An analysis of an 'Empire' magazine front cover which features Harry Potter as it's main headline.

1. Film Magazine Front Covers
A
N
A
L
Y
S
I
S

2. The magazine includes their
web address so the target
audience of film lovers can
find out more exclusive news
about new releases and
more. It is positioned under
and is in the same colour as
the masthead yet it does not
steal any focus from the
central image or cover lines
because it is in a small font.
The website is simply the
name of the magazine so it is
easy to remember and
instantly recognisable.
The date and price are in a small
font near the masthead. The
price is in a small font because
the front cover attracts the
target audience before they find
out how much it costs. The price
is £3.99 which is expensive for a
magazine yet it denotes quality.
The date is only ‘August 2008’
which indicates that this is a
monthly magazine as no specific
date of publication is mentioned.
This also links to the cost of the
magazine as it is more expensive
because it is only released once a
month. The mention of a date
helps collectors/ subscribers
keep up to date with the
magazine as well as having a
sense of exclusivity because the
magazine is only released
monthly.
THE BASICS
A barcode is included on the
front cover so it can be
processed when purchased
and therefore the presence
of a bar code denotes
professionalism. It is
positioned at the bottom
right of the magazine so it
does not invade the left-side
third and it does not steal
focus from any other
feature.

3. The menu strip at the bottom is one of the last things that the
target audience looks at because of it’s positioning. The text is
the same font as most of the other text which doesn’t make it
stand out because it fits it in with the rest of the layout as well
as the fact that it also fits in with the same colour scheme that
has been established.
THE TEXT
The tagline of the magazine
reads ‘The world’s biggest movie
magazine’ which will attract
potential readers because it
guarantees quality as it states
its popularity. The colour of the
tagline is the same as the
masthead and it is in a small font
so it doesn’t draw attention away
from the bigger storied yet it is
still stated.
The masthead is the
biggest text on the front
cover and is in the boldest
colour so people will be
drawn to it as it stands out
above everything else. It
covers the image so it does
not appear inferior to the
central image.The point on the poster which
arouses curiosity is the
statement of ’45 new movies you
need to know about right now!’.
The use of the word ‘need’
implies to the target audience
that it is necessary that they
know this information and they
will be missing out if they do no
read the magazine. Furthermore,
the phrase ‘right now’ suggests
that the target audience must
buy the magazine instantly
otherwise they will fail to
benefit from and know the
important information in the
magazine.

4. The phrase ‘Bloody Hell’ on the front
cover is the puff and the audience are
navigated here by the bright * on the
opposite side of the front cover. It is
a well known phrase that makes the
magazine cover more appealing to the
target audience plus it has a comical
double meaning which is shown in the
statement below. This statement
equally stands out as it is in another
bright colour against the dull
background. All of this text is
positioned on the right hand side which
makes sure the target audience
explores the whole front cover as it
steals their focus away from the left
side third.
The * navigates the audience to another
heading on the front cover which captures
their interest even more as it involves them in
the text. The colour only appears with this
symbol which makes it easy to find the second
half of the title because the brighter colour
stands out against the dull background.
THE TEXT

5. LEFT-SIDE THIRD
The left-side third presents a lot of
important information to attract the
target audience and other potential
readers. This also considers the
distribution of the magazine as they are
often displayed in a vertical fashion which
would mean the audience would still be
able to see what to expect in the edition
even though they may not see the
complete cover.
In this magazine the left-side third
advertises the main feature as well as
secondary leads. The cover lines vary in size,
colour and font which helps to separate them
from one another as well as attract the
audience by making the layout easy to read
and therefore accessible. The colours of the
font fit in with the dark colour scheme that
the magazine has established to accompany
the central image. The headline of ‘Massive
Preview Special!’ is in the sweet spot so it is
the piece of text that the audience will be
drawn to first. This, as well as the prominence
of ‘Harry Potter’, stands out as they are in
white whereas the other writing in grey is not
as outstanding because it is not as highlighted
against the dull background.

6. IMAGES
In the feature article photo the person is looking directly
into the camera which engages the target audience as
they have eye contact with the character that features in
the magazine. The character is noticeably Harry Potter
which the audience can tell because the central image of is
him in character i.e. the glasses. This gives the audience a
sense that the feature containing Harry Potter will be
more about the film than the personal life of the actor
unlike other magazines. This would attract the target
audience of film lovers as it appeals to their interests.
The non-verbal codes, such as the character’s facial
expression, denote a look of fear and awareness which
connotates that the next film he is starring in is dark and
serious. The technical codes, such as the lighting, back up
these connotations as one side of his face is poorly lit
which casts doubt on his character as the audience feel
they are not seeing Harry in his true light.
The image in the left hand third is smaller so it does not draw attention away from the
central image and it shows 3 characters from the list of films that has been mentioned above.
These characters are dressed as their alter-ego characters and the target audience would
easily be able to connect the character to the film and therefore the magazine is using the
strengths of their target audience to draw them in. The characters are both male and female,
thus appealing to both genders, and are also from different genres including action and sci-fi.
They are grouped together against a bland, undistinguishable background which makes them
stand out more whilst not directing focus away from the central image.

7. IMAGES
In the feature article photo the person is looking directly
into the camera which engages the target audience as
they have eye contact with the character that features in
the magazine. The character is noticeably Harry Potter
which the audience can tell because the central image of is
him in character i.e. the glasses. This gives the audience a
sense that the feature containing Harry Potter will be
more about the film than the personal life of the actor
unlike other magazines. This would attract the target
audience of film lovers as it appeals to their interests.
The non-verbal codes, such as the character’s facial
expression, denote a look of fear and awareness which
connotates that the next film he is starring in is dark and
serious. The technical codes, such as the lighting, back up
these connotations as one side of his face is poorly lit
which casts doubt on his character as the audience feel
they are not seeing Harry in his true light.
The image in the left hand third is smaller so it does not draw attention away from the
central image and it shows 3 characters from the list of films that has been mentioned above.
These characters are dressed as their alter-ego characters and the target audience would
easily be able to connect the character to the film and therefore the magazine is using the
strengths of their target audience to draw them in. The characters are both male and female,
thus appealing to both genders, and are also from different genres including action and sci-fi.
They are grouped together against a bland, undistinguishable background which makes them
stand out more whilst not directing focus away from the central image.