Horror Magazine Analysis - Empire

This is the front cover of Empire film magazine which covers all the big Hollywood movies. Horror and thriller films are included in this as the magazine has a wide audience and cater for all there demands. The magazine uses the colours white, green and purple. This colour theme has been adopted from the Joker, who is one villain in Batman. The main image is of Heath Ledger (who plays the Joker) sitting on what appears to be a bench in a prison cell. The reason why the joker is the only enemy on the front cover is because he is batman’s arch enemy. As the Joker is the arch enemy of batman this would grab the audience’s attention making them want to read the article about the new film ‘The Dark Knight’.  This means that the USP (unique selling point) of the magazine will be the figure of the joker in the middle.

The masthead ‘Empire’ is the same style font every issue and is the company’s brand identity. With the masthead the same front every issue when they see the masthead they will associate it with the magazine. With the masthead in capital letters it appears more eye catching to the audience. The masthead is positioned at the top of the cover which follows convention.

The main shot of Heath Ledger who plays the Joker, focuses on him by having a blacked out boarder around the left and right side of the image. This therefore draws the attention of the reader’s eyes towards Joker, where he is staring directly into the camera which subconsciously involves the audience. Where the joker is staring into the camera it also gives off intimidating and almost scary look, which is also shown through his open body language (his legs and feet turned out). The image is a full body image of the Joker sitting down with his has on his legs and his finger pointing towards the camera.

The main cover line ‘Meet The Joker’ is in the colours of the Joker purple and green. The font of the cover line is a different font on the cover to any other font. It almost in a way looks like playing cards; this could also represent the character the Joker because in certain games of card the ‘joker’ is the miscellaneous card and can cause trouble or mischief in the card game. The main cover line is also positioned on the left hand side of the magazine which is more noticeable when on the shelf and follows convention. It also appears to be a splatter effect which can relate to the Jokers makeup being messy and uneven.

There is just one puff on the front cover below the masthead. A puff is used to draw attention to the reader by highlighting the cover line. The colours of the puff are green (background) and white and black text. By using these colours it continues using the theme of the Joker and allows the text to stand out on the dark image.

Overall the magazine cover has been created around the Joker to promote the new batman film. The magazine follows conventions and creates an air of mystery and intimidating look. The magazine had the typical conventions most magazines consist of.

Horror Magazine Analysis - Scream

This is the front cover of Scream magazine issue 19. The magazine uses three main colours black, white and red. The majority of the text such as the cover lines and small print are the colour white. With the text being the colour white this works well as the background is a dark colour so the texts stands out and is eye catching for the audience. The colour scheme appeals to the target audience because the audience are fans of horror and would be interested in the magazine and by using these colours the audience would be more likely to buy the magazine.

The masthead ‘Scream’ is in the same style and font for every issue and therefore is the company’s brand identity. By the masthead being in the same font every time customers will then associate it with the magazine.  With the masthead being red and dripping it associates it with blood and the unpleasantness of horror. This has a terrifying affect and is eye catching so therefore appeals to the targeted audience. With the masthead being one of only two phrases in red it is more outstanding then the other text and draws your eyes to danger, blood and love. The masthead is also in capital letters and follows most horror conventions of being eye-catching. The strap line ‘Blood, Gut, Gore and More!’ conforms the top of the cover. The colour red is also associated with to the genre of horror as it states what is to be expected inside the magazine.

There are two puffs on the front cover; both are white with black writing in them. Puffs are designed to be eye-catching to the reader to make the want to buy the magazine and read the articles. Puffs feature on most magazines and are a convention. However puffs on magazines tend to be bright colours but these puffs are both white. With the background being dark colours the white puffs stand out amongst the magazine.

The main cover line is in white however ‘Adam Green’ is in red and outlined in white. This is to show contrast and draw your eye to the magazine as the only other writing in red is the masthead. The main cover line is also the biggest and in the centre of the magazine cover in line with the axe. This differs from convention as most magazines main cover line is in the bottom left third of the magazine.

The main shot is of the Adam Green who plays the character Buddy in the film Hatchet. The image is a close up of Adam holding an axe, which as the audience we would assume that he uses in the film. The axe covers Adams mouth this could therefore relate to the film involving terror and torture. His eyes are also another feature that is eye-catching to the audience. They are a cloudy white colour and he appears to be possessed, this will create a frightening appearance and appeal to the audience.

The magazine does not follow conventions as it doesn’t just have one picture on the cover. The magazine cover consists of other images on the front this differs from convention but the magazine still has a sense of terror and horror. Overall this magazine meets the standards of a typical magazine by following conventions which makes it a more traditional horror magazine. 

Horror Magazine Analysis - Fangoria

This is a front cover of Fangoria magazine which is aimed at audiences who like and are interested in horror. The main colours used on this cover are black, red, white and yellow. The colour yellow is used for the main parts of the text for cover lines and articles within the issue. The text in yellow stands out more on the front cover of the magazine because of the black background. The colour white is also used for small print text such as the date, issue number and price etc. The colour white also outlines the masthead, which defines the masthead more and helps create a brand identity.

The layout of the magazine is simple. The masthead is positioned at the top of the magazine where it will be easily seen, this also follows convention. The masthead is outlined in white to make the masthead stand out and appear eye catching. The colour red of the masthead allows it to be the main focus on the fr

ont cover of the magazine. The colour red is only used in the masthead ‘Fangoria’ making it a part of the brand identity as the colour is the same every issue. The cover lines are positioned in the film strip, this portrays a new look and convention to the magazine as they have put all the cover lines on the left side of the magazine. The film strip used on the magazine front cover has become part of Fangoria’s brand identity and is used on the majority if not all the front covers of the magazine that they produce. This is different from convention and therefore portrays variety down the left hand side. However the magazine does follow convention by putting all the cover lines in the bottom left third of the magazine the part that will be most seen on the self. The main cover line ‘Ghost Story’ is written in the original title font of the film. This therefore implies that the issue will be about the film.

The background picture uses the colours of red and brown that portrays a dark element to the image. The women’s face is disintegrating to we you can see her muscles turning black. This image is the USP (unique selling point) of the magazine the image therefore has to be eye catching and enticing making the intended audience want to buy the magazine. The image is of the woman is a close up shot allowing us to see what has happened to her face. The woman is gazing into the camera meaning that the shot is subjective, that she is making eye contact with the reader. All you can see of the woman is the bottom of her neck and her hair which covers her shoulders. The image is of her at an angle which could suggest she is laying down. This differs from convention as most main images on the front of a magazine are of the said person standing up and posing for the camera.

There is a banner in the top left hand corner of the magazine, saying ‘Hidden Content’. This is to advertise and promote the magazine to increase sales. To make the banner eye catching it is a bright colour, yellow this will help grab the attention of the audience.