The six film magazines have been designed to successfully promote films within the horror genre. However they all belong to different sub genres, but in essence are still effective. Through carrying out this investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it is possible to identify shared features within them and to establish repeated patterns.
All six magazine front covers feature typical magazine conventions. We expect to see general conventions in all such as the main image dominating the page and the masthead to be right at the top of the page. The masthead is always the largest piece of text, then the main image dominating the page revealing to the audience that the film's narrative will have something important to do with that selected image on the cover.
As well as this, we see other conventions. Almost all of the film magazine covers include the main character, or villain who is generally going to be the lead within the movie. For example, On the total film front cover, the film 'Jennifer's Body' is being advertised, and she is in fact the only magazine front cover that features the antagonist who is tormented by an evil force. This is proven through the use of mise en scene as her hands have blood dripping from them, intriguing the audience into wondering what has just happened. The pure iconography of blood is used to the film's advantage due to it taking the sub genre of slasher. Another convention that is effectively carried out with all 5 of the six magazine covers is that the protagonist is used as the main image instead of the antagonist, interestingly the opposite of a film poster. Mainly because the audience of magazines, are more interested with the protagonist's background within the movie. The character of Megan Fox, connotes the idea of a 'bimbo' who would fit the victim role perfectly due to being provocatively dressed and even carrying out a smouldering look through the direct address.
In addition to this, four of the magazine front covers, use direct address to lure the audience in. The use of this mode of address means that the audience create a connection between themselves and the horror character, adding to the element of fear, as they will then want to see how the victims appeal to their fate within the film as this direct address shows confidence on the villains behalf. Much unlike the posters, children are not featured on the magazine front covers, this is done on purpose this is because the audience of the magazine are much more interested with the thought of indulging into the narrative rather than be instantly frightened.
The images presented in the six magazine front cover are designed ultimately to for the audience to be persuaded and question the front cover, which will later make them purchase the magazine and therefore read about the films synopsis. For example, the empire magazine cover which features 'the silence of the lambs', who has the famous actor of Anthony Hopkins, instantly gripping the audience as he is a successful actor. The name however has no correlation to the image, hooking the reader into why the actor is wearing some sort of mask which is in fact iconic for horrors, and what this has to do with the chosen film name.
Four of the six covers do not include any sell lines, indicating that the featured film will be the main topic of the magazine, appealing the niche horror magazine audience. This seems to be a clear conventions for the magazines that are specified to only horror such as Fangoria, where as when Empire have used a horror film on the front cover is seen as a special edition and not a regular occurrence.
There is a consistent pattern with colours too, dark warm colours such as black, red and dark blues are common to help create the mysterious and evil mood. However in the case for Empire's Jennifer's body issue the colours are much more cold, with a pale white nature to show that Megan fox stands out, perhaps indicating the reason for her being the victim, she stood out amongst all the others. Whereas the other five covers, are surrounded by the warm colours, portraying by the idea that their existence is taken over by evil, and this now revolves around their lives.
In each magazine cover the masthead is placed at the top of the page, so the readers are aware of exactly what magazine it is. It's also the largest text, allowing them to understand the magazine before being induced by the image and further persuaded. Fangoria features an specifically designed title which plays on the title itself, as there are fangs coming out of each end of the title, one again reassuring the audience of the horror genre. Whereas 'Monsters underground' includes skull imagery which is a commonly used prop within horrors. The use of having the title at the top of the page gives the audience the knowledge of knowing whether or not the magazine is an established and well known one, for example Empire is a well known successful film magazine which does not specify in horror. So for such a well branded magazine to include a horror would create the impression that the featured film is of a high status within the genre. Whereas the magazine Fangoria specialises in horror films, so the feature of this particular genre is not unusual or in fact an indication of it holding a high status. Most of the above film covers include the name of the film to entice readers whereas others choose to use the actor for marketing. For example Megan fox is used to publicize the film 'Jenifer's Body' whereas the Insidious front cover includes no mention of the actors that will feature in the film, meaning that the directors and creators of this film have chosen to let the narrative market the film.
There are symbiotic links that occur between film posters, magazine front covers and trailers which identify which movie this promotional piece belongs to. For example the Insidious magazine front cover continues the repeated colour scheme that occurs within all three of these promotional pieces. Such as the dark red, black and glimpses of white tones that feature throughout all three, the choice of using these particular colours not only abides by conventions but gives the audience an insight into the nature of the film insidious. Another symbiotic link that features is under lighting, the magazine front cover displays the protagonist, but because of the under lighting a devious persona is revealed which is reinforced by the dark colours. The film poster also uses dark lighting to portray possession of the young child who features. Therefore proving that by using symbiotic links for a promotional package it allows the audience to understand the narrative better whilst giving them an insight into the world of the movie.
All the magazine covers in this selection are effective in different ways, simplicity is a common feature with the main image, and bold texts doing most of the persuasion. I became inspired through the simplicity yet effectiveness of the above magazine front covers. Perhaps by me carrying out certain conventions such as the uses of dismal colours and devious lighting i will be able to create the same effect with our target audience. Although it seems to be a convention that the protagonist appears on the front cover, i feel that by using our antagonist it may cause controversy which could work in our favour as it could get our target audience to converse about the magazine, forming more publicity.
No comments:
Post a Comment