Film magazine front cover Analysis

The basicsThe date and issue number are in a small font near the masthead because this is conventional for magazine from covers. The price is not displayed which is unconventional because this is a vital detail about a magazine and has a lot of influence on whether the reader is going to purchase the media product. A specific date of publication is used which shows it is a weekly magazine this helps subscribers keep up to date with the magazine. Due to it being a weekly magazine it shows it is up to date and current.

There is no website link which shows that this magazine is distributed traditionally. There is also no barcode which unconventional for a magazine cover.

The layout is very simple and unconventional which makes the imagery stand out more.

The text

There is no tagline used in this magazine which is again unconventional, however adds to the simplicity of the magazine therefore emphasising the image more.

The masthead is the largest text on the front cover and stands out amongst all of the other text. This creates brand awareness and attracts the audience to it first. On most magazine covers it cover the image however in this case the image covers the masthead making it seem superior to the magazine name.

This point on the poster attracts the audience through the use of language “your ultimate guide”. The use of the word ‘ultimate’ implies to the target audience that this is vital and will attract readers to it as they feel it is crucial information and that it is essential that they know about it because they will be missing out if they don’t read this article. Furthermore, the use of the word “your” is aimed directly at the target audience and gives them a sense of involvement. This will attract the audience on a personal level and persuade them to buy the magazine even more.

One of the final things the target audience looks at on this cover would be the menu strip due to its positioning being at the bottom of the page. This text is in the same fonts used around the cover which enable it to fit in with the layout and colour scheme but does not allow it to stand out in any way. The words used in the first two points are superlatives, “Scariest” & “Coolest”. This indicates to the target audience that it is a must that they read these articles because they are the best they can be in that category. The last point uses the word “your” which again directs personally at the target audience.

The textThe anchor line on the front cover, “Harry Potter & Voldemort…” is not the second largest on the page which is unconventional for a magazine front cover. However, this whole cover brings the main focus to the image and this adds to it because the smaller text puts emphasis on the central image. The colours used for this are bright which makes then contrast with the dull background so they stand out in this way. The alignment of the text is very unusual as it works around the image again making it the focal point of the magazine.

The largest text excluding the masthead is the coverline that reads “Heroes & Villains..”. This relates to the image and makes it stand out more because it is of the villain behind the hero. So this acts as the anchor line although it is not which is again unconventional. This text is bold and stands out the most amongst all the other coverlines.

Left side third The left-side third presents the image of Harry Potter who is the hero in the film this is what attract the target audience and other potential readers. This is unconventional for a magazine cover as it is usually the text that is the focal part of the left/right third but in this case the imagery has been made the main part that stands out. The audience see’s less of what to expect in the edition in terms of the content and articles and this intrigues the target audience to find out more. The coverlines are all different sizes and are either yellow or white which makes the easier to separate; this combined with the positioning makes them easy to read. The font colours contrast against the dark background because they are bright and bold.

The image There are two main images on this front cover that overlap to create one. The frontal image is noticeably of Harry Potter shows him looking directly into the camera which engages the target audience personally. The audience can tell it is Harry Potter due to him being dressed in his character i.e. signature round framed glasses. The audience therefore know there is a feature involving the character Harry Potter rather than the actor who plays him. This factor would appeal to the people who are fans of the film because it will appeal to their interests. Harry’s facial expression denotes seriousness and weariness which connotates darkness and scariness. The technical codes such as the lighting is used effectively here because Harry’s face is brightly lit showing he is the good hero and Voldemort’s image in the back is lit dark and dimly which makes it evident that he is the villain. Harry’s image slightly conceals Voldemort’s which shows him as bein superioir and connotated good beating evil. Voldemort’s image portrays his as the villain due to the facial expression being angry and evil and show’s him looking down on Harry as though he is plotting a bad plan. Also, the fact that he has no nose, is bald and of a greyish colour makes him seem abnormal and scary in this way.