Magazine Research

Magazine Conventions: 

• Masthead- features on all magazine covers, usually at the top of the page and indicates which magazine it is e.g. total film, empire. This should be the largest text on the page and it can reflect the audience it caters for
• Image-  this image should reflect the audience and also the style of the magazine. The main image is usually a mid shot and should reflect on what the film is featured about. This usually involves the main actor from the film being featured
• 'Buzz words'- these involve 'free' and 'exclusive' which capture the readers attention and makes them want to buy the magazine 
• Anchorage text- the text that often overlaps the image to tell what the story inside will involve. This could be a quote taken from the interview inside or something as simple as the title of the film that is being featured
• Banner- gives overall information about the magazine and what will be found inside
• Barcode, date, issue number- something that every magazine has and is needed

Sight and Sound Magazine: 

Sight and Sound is a British monthly film magazine published by the British Film Institute. The magazine reviews all film releases each month, including those with a limited release, as opposed to most film magazines which concentrate on those films with a general release. Sight and Sound features a full cast and crew credit list fir each reviewed film.
Every decade, Sight and Sound asks and international group of film professionals to vote for their greatest film of all time. Critics are asked to provide a top ten list.

Here are a few examples of Sight and Sound magazine front covers:

Sight and Sound magazine analysis: 

• The mast head has an orange background with black and red bold font on it which makes the mast head stand out due to the vibrant background colour used
• 'Sight and Sound' emphasises the fact that both aspects are important in this magazine
• The tag line indicates that it has an international widespread, so it includes movies from all over the world such as French productions
• The magazine appears to have a serious aspect towards it in comparison to the 'Total Film' magazine front cover as formal colour scheme  consisting of black, blue and white have a serious focus towards the movie
• This can also be seen through the lack of sub images which indicates that it appeals to an older audience in comparison to 'Total Sound' which is targeted more at a younger audience
• Actor is wearing sunglasses seated at the back of the car suggesting suspicion in his character. One side of this face is shadowed which also suggests that his character is mysterious and doesn't want to be recognised so he used that prop of sunglasses as a disguise 
• The mise en scene of the characters costume also suggests that he is a business man as he is wearing a suit making him look formal and signifying that he is of some sort of importance or pretending to be 
• The title of the movie is in big bold blue letters which goes across the last quarter of the page. This highlights what the main article is about in this issue of the magazine including the actors name
• It is also accompanied by the directors name because this particular magazine mainly focuses on this particular directors movies

Total Film Magazine: 

Total Film is a UK-based film magazine published 13 times a year (published monthly and a summer issue is added between July and August) by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers cinema, DVD and Blu-ray news. reviews and features. 

Each month, Total Film provides a range of features, from spotlight interviews with actors and directors, to making of and on-set pieces for new and future releases. Each issue always includes the Total Film Interview, which is a six-page in-depth chat with an actor or director, along with a critique of their body work. 

Here are a few examples of Total Film Magazine front covers: 

Total Film magazine analysis: 

• The image covers the logo, but as the logo is so familiar it does not need to be completely visible to be read as is it still recognisable
• The protagonist within the centre of the stage is dressed completely in black to stand out from the page. This is used to show importance and will be used from the films marketing images
• Big font is used for the logo of the magazine, this is always the largest text on the page as it needs to stand out 
• The effect of broken glass is used over the magazine logo which is used to replicate the action in the film 
• Two circular shapes are used for more variety and unusuality to the square frame of the rest of the magazine
• The circle shape on the right of the magazine has a border that is similar to the Paramount film company logo, this use of stars is also linked to actors and actresses 
• The large text in the centre of the page refers to the main film being promoted (linking it to the main image). The size of this is once again to attract audiences attention to a film that should be well known
• The black background blocks to the strap lines used to separate the magazines into sections and prevent in from putting all information into one long section and allows the magazine to advertise more information on what the magazine has to offer 
• Different font sizes are used to intrigue customers with impressive big number, "100", making them feel they get their money's worth or to focus importance on which film they are advertising and promoting "SALT"
• The use of black and orange colours is very eye catching to audiences and works effectively. These colours linked with danger and excitement intrigues the audience into reading it

Empire Magazine: 

Empire magazine is a British magazine published monthly and has been doing so since it was first published in July 1989. It is the best selling film magazine in the United Kingdom and is also published in the United States, Australia, Russia, Turkey and Portugal. 

As well as film news, previews and reviews Empire has some other regular features. Each issue features a classic scene, a transcript from a notable film scene. The regular Top 10 feature lists Empire's choice of the top ten examples of something film-related. The re.view section covers Blu-ray and DVD news and releases. Pink of Milk presents celebrities' answers to silly or unusual questions. Each magazine includes a "Spine Quote", in which a relatively challenging quote is printed on the spine of the magazine. Celebrity mastermind is another regular in which a celebrity is given questions about the films they were in or they directed.

Here are a few examples of Empire Magazine film covers:

Empire magazine analysis:

• Empire is written in the biggest font as it's the name of the magazine itself and the colour red is used to link in with the inception title
• The title of the film is written in bright red to make it stand out against the image and a simple font is used to make it easy to read
• Above the title we see 'the dark knight returns' in capital letters, by doing this it advertises the film and director as he has previously had a very successful film
• There is advertising for an interview from the director of inception and also very popular the dark knight, this will entice people to buy the magazine
• Exclusive add-ins in this edition, encourages people to purchase a copy of this magazine
• Leonardo is holding a gun to help the readers establish the overall genre of the film. It is only small in the bottom corner, meaning that this is not the main focus but is extra information
• The gold circle in the centre makes it seem like this magazine is limited edition, the use of gold also makes is seem special and stands out against the background of the black suit
• The blue futuristic background makes Leonardo look secretive and encourages readers to want to learn more about him