APPEALING TO YOUR TARGET

AUDIENCE

MAGAZINE FRONT COVER

The magazine front cover highlights the same conventions of a successful film

magazine such as ‘Empire’, for example both magazines include sell-lines a mast head and a main image just many of the conventions a magazine front cover features. What makes this front cover specifically appealing is how the masthead is presented in a creative yet

contrasted way (i.e. the cross is featured right above the protagonists head which is contradictory as he is possessed but this is

an element of the possession genre).

The mise en scene of this image is completely unconventional to an ordinary film magazine as we

have created it to be darker using different shades of black and red. For example the protagonist appears to be evil yet innocent form, this is created through the

mise en scene giving this illusion of innocence but with the element of darkness. This creates a fresh look for

both the audiences eyes and horror magazines. Keeping the sell-lines simple yet eye catching for the

audience so they are able to take everything presented to them in. What makes our piece more appealing is

how the jack in the box appears to have a glow of innocence but at the same time appear to have great

darkness. In many magazine front covers props are not highlighted therefore by including a prop the audience

may associate the jack in the box with promotional package and it plays as a stimuli to see the trailer.

POSTER

Looking specifically at the poster, there are many conventions that are similar to other film posters. For example the layout it has followed is the same as a conventional film

poster; it is the most familiar form to present to the audience in order for it to be appealing. This gives audiences the need of familiarity to

establish the genre. The main image of the protagonist is used to help the audience

understand the genre. It may also be a still from the film which ensures the audience

have a perspective of the narrative. It allows the audience to have a feel of the film.

TRAILER

With the trailer there is a conventional use in how we have presented it for the audience. As we felt this is the most effective form for both the audience and as media practitioners. For

example, including a montage is a typical aspect that appears in many horror films. For the

audience this is a key information that assists them to establish the genre. For a media

practitioner, by looking at the different horror trailer that include a montage, give a guideline to work with in order to achieve a creative, yet

consistent layout of a horror film trailer.