Assignment 9

Part B: Detailed Research

Music Fashion Film Other

Magazine covers.

What is the purpose of film magazines? Why do they exist?  Can you link this to film marketing?

• The purpose of film magazines is that they promote ‘Coming Soon’ films or promote existing films either being shown in cinema or just simply on DVD.

• They do this by having interviews associated with the film with the main star(s) of the film or director.

• They can also promote the film by showing photos of behind the scenes or exclusive clips which needs to be unlocked by a code given on the magazine.

• They exist to inform audiences about their favourite genre which is a direct link to marketing as it creates a buzz for the film.

Where are film magazines available?  

• There is the option of going to local new agents such as WhSmith.• However, since the growth of technology, some magazines have their

own websites where you can subscript to get the magazine from such as : Total film Empire Sight & Sound Magazine (BFI) Universal Film Magazine The Little White Lies• There is also the option of using App Store to buy magazine and read

them on the go.

5. What is the typical size for magazines?  (can be more than one)

• Picture based magazines are usually the smallest kind of magazines. This is because they just mainly contain pictures and minimal information.

• The majority of magazines are all roughly the same size.

Smallest LargestStereotypical Size

6. How are magazine covers appealing/attractive to the audience?  Does the appeal/attraction differ than that of the film?  (is it aimed at same target audience as other advertising such as trailer/film?)

• Male dominated magazines usually have attractive females on with a seductive body language.

• Some male magazines have well known males who they try to look like.

• Female magazines such as beauty ones usually have an attractive female on them surrounded by products.

• Film magazines use the main actor/actress of the film they are promoting to sell the magazine.

• The magazine has a different target audience as a trailer. • The trailer can be seen by people of all ages as it is easily

accessible therefore, the trailer is limited with clips.• A magazine has more of a compact audience – in

comparison to a trailer - ranging from 16- 40 year olds.

7. What are the conventions of magazine covers? (different slides for different conventions)

• The main image is nearly always the main person who is being interviewed or who the magazine is based about.

• Their gaze is always direct address has it makes a person want to buy the magazine.

• Sometimes the gaze is not direct address but this is rare.

7. What are the conventions of magazine covers? (different slides for different conventions)

• The bar code and price are usually next to each other at the corner of the bottom right hand side of the magazine cover or bottom left hand side.

• Sometimes the price is a sticker on the magazine on the wrapping paper as you can buy magazine bundles but this mainly applies to gossip magazines.

8. Similarities and differences between magazines?

Differences :

• Gossip magazines usually have eye catching colours to grab your attention.• Magazines like ‘Hello’ and ‘Ok’ use sophisticated colours associated to them like black, red and white.• Film magazines use colours which are associated to the movie it is promoting.

Similarities :

• There is always a main image at the front of the magazine which the magazine is based on.• On the cover, there is usually a preview as to what articles are featured in the magazine.

9. Priorities: What do some magazine covers prioritise?  What are the 3 most prioritised features?

The 3 most prioritised features are:• The title so people can easily identify the name of it.• The name of the film they are promoting.• The image on the front cover.