for the audience to relate to him as they will feel he is just like them, also this can also imply that he may not be a movie star who are normally seen on film magazines dressed as their character.

The main image for Total film is from the film Sherlock Holmes and is of the main character, the benefit of this is that the audience will instantly recognise the film without even looking at the anchoring cover line; also the model is dressed exactly like the character does in the film (mise-en-scene) which again grabs the audience attention. The model is looking directly at the camera with his hands in his pockets representing that he is relaxed. The main image covers parts of the masthead which may have been done as the magazine is already well established symbolizes that the audience will recognise the magazine with the usual conventions. The magazine also has three other images which are off characters from different film, by doing this the magazine is showing the variety of films which are featured just in one addition.

Both magazines have positioned the models in the centre of the magazine and have made it the main focus. They both have the models looking directly towards the camera which shows they are engaging with the audience, this will make the audience think that the models on the cover are paying attention to them as well as the audience are to them.

Rule of thirds :

Left third -Masthead-A large amount of the cover lines

The models eyes are within one of the lines, this is done as these areas the audience look at first when looking at a magazine cover.

Rule of thirds :

Left third -Two cover lines gives the audience a small glimpse of the context of the magazine.-Small section of the masthead and another cover line

Like Sight and sound magazine the models eyes are positioned on one of the lines.