To further understand the conventions used in constructing a film magazine cover, I will apply LIIAR to my chosen medium.
Language
The main convention of a film magazine front cover is the image that is placed there. The majority of conventional Film magazines use famous actors that are known by the audience or are expected to be recognized. This would then prompt/promote the target audience whom the front cover is appealing to, to buy the magazine.
An example of this is the “Total Film” magazine shown in this post, the two main actors of the film “terminator salvation” are shown in the centre of the picture. The masthead “Total Film” is shown in a conventional spot easily attracting the eye.
The Headline “Terminator Salvation” jumps out of the page as the red contrasts with the darker background; this immediately makes the viewer aware that the actors shown will be in the coming film. The strap line is another convention used in this cover “Wold Exclusive” draws the audience to the magazine as it is claims to be the first with information on the film, this could be classed as a plug. The subheading “The summers Darkest Blockbuster”, coupled this with the sepia tones and shadowing of the image and the red text (a colour for violence) gives a representation that it is of a certain an adult genre.
The Masthead is partially covered suggesting the magazine is an established product, with people knowing what it is regardless of what’s on the cover at first glance; the title itself is very iconic as it uses a custom design of text.
As well as the conventions I have already covered the magazine also makes use of a barcode, pricing and website for the magazine. This analysis of the language of a film magazine will help me when designing my own film magazine cover.
Idealogy
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong market positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts.
source http://www.futureplc.com/about/
Institution
The publisher of total magazine is "Futureplc" it sells nearly 4 million magazines each month, it exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally and is the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
Audience
Magazines by their very nature are designed for specific target audiences. The conventions that structure a magazine, although the same for most magazines, the design of them change to reflect the target audience. The target audience for my magazine cover is for people 15 years and over, with the majority being male.
Representation
The representation shown in the Total Film front cover gives the impression that it is from a scene of the film, with the viewer part of it. The front cover makes use of digital editing and imagery to accomplish this effect. The style of imagery used in front covers varies depending on what genre the film/actor that is being highlighted is from. The genre of this cover is obviously an action/sci-fi as it portrays two men with serious expressions with one pointing a gun towards the viewer; the robot also reinforces the sci-fi elements.
totalfilm.com for magazine cover image.
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