Magazine front cover Overview

The eight magazine front covers have been designed to successfully promote films within the Horror, Thriller, Action and Sci-Fi genre. Through carrying out an investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it is possible to identify  shared features within them and to establish repeated patterns.

All eight posters feature typical magazine front cover conventions. We see expected general conventions in all, such as a masthead, always the laregst and most significant text in the frame, an image that dominates the frame and that signals something important about the film’s narrative, a slogan to anchor the image and, as expected of a magazine front cover, imagery that reflects the certain genre of film.

In addition to this, we see other repeated patterns. Interestingly enough, almost all of the posters feature a main female character, who is generally suffereing some kind of torment or seems under threat in some way. However on the other hand the males seem to be presented as in control and undefeatable.  For example the ‘Film’ front cover that advertises ‘harry Potter 7’ illustrates Harry as a man of power and strengh due to the low angle medium long shot that is used. Meanwhile, the magazine front covers that feature females on show us as an audience only their neck and above therefore drawing us to their horrified facial expression. A medium close-up used to portray the female characters further reinforces their lack of power and their vulnerabilty.

Meanwhile, it must most be noted that, in each front cover shown that features a female, they seem to have dark hair as oppose to light. Each female does not, however, appear to be a ‘bimbo’. This may be an indication to their fate, as the ‘bimbo’ stereotype does not have the intelligence, bravery or resourcefulness to fight off the dangerous threat. This may therefore be suggesting that each female, after experiencing violence and pain; fights back and succeeds.

In three of the eight posters we see scared/isolated/innocent young females. This reinforces the idea that such characters are common in brutal violent films whether they are Horror, Thriller or even Sci-Fi. The females often appear as conduits of pain. In each of the three posters, the females express themselves with cold, blank stares signifying to us that they are in danger. The young girl on the Fangoria front cover that features a jaggered edge puff is represented as weak and lifeless. This character from the Silent Hill revelation has had her eyes made to look glass like, as she almost appears to be frozen, possessed and near death.

 

The images presented in the eight posters are both horrific and reflect ones nature to be responsive and fight back for their sanity.

In the poster for ‘Jennifers body’, for example, we see a defenseless female which we assume to be wearing only a white bra (conjuring up ideas of terrifying events happening at night or of a character confined to bed rest). This leaves her neck, chest and shoulders visible, available to be hurt. Blood is pouring, effortlessly, from her gums, painting her fangs then flowing down to her chin and dripping onto her elongated slender neck. This image of gore presents Megan Fox’s character as a female who can not defend herself and has been hurt without remorse and left to appear demoniaic.

In the eight magazine front covers, we see a violent nature containing wielding knives and bloodied victims. Each representing their genre of film effectively. For example, the front cover of ‘Empire’ that is advertising Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince reflects the danger and problems he faces within the film however his pose and serious facial expression siginifys his ability to save himself and others around him.

There is a consistent pattern with regards to colour too. Bold primary colours, particularly red, yellow, white and blue are common and help to create a mysterious mood. In the case of the Film magazine front covers both Daniel Radcliffe and Leonardo DiCaprio are presented with the use of a low angle medium long shot. This use of camera angle makes them appear powerful and confident when up against others. They are both in an area with dark surroundings therefore signifiying that they are the main character within the film that us an audience must keep our eye on. Both actors are very popular with film fans therefore they are suitable males to play the characters in these films.  This reflects the way in which the dominant male is being enveloped and drawn into a world that presents danger and obstacles that they must climb over. Their entire existence is now revolving around the battle that they must fight; it defines and characterises them.

In each of the eight magazine front covers we see the general layout conventions being followed.The magazines name; the masthead is placed in a conspicuous position and, as expected, it is the largest text on the page. In six of the eight posters, text is positioned around and beneath the image. Some of the magazine front covers feature the film title beneath the main image; such as the Empire issue featuring Robert Pattinson (the idea is that the audience will be presented with the title, once they have been drawn in and ‘seduced’ by the image). The recurrence of this placement certainly seems to suggests a layout convention. Each film title is presented in uppercase in a font that is bold, simple and highly visible. Text effects, such as a ghostly drop shadow on the Fangoria ‘Jennifer’s Body’ front cover; are used in some cases to make the title look more horrific.

Five of the eight posters feature a barcode that is positioned in the typical place; that being the bottom left hand corner. Moreover, each film title that features on the magazine front cover helps to anchor  or reinforce the meaning of the main image or to reveal more about the film that is being advertised.

Text such as ‘Massive Special Preview’ or ‘No school, No rules’ are short catch phrases used to attract the attention of a mature middle aged male; the typical reader. All text is presented to the audience is simple, readible and, often, sans serif font. All the magazine front covers in the selection suit their purpose. They also have simplicity in common, with minimal text and the image, stark, bold and dominant, doing most of the talking.