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.