Magazine Cover Analysis

Magazines:
1) Sight & Sound
2) Empire
Films on Front Cover:
1) Sightseers
2) Django Unchained
Genre of Magazines:
1) Film magazine
2) Film magazine
Target Demographic/VALs (Values Aspirations Lifestyle)
1) Niche, academic demographic intended
2) Mainstream target audience
Magazine Name Suitability to Target Audience:
1) Connotations of technological environment, appeals to indie film makers, relates to how film was made
2) Suits mainstream demographic, connotations of power, leadership and a large group. Can make audience feel as if they are part of the 'empire'
Typology
1) Smooth, rounded, shadowed text helps the title contrast and stand out from the background
2) Harsh, sharp-edged, bold text gives us a feeling of power and authority
Captions/Text
1) More text present than on Empire, implies magazine is less entertaining-orientated & more information-orientated. Refers to several names, symmetrical structure
2) Dynamic structure (eg Italics used and film title rotated), showcasing films, use of powerful adjectives, entertainment-based. Subject on top of text "EMPIRE", helps emphasise subject but also gives the title power - audience already knows it says "EMPIRE" despite not being able to see the whole word, give the title power and authoritiy
Colours
1) Slight contrast, nothing very bold compared to background
2) Harsh, powerful, contrasting and eye-catching colours. Enticing, suits target demographic
Subjects
1) Mix of foreground & background elements, subtle pragmatics
2) Obvious subjects, almost no background features at all, clear and concise for target audience
Featured Articles
1) Successful but not majorly popular film producer articles on front cover - target audience of indie film makers and producers aspire to be these people
2) Cllear, concise and simply phrases used "Review of 2012: Iron Man 3, Star Wars VII" etc, minimum words to maintain audience engagement and tease them into reading more. Features articles on famous films
Cover Lines
1) No obvious cover lines present but features being advertised present, e.g. successful producer articles & "The London Film Festival Special Edition"
2) No overt cover lines present but other features such as "Oscars Special!" and "PLUS! Review of...." are used to entice the target audience and tease them into reading the magazine