MAGAZINE FRONT COVER ANALYSES

·         The main image dominated the whole page; however has no relation to the sell lines. This allows the readership to assume that the narrative of the story is enough to draw them in to watching the film. As the antagonist dominates the whole page it suggests that most of the narrative is based upon the antagonist having some kind of unique link with it. The image displays this demonic protagonist as evil one, as the only thing that is bringing light towards her is the candle, proving that there is no light within her. The demonic female’s mouth is slightly smiling, showing a devious and in fact gory as the readers are not quite sure whether or not there is blood departing from her mouth. This specific image creates the idea that the narrative of this film is one that belongs to the supernatural genre due to the inhuman species appearing on the front cover. The stock location is in fact pitch black, indicating that this antagonist or demon is not from the 'real world' and actually intruding. The film poster for Insidious includes a young boy, with the same medium shot as well as direct address, allowing readers/audience to share a symbiotic link, however because the shots are so similar it is left to the audience/readers that it could be that this demonic being is what is troubling the antagonist.        

The masthead of this magazine is the largest text of the page, making it catch the reader’s eye instantly. The typography itself fits well with the genre, the text can be broken down as the readers being 'fans' of 'gore which is extremely suitable due to it being a niche directed solely for a horror audience. In addition to this the ends of the word has fangs hanging down which also correlates with the title. The use of the colour white for the masthead connotes purity and innocence which is then outlined with red which implies danger and fury, imitating most bases of horror films in general. The masthead is distinctive and suitable for the readers as once read by the audience it's clear just what genre this magazine appeals to and is designed for, making it effective. This also indicates that the readership are in fact interested in gore, and the physically thrilling horrors, hence why Insidious a jumpy possession film is featured. The brand identity is reinforced through the same colours being used within each issue of the magazine, as well as the sell lines being placed within the same places, while the names of the featured films are placed towards the bottom of the front cover. This implies that the image itself should be enough to draw in the readers.

The sell lines included are solely to do with upcoming or well anticipated horrors. Clearly the interest of the readership is horror films as they are becoming members and ordering this magazine online. The tactics used to grip the readers are by marketing the actors within, and a little description of the film or perhaps a quote. For example, in red one of the sell lines read 'Hobo with a shot gun'. The colour red once again signifies danger and blood which correlates well with the sell line due to the mention of a gun. The relationship between the magazine and its readers seems to be an informal one, due to mention of a 'hobo'. The sell line also seems quite peculiar intriguing the audience in a way that doesn't have to directly appeal with hints of horror portraying the significance of the mode of address between the audience and the magazine.

The main colours on this magazine front cover are white and red, implying that evil and danger will always overrule innocence and purity which are also connotations of horror films. These colours are also used for the film insidious itself, which stands for the same meaning of purity being dominated by evil. It can also relate to the red being the possessive force, and the white being the protagonist who falls victim directly relating to the film itself. These colours are conventional for horror films, so are not unusual in anyway but in fact carrying out an unspoken tradition.

The text to image ratio is 1:3, as images dominate the page, indicating that for this magazine images are more significant to the text. There is also a line of four pictures formed in a slideshow format at the bottom of the page displaying to the readership what may be featured within. There is a puff to entice the readership further by allowing them to know they will receive a free poster. The layout is effective as the attention is directed to the main image, and then led onto the sell lines which does not give away too much information forcing the audience to open the magazine in order to find out anything more. The conventions of a usual magazine are carried out but however in a unique way, as there is a strap line which reiterating to the readers that the horrors featured are global. It includes sell lines and puff's but in a way that is conventional to the magazine, but unconventional to non horror magazines as the sell lines are of a much smaller font making them visible but not from a far, they also only take up the middle section of both left and right sides of the page, making the main focus is the main image.

  

 

 

Fangoria is a niche magazine specifically for horror fans, meaning that the advertisements of the films that feature have to be extremely persuasive in order for the audience to be lured into watching the film.

The main image for this magazine issue dominates the page and attracts the reader's attention instantly due to the iconic prop of a mask being used. The main image is seen as the protagonist due to antagonist wearing a pale blue mask, pale blue connotes nature which correlates with the title as it is set in the woods. This is slightly strange as red is the main theme or horror yet the blue has been used, indicating that the film may be of a strange nature and not be as we as an audience presumed.  Due to it dominating the whole page, this portrays the idea that the narrative is again the main feature of this film, that there is no need for any sell line or persuasive text as the narrative itself speaks for itself. The image displays an irregular antagonist who is wearing an unusual mask, which takes the form of a childlike face, perhaps showing that the protagonists of this horror may be of a younger age. The antagonist is wearing a suit, which the readers would normally associate with for formal events or even a job, signifying to the audience that the antagonist's main job or ambition is life is to be the antagonist. There is no stock location shown on this front cover, meaning that the readership are not supposed to know too much about the film, as they would expect the location to the in the woods. Keeping it up to their imagination. The film poster for The Cabin in the Woods does not share a correlation with the magazine front cover, as the poster portrays a cabin that has been in fact victimized and fallen protagonist to an antagonist within the woods. The colours are or a cold pale nature, to sense normality which will later be ruined within this slasher. The only links between the two are the use of pale colours, showing no such symbiotic link. This may be due to the magazine front cover too frightening for everyday marketing, that can be placed anywhere in public whereas the readership of this magazine have signed up for the sole purpose of horror and are available for any graphic or scary imagery. No part of the storyline is revealed, persuading the readership to go ahead and watch the film to find out if their thoughts match to the narrative. A medium shot is used to gain a greater physical view of the antagonist, direct address is also carried out in a way that the antagonist is staring straight at the readership, but we as the readers are unable to look into the characters eyes due to the mask. The mask itself is the only way the readership are able to understand which genre this horror belongs to, as masks are mainly commonly used by an antagonist within slashers.

The masthead is the largest text of the page signifying this is what should catch the reader's attention immediately. This is also the main amount of text on the page other than a sell line placed above the masthead which gives the readers a slight snippet into the world of the movie. Pale blue is colour that is used as the masthead, which is the same pale blue as the villains mask. The name also fits in well with the genre, as the fan enjoy gore, thrilling, and violence which will directly appeal to this readership as the film featured belongs to the slasher sub genre. The brand identity of the magazine is not reinforced within this issue, as there are no sell lines, but however the smaller images that are shown as small snapshots in a slideshow form is placed along the left hand side of the page instead of the bottom but still there. The red and white is still used in some way on the front of the issue showing what film genre it belongs to whilst outlining its brand identity. The masthead colour has been adjusted purely because of the film it features, proving that it is a promotional tool and will help the audience be persuaded into watching the film.

The sell lines included are minimal and only correlate to the movie being advertised; clearly the main interest of this issue is revolved around The Cabin In The Woods. The main persuasive form used for this issue, is to make the front cover revolve around the anticipated film. the sell lines such as 'The first fright since 1979' display the audience to be loyal horror fans as they would know the sort of horror films that occurred within this era. The colours used within this sell line is red and white once again connoting the innocence being overwhelmed by danger and violence which is a feature that appears on each of fangoria's front cover reinforcing the brand identity. There is also a caption by the title of the film that reads 'evil by design' which is solely in red, showing no form of innocence but pure evil, further intriguing the audience into watching the movie.

The main colours on this magazine front cover are black and pale blue, implying that the natural cold colour of blue is overshadowed by black. Indicating that normality (pale blue) will be ruined by some sort of darkness which is believed to be the antagonist on the front cover due to it being surrounded with darkness. These colours and themes are ironic and conventional for horror films, so are not unusual in any way, so the magazine is carrying out tradition.

The text to image ratio is again 1:3, purely because the image dominates the whole page. This indicates that the narrative should and will speak for itself. The layout is effective as the main attention is directed towards the main image, forcing the audience to analyse the cover subconsciously, and because of the lack of sell lines the readership will have no choice but to read further into the magazine and allow themselves to be persuaded into going to see the movie. The normal conventions of a magazine are carried out but again in a unique way, as there are some sell and strap lines, but are not displayed in the way for lifestyle magazines.