Film Magazine Front Covers

Generic conventions of a magazine front cover:

Mast head

Banner

Headline

Cover lines

Secondary lead

Feature article photo

Menu strip

Displays the title of the magazine

Secondary lead is the second largest cover line after the headline

Cover lines are the stories around the main headline

Teases the audience showing what else is in the magazine

This is the image that is covering most of the front cover page

This is a few words to explain the main focus of the magazine this issue

The banner explains what type the magazine is, gives a clue to their target audience

Each magazine uses all the generic conventions of a magazine, but they all look

different and unique. This is called 'creating a brand image', this is important because each reader will want to recognise their favourite magazine each time they go to buy it and magazine publishers

always make sure that their magazine is unique and stands out from the crowd.

‘Creating a brand image'

Colour codes:Total film use colours to match the film that they are advertising. This issue the film is AVATAR and the colour scheme is blue and white, the image chosen of the fictional character gives the genre of the film away, this possibly conveys that AVATAR is a science fiction (sci-fi) film.Non-verbal colour codes:The facial expressions of the character on the front cover is very serious looking absorbed into something happening in the distance that the audience do not see. The characters eyes are not looking directly at the

camera lense so the audience are curious as to what they are looking at. These facial expressions show that the storyline must be very ‘questioning’ to the audience, keeping them involved in the action.Technical codes:The image is lit on one side of the characters face and the other half is shadowed maybe conveying a sense of mystery within the narrative. The font is simple and bold, easy for the audience to read but is pure white to maybe suggest there is some innocence portrayed in the film.

Colour codes:Empire use colours relating to the film that they are advertising or use the background image but blur what is going on so the focus is on the main character. This issue is focused on the film PUBLIC ENEMIES starring Johnny Depp.The colour scheme is mainly red, grey and black. This portrays the action that will be going on in the film; dusty and rough environment.The image chosen shows there is some crime involved within this film maybe conveying that the film is a crime drama.Non-verbal colour codes:

The facial expressions of the character is very sincere and looks as it he is looking out to defend himself from an attacker. The characters eyes are looking to his left which makes us wonder what is in front of him, keeping the audience curious. Technical codes:The image is lit in daylight, conveying this could be the characters everyday life, defending himself with a gun and the title ‘public enemies’ make it seem like the character isn’t ashamed of carrying a gun round in broad daylight in ‘public‘. The font is grey and red but bold so the audience are able to read the title easily. The hierarchy of the text shows that the USP is the actor; Johnny Depp.