Unit 1 Fact Sheet Mak Waugh

Front Cover Analysis

Issue Information Buzzword

Masthead

Skyline

Main Image
Coverline

Puff
Price/Barcode

Subline
Main Cover Line
Masthead:
The masthead is the name of the magazine and it is conventionally the largest text on the page. It is
always positioned at the centre top of the magazine cover which enables the audience to see the
name of the magazine when they are stacked in front of each other on shelves in a shop. The
masthead is the established brand of the magazine and the main image conventionally overlaps with
the masthead when it’s an established brand. The masthead is usually in a bold font and stands out
from the magazine. It also conventionally signifies the genre of the magazine.

Empire magazine is conventional because their masthead is the biggest text on the cover and sits at
the centre top of the page in bold text so it can easily stand out from the rest of the magazine. This is
so the audience can clearly see the name of the magazine when they are stacked in front of one-
another. The masthead on Empire uses a unique font that is not used for any other part of the cover.
However, parts of the masthead are unconventional as the main image does not overlap with the
masthead like it does for other magazines. The font and print style of the masthead is bold and in
thick capitalised font. This makes the masthead stand out to the audience – well displaying the
Empire branding. As well as this, the way the font is positioned and edited is important too as the
white-grey colour scheme in the lettering symbolising neutrality, and the way the masthead fades out
into the skyline fits the genre of the sci-fi themed front cover. The connotations of the word EMPIRE
mean supreme power and legacy. This signifies they are a powerful and important enterprise or
holding of large scope that is controlled by a single person, family, or group of associates, which is
what the Empire company is; a large, conglomerate company owned by a group of people. Overall,
the masthead is very convention as it is the largest text on the page and it fits the theme of the
magazine cover. It is positioned at the centre and is in bold capitalised fonts, which establishes the
Empire brand accordingly.

Main Image:
The main image is the image that is on the cover of your magazine. Conventionally, the main image is
a person who is often recognisable or famous so it may attract the audience. The person is also
usually relevant to the genre of the magazine and will further signify that genre to the magazine. They
typically use direct address which makes it look like they are looking directly at the audience which
therefore engages them. The main image usually overlaps with the masthead for an established
brand, the main image also takes up the entire page on the front cover and is typically positioned
centrally. The main image is conventionally an interesting and striking image that will attract the
audience’s attention.

Mise En Scene – Mise En Scene is a French term which means ‘in the scene’. The Mise En Scene is
everything you can see in the image and/or shot. this includes: Costumes, hair, makeup, setting,
props, body language, expression, and lighting and colour. The Mise En Scene is what signifies the
genre to the audience and will be visibly engaging.

The main image for Empire magazine is conventional because the people featured on it is relevant to
the genre so it further signifies the genre of the magazine. The genre of the film magazine is
supernatural and sci-fi so the characters look accordingly to further fit the genre of the magazine and
therefore shows the audience that this may be the genre they are looking for just by looking at the
front cover image of the magazine. The group of people on the magazine are also using direct
address (eye contact with the audience) which is also conventional for magazine covers and further
helps engage the audience. Direct address is used as the characters on the cover of the magazine
are all staring directly towards the audience with a serious expression on their faces, which signifies
that the movie ‘Dune: Part Two’ is serious and eventful. The main image is also conventional because
it takes up the entire page. This signifies that the people on the main image are an important part of
the magazine and that it primarily features them. However, the main image does not overlap with the
masthead on the Empire magazine which therefore doesn’t make it conventional. The cover of this
magazine is also a striking image which is typical for a magazine cover. The connotations for this
main image show the possible protagonist stood at the front holding weapons. This could be the
protagonist, or main character, because he is stood at the front. Conventionally, in media the
protagonist, antagonist, or main character is always stood or positioned at the front leading the rest of
the cast. The weapons – or props – they are holding could signify that the group will be heading into
battle shortly, because of this, the main image for this magazine will attract the audience’s attention
greatly.
Using Mise En Scene, the characters are wearing atypical, futuristic, and strange clothing. This
signifies that the film that the magazine is for contains elements that are set in a futuristic or fantasy
setting, potentially signifying the genre of fantasy and sci-fi. Therefore, this signifies darkness, the
supernatural, and futuristic elements which will be featured within the magazine. As well as this, the
head accessories on the women are very unconventional. This is because head accessories do not
usually look like this and it further reiterates that the film is supernatural and unusual. This may signify
that there are rules put in place depending on your gender which is out of the ordinary for real life or
contents of other films. Also, the model’s hair is either lost or covered which is a common pattern
within the cover of the magazine – not a single character on the page is showing their hair – this also
signifies atypical activity for the contents of the magazine, this is because mise en scene is used
throughout all magazine covers, and hair is a priority for it. So, this is atypical and unusual for a
magazine cover to involve heavy mise en scene but have the hair gone/hidden on all of the characters
featured in the magazine cover. Furthermore, the setting and background of the main image is dark
with blue lighting. The dark lighting and colours could be connotations for sadness, danger, mystery,
or even intense and tension building scenes. The colour blue particularly could signify loss, loyalty,
peace, authority, sadness yet calm. This signifies a final chapter for the films and creates a well-made
main image for the magazine. Looking closer, the (assumed) main protagonist standing in the front Is
holding two weapons: a sword and a dagger. This has connotations of a final battle or major fight of
sorts that is crucial for the story building of the film. All of these aspects of mise en scene is
conventional because the contents of the main image match other magazines in its own significant
way. The background of the main image shows the characters in a strange dark setting, the peculiar
shapes and props in the background further emphasises the futuristic, supernatural genre that the film
is in. the characters seem to be walking out of a metal spherical portal or door which suggests they
are entering/exiting an important room which is widely significant to the film’s storyline. The actors
who are featured on the front cover of the magazine are Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Lea Seydoux,
Stellan Skarsgard, and Dave Bautista. This is conventional for magazine covers as they usually
feature famous actors which the audience may recognise and be fans of and then are more likely to
buy the magazine.
Secondary Image:

Secondary images are any additional images on the

front cover of a magazine other than the main image.
The secondary image provides more visual ideas of
what the magazine is about and also attracts the
audience to become more likely to buy the magazine.

This cover for Empire magazine does not have a

secondary image, so I have chosen a different
magazine cover by Empire.

This Empire magazine for ‘The Hunger Games’ is

conventional because it contains a secondary image in
the corner, not from the hunger games, but a character
from ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’. However, the
secondary image is also unusual because it is not
related to ‘The Hunger Games’ nonetheless, it still may
attract the audience’s attention to the different
Using mise en scene, the character is wearing what
appears to be a cloak and a hat, this may signify the
characters mysterious attitude or resembling somewhat of a mission that he is on. The hat is akin to a
cowboy hat, as the film is a western film and these types of films conventionally involve this certain
type of clothing. The clothes are black to further elevate the enigmatic aesthetic that the character
gives off. Because of the hat, the character’s hair is not visible but he does have quite a bit of facial
hair. This means that the man is middle aged around his late 30s. His hair is dark brown and not too
much of a mess signifying that he is a mostly well-kept man. In the secondary image, the man seems
to be wearing some sort of makeup to make him look aged, tired, and sort of dirty. This has
connotations of the character going on some sort of journey or adventure to further deepen the plot of
the film. However, this secondary image has no setting as it is just a blank grey background and
therefore is not as conventional as other film magazines. The body language and facial expression
within the secondary image has connotations of confidence and pride, which is reinforced through the
low angle shot. This is signified by the man standing tall and looking into the distance, he seems all
knowing and confident of his position, however he is not using direct address – where the
character/characters stare directly into the camera and furthermore audience – this makes the facial
expression of the secondary image seem unconventional. The lighting and colour look warm and
engaging, this makes the character look like he is in a hot area despite not having a setting in the
background which would therefore identify the character’s location, and colour. The secondary image
features “Man with No Name” who is played by Clint Eastwood. Clint is famously known for his
appearances in western, and western themed films. This is because of his charisma and acting style
which is perfect for westerners. Because of this, the audience is likely to appeal to this because of the
recognition of Clint Eastwood and his rise to fame over the decades. Overlooking the secondary
image, the secondary image is mostly conventional and therefore further engages the audience to be
interested in the image despite it not being the same form of media as the main image.

Cover Line:
The coverlines are the text on the front cover that is positioned around the main image. They highlight
the content that will be featured in the magazine to provide information to the audience and appeal to
them. There is always some text that is either bigger, bolder, or a different colour to the rest of the
text. Because of this, the text will usually be the thing that would appeal most to the audience and
therefore will engage them. In coverlines, there is also smaller text underneath the larger that is a
subline gives more information about the content.
In this cover, the coverlines are conventional because it surrounds the image and highlights
information that regards the content that will be featured in the magazine. The coverlines provide
interesting information about the magazine which will help the audience and also appeal to them.
However, the coverlines font size is smaller than the rest of the text on the magazine and also the
colours of the coverlines match with the rest of the magazine which is unusual because the coverlines
are conventionally supposed to stand out from the rest of the magazine. But, part of the layout of the
coverlines are conventional because there is slightly larger text that is in bold – despite the entire
coverline not being very big at all.

Main Cover Line:

The main coverline is formatted in the same way as the other coverlines but is larger than them. The
main coverline is the largest piece of text on the magazine cover after the masthead and is
conventionally linked to the main image. The main coverline is often positioned over the top of the
main cover image or touching it.

The main coverline of this magazine is very conventional. This is because the main coverline is
formatted as being the second largest piece of text on the front cover apart from the masthead which
is the largest. The main coverline is linked to the main image which is very conventional for a typical
magazine cover. As well as this, the main coverline is positioned over the top of the main image and
touching it which makes the main coverline completely conventional for the magazine cover.

Issue Information and Price:

The issue information and price are always the smallest piece of text on the cover of the magazine so
it doesn’t obscure the rest of the cover. It is also conventionally positioned with the barcode or nearby
the masthead

The issue information and price are in separate areas on the cover of the magazine. The issue
information is conventional because it is placed near the masthead – in between the arches of the ‘M’
in EMPIRE and is also the smallest piece of text on the magazine cover. As well as this, the location
of the price on the magazine is also conventional because it is also the smallest piece of text on the
cover and is nearby the barcode – the price is £5.50. Overall, the issue information and price are both
conventional for this, and every magazine cover.

Barcode:
The barcode is conventionally on the front cover on every magazine issued so it can be scanned in
shops. The barcode is always small and at the edge of the magazine so it will not distract the
audience.

The barcode is conventional for this magazine as it has been printed on the front cover of the
magazine but small and out of the way – closer to the edge of the page – so it will not obscure the
audience’s view or distract them when they’re looking at the cover.

Skyline:
The skyline is the text that runs across the top of the front cover of the magazine. It conventionally has
a positioning statement within the skyline.

This magazine cover is conventional because it does have a skyline which is positioned at the top of
the magazine page. However, there is no positioning statement within it, as there is not one on this
magazine cover. This makes the skyline unusual in comparison to other magazine covers created by
Empire.
Positioning Statement:
The positioning statement is the tagline or slogan of the
magazine. It is conventionally placed nearby the masthead
and positions itself within the marketplace so the audience
know what the purpose of the magazine is just by looking
at it. The positioning statement usually promotes the
magazine by also letting the audience know that they are in
fact getting the best content.

The Dune: Part Two magazine does not have a positioning

statement which makes it very unconventional, so I have
chosen another magazine by Empire.

On this magazine cover, the positioning statement is ‘THE

WORLDS BIGGEST MOVIE MAGAZINE’. It is
conventional because of the placement of it being near the
masthead. As well as this, the positioning statement is
placed in a way where the audience will immediately see It
and know the purpose of the magazine. Also, the
positioning statement is conventional because it promotes
the magazine and lets the audience know that they are getting the best content. This makes the
magazine conventional as the same positioning statement is used throughout many other magazines
for Empire.

Puff:
The puff is the shape that looks akin to a sticker. It typically has a coverline or incentive inside of it
and is used to draw the audience’s attention to it.

This magazine has a conventional puff because it is shaped like a sticker. The puff is placed at the
bottom right of the magazine nearing to the corner. As well as this, it has a coverline within it. It says;
“THE OPPRESSORS: “They hate the planet. They hate the people.”” This makes the audience
interested in the contents of the magazine. However, this magazine isn’t as conventional as other
magazines because the puff doesn’t also contain an incentive, since it doesn’t mention any giveaways
or freebies.

Buzzword:
A buzzword is words and phrases that are used to create a feeling of excited and ‘buzz’ and to appeal
to the audience to persuade them to buy the magazine. Examples of buzzwords are ‘exclusive’, ‘free’
etc.

In this magazine, a buzzword is used and is located within the skyline. The buzzword is “EXCLUSIVE”
this is conventional for an Empire magazine since it helps to persuade the audience to buy the
magazine. Because of this, Empire magazine will get more sales from people who they appeal to with
their other and extra content.

House Style:
The house style is the brand style of the magazine. It includes the style of the fonts, layout, colour
scheme, and language. This will usually be appropriate for the genre of the magazine and accurately
reach the correct target audience.

The house style of this magazine is bold and stands out to the audience. The dark blue colours of the
main image contrasts well with the bold masthead and lighter blue coverlines. The colour scheme
makes the cover look dark, serious, and supernatural. This is significant because it matches the genre
of the film that this magazine is about (Dune: Part Two) which is a film based around the supernatural
and space. The fonts used on the front cover are bold and powerful, this stands out to the audience
and will be clearly seen when stacked against each other on the shelves. The language used on this
cover is confident. Examples of this is on the cover lines where it says; “PREPARE TO SCREAM (IN
A GOOD WAY)” the language used here makes the magazine seem promising so the audience will
feel more persuaded to buy it. The house style for this magazine is conventional because the
language, colour, and font matches perfectly with the genre of this magazine.

Incentive:
The incentive is something designed to appeal to the
audience and gives them an extra reason to buy the
magazine. Examples of this are giveaways and freebies.

The Dune: Part Two magazine cover does not include an

Incentive, because of this, I have chosen another
magazine by Empire to temporarily use instead.

In this magazine cover, an incentive is used. The cover

promises “special spoilers” and “inside secrets” of two
other popular forms of media. The incentive says
“SPOILER SPECIAL. INSIDE SECRETS OF SPIDER-MAN
AND STRANGER THINGS” this is used to appeal the
audience and give them an extra reason to purchase the
magazine. This makes this cover conventional because of
its inclusion of an incentive.