The main Image -
- The main image in nearly all of the magazines which i looked at tended to be a close up or mid-shot image. This is due to the fact the the close up images tended to be big and dominated the main front cover drawing the audiences attention to that image. If the magazine had chosen to use a long shot image for example, the image would have been smaller and would not have been as 'in your face' to the audience possibly resulting in the audience missing the image, or noticing the image but it not having the powerful, close up impact to hold the audiences attention. The close up and mid-shot images get in the face of the audience as they dominate the whole cover and are effectively the most in your face element on the cover which snatches the audiences attention. If the main image did not produce this effect than the audience would not be influenced into picking up the magazine and having a further look at it, therefore it is vital for magazines to have a powerful and interesting image, dominating their cover to draw in the audiences attention, to focus on their magazine front cover instead of a rival magazine cover. The images also tended to be shot in a dramatic fashion, for exmaple a dominating male, stood firm with his feet planted, shoulders back, chest forward highlighting the mans powerful physique; for example in february 2010 edition of Empire Matt Damon is stood staring directly out towards the audience, which seems to be another key element in a lot of these images in order for the audience to feel a connection between them and the main figure in the image looking directly at them. Matt damon is shown with his sleeve rolled up, striding forward showing no fear or intimidation, holding his sub-machine gun in one hand, highlighting his strength and his fearless approach in battle another issue shows Bruce willis in worn clothes covered in cuts and blood highlighting that the character had been involved in an intense journey through danger and violence and that he has prevailed even though he has suffered many injuries he has been tough and is portrayed as a heroic figure. This also tended to be the same with other genres of film such as, Avatar where the figure was shown to be muscley staring directly out at the audience showing no fear and having a look of determination on his face highlighting the characters tough personality. This is also true of the sci-fi image of Kirk in total film magazine where the close up shot of his face shows the characters high levels of seriousness and determination with no fear, he has a stone faced hard expression which tends to be recreated in most of the images used no matter what the genre of film is. I also discovered that their tends to be more props used in images of action films; for example, blood is seen on the characters, who are usually holding weapons, their appearance is rugged as they emerge victorious from explosions in the background, or emerge from the flames victorious, whereas this technique is not followed in the other genres of film, for instance the image of captain kirk is surrounded by a background of black, white and grey colours symbolising an image of metal and technology possibly referencing to futuristic ideas of how space ships are imagined to look like with it been constructed with all silver metal and no colours which is how the magazine have presented their front cover. This is also true of Avatar who have presented their main image surrounded by colours of blue and turqoise which creates a sense of coolness and tranquility and calmess again possibly suggesting peace and referncing that the character on the cover is one of peace even though he is not human. Either way, throughout my research i discovered that typically the main image, along with the background of the magazine are the two most important elements towards a magazine standing out and being attractive to its audience who in turn are influenced to purchase it. Therefore it is important that these two elements are, bright, bold and colourful in order for the cover to stand out amongst the others magazines and catch the audiences attention.
Headlines-
- The headlines contained in film magazines are always bright and bold in order for them to be eye-catching to the readers and attract their attention to the magazine. This has the effect of the text standing out off the page and naturally the readers are attracted to the bold and bright font of the headline. They are again generally placed towards the centre of the magazine over the top of the magazines main image as the two usually tend to be linked together with the headline referring to the image. The audiences focus is straight away attracted to the centre of the magazine therefore by placing the main headline close to the centre in a colourful font the audiences attention is attracted to it and this then informs them about one of the biggests features in the magazine which has the effect of encouraging the audience to purchase the magazine if they like the sound of the features which are included.
Title of Magazine -
- The title of the magazine is again produced, in the same way as the headlines, in a bold and bright and eye-catching font which is almost always kept the same with each issue so that the audience can instantly recognise the title and it becomes symbolic of the magazine. The titles also tend to be short and catchy so that they can be easily remembered by the audience. They are always placed at the top of the magazine so that if the magazine is stacked on a shelf once distributed the title will not be hidden by magazines in front of it and therefore the audience can still spot the magazine clearly enough due to its symbolic and eye-catching title.
Other Features:
- After researching the front covers from many different music magazines from last year and from this years research into the two well-known film magazines 'Empire' and 'Total Film' i discovered that in most issues, more text is placed around the magazine where more features included in the magazine are listed. There are a certain number of usual places where these features tend to be placed on the magazine front covers. Firstly; a lot of magazines i looked at placed a 'PLUS' section at the very bottom of their magazine and displayed a number of features along the bottom of the magazine that are included in this issue of the magazine. They are sometimes included in a bar running across the very top of the magazine, and sometimes they are scattered around the front cover - when this is done they tend to be placed in a column down the right hand side of the magazine. The features are displayed in bright and colourful fonts to again point the readers attention in their direction in another attempt at encouraging them to purchase the magazine, however they are created in a small font as they are not as important as the main headline and text surrounding the main image and the magazine doesnt want the audiences attention to be taken away from this, therefore these are displayed in a smaller font to signify to the audience that whilst they are still important they are not as important as the larger text of the main headline. The features also tend to be short and snappy titles, such as a film stars name or the name of a film etc and then contained underneath this in a more plain and clear font a brief phrase of writing is included to provide the audience with further information as to what the features are about.
Advertisement -
- In some of the magazine front covers which i have researched they have included advertisments about 'freebies' included in the magazine or an emphasis about something good which the magazine is trying to draw their audiences attention to contained in their magazine. The information is usually contained in a red circle with the text inside in a black or white font to stand out and again have the eye-catching effect which the magazine want. The prospect of freebie has the effect of making the reader think that they are getting something for nothing and so by highlighting the prospect of something free to come in this magazine the audience are excited and believe that the magazine is good value for money due to the free gifts and therefore they go and purchase the magazine, therefore it is important for the magazine that advertisements included such as this stand out and attract the audiences attention. Typically, they are also usually placed towards the top half of the magazine somewhere near the main image and headline as this is what immediately catches the audiences attention and then the advertisement being close by means the audience will see this.
Other Images:
- In some issues other images are displayed on the front cover however these are smaller and are usually accompanied by some text to highlight other images included in the magazine.
Tagline:
- After looking at the different magazines i discovered that some film magazines use taglines to advertise their magazine, for example Empire's is 'The UK's no1 film magazine.' These are effective as they promote the magazine and due to the magazine been hyped as the UK's no1 it could also possibly encourage people to purchase this magazine.
Barcode:
- The barcode is always placed on the front cover of the magazine, however it doesnt have a set position, the barcode changes position and is moved around to fit in the the structure of the magazine front cover
Date/Issue No / Price:
- During my research into Empire and Total film i disocvered that both magazines are the same in that they display the price, issue no and date of the magazine in between the gap between the two corners of the 'm' in either title. They are placed in the same position each issue so that the audience know where to look, whilst also helping potential buyers and new audiences to the magazine as it is placed at the top of the magazine directly near the title so that it is clear and easily visible so potential buyers can clearly see how much the magazine is.
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