Different types of Publications - Little White Lies

This cover is from Little White Lies magazine. Little White Lies is a British Independent film magazine that is released monthly. covers featured on this magazine differ to all other film publications as instead of pictures of stars or directors, it features illustrated drawings of characters and actors. In this edition of Little White Lies, the cover includes vibrant bright colours, this may attract magazine browsers, also similar to previous covers I've looked at the mast head covers the dominant central image. Another thing that is unique about this cover is that there isn't any references to other content, this is very unusual, by not including these references I feel that the illustration is more emphasized.

Different types of Publications - American cinema

This is a cover from the the Film Publication American cinematographer. American cinematographer mainly focuses on the craft of film making. The layout of the cover is much more simple than previous covers I have looked at, and theres much less content then other covers aswell. The magazine cover isn't so bright and similarly to sight and sound has used quite a dull coloured central image. The central image is of actor Javier Bardem, who is a recognisable actor this is likely to attract magazine browsers. Unlike other magazine covers I have looked at, this cover doesn't include alot of references to extra content, however it does have some reference to content at the top.

Different types of Publications - Total Film

This is a cover from Total Film. Total film, like Empire is a mainstream Film magazine and it is easy to see why. Firstly the font is big, bold and contrasts with the other main colour on the page. also the majority of the cover is in bright blue, this is sure to catch peoples attention and stand out from others. Secondly it includes a big dominant central image of a notable character. It's also similar to the Empire cover as the central image covers the masthead which makes it more immersive for the viewer. The cover also includes reference to information on other mainstream Hollywood films at the top, and has extra reference to content running down both sides of the page. aswell as this it includes taglines at the bottom, which is typical of mainstream film magazines.

Different types of Publications - Sight & Sound

This cover is from Sight & Sound, Sight & Sound mainly focuses on Independent and Foreign Language Film. Similarly to Empire, the first thing people will notice when looking at the cover is the main central image, which is of Canadian film maker David Cronenberg. However unlike Empire's magazine central image, David Cronenberg is less recognisable and well known. Another similarity between this and Empires is the layout as they both include reference to content that is running down the side of the magazine. Another difference between this and Empires one is the colour theme, Empires was bright with flamed font, and this uses a dull colour theme and basic themed font. Another notable difference is how the font on this cover overlaps the image, whereas the font on the Empire cover is underlapped by the image.

Different types of Publications - Empire

This cover is from Empire magazine. Empire is a mainstream film publication. In this edition of empire the first thing that stands out is the dominant central image, which is of Hellboy, who is a recognisable character, another thing that stands out is the colour, the bright red and orange must be eye catching while browsing for a magazine, another aspect of the front cover is the font, what's clever about the font is that it matches the theme and character of Hellboy which is the cover story of this edition. The layout is quite simple with the mast head at the top, the image is central and the reference to content running down the side. The masthead is also slightly covered by the central image of Hellboy which makes it seem even more immersive to the viewer, as if Hellboy is coming out the magazine cover. It also includes a banner saying "first look", this suggests that there is something exclusive in this issue of empire, this may make the magazine more desirable for buyers.

Mainstream Magazine Analysis

I have decided that my film will be a Hollywood mainstream picture, as a box office film, my magazine will have to reflect this. By looking at existing mainstream film publications, I hope to better understand what content is expected on these types of magazines, and what I will have to include on my own magazine.

• Recognisable Actor
• Barcode
• Big, Bold Font
• Bright Font
• Reference To Other Content
• Pictures Of Other Content
• Website
• Price
• Tagline
• Cover lines
• Banners

• Recognisable Character
• Bright/Bold Font
• Barcode
• Price
• Edition
• Pictures of Other Content
• Taglines
• Banners
• Movie font
• Reference to other Content

• Recognisable Characters
• Bold/Bright Font
• Barcode
• Issue number
• Price
• Special issue
• Banners
• Taglines
• Reference to other Content
• Pictures of Other Content

Magazine Name Pie Chart

After coming up with potential names for my magazine, I did a survey and asked 50 people their opinion on which name sounded best for a mainstream film magazine, the pie chart above shows the results, and shows that a large proportion of people asked felt "MOVIE" was the best choice for a mainstream magazine name out of the other choices.

10 Potential Magazine Names

Below is a list of 10 potential magazine names for my own publication. By looking at existing Film publications I was able to grasp a better understanding of what kind of words were being used as names for the magazines.

• EPIC FILM
• THE PREMIUM
• COLOSSAL FILM
• PREMIER PRESS
• FILM REEL
• SILVER SCREEN MAGAZINE
• MOVIE 
• FILM GEEK
• FILM BUFF
• SILVER REEL MAGAZIE

EPIC FILM
Epic film would be a suitable name as it creates the impression of a big and great magazine through the use of the word "epic". inspiration for this name came from existing film publication Empire.

THE PREMIUM
As well as Epic film, The Premium also has that kind of "grand" vibe to it, which I am trying to include in my magazine.

COLOSSAL FILM
Colossal Film is another example of a big name, which could attract the publics attention while browsing for  magazine.

PREMIER PRESS
Similar to The Premium, Premier Press has that kind of exclusive, higher class sound to it, which could attract browsers.

FILM REEL
Film Reel is a nice example as it incorporates words relating to the genre of the magazine.

SILVER SCREEN MAGAZINE
This is a potential as it has alliteration and it rhymes which can make it more memorable and desirable for the public.

MOVIE
Movie is a potential as it is clear and simple, and it is only one word, so it may be more memorable than others.

FILM GEEK
Film Geek is a good name as it includes a degree of humour in the word geek, it's also short and memorable because of this.

FILM BUFF
Film Buff would be a suitable name as similarly to Film Geek it's easy to remember and catchy.

SILVER REEL MAGAZINE
Silver reel magazine would also be a good choice as it has an expensive, good quality sound to it , due to the use of the word "Silver".

List of Film Magazine Cover Conventions

Below is a list of typical Conventions I have have discovered whilst observing and analysing different magazine covers. This list represents what most, if not all film magazines include, regardless of what genre of film the magazine belongs to.

• Mast Heads
• Issue number
• Price
• Dominant central images
• Banners
• Cover lines
• Content on giveaways
• Issue date
• Main cover lines

Conventions of Film Magazines

Above is the front cover of an issue of SFX magazine. I have analysed the cover of the magazine and have recorded the conventions I have found. I feel that these findings are helpful to me as they give me an indication of what aspects I am required to have included on my future magazines front cover.