Magazine Front Cover Analysis Introduction

I have finished looking at Film poster front covers and I will now be focusing on Magazine front covers, I am going to get two different front covers from different magazine brands and I will analyse them and see if they share the same conventions, in terms of layout and design, even if they are targeting different audiences.

Film Publications- Introduction

In this post I will be researching different film magazines, this will enable me to explore different types of film magazine brands and then when it comes to choosing the brand of magazine for my cover I will know what I need to include and how it should be presented to benefit the audience.

AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER

This magazine is published monthly by the American society of cinematographers, it focuses mainly on the individuals who deal the the art and production of the film for example the lighting. When we look in this magazine we see that there are no interviews with the stars of the film, instead there would be an interview with the person who deals with the lighting. Directors and Filmmakers are involved inside the magazine as well. The magazine also discusses how-to, discussion of tools and technologies and historical features. 

HOTDOG

This magazine is published in the UK, the first magazine was released in 2000 by Highbury entertainment and they're final issue was in 2006. It focuses towards a cynical view of the film industry. It doesn't focus on blockbusters and it doesn't go with the norms of film magazines. It focuses less on hollywood blockbusters and more on independent films. Towards the last few years it focuses more on mainstream film press. It was closed only 6 years after the first publishing because the competition was to high.

NEON

This is another British film magazine, it is published monthly by Emap consumer media, its first publishing was in december 1996 and its final publishing was february 1999. It included films latest news, previews, actor profiles, interviews and contemporary music profiles. The magazine itself was written in a humorous way. The magazine closed when the original editor left, the magazine no longer made a profit, they tried to make a more commercial direction, but it still did not work. 

PREMIER 

This is an American and New-York based film magazine published by Hachette Filipacchi Media US. It's first publishing was in 1987 and its last was 2010, it was first published in France in 1976 and it is still being published there. The magazine was sold in America, Britain, France, Australia and Canada. Each year the magazine includes a list of hollywoods most powerful people, it also covers the oscars and it also looks at women in the film industry. We also get information on big hollywood movies and stars. 

LITTLE WHITE LIES 

It is an internationally distributed magazine. It is published in a London based company called TCOLondon. It contains information on the lead review, articles that are written about the film that is presented on the cover, it also has a reviews section that has interviews with directors and stars of upcoming movies. The magazine came as a result of the film magazine Adrenalin being closed down due to the publisher going bankrupt. 

SCREEN INTERNATIONAL

The magazine itself has dated back since 1889 and the name of the magazine kept changing until it stayed at Screen international in the year 1975. The magazine is on films outside the US mainstream films and is more about international films. They provide in-depth analysis, opinion and commentary on issues, people and products shaping the worldwide film industry.

FANGORIA

It was originally named Fantasica in 1978, it was meant to be a companion to the science fiction magazine called Starlog aimed at teenagers, Fantasica was meant to cover fantasy films also for the same audience. The name Fantasica was unusable due to it sounding similar to another magazine. They then changed the name to Fangoria and made it a Horror magazine.

STARBURST

Starburst is a British Scientific Film magazine, it is published monthly. Before the publishers decided on the name Starburst, it was going to be called Starfall or Skinn, but it was decided that these were too negative. The magazine included features such as a review section written by editors and publishers, interviews, it also had a section reviewing genre material.

SFX

This magazine is published every 4 weeks by Future place, its was found in 1995, and is a British magazine. It covers topics such as science fiction, horror and fantasy, it not only covers film but also TV, radio, video games, comic and literature. It published regular special edition copies. It features a column written by various film artists and writers. 

SHIVERS

Shivers magazine, is a film magazine thats main focus is the horror genre. The first issue appeared in 1992, the magazines final issue was in 2008. Its regular features included a news section, a book review section, it also included 'The Pitt Of Horror'. 

UNCUT

It is based in London and is published monthly. Its targeted audience is 25-45 year old men. Its main focus is movies and music. Its main features are on old albums, interviews with film directors, music and film news and reviews on all major new releases whether this is films, music or DVD releases. This magazine is more suitable for independent films not so much big Hollywood blockbusters, you can tell this from the main images as the person on the front range from independent musicians or film directors. In 2006 the magazine was refurbished and no longer featured books and it reduced the content about films. 

FILM COMMENT 

This is an Arts and Culture magazine, published by the film society in Lincoln Centre, It features reviews and analysis of mainstream film making from around the world. Founded in 1962. We can see from the front cover that compared to other magazine such as Empire it is more of a traditional sophisticated magazine, aimed more towards a more mature audience.

PREMIER 

This is an American and New-York based film magazine published by Hachette Filipacchi Media US. It's first publishing was in 1987 and its last was 2010, it was first published in France in 1976 and it is still being published there. The magazine was sold in America, Britain, France, Australia and Canada. Each year the magazine includes a list of hollywoods most powerful people, it also covers the oscars and it also looks at women in the film industry. We also get information on big hollywood movies and stars. 

LITTLE WHITE LIES 

It is an internationally distributed magazine. It is published in a London based company called TCOLondon. It contains information on the lead review, articles that are written about the film that is presented on the cover, it also has a reviews section that has interviews with directors and stars of upcoming movies. The magazine came as a result of the film magazine Adrenalin being closed down due to the publisher going bankrupt. 

SCREEN INTERNATIONAL

The magazine itself has dated back since 1889 and the name of the magazine kept changing until it stayed at Screen international in the year 1975. The magazine is on films outside the US mainstream films and is more about international films. They provide in-depth analysis, opinion and commentary on issues, people and products shaping the worldwide film industry.

FANGORIA

It was originally named Fantasica in 1978, it was meant to be a companion to the science fiction magazine called Starlog aimed at teenagers, Fantasica was meant to cover fantasy films also for the same audience. The name Fantasica was unusable due to it sounding similar to another magazine. They then changed the name to Fangoria and made it a Horror magazine.

STARBURST

Starburst is a British Scientific Film magazine, it is published monthly. Before the publishers decided on the name Starburst, it was going to be called Starfall or Skinn, but it was decided that these were too negative. The magazine included features such as a review section written by editors and publishers, interviews, it also had a section reviewing genre material.

SFX

This magazine is published every 4 weeks by Future place, its was found in 1995, and is a British magazine. It covers topics such as science fiction, horror and fantasy, it not only covers film but also TV, radio, video games, comic and literature. It published regular special edition copies. It features a column written by various film artists and writers. 

SHIVERS

Shivers magazine, is a film magazine thats main focus is the horror genre. The first issue appeared in 1992, the magazines final issue was in 2008. Its regular features included a news section, a book review section, it also included 'The Pitt Of Horror'. 

UNCUT

It is based in London and is published monthly. Its targeted audience is 25-45 year old men. Its main focus is movies and music. Its main features are on old albums, interviews with film directors, music and film news and reviews on all major new releases whether this is films, music or DVD releases. This magazine is more suitable for independent films not so much big Hollywood blockbusters, you can tell this from the main images as the person on the front range from independent musicians or film directors. In 2006 the magazine was refurbished and no longer featured books and it reduced the content about films. 

FILM COMMENT 

This is an Arts and Culture magazine, published by the film society in Lincoln Centre, It features reviews and analysis of mainstream film making from around the world. Founded in 1962. We can see from the front cover that compared to other magazine such as Empire it is more of a traditional sophisticated magazine, aimed more towards a more mature audience.

EMPIRE 

This magazine has been running since 1989, it is a British film magazine. It is the biggest selling film magazine in the UK, it is also published in many different countries around the world. The magazine covers mainstream films as well as independent movies. It regular features are reviews, interviews, film news it also contains a transcript from a notable film scene, a top 10 list, questions and answers from celebrities, a challenging quote that if is correctly answered from the audience will win them a prize and 'celebrity mastermind' this is where celebrities are questioned about there newest films. 

TOTAL FILM 

Total Film magazine is another british magazine, it is published every month. The magazine is available in many different counties, but the main focus is the US and UK. Whilst it mainly focuses on big blockbuster hollywood movies, it also looks at more innovative film screenings. It features interviews with directors and actors, making of onset pieces for new movie releases, every release has a 6 page in depth chat with a director or actor, a main cinema review section.

Cinefex

This magazine is published bimonthly, it mainly covers visual effects in movies, it features detailed and lengthily articles about the creativeness and technical processes behind current films. It also features behind the scenes photographs illustrating the progressions of visual effects. This sort of magazine is targeted to more of an older audience, the sort of people that may be reading this magazine are more educated about films and may want to learn about the making of the film rather than interviews with celebrities. 

Horror Poster Analysis 5- Paranormal Activity 5

In this film poster we see a child in her bedroom, bedrooms and houses are every persons safe place, where we feel safe and comfortable, the producers have used this room to make the audience feel unsafe and threatened. There is a dark figure at the end of the tunnel, we cannot see the identity of the figure, this makes us question whether it is a person or a spirit, this gives off a mysterious and strange feeling. The  blue colour in the background creates a chilling atmosphere, this feeling reminds me of death, this relates to the film because it is based on possession of people and a house. The tagline 'For the first time you will see the activity' makes us want to see the film, they are drawing the audience in, they have done this because people who have previously seen the other films would have been waiting to find out what has actually happened and why. The use of red titles is a common trait most horror poster use this is because it reminds us of blood and danger, which evidently is what most horror films is based around. 

Horror Poster Analysis 4- Nightmare On Em Street

Film poster for Nightmare On Emstreet

An effective convention used on many horror posters is a dark figure with part of their profile covered, this poster is an example of this as we cannot see the identity of the character that is on the front of the poster. This pose is used because it creates enigma for the audience. We can only see part of the face and from what we can see it is clear that the characters face has been disfigured and he has a slight smirk on his face, this gives off an impression that this is a mysterious character. The way the hands are placed looks slightly dangerous and looks although he is plotting something. The use of the sharp weapon makes us think of violence and murder, he may be plotting his killings. The colour scheme is red which suggests danger, blood and hell, we also have a lot of black which is dark gloomy and reminds us of nightmares. The lighting is from the back which again suggests more mystery and darkness of the character. 

Horror Poster Analysis 3- Insidious 2

Insidious part 2 is another horror film poster I will be analysing, it is a popular horror movie and has been seen by many people

This poster is very clever in the aspects of getting the terror and fear across with out giving to much of the film away. Many horror films focus on a house because they can be made to be very spooky and haunted, they are mainly used in horror films that contain the supernatural, the way this picture is taken makes the house look although it is taller, a low angle shot, this suggests to me that the house itself is haunted. It also unsettles the audience as houses are immediately though of as a safe place and a place to go, but ultimately in horror films they are the complete opposite. The eyes of the boy in this poster are scratched out, eyes are seen as the windows to the soul this again suggests the super natural as his soul may be possessed or he may have had his soul taken over. This horror poster contains a review, these distract the attention from the poster but are effective as we are getting information from an outsider, not someone who had anything to do with the film. The back ground to the house is gloomy and dark this suggests death and mystery to the audience. If we look closely we can see that there is a silhouette in the window of the house, this allows the viewers to get an understanding but still makes us want to know what happens.

Horror Poster Analysis 2- The Human Centipede

The Human Centipede is the second horror poster I will be analysing, I feel that it is seriously scary and spooky

                                               

This poster is very disturbing and we immediately get the impression of torture and pain, we can see this because of the use of the frosted glass which conceals the people behind, this makes us think that they are trapped in, giving away an element to the film. The villain in this movie has clearly been successful in the creation of what he wants to do. The use of backlighting allows us to only see enough to understand what is going on, we can only see the expression on one of the characters face. The characters face also creates a sense of fear and terror this is a key element in horror movies as there is always the weak and vulnerable character. We cannot clearly see the location of where the characters are, this again reinforces the fact that they are trapped. The blood on the glass also establishes the danger, warning and terror of the film, this hints to the audience that there is going to be violent and disturbing scenes making the audience feel terrified and tense. The tagline 'They're flesh is his fantasy' gives us a hint as to the villain being male. Men are always portrayed as being powerful and intimidating and the fact that he is taking they're flash backs this up, as no body optionally gives away their flesh. The title of the film has meaning as it related to how the characters are positioned, the use of the hands shows us that the characters in the film are the centipede this makes the audience want to know what happens to them and if they escape. The font is bold and the letters are spaced slightly wonky this is unsettling for the audience as font is meant to be straight and line up, this will reinforce the disturbing and horrific characteristics of the film. What is interesting about this poster is the use of the second tagline '100% medically accurate', this hints to the audience that the villain could be a doctor or that there is medical aspects to the film.

Horror Poster Analysis 1- Sinister

In this post I will be analysing the film poster from the film Sinister.

I have labelled the basic conventions of this film poster but I will now go into further detail as to how the horror genre is conveyed in the poster. As soon as we see this poster we immediately identify it as horror, this is due to the blood that has been smudged across the wall, if we look closer we can see that the blood has been smudged in such a way that it looks like a face of an evil character, this makes me think that already there is a haunting and evil aspect of the film, they have given us this effect from the use of the mise-ene-scene. Another effective conventions is using a dark figure or a figure where you cannot see the face, it is not a celebrity but an unknown character. In some posters a silhouette is used this gives us an eerie and spooky feeling. In a lot of horror films the idea of children and nightmares are brought up a lot, and in this poster there is  girl in her pyjamas who is either touching or is involved with the blood on the wall, this may also make me think that she may be possessed or that there is a possession involved in the film. Another aspect of the poster that portrays the horror genre of the film is the font that the name of the film is in, this is because it immediately gives of a creepy impression, the actual name of the film immediately reminds us off the supernatural and the dead. The dark colour of the font against the brightness of the wall makes the title stand out. The image that we see also clearly relates to the spooky tagline. The face in blood also relates to the tagline, this is because it creates a horrific fearful atmosphere, the demonic eyes also help to reinforce this. 

My Film Genre- Horror

I have decided that the film genre I will be focusing on is the horror genre of film.

For this post I will be analysing the conventions of film posters in relation to the horror genre. I feel that for the horror genre the posters are very important, this is because the producers of the movie get the message of the film across to the audience very effectively and it can convey a powerful message just from the poster. By analysing the film posters i will be able to gain a better understanding of the elements that are contained within the horror posters. 

These are the horror posters that I will be analysing