A magazine cover is the front page of any magazine publication. The magazine cover is designed to attract and appeal to the target audience so that they want to buy and read the rest of the magazine. This relies on a number of conventions that directly target the viewer in order to fulfil the purpose to attract and sell. There are many different genres of magazines that depend on the content within, which suggests who the audience may be- someone who is interested in what the magazine is about. We are creating a film magazine cover which means a film will be featured on the cover- this serves the purpose to sell both the magazine and the film.
The conventions of a film magazine cover:
Masthead
The masthead is the name of the magazine. It is usually placed at the top of the cover in a large font. The masthead becomes iconic of the magazine itself and stands as a symbol to the eyes and ears. Sometimes on known magazine covers the masthead is overlapped by the main focal image, this is because the magazine is already established and the image is more important in selling the magazine. The font choice should represent the magazine with connotations, for example the 'Total Film' magazine font is bold and connotes masculinity which suggests the audience is predominantly male.
Main focal image
As there as sometimes more than one image on film magazine cover to show what else is featured within the magazine, there needs to be a main image that attracts the viewers full attention. It's similar to a film poster but on a magazine cover that advertises the publication too. The main image functions to sell both the film it's from and the magazine- if the films distribution is good, the audience can associate with the magazines content and feel more influenced to buy a copy. The image can be effective if direct address is evident, like i have explained before that it creates a connection which is more persuasive.
Main anchorage text
This tends to be the title of the film featured on the front cover. Immediately it informs the viewer of the main content and helps draw them in for a deeper look into what else the magazine offers. This can link to how well the front cover feature has been distributed because if the audience are already aware and interested in the film, they may be more interested so that they can read more about it. It's important that the main anchor text is bold and clear- this can be emphasised through slightly overlapping the main image too. This also helps to target the audience of the film- so normally a major production with a wide audience would be featured on the front cover, as this widens the audience for the magazine too. If a cult film that no one knew about was on the front, the magazine would be way less appealing and therefore lose viewers and profits.
Skyline
A skyline is a small bar with text across the very top of the cover; hence the name 'skyline'. Within film magazines, the skyline can function well as a place for the films tagline, or a sentence that clearly links to the main feature- if its a minor sentence it would make sense paired with the main feature. Or if this technique isn't used, the content could be different and irrelevant to the main feature, like an advertisement of the opportunity to win something like cinema tickets.
Strapline
stapline, much like a skyline, stretches across the width of the cover, but isn't composed at the top and is more out standing. Sometimes in film magazines, an iconic film reel may be used towards the bottom of the cover. This is a more extensive strapline, as it can include inset images to help reference other films-'what's inside?' which covers more conventions in one for a maximised effect upon the audiences decision whether to buy the magazine. Although this idea can be predictable and unoriginal, it can quickly signify the film-mag genre.
Iconography
The use of iconic imagery on the front cover helps create a theme that links to the front cover film. Images the audience will recognise will allow them to have clearer and associated ideas about the magazine and the featured film. Iconography is visually appealing, so when it is evident, it will catch attention and give the viewer more to think about while weighing up whether the magazine is worth buying.
Puffs
A puff can be described as an bubble or shape that sits somewhere on the front cover, appearing almost like a sticker. The stand out with eye catching colours/shapes that can compliment the theme/content- for example, if an action film was the main feature, the puff might be shaped my and comic-explosion, like the iconic 'kaboom' shape. Or maybe the magazine could be more themed and always only have circle puffs because they are pleasant and still conspicuous. Puffs normally include text- offering prizes/ whats inside, like a film poster or an exclusive interview with the new-on-the-scene movie star. These are things that grab the audiences attention, and make them feel like they are buying their moneys worth.
Sell lines/inset images/film references
Sell lines add further text based information that indicates 'what's inside?'. This convention is often related to inset images and film references because as a whole they are more effective in gaining attention and interest. When images are paired with text about another film it gives off the idea that the magazine is high quality with rich interesting content. It's important to include a range of visible content on the cover as it appeals to more audiences who will think the magazine is more well rounded and for them. The sell lines should be short and linguistically bold and engaging too, e.g. asking a question, giving a command or an interesting statement about another film/the content. All this will help select the target audiences, gain their attention and fulfil the purpose to make them want to buy a copy.
Price, date and issue no.
This is just basic information that tends to be in a very small font- suggesting its lack of importance. Although the price is important, it shouldn't be off-putting to the viewer, a small font creates the idea that cost isn't an issue as such. The date shows when the publication was released, so the audience will know whether it's recent copy or not. While the issue number can indicate how lond the magazine has run for; long running magazines can be seen as more trusting and reliable to serve its purpose to inform and entertain. Starting-out magazines could possibly be seen as rather naive- finding its feet, which can be unappealing for some...
Barcodes
These are only visible on unsubscribed version, as obviously people would buy a copy there and then. They are placed on the from cover, often tucked away to the side/in a corner and even rotated on the side to slot in. Having this on the magazine cover will create a more professional and official look- like a real magazine that sells.
Types of magazine covers:
There are two types of magazine covers: unsubscribed and subscribed editions.
The unsubscribed type can be found in a supermarket- any place that you buy from. This type will include all the conventions that aim to fulfill the purpose of selling the magazine, such as the main anchor text and image/ sell lines/film refs/ inset images/ strap and sky lines and puffs. As well as other basic information like the barcode/price because without these it would obviously be unpractical when one goes to buy a copy.
Whereas the subscribed edition is a lot visually cleaner and appealing. This is because the person buying the magazine is doing so without the need of being persuased through all the conventions that aim to sell- the person would have a copy delivered to their house on a regular basis because they are subscribed to the magazine. People who do this tend to be very interested in whatever genre the magazine is, and would rather not spend time going to the shop, and also might even collect the magazines as this type is a lot more uncommon. Regarding conventions that still stand, the masthead/main anchor image and text/ iconography, as these are still visually attractive and defines each magazine with unique designs.
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