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Magazine cover analysis
With magazine covers, there are 4 main Types:
ACTION, CHARACTER, ACTOR and STAGED
ACTION, CHARACTER, ACTOR and STAGED
action style
Action covers will include an action heavy screenshot from a film, which is suggestive towards the movie's content. This promotes the movie from the angle that by showing something about the film, it'll spark interest. This style is more effective if the movie is already known or a sequel, as it needs some awareness of the source material.
Character style
Character covers will focus around a press shot of the film's main cast, in character. they often will be shown neutral, in costume with a simple background, to maintain focus on the characters, in a pose relevant to their character. This promotes the film from the angle of audiences relating to characters, wherein the demeanour of the characters resonates with the reader in some way. In comparison to a action style, character shots don't rely on a previous awareness, as they are more ambiguous, and introduce the cast instead.
showcasing the actor
Actor showcase covers will have a staged shot of usually the actor playing the film's protagonist. Rather than in character, the actor is shown in a "normal" state, styled. this is often used with a magazine where the film is promoted with actor interviews. This promotes the film from the angle that the actor will convince the reader to watch the film, due the audience's awareness and interest in them as a person. This only really works when the actor used is extremely well known.
Staged shot
Combining the Character and actor showcase styles to some extent, a staged style uses a shot of the protagonist actor in character, but in a way that makes the actor playing them obvious. Rather than adapting already made press photos, staged shots will often be adapted from a photo shoot done specifically for the magazine cover. This aims to promote the film in two ways, as it demonstrates the star power behind the film, by showcasing the main actors, while giving the reader more direct information about the film itself, through how the actor is position and their costume.
what's included in a magazine cover
- Plugs - These promote the magazine by giving information about the content of it
- Issue number - What edition of the magazine it is
- Master head - The magazine's name
- Cover price - How much the magazine is
- Puffs - Slogans, phrases, quotes etc. that reference the movies talked about in the magazine, or promote the magazine itself
- Kicker - A slogan or phrase that acts a subheading to the magazine title, again to promote/ reference the magazine
- Typeface - The font(s) used on the cover, often kept consistent and in line with the aesthetic of the cover
- Barcode - Self explanatory
- Pull quotes - Quotes from the articles inside
- Main cover line - A line that accompanies the cover shot, directly related to the movie it comes from
- House Style - An aesthetic/style that is unique to the magazine, that aims to be synonymous with the magazine itself
- Strapline - Gives information about the main cover line
- Screamer - Attention grabbing information
- Slogan - A brief, attention grabbing summary of the magazine
Magazine cover analysis
Entertainment weekly
Entertainment Weekly uses a Main cover line stating the movie/tv franchise, with a strap-line that uses a play on word relating to the cover story/ franchise. This aims to heavily promote the magazine on the basis of the key media story, with other topics only being included very briefly as puffs. To further promote the magazine through their cover story, the only photo featured is the one relating to this as a staged shot.
Entertainment Weekly uses colour schemes and design ideas that directly relate to the media it originates from, further keeping the focus on the cover story when promoting the magazine.
Entertainment Weekly uses colour schemes and design ideas that directly relate to the media it originates from, further keeping the focus on the cover story when promoting the magazine.
sight and sound magazine
Sight and Sound uses a showcasing the actor shot, hoping to promote their magazine through the status of the people associated with them. this is because their audience is more "upmarket", aimed at those who care about independent film culture and their directors, rather than mainstream films.
Rather than using puffs, the magazine cover focuses on pull quotes, to promote the article content to the potential reader as opposed to the films they reference.
Sight and Sound uses a more consistent colour scheme and visual rather than relating it to the content. This house style makes the magazine easy to recognise.
Rather than using puffs, the magazine cover focuses on pull quotes, to promote the article content to the potential reader as opposed to the films they reference.
Sight and Sound uses a more consistent colour scheme and visual rather than relating it to the content. This house style makes the magazine easy to recognise.