MAGAZINE COVER ANALYSIS
Magazine Info: Horror Hound - is a monthly magazine that includes vital information pertaining to merchandising all the twisted horror movies they love. In this magazine, they are promoting the film Scream 4. This issue was released in March/April 2011.
SCRE4M
Year of Release: 2011
Director: Wes Craven
Production/Financing Company: Dimension Films
Principle Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Film Info: This is the last of the Scream franchise.
Synopsis: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks to part in her writing, is visited by the Ghostface killer.
Denotation: The masthead of the magazine cover is at the top of the page behind the main image but in front of the left-third. The dateline and price is just above the masthead but in a smaller font. The main image takes up the majority of the magazine cover as it is the main focus. There is one main cover-line and a few other in the left-third. The left-third is dominant on the cover; it includes three images with cover-lines, a 'plus' section and the barcode which says the magazine website; which is additional to attract the audience. It has horror at the top so when in the shops, it is easy to spot as a horror magazine. The images in the left-third are also comic so it stays with the magazine theme. The selling line is just below the masthead and states "the horror fan magazine". It is short, snappy and distinctive.
Mise-En-Scene: The lighting behind the main image is very bright which makes the image stand out against it. The orange, red and yellow connote heat and fire which symbolises the action within the film. The character in the main image is wearing dark clothing which attracts the attention of the audience. The main image is featured as a comic strip which relates to child books. The character; whose name is Ghostface; is wearing a mask and therefore does not have a clear NVC. The character is holding a knife as an prop which sets a mood for the audience to feel threatened and intimidated.
Typography: The masthead is bold and visual so the audience are able to see it. It is also recognisable and unique. The font is black and white in a 3D type of font. It emerges out from the magazine which brings it more to life and enables the audience to feel more involved. The main cover-line is in white and red and connote blood and violence which relates to the horror genre. The left-third consists of red, white and yellow font which link to the magazine colour scheme. The font is bold and highlighted so it is detectable.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this magazine would specifically be horror fans that enjoy reading information on the genre, such as new films, how the films were made and interviews on cast members/directors. The age range would be 15-24 year olds as this is teens going onto early adulthood; a huge target group for production companies.
SCRE4M
Year of Release: 2011
Director: Wes Craven
Production/Financing Company: Dimension Films
Principle Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Film Info: This is the last of the Scream franchise.
Synopsis: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks to part in her writing, is visited by the Ghostface killer.
Denotation: The masthead of the magazine cover is at the top of the page behind the main image but in front of the left-third. The dateline and price is just above the masthead but in a smaller font. The main image takes up the majority of the magazine cover as it is the main focus. There is one main cover-line and a few other in the left-third. The left-third is dominant on the cover; it includes three images with cover-lines, a 'plus' section and the barcode which says the magazine website; which is additional to attract the audience. It has horror at the top so when in the shops, it is easy to spot as a horror magazine. The images in the left-third are also comic so it stays with the magazine theme. The selling line is just below the masthead and states "the horror fan magazine". It is short, snappy and distinctive.
Mise-En-Scene: The lighting behind the main image is very bright which makes the image stand out against it. The orange, red and yellow connote heat and fire which symbolises the action within the film. The character in the main image is wearing dark clothing which attracts the attention of the audience. The main image is featured as a comic strip which relates to child books. The character; whose name is Ghostface; is wearing a mask and therefore does not have a clear NVC. The character is holding a knife as an prop which sets a mood for the audience to feel threatened and intimidated.
Typography: The masthead is bold and visual so the audience are able to see it. It is also recognisable and unique. The font is black and white in a 3D type of font. It emerges out from the magazine which brings it more to life and enables the audience to feel more involved. The main cover-line is in white and red and connote blood and violence which relates to the horror genre. The left-third consists of red, white and yellow font which link to the magazine colour scheme. The font is bold and highlighted so it is detectable.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this magazine would specifically be horror fans that enjoy reading information on the genre, such as new films, how the films were made and interviews on cast members/directors. The age range would be 15-24 year olds as this is teens going onto early adulthood; a huge target group for production companies.
Magazine Info: Fangoria - was first planned in 1978 as Fantastica as a companion and then changed in the early 1979 to Fangoria. In this magazine, they are promoting The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING
Year of Release: 2006
Director: Jonathon Liebesman
Production/Financing Company: New Line Cinema
Principle Cast: Jordana Brewster, Matt Bomer, Diora Baird
Film Info: First film made in 1974, then a remake was made in 2003 then an additional film in 2006.
Synopsis: On one last road before they're sent to serve in Vietnam, two brothers and they're girlfriends get into an accident that calls their local sheriff to the scene. Thus begins a terrifying experience where the teens are taken to a secluded house of horrors, where a young, would-be killer is nurtured.
Denotation: The masthead being the name of the magazine has to be displayed at the top of the page. This is a convention that other magazines also follow. The masthead has to be designed so that it is recognisable by fans which in this case, it is. The main image is a mid-shot so that the audience are able to see the action of the character. This is to emphasise the horror genre being violent and threatening to the intended audience. The main cover-line relates to the main image so the audience know what will be included inside the magazine. The cover-lines in the left-third are to also ensure readers know what is inside and also to add more information on the cover. By making the cover-lines short, they are quick to read when in the shops on the shelves. The additional images on the left-third make the cover more appealing. It also consists of a barcode which is a common convention on all magazines.
Mise-En-Scene: In the main image, the character, whose name is 'Leatherface', has a mask and a prop. His mask is covers his identity so that the victims are unable to see his face. The prop he is holding is a chain saw which is a peculiar choice for a weapon however, is ideal for a horror film. The costume the character is wearing are overalls which connote hard labour/work. This may refer to Leatherface, seeing killing other characters as hard work. The setting is unclear due to the lighting being dim. The character's NVC is not noticeable due to the mask, but by the way their actions are portrayed, I can infer that they would have an aggressive NVC. The lighting is neither high-key or low-key as there are a few colours associated with this magazine cover.
Typography: The overall font on the magazine cover is very bold and able to catch the eye of the audience. It is also extremely visual and the use of different colours, enable it to attract attention. The masthead is the largest font on the cover and this is so the audience know who the magazine is by. The main colour of the masthead is red but is outlined with the colour white. This against the black background, allows it to emerge. The cover-lines are all in different colours, sizes and type of font (e.g. some are thin, some in capitals and some in lowercase). This lacks consistency throughout the magazine cover.
Target Audience: The targeted audience is for those aged 15-24 that are interested in the horror genre and want to read further and exclusive items on it.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING
Year of Release: 2006
Director: Jonathon Liebesman
Production/Financing Company: New Line Cinema
Principle Cast: Jordana Brewster, Matt Bomer, Diora Baird
Film Info: First film made in 1974, then a remake was made in 2003 then an additional film in 2006.
Synopsis: On one last road before they're sent to serve in Vietnam, two brothers and they're girlfriends get into an accident that calls their local sheriff to the scene. Thus begins a terrifying experience where the teens are taken to a secluded house of horrors, where a young, would-be killer is nurtured.
Denotation: The masthead being the name of the magazine has to be displayed at the top of the page. This is a convention that other magazines also follow. The masthead has to be designed so that it is recognisable by fans which in this case, it is. The main image is a mid-shot so that the audience are able to see the action of the character. This is to emphasise the horror genre being violent and threatening to the intended audience. The main cover-line relates to the main image so the audience know what will be included inside the magazine. The cover-lines in the left-third are to also ensure readers know what is inside and also to add more information on the cover. By making the cover-lines short, they are quick to read when in the shops on the shelves. The additional images on the left-third make the cover more appealing. It also consists of a barcode which is a common convention on all magazines.
Mise-En-Scene: In the main image, the character, whose name is 'Leatherface', has a mask and a prop. His mask is covers his identity so that the victims are unable to see his face. The prop he is holding is a chain saw which is a peculiar choice for a weapon however, is ideal for a horror film. The costume the character is wearing are overalls which connote hard labour/work. This may refer to Leatherface, seeing killing other characters as hard work. The setting is unclear due to the lighting being dim. The character's NVC is not noticeable due to the mask, but by the way their actions are portrayed, I can infer that they would have an aggressive NVC. The lighting is neither high-key or low-key as there are a few colours associated with this magazine cover.
Typography: The overall font on the magazine cover is very bold and able to catch the eye of the audience. It is also extremely visual and the use of different colours, enable it to attract attention. The masthead is the largest font on the cover and this is so the audience know who the magazine is by. The main colour of the masthead is red but is outlined with the colour white. This against the black background, allows it to emerge. The cover-lines are all in different colours, sizes and type of font (e.g. some are thin, some in capitals and some in lowercase). This lacks consistency throughout the magazine cover.
Target Audience: The targeted audience is for those aged 15-24 that are interested in the horror genre and want to read further and exclusive items on it.
Magazine Info: Horror Hound - is a monthly magazine that includes vital information pertaining to merchandising all the twisted horror moves they love. In this magazine, they are promoting the film Hellraiser. This issue was released in January/February 2008.
HELLRAISER
Year of Release: 1987
Director: Clive Barker
Production/Financing Company: Cinemarque Entertainment BV, Film Futures & Rivdel Films
Principle Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Film Info: A British horror franchise
Synopsis: An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover; demons are pursuing him after he escaped their sadomasochistic underworld.
Denotation: The masthead is positioned at the top of the magazine which is a specific magazine convention. This is so the audience are aware of the who the magazine is by. The masthead is behind the main image so it does not draw much attention away from it. The main image is a close up of the character 'Pinhead' whom stars in the film being promoted on the cover. This is to emphasis on the characters NVC and costume. The dateline and price is slightly above the masthead in a smaller font. The main cover-line is additionally associated with a smaller image which challenges the conventions of a magazine as it takes the focus off the main image. The main cover-line not being in line with one another, makes the cover more appealing to the audience. The left-third includes three images, cover-lines and a 'Plus' section. It links in with the magazine colour scheme; blue, white and black; so there is consistency through out. The barcode is in the left-third which is standard and a magazine convention.
Mise-En-Scene: The setting behind the main image consists of chains. Chains connote security and being locked up/away. Chains are common in horror films as they take away characters sense of feeling safe. The lighting of the magazine is low-key and connotes the horror genre. The character's mask consists of both high-key and low-key lighting as there is a sense of a shadow lingering over him. The characters NVC is portrayed to be sad as their eyes are not looking directly at the camera but is facing away. This relates to the colour scheme; the use of blue connoting sadness. The character's costume (mask), is distinctive due to the pins sticking out of it.
Typography: The masthead is large and bold in a sans serif font. It being in 3D, gives the magazine a more realistic look which connotes horror films and their characters. The main cover-line is in a large white font which stands out on the black image. The font being different sizes emphasises on the more important words and what will attract the audience more. The left-third consists of two types of fonts, one being big and bold which is the 'Plus' section and the other font is thin and slightly smaller. This is to give the magazine a modern feel.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this magazine would specifically be horror fans that enjoy reading information on the genre, such as new films, how the films were made and interviews on cast members/directors. The age range would be 15-24 year olds as this is teens going onto early adulthood; a huge target group for production companies.
HELLRAISER
Year of Release: 1987
Director: Clive Barker
Production/Financing Company: Cinemarque Entertainment BV, Film Futures & Rivdel Films
Principle Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Film Info: A British horror franchise
Synopsis: An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover; demons are pursuing him after he escaped their sadomasochistic underworld.
Denotation: The masthead is positioned at the top of the magazine which is a specific magazine convention. This is so the audience are aware of the who the magazine is by. The masthead is behind the main image so it does not draw much attention away from it. The main image is a close up of the character 'Pinhead' whom stars in the film being promoted on the cover. This is to emphasis on the characters NVC and costume. The dateline and price is slightly above the masthead in a smaller font. The main cover-line is additionally associated with a smaller image which challenges the conventions of a magazine as it takes the focus off the main image. The main cover-line not being in line with one another, makes the cover more appealing to the audience. The left-third includes three images, cover-lines and a 'Plus' section. It links in with the magazine colour scheme; blue, white and black; so there is consistency through out. The barcode is in the left-third which is standard and a magazine convention.
Mise-En-Scene: The setting behind the main image consists of chains. Chains connote security and being locked up/away. Chains are common in horror films as they take away characters sense of feeling safe. The lighting of the magazine is low-key and connotes the horror genre. The character's mask consists of both high-key and low-key lighting as there is a sense of a shadow lingering over him. The characters NVC is portrayed to be sad as their eyes are not looking directly at the camera but is facing away. This relates to the colour scheme; the use of blue connoting sadness. The character's costume (mask), is distinctive due to the pins sticking out of it.
Typography: The masthead is large and bold in a sans serif font. It being in 3D, gives the magazine a more realistic look which connotes horror films and their characters. The main cover-line is in a large white font which stands out on the black image. The font being different sizes emphasises on the more important words and what will attract the audience more. The left-third consists of two types of fonts, one being big and bold which is the 'Plus' section and the other font is thin and slightly smaller. This is to give the magazine a modern feel.
Target Audience: The targeted audience for this magazine would specifically be horror fans that enjoy reading information on the genre, such as new films, how the films were made and interviews on cast members/directors. The age range would be 15-24 year olds as this is teens going onto early adulthood; a huge target group for production companies.